Although not required by the Constitution, George Washington presented the first Presidential inaugural address on April 30, 1789.
On April 16, 1789, two days after receiving official notification of his election,
George Washington left his home on the Potomac for New York. Accompanied by Charles
Thompson, his official escort, and Col. David Humphreys, his aide, he traveled
through Alexandria, Baltimore, Wilmington, Philadelphia, Trenton, Princeton, New
Brunswick, and Bridgetown (now Rahway, NJ). At these and other places along his
route, the artillery roared a salute of honor and the citizens and officials presented
him with marks of affection and honor, so that his trip became a triumphal procession.
On April 23, he crossed the bay from Bridgetown to New York City in a magnificent
barge built especially for the occasion.
Lacking precedents to guide them in their preparations for the first Presidential
inaugural, Congress appointed a joint committee to consider the time, place,
and manner in which to administer to the President the oath of office required
by the Constitution. Certain difficulties in planning and arrangements arose
from the fact that Congress was meeting in New York’s former City Hall,
rechristened Federal Hall, which was in process of renovation under the direction
of Pierre L’Enfant. On April 25, Congress adopted the joint committee’s
recommendation that the inaugural ceremonies be held the following Thursday,
April 30, and that the oath of office be administered to the President in the
Representatives’Chamber. The final report of the committee slightly revised
this plan with its recommendation that the oath be administered in the outer
gallery adjoining the Senate Chamber, “to the end that the Oath of Office
may be administered to the President in the most public manner, and that the
greatest number of people of the United States, and without distinction, may
witness the solemnity.”
On inauguration day, the city was crowded with townspeople and visitors. At
half past noon, Washington rode alone in the state coach from his quarters in
Franklin Square to Federal Hall on the corner of Wall and Nassau Streets. Troops
of the city, members of Congress appointed to escort the President, and heads
of executive departments of the government under the Confederation preceded
the President’s coach, while to the rear followed ministers of foreign
countries and local citizenry.
At Federal Hall, Vice President John Adams, the Senate, and the House of Representatives
awaited the President’s arrival in the Senate Chamber. After being received
by Congress, Washington stepped from the chamber onto the balcony, where he
was followed by the Senators and Representatives. Before the assembled crowd
of spectators, Robert Livingston, Chancellor of the State of New York, administered
the oath of office prescribed by the Constitution: “I do solemnly swear
that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States,
and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution
of the United States.” After repeating this oath, Washington kissed the
Bible held for him by the Chancellor, who called out, “Long live George
Washington, President of the United States,” and a salvo of 13 cannons
was discharged. Except for taking the oath, the law required no further inaugural
ceremonies. But, upon reentering the Senate Chamber, the President read the
address that is featured here. After this address, he and the members of Congress
proceeded to St. Paul’s Church for divine service. A brilliant fireworks
display in the evening ended the official program for this historic day.
(Information excerpted from Washington’s Inaugural Address of 1789. National Archives and Records Administration: Washington, DC, 1986.)
