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"Harrison Inaugural," Colored American, March 13, 1841
For the Colored American
FROM OUR WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENT.
U.S. Representatives Hall,
Washington, D.C., March 8, 1841.
March 4th.
Ten o'clock. A.M. We are all life here at this moment. Washington is like a bee hive, with its inmates preparing to swarm--and they will swarm in a few hours, as fast as railroad cars and other means of conveyance can carry them out of the city. They are now running hither and thither in every direction. One can scarcely pass Gadsby's or Brown's, for the crowd. Meantime, the various bodies which are to compose the inaugural procession, are forming in different parts of the city.
Eleven o'clock A.M. Gen. Harrison has just mounted his horse, in front of Mr. Seaton's. He is dressed in a very plain manner, as becomes the President of the Republic.
Five minutes later. The procession has begun to move. Hello! there goes the Maryland car, on which is mounted a spinning jenny, the car being drawn by six milk white horses. There follows a log cabin on wheels, drawn by four horses, with its thirteen streaming banners, representing the original thirteen States. And now the numerous bands from different quarters are moving on a fall into the procession in their appropriate places.
"I see them on their winding way."
There's the famed Harrisburg Convention, that gave [word missing] Harrison for President. There is the Young Men's Baltimore Convention, their true Whig sons. There is this body, that and the other, which I have not time to describe, amid so much bustle and such rapid change.
But what do my astonished eyes behold? Lo! on yon Capitol Hill, what multitudes on multitudes of both sexes stand, surveying the distant scene below! Let me hasten thither, to enjoy the magnificent spectacle.
Capitol Hill, 10 minutes before 12. Yonder comes the long, vast procession, sweeping through Pennsylvania Avenue like "an army with banners," at the sound of soul stirring strains of martial music, the bells of the city churches, the while, ringing their animating peals. And other crowds are pressing on from all quarters, to participate in the grand festival. At this very moment, my eyes fall on the most sublime and magnificent spectacle, take it all in all, that ever fell to my lot to behold! But what are yonder shouts that salute my ears, on the inaugural side of the capitol? Let me go and see.
The mass! the mass of human beings congregated at the entrance gate, is prodigious indeed!
The procession is coming through the gate. There he comes! there he comes! there he comes!
"He comes! the conquering hero comes!"
The shouts of the mighty multitude rend the vaulted skies!
Half past twelve. Harrison and Tyler--"Tip and Tyler"--have just been ushered upon the stage in front of the Capitol; and the shouts of the mighty mass below have once more rent the heavens!
Ten minutes later. General Harrison has commenced the delivery of his inaugural, in a loud, clear voice.
Quarter before 2. He has just finished, having been repeatedly cheered during its delivery.
Quarter past two. The procession is now returning, and the General has just passed the spot in Pennsylvania Avenue, where I am pencilling this sentence. The crowd is immense. I should not be surprised to learn that there are 100,000 people now in motion here! The enthusiasm is unbounded. Flags and handkerchiefs are waving all along the Avenue, from the windows, as the new President passes. The Avenue is one cloud of dust from end to end.
Ten minutes past 3. President Harrison has just entered the White House, amid the most enthusiastic and triumphant shouts.
Congress adjourned about midnight, on the 3d. They have accomplished but little this session, just as I expected they would do, when I saw how much time they spent in short sittings and long speeches.
The Supreme Court are to adjourn on the 10th. It is expected that the Amistad captives will be liberated and sent to Africa in a national ship.
Having now carried you through the session of Congress, I conclude my Washington correspondence for your paper, and bid you
Adieu,
LIBERTAS.
