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Lot 132
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George Washington Arrives in New York City to Assume the Presidency
George Washington Arrives in New York City to Assume the Presidency
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Description:

George Washington
Boston, MA, April 30, 1789
George Washington Arrives in New York City to Assume the Presidency
Newspaper

[GEORGE WASHINGTON.] Independent Chronicle and the Universal Advertiser, April 30, 1789. Boston: Thomas Adams and John Nourse. 4 pp., 11.75" x 19.5". Disbound; general toning; some edge tears; scattered staining.

This issue of a Boston newspaper gives details of the counting of the electoral votes for the first President and Vice President of the United States, the notification of John Adams of his election as Vice President, and the festivities surrounding his departure from Massachusetts to take office in New York.

Excerpts
"YESTERDAY at 2 o'clock, arrived in this city his Excellency GEORGE WASHINGTON, President of the United States of America.—A committee of the honourable the Congress—a deputation of the State Officers, consisting of his Honor the Chancellor, and the Adjutant-General, accompanied by a deputation from the corporation of this city, consisting of the recorder, received his Excellency the President at Elizabeth-town, in the elegant barge which was previously constructed for the purpose, and rowed by thirteen pilots, under the superintendence of Capt. Randall.. ..
"The bells were rung, and colours were displayed from the fort—from the vessels in the harbour, and from several buildings in the city; the streets were crouded with citizens, and the windows decorated with the fair daughter of Columbia.
"In the evening the city was elegantly illuminated.
"The joy and satisfaction universally expressed on the safe arrival of this illustrious personage, clearly evinces that patriotism and magnanimity, are still held in respect and veneration among our citizens. His Excellency having, in a distinguished manner, displayed those eminent virtues, in a series of important and faithful service, rendered his country, in the most gloomy and distressing periods." (p2/c3)

"Monday arrived here, amidst the acclamations of all ranks of citizens, his Excellency JOHN ADAMS, Esq. Vice-President of the United States. The Cavalcade which escorted his Excellency into the city, was numerous, and truly respectable. His Excellency alighted at the house of the Honorable John Jay, Esq." (p2/c4)

[Adams's Address to the Senate:]
"I should be destitute of sensibility, if, upon my arrival in this city, and presentation to this Legislature, and especially to this Senate, I could see, without emotion, so many of those characters, of whose virtuous exertions I have so often been a witness; from whose countenances & examples I have ever derived encouragement and animation, whose disinterested friendship has supported me, in many intricate conjunctures of public affairs, at home and abroad: Those celebrated defenders of the liberties of this country, whom menaces could not intimidate, corruption seduce or flattery allure: Those intrepid asserters of the rights of mankind, whose philosophy and policy have enlightened the world, in twenty years, more than it was ever before enlightened in many centuries, by ancient schools, or modern universities." (p2/c4)
"It is with satisfaction, that I congratulate the people of America on the formation of a national constitution and the fair prospect of a consistent administration of a good government of laws; on the acquisition of a House of Representatives, chosen by themselves; of a Senate thus composed, by their own State Legislatures; and on the prospect of an executive authority, in the hands of one, whose portrait I shall not presume to draw. Were I blessed with powers to do justice to his character, it would be impossible to increase the confidence or affection of his country, or make the smallest addition to his glory." (p2/c4)

"WANTED, A white or black WOMAN to serve in a small family in the country; she must be acquainted with Cookery. Inquire of the Printers hereof." (p4/c4)

Historical Background
The first election of a President under the new United States Constitution was held from December 15, 1788, to January 10, 1789. Federalist electors won more than 90 percent of the nearly 44,000 votes cast in the six states that allowed popular votes. In the other four states, the legislature selected presidential electors. Neither North Carolina nor Rhode Island participated because those states had not yet ratified the Constitution, and New York's legislature deadlocked on selecting electors and did not participate. The 69 electors from the other ten states voted in early February and unanimously selected George Washington as President. They spread their votes for Vice President among ten candidates, with John Adams receiving a plurality of 34. A joint session of Congress counted the electoral votes on April 6, 1789, and declared George Washington and John Adams elected. Washington received notice of his election on April 14 and proceeded from Mount Vernon to New York to take office, receiving triumphal welcomes in many cities in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey as he passed through.

Adams received notice of his election on April 9 and arrived on April 20 in New York, where he took the oath of office as Vice President the next day. Washington arrived in New York City on April 23 and was inaugurated at Federal Hall on April 30. Chancellor Robert Livingston of New York administered the presidential oath of office.

Additional Content
This issue also includes the proceedings of Congress with details on the tariff on imported goods (p1/c3-p2/c2); results of the recent election, with Samuel Adams being reelected as lieutenant governor over Benjamin Lincoln (p3/c2); and a variety of notices and advertisements, including one advertising "A Negro Girl, 13 years old to be disposed of until she is eighteen. Inquire of the Printers." (p3/c4), and another advertising William Aspinwall's smallpox hospital (p4/c2).

The Independent Chronicle and the Universal Advertiser (1776-1840) was a weekly, then semi-weekly, newspaper published in Boston, Massachusetts. Published under various titles in Salem and Cambridge, the newspaper settled in Boston in 1776 as The Independent Chronicle. Later in 1776, it became The Independent Chronicle, and the Universal Advertiser, a title that it carried until 1801. Publishers included Edward E. Powars and Nathaniel Willis (1755-1831). Willis left the Independent Chronicle in 1784 and settled in Virginia and then Ohio, where he published the Scioto Gazette, the first newspaper in the Northwest Territory. Thomas Adams (c. 1757-1799) and John Nourse (ca. 1762-1790) purchased the newspaper in 1784 and published it until Nourse's death. Adams continued publication until 1799, at times with partner Isaac Larkin (d. 1797). Abijah Adams and Ebenezer Rhoades published the newspaper from 1799 to 1817, when others purchased and continued the newspaper.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 11.75" x 19.5"
  • Medium: Newspaper

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