WASHINGTON NOTIFIED OF HIS ELECTION. Although Adams did not receive a majority of the whole, he was designated," after the choice of the President, the person having the greatest number of votes of the electors," and thus he became Vice-President.* Official announcement of the result was sent to Washington and Adams, and preparations were immediately begun for installing the new government. Some New York merchants contributed $32,500 so that Federal Hall might be in suitable order for the use to which it was to be put.f Though Washington knew the result of the election, it was not until April 14 that the secretary of the Con published separately, in Economic Tracts, no. viii.; G. W. Lawton, The American Caucus System, its Origin, Purpose and Utility (1884), in Questions of the Day; T. V. Cooper and H. T. Fenton, American Politics (Philadelphia, 1882); Orrin Skinner, Issues of American Politics (Philadelphia, 1873); Arthur Holmes, Parties and their Principles: A Manual of Historical and Political Intelligence (New York, 1859); Walter R. Houghton, History of American Politics, Embracing a History of the Federal Government and of Political Parties in the Colonies and United States from 1607 to 1882 (Indianapolis, 1883); Joseph Brucker, Chief Political Parties in the United States, Their History and Teachings (Milwaukee, 1880); Lewis O. Thompson, Presidents and their Administrations (Indianapolis, 1873); William C. Roberts, Leading Orators of Twenty-Five Campaigns, with a Concise History of Political Parties (New York, 1884); S. M. Allen, Old and New Republican Parties, 1789-1880 (Boston, 1880); R. McK. Ormsby, History of the Whig Party (Boston, 1860). President Harrison, in This Country of Ours (1901) gives an account of the way a President transacts business with the Cabinet officers. * For details of Hamilton's fight against Adams see McMaster, United States, vol. i., pp. 527-530. Lamb, City of New York, vol. ii., p. 329; McMaster, p. 532. 81 tinental Congress, Charles Thomson, arrived with the official notification that he had been elected to the Presidency.* The delay was very acceptable to Washington, since sufficient time was allowed him in which to place his private affairs in comparatively good order before assuming the duties of his new office. In a letter to General Knox, he thus expresses himself: "I feel for those members of the new Congress, who, hitherto, have given an unavailing attendance at the theatre of action. As for myself, the delay may be compared to a reprieve; for in confidence, I tell you, (with the world it would obtain little credit) that my movements to the chair of government will be accompanied by feelings not unlike those of a culprit who is going to the place of his execution; so unwilling am I in the evening of life, nearly consumed in public cares, to quit a peaceful abode for an ocean of difficulties, without that competency of political skill, abilities, and inclination, which are necessary to manage the helm. I am sensible that I am embarking the voice of the people, and a good name of my own, on this voyage, but what returns will be made for them, Heaven alone can foretell. Integrity and firmness are all I can promise. These, be the voyage long or short, shall never forsake me, although I may be deserted by all men; for of the consolations which are to be derived from these, under any circumstances, the world cannot deprive me." ↑ Two days after receiving the notification, Washington set out for New York, an entry being made in his Diary that day as follows: "About ten o'clock, I bade adieu to Mount For Thomson's speech transmitting the intelligence of his election to Washington and Washington's reply, see James D. Richardson, A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presi dents, vol. i., pp. 42-43 (hereafter referred to as Messages and Papers). ↑ Irving, Life of Washington, vol. iv., pp. 539540. 82 INAUGURATION OF WASHINGTON. Vernon, to private life, and to domestic felicity; and, with a mind oppressed with more anxious and painful sensations than I have words to express, set out for New York in company with Mr. Thomson and Colonel Humphreys, with the best disposition to render service to my country in obedience to its call, but with less hope of answering its expectations." * The journey to New York was a triumphant procession, everywhere along the route the citizens showing their appreciation of his devotion to their interests. Addresses were pre sented him by numerous towns, cities, and organizations; parades were held in his honor; and triumphal arches were erected. At New Brunswick the governor of New Jersey joined him, accompanying him to Elizabethtown Point, where he was received by a committee of Congress. On April 23 he embarked from the Point in an elegant barge of thirteen oars, manned by thirteen sailors in white uniforms, † and thence was conducted to New York Bay. The display seems, however, to have given Washington pain rather than pleasure, for in his Diary he makes the following remark: "The display of boats, which attended and joined on this occasion, some with vocal, and others with instrumental music on board, the decorations of the ships, the roar of cannon, and the loud acclamations of the people, which rent the sky as I passed along the wharves, filled my mind with sensations as painful (contemplating * Sparks, Life of Washington, p. 407; Irving, Life of Washington, vol. iv., p. 540; Lodge, George Washington, vol. ii., pp. 42-43. † Oberholtzer, Life of Morris, p. 233. Upon landing at Murray's Wharf, he was saluted by the artillery and conducted to his residence at the corner of Cherry Street and Franklin Squaret by the governor of the State and a large body of officers, clergy, foreign ministers, and others. In the evening the whole city was brilliantly illuminated.‡ Congress had promised itself that when Washington took the oath of office there should be a ceremony. fitting the occasion,|| April 30 being fixed upon as the day on which the inaugural should take place. Shortly after noon on that day the committee appointed by Congress waited upon Washington, and, after the procession had been formed, the march to Federal Hall was begun. Upon his arrival there, Washington went to the Senate Chamber and thence passed to the balcony in front, where the oath of office was administered by Chancellor Livingston. Turning to the people in the street, the Chancellor said: 66 Long live George Washington, President of the United States!" § *Irving, Life of Washington, vol. iv., p. 546. Mr. Boudinot, in a letter quoted in The Republican Court, pp. 130-134, gives a very interesting and full account of the animated scene exhibited on this occasion in the Bay of New York. + Schouler, United States, vol. i., p. 85. Lamb, City of New York, vol. ii., p. 334; McMaster, vol. i., p. 539. For the various proceedings in Congress respecting the inaugural, see Richardson, Messages and Papers, vol. i., p. 47 et seq. § Benton, Abridgment of Debates, vol. i., p. 12. CONGRESS ORGANIZES FOR WORK. Whereupon the air was immediately rent with a wild shout.* After the oath of office had been administered, Washington returned to the Senate Chamber and there delivered his inaugural address. "It was a very touching scene and quite of the solemn kind. His aspect, grave almost to sadness; his modesty, actually shaking; his voice deep, a little tremulous, and so low as to call for close attention; added to the series of objects presented to the mind and overwhelming it, produced emotions of the most affecting kind upon the members." This ceremony over, the President and Vice-President, accompanied by the members of Congress and many others, went to St. Paul's Chapel, where prayers were offered by Bishop Samuel Provost according to the usage of the Protestant Episcopal Church. This ended the ceremonies connected with the inauguration. But the people continued their celebrations far into the night, the scene being rendered still more impressive by the gorgeous illuminations.§ Congress then proceeded to organize for business. The Senate chose its president pro tem, its secretary, and other officers, and only awaited word *Lamb, City of New York, vol. ii., pp. 336–337: McMaster, vol. i., p. 540; Schouler, United States, vol. i., pp. 87-88; McMaster, With the Fathers, p. 176. See Richardson, Messages and Papers, vol. i., pp. 51-54. Schouler, United States, vol. i., p. 88, quoting from Fisher Ames' Works, vol. i., 1789. Sparks, Life of Washington, p. 409. § Lamb, City of New York, vol. ii., p. 338. 83 that the lower House had formed, to begin business. The Senate was disposed to look down upon the House, as it considered itself the revising branch of the legislature; and, considering themselves as the State's sole representatives, the Senators at the very outset assumed superior airs and deemed themselves entitled to higher respect and greater remuneration. There was much talk over titles and ceremonies, and at first the proceedings ceedings were held behind closed doors.* The House of Representatives chose Frederick A. Muhlenburg, of Pennsylvania, as its Speaker.† While at this time the Speaker possessed no little power, the office did not carry with it the political weight that it attained a few years later. The greater part of the business of the House was transacted in Committee of the Whole, the chairman of which was appointed by the Speaker.‡ A few days after organizing for business, the members became involved in a wrangle as to the proper title by which to address Washington, some thinking "His Highness," "His Mightiness," etc., as being the proper forms; but after a long dispute it was decided to address him simply as he is designated in the Constitution. When this point had been Kerr, Origin and Development of the United Slates Senate, pp. 38, 92; Schouler, United States, vel. i., p. 117. + Benton, Abridgment of Debates, vol. i., p. 21; Herbert B. Fuller, Speakers of the House, p. 23. Follett, Speaker of the House, p. 137. See Lodge, George Washington, vol. ii., pp. 50-51; Benton, Abridgment of Debates, vol. i., |