Philadelphia Welcomes President Washington

In September of 1790, President George Washington visited Philadelphia on his way south from New York City. This report about a gathering in his honor appeared in the September 8, 1790 issue of The Pennsylvania Gazette.

A Repast and Toast

Thursday last about two o’clock arrived in town from New York, the President of the United States — his lady and their suite. They were joined on their approach by a number of respectable citizens — the city troops of horse, artillery, and companies of light infantry, who, on this occasion, as well as others, all testified their affection for the BENEFACTOR OF MANKIND.

Every public demonstration of joy was manifested; — the bells announced his welcome — a feue de joye was exhibited — and as he rode through town, to the City-Tavern, age bowed with respect and youth repeated, in acclamations, the applauses of the HERO of the Western World.

At four o’clock he partook of a repast (provided by the Corporation at the City-Tavern) accompanied by the members of our Legislature and of the State Convention — by the President and other Executive Officers of Pennsylvania, at which REASON, VALOUR and HOSPITALITY presided.
After dinner the following toasts were drank:

1. The United States.
2. The King and National Assembly of France.
3. Foreign Nations in alliance with the United States.
4. May the United States be as firm in its support, as they were prompt in their establishment of their Constitution.
5. The State of Pennsylvania, and success to the new Form of Government.
6. The Friends of Liberty and Science in all nations.
7. The memory of the deceased Patriots and Heroes of America.
8. The Daughters of America.
9. The Vice-President of the United States.
10. The Marquis de Lafayette.
11. Agriculture, Manufactures, and Commerce.
12. Liberty and good Government to all nations.
13. OUR FRIEND, AND THE FRIEND OF MANKIND.

In the evening there was a brilliant display of fireworks in Market street.

On Monday morning the President of the United States proceeded on his journey to his seat in Virginia.

Source: The Pennsylvania Gazette – September 8, 1790
Top Image: General Washington at Christ Church, Easter Sunday, 1795

All images included in blog posts are from either Accessible Archives collections or out of copyright public sources unless otherwise noted. Common sources include the Library of Congress, The Flickr Commons, Wikimedia Commons, and other public archives.

Related Posts

• Catarrh by any Other Name: Influenza is Back (1790)
• Irish Indentured Servants in the Colonies
• “Negro Generosity” in 1790 Jamaica
• King George and the Indian Chiefs in London
• Philadelphia Welcomes President Washington