It was on April 16, 1789, that Washington left Mount Vernon for New York, where Congress first met, and where he was to be inaugurated President. The country all along the route was eager to see him, and at every place through which he passed there were processions and triumphal arches and ringing of bells. Some of the signs of welcome were queer, and some were beautiful and touching. When he crossed the Schuylkill, there was a series of arches under which he was to ride; and when he came to the first one, a laurel wreath was let down upon his head. The people who arranged that exhibition must have been very anxious as to how it would turn out. At Trenton, where everybody remembered the famous battle he had fought, the women had put up a great triumphal arch resting upon thirteen columns, with a great dome crowned by a sunflower; then, as he rode through, he came upon a company of women and girls who came toward him, strewing flowers and singing. When he reached New York, guns were fired; and a vast crowd of people, headed by the Governor, was waiting to receive him. Congress had begun its sessions at Federal Hall, which stood where the present Treasury building stands in Wall street. The day set for the inauguration was April 30. Precisely at noon, the procession moved from the house where Washington was lodged, through what is now Pearl street and Broad street, to the Hall. Washington entered the Senate Chamber, where John Adams, who was Vice-President and therefore presiding over the Senate, received him in the presence of the Senate and House, and then escorted him to a balcony at the front of the Hall. A crimson-covered table stood on it, holding a large Bible. Below, Broad street and Wall street were packed with people, as were also the windows and the roofs of the houses near by. They set up a great shout as Washington appeared. He came to the front, laid his hand on his heart, and bowed to the people. The multitude could see the commanding figure of the great general as he stood bare-headed on the balcony. He was dressed in a suit of brown cloth, of American manufacture, with knee-breeches and white silk stockings and silver shoe-buckles. His hair was dressed and powdered, as was the custom then. They saw near him John Adams and Robert R. Livingston, the Chancellor of the State of New York, and distinguished men—generals and others; but their eyes were bent on Washington. They saw Chancellor Livingston stand as if speaking to him, and the Secretary of the Senate holding the open Bible on which Washington’s hand lay. Those nearest could hear the Chancellor pronounce the oath of office and Washington’s reply, “I swear—so help me, God!” and could see him bow and kiss the Bible.