This morning I was leafing through my copy of "The Glorious Burden" by Stefan Lorant and came across a mid-19th century depiction of George Washington's first inauguration. This led me down a quick rabbit hole of finding the source image, which then brought me to several other fantastic sources.
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| Source: Library of Congress |
This was published as an engraving by Henry S. Sadd, the Library of Congress provides this additional note:
Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1849 by John Neale, in the Clerk's Office of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
See if you can identify who else is in this scene, I'll give you some clues:
- Member's of the first cabinet
- The first Vice President
- Key Members of the first Congress
- The governor of New York
- Even a bishop
Below you will find a key to who is depicted. In addition, the publisher, John Neale, included the full text of Washington's inaugural address.
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| Source: Library of Congress |
While using google image search to dig more sources I also come upon a representation of Washington receiving word that he had been elected as the President.
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| Source: New York Public Library |
This drawing shows Charles Thomson, the Secretary of the Congress, who was sent to inform Washington of his election. While it may not of occurred this way, it is fun to think it may have!
Finally here is a key to the print of Washington's delivery of the first inaugural address. How may did you find?
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| Source: Library of Congress |
