The First Inauguration

On April 30, 1789, some 221 years ago today. George Washington was the first President to take the oath of office. At that time the capitol was located in New York City and Washington too the oath at Federal Hall. At that time, no one knew exactly what to expect from the office of the presidency, or even how the president would be addressed. The pomp and circumstance of Washington's arrival in New York and of his swearing in is described by contemporary Dutch writer Rudolph Van Dosten, as follows:

"President George Washington made his entry into New York on Thursday, April 23d. On the previous day a barge left this city. The barge was built expressly by the citizens of New York, and was rowed by thirteen pilots, all dressed in white. A committee of three Senators and five Representatives on behalf of Congress, and three of the first officers on behalf of New York, went to Elizabethtown in New Jersey, to welcome the President, and to await his arrival there. His Excellency was also accompanied by some well-equipped sloops and by a multitude of small craft with citizens of New Jersey and New York on board.

A Spanish royal packet-boat, happening to be anchored at the entrance of the harbor, at sight of the barge, on board of which was the President, fired a signal-shot, whereupon that vessel was dressed at once with the flags of all nations. When the presidential barge passed, the Spanish vessel saluted his Excellency by firing thirteen guns, which was repeated by the Battery, and again thirteen guns were fired by the fort when the President landed.

His Excellency was received by Governor George Clinton, the mayor of the city and other officers, and, after a procession had formed, consisting of some companies of uniformed citizens and the merchants and other citizens of the city, the President walked with his escort and, Governor Clinton at his side, to the house prepared by Congress for his use."

Washington remained at his New York residence for a week while the House and the Senate ironed out their differences over how the formal inauguration should be conducted. Finally, on April 30, Washington was escorted to Federal Hall on Wall Street and into the Senate Chamber. Washington, Vice President John Adams, the Senators and Representatives stepped out of the chamber onto a balcony overlooking the street filled with a cheering crowd. As there were no Supreme Court Justices at the time, the Oath of Office was administered by Chancellor Robert R. Livingstone - New York's highest ranking judge.



The Bible used in the ceremony was from St. John's Masonic Lodge, No.1, and in haste it was randomly opened to Genesis 49:13. ("Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon.") After the oath was administered, Judge Livingston shouted "Long live George Washington, President of the United States!" and the crowd replied with cheers and cannon fire.

The first inaugural address was subsequently delivered by Washington in the Senate chamber. It was 1419 words in length. No inaugural balls were held on the day of the ceremony, however a week later on May 7 a ball was held in New York to honor the first president.