manner. appearance indeed, dressed in all their pomp of attire. The Spanish ship of war, the Galveston, in a moment,* on a signal given, discovered twenty-seven or twenty-eight different colors, of all nations, on every part of the rigging, and paid us the compliment of thirteen guns, with her yards all manned, as did also another vessel in the harbor, the North Carolina, displaying colors in the same We had a like compliment from the battery, of eighteen pounders. We soon arrived at the ferry stairs, where there were many thousands of the citizens, waiting with all the eagerness of expectation, to welcome our excellent patriot to that shore which he regained from a powerful enemy by his valor and good conduct. We found the stairs covered with carpeting and the rails hung with crimson. The President, being preceded by the committee, was received by the governor and the citizens in the most brilliant manner. He was met on the wharf by many of his old and faithful officers and fellow patriots, who had borne the heat and burthen of the day with him, who like him had experienced every reverse of fortune with fortitude and patience, and who now joined the universal chorus of welcoming their great deliverer (under Providence) from all their fears. It was with difficulty a passage could be made by the troops through the pressing crowds, who seemed incapable of being satisfied with gazing at this man of the people. You will see the particulars of the procession from the wharf to the house appointed for his residence, in the newspapers. The streets were lined with the inhabitants as thick as they could stand, and "Every ship in the harbor," says Colonel Stone, was gayly dressed for the occasion except the Galveston, a Spanish man of-war, which lay at anchor displaying only her own proper colors. The contrast which she presented, when compared with the splendid flags and streamers floating from every other vessel in the bay, especially the government ship, the North Carolina, was universally observed, and the neglect was beginning to occasion unpleasant remarks, when, as the barge of the General came abreast, in an instant, as if by magic, the Spaniard exhibited every flag and signal known among nations." On Washington's arrival at the stairs, prepared and ornamented, at Murray's Wharf, for it required all the exertions of a numerous train of city officers, with their staves, to make a passage for the company. The houses were filled with gentlemen and ladies the whole distance, being about half a mile, and the windows, to the highest stories, were illuminated by the sparkling eyes of innumerable companies of ladies, who seemed to vie with each other in showing their joy on this great occasion. It was half an hour before we could finish our commission and convey the President to the house prepared for his residence. As soon as this was done, notwithstanding his great fatigue of both body and mind, he had to receive the gentlemen and officers, to a very large number, who wished to show their respect in the most affectionate manner. When this was finished and the people dispersed, we went, undressed, and dined with his Excellency Governor Clinton, who had provided an elegant dinner for us. Thus ended our commission. The evening, though very wet, was spent by all ranks in visiting the city, street after street being illuminated in a superb manner. I cannot help stating now how high his landing, he was saluted by Colonel Bauman's artillery, and received and congratulated by the Governor and the officers of the state and the city. From the wharf the procession moved in the following order: Colonel Morgan Lewis, accompanied by Majors Morton and Van Horne; German Grenadiers, Captain Scriba; Infantry of the Brigade, Captains Swartwout and Stediford; Grenadiers, Captain Harsin; Regiment of Artillery, Colonel Bauman; General Malcom, and Aid; Officers of the Militia, two and two; Committee of Congress; The PRESIDENT; Governor CLINTON, President's Suite; Mayor and Aldermen of New York; The Reverend Clergy; Their Excellencies, the French and Spanish Ambassadors, in their carriages; ly we were favored in the weather; the whole procession had been completely finished, and we had repaired to the Governor's, before it began to rain. When the President was on the wharf an officer came up and, addressing him, said he had the honor to command his Guard, and that it was ready to obey his orders. The President answered that, as to the present arrangement, he should proceed as was directed, but that after that was over, he hoped he would give himself no farther trouble, as the affection of his fellowcitizens (turning to the crowd) was all the guard he wanted." The house to which Washington was conducted, and which became his official residence, was that which still exists at the corner of Cherry street and Franklin square. It was owned by Mr. Osgood, of the Treasury Board, and had been occupied by the presidents of the Continental Congress. As his domestic establishment was not yet organized his table for a few days was supplied from Fraunces's tavern, and on the evening of his arrival he was entertained at dinner by Governor Clinton, with the Vice President, the heads of departments, the committee of Congress appointed to receive him, the foreign ambassadors, and several other eminent persons. "The occasion of the President's first arrival at the seat of government," says Fenno, "arrested the public attention beyond all powers of description; the hand of industry was suspended, and the various pleasures of the capital were centered in a single enjoyment." Some who were advanced in years, and hardly expected to see him till they should meet in heaven, could with difficulty "restrain their impatience at being in a measure deprived of the high gratification, by the eagerness of the multitude of children and young people, who probably might long enjoy the blessing; and others were heard to say they should now die contented, nothing having been wanted previous to this auspicious time but a sight of the Saviour of his Country." John Adams, in a speech to the senate on taking his place as president of that body, two days before Washington's arrival in the city, said of him, "Were I blessed with powers to do justice to his character, it would be impossible to increase the confidence and respect of his country, or make the smallest addition to his glory. This can only be effected by a discharge of the present exalted trust, on the same principles, with the same abilities and virtues, which have uniformly appeared in all his former life, public and private. May I, nevertheless, be indulged to inquire, If we look over the catalogues of the first magistrates of nations, whether they have been denominated presidents or consuls, kings or princes, where shall we find one whose commanding talents and virtues, whose overruling good fortune, have so completely united all hearts and voices in his favor; who enjoyed the esteem and admiration of foreign nations and fellow citizens with equal unanimity?.... By these great qualities, and their benign effects, has Providence marked out the head of this nation, with a hand so distinctly visible, as to have been seen by all men and mistaken by none." Yet the modest estimate which the Chief entertained respecting his own abilities had brought a melancholy foreboding to mingle with the patriotic joy awakened by all these recent triumphs. The day after he thus entered New York he wrote in his private journal: "The display of boats which attended and joined us on this occasion, some with vocal and some with instrumental music on board, the decorations of the ships, the roar of cannon, and the loud acclamations of the people which rent the skies as I passed along the wharves, filled my mind with sensations as painful (considering the reverse of this scene, which may be the case, after all my labors to do good,) as they are pleasing." It is noted among the incidents of the day that the schooner |