APRIL 28th
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"General Washington cannot leave this place without expressing his acknowledgments, to the Matrons and Young Ladies who received him in so Novel and grateful a manner at the Triumphal Arch in Trenton."
Washington’s Reception, Trenton. LOC
To the Ladies of Trenton who assembled
at the Triumphal Arch, 21 April 1789
General Washington cannot leave this place without expressing his acknowledgments, to the Matrons and Young Ladies who received him in so Novel and grateful a manner at the Triumphal Arch in Trenton, for the exquisite sensation he experienced in that affecting moment. The astonishing contrast between his former and actual situation at the same spot, the elegant taste with which it was adorned for the present occasion, and the innocent appearance of the white-robed Choir who met him with the gratulatory song, have made such impressions on his remembrance, as, he assures them, will never be effaced.*
* In a letter from Jane Ewing to James Hunter, jr., at Philadelphia, 23 April, 1789, she wrote: “The Triumphal Arch supported by thirteen Pillars adorned with wreaths of flowers the form was thus (a rough diagram of arch and pillars, entwined with flowers. The inscription on the arch reads: ‘The Protector of the Mothers will also protect their Daughters.’ Below the center of the arch was hung a small square on which was the date December 26, 1776) the writing large letters painted yellow on white; the pillars on one side 6 the other 7 observe all the Scollops is wreaths of laurel and pillars flowers. the Ladies was rang’d in a line from the arch along the Bridge and thirteen Girls dress’t in white with Baskets of flowers they sung the inclos’d song and when they come these words Build and strew thy way with flowers they skaterd them round that is the flowers out of their Baskets round his horses feet. he sat on his horse while they sung and then made them a low Bow say’d the Ladies had done them a very great honour requested them to except his most greateful thanks, the most respectable Carecters met him at the ferry, the Infantry and Dragoons they made a grand apearance he stayd all night at Vandigrifts Mr. Ewing and a few others spent the Evening with him and next morning at Sunrise accompanied him 8 miles out of town.” — Fitzpatrick, et al., WGW
“Washington reached Princeton April 21, where he received and answered an address from the president and faculty of the College of New Jersey and the inhabitants. He reached New Brunswick April 22, and lodged at Woodbridge; and arrived at Bridgetown April 23. A specially built barge, rowed by 13 pilots, with Capt. Thomas Randall acting as coxswain, conveyed him across New York bay to the city, which he reached about 2 o’clock p. m. This barge was afterwards presented to the President (The letter from a number of gentlemen of New York City to Captain Randall, Apr. 20, 1789, is in the Washington Papers).” — Fitzpatrick, et al., WGW
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