vessels were adorned with flags, and the river alive with boats, gayly decked out in like manner, with bands of music on board; the place of his landing was thronged with crowds of citizens, gathered together to welcome his arrival. The roar of cannon and the shouts of the multitude announced his landing, and he was conducted to his lodging by thousands of grateful hearts, who remembered what he had done for them in the days of their trial. It had been arranged that a military escort should attend him; but when the officer in command announced his commission, Washington replied, "I require no guard but the affections of the people," and declined their attendance.

At this moment, Washington, though grateful for these spontaneous proofs of affectionate veneration, was not elated. In describing the scene in one of his familiar letters, he says:-"The display of boats on this occasion, with vocal and instrumental music on board, the decorations of the ships, the roar of cannon, and the loud acclamations of the people, as I passed along the wharves, gave me as much pain as pleasure, contemplating the probable reversal of this scene, after all my endeavours to do good." Happily, his anticipations were never realized. Although his policy in relation to the French Revolu

tion, which was as wise as it was happy in its consequences, did not give universal satisfaction, still he remained master of the affections and confidence of the people. The laurels he had won in defence of the liberties of his country, continued to flourish on his brow while living, and will grow green on his grave to the end of time.

On the thirtieth day of April, 1789, he took the oath, and entered on the office of President of the United States, one of the highest as well as most thankless that could be undertaken by man. The head of this free government is no idle, empty pageant, set up to challenge the admiration, and coerce the absolute submission of the people; his duties are arduous, and his responsibilities great; he is the first servant, not the master of the state, and is amenable for his conduct, like the humblest citizen. As the executor of the laws, he is bound to see them obeyed; as the first of our citizens, he is equally bound to set an example of obedience. The oath, "to preserve, protect, and defend the constitution of the United States," was administered in the balcony of the old Federal Hall in New York, by the chancellor of the state, and the interesting ceremony was witnessed by a great concourse of people. All stood in silence, until the oath was taken, and then,

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when the Chancellor proclaimed that GEORGE WASHINGTON WAS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, a shout of joy burst from many thousands of grateful and affectionate hearts. The president went into the senate chamber, and in a modest but dignified manner, addressed the senate and house of representatives. In the course of his address he said,— "It will be peculiarly improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being, who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aid can supply every human defect,-that his benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States, a government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes, and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success the functions allotted to his charge. In tendering this homage to the great Author of every public and private good, I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own; nor those of my fellow-citizens at large, less than either. No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which conducts the affairs of men, more than the people of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character

of an independent nation, seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency." In conclusion, he said, "I shall take my present leave, but not without resorting once more to the benign Parent of the human race, in humble supplication, that since he has been pleased to favour the American people with opportunities for deliberating in perfect tranquillity, and dispositions for deciding, with unparalleled unanimity, on a form of government for the security of their union and advancement of their happiness; so his divine blessing may be equally conspicuous in the enlarged views, the temperate consultations, and wise measures, on which the success of this government must depend."

The Senate, in reply, expressed their high estimation of his wisdom and virtue, and said, "All that remains is that we join in your fervent supplications for the blessing of Heaven on our country; and that we add our own for the choicest of those blessings on the most beloved of her citizens."

CHAPTER XIII.

HE administration of Washingtonextending from 1789 to 1797-was as honourable as had been his military

life. There were difficulties enough, in the formation of a new government like ours, to test the wisdom and the patriotism of the greatest of men; but the condition of the

world at this period of almost universal upturnings and overthrows, rendered the direction of public affairs doubly arduous and perilous. The Father of his Country seemed now, as he had seemed when at the head of our armies, the liberating and guiding minister of the King of kings.

As when in the field, Washington declined receiving from the people anything beyond his actual expenditures. He called round him a cabinet of the most able and honest statesmen, and with them devoted himself incessantly to the arduous business of putting the government in successful operation.