April 30. We have had this day one of those impressive sights which dignify and adorn human nature. At nine o'clock all the churches were opened--and the people, in prodigious numbers, thronged these sacred temples--and, with one voice, put up their prayers to Almighty God for the safety of the President. At twelve the procession moved to the Federal State House, where in the gallery fronting Broad Street, in the presence of an immense concourse, His Excellency took the oath, the book being placed on a velvet cushion. The Chancellor then proclaimed him President--and in a moment the air trembled with the shouts of the citizens, and the roar of artillery. His Excellency, with that greatness of soul--that dignity and calmness, which are his characteristics--then bowed to his "fellow-citizens"--who again huzzaed. * * * * * From "_History of the Arts of Design in America_," by William Dunlap: Major L'Enfant was a native of France; he was employed to rebuild after a design of his own the old New York City Hall in Wall Street, fronting Broad Street; making therefrom the Federal Hall of that day (1789). The new building was for the accommodation of Congress; and in the balcony upon which the Senate Chamber opened, the first President of the United States was inaugurated. A ceremony which I witnessed, and which for its simplicity, the persons concerned in it, the effect produced upon my country and the world, in giving stability to the Federal Constitution, by calling Washington to administer its blessings, remains on my mind unrivaled by any scene witnessed, through a long life, either in Europe or America. * * * * * From Dunlap's "_School History of New York_": In 1789, I saw Washington divested of the garb of war, place his hand on the Bible, and swear to support that Constitution under which I have since lived happily half a century. Between the pillars of the old City Hall, in Wall Street, as altered for the reception of the Federal Congress, in view of thousands who filled Broad Street as far as the eye could extend its view, and every avenue within sight of the building, the man of the people's choice was announced to them, as the first President of the United States of America. * * * * * Abstract of account in _New York Packet_: New York, May 1, 1789. Yesterday at two o'clock was solemnly inaugurated into office, our Illustrious President. The ceremony was begun by the following procession from the Federal House to the President's house, viz.: Troop of Horse Assistants Committee of Representatives Committee of Senate Gentlemen to be admitted in the Senate Chamber Gentlemen in coaches Citizens on foot On their arrival, the President joined the procession in his carriage and four, and the whole moved through the principal streets to the State House in the following order: