The Inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, March 4, 1861
Abraham Lincoln's First Inauguration was on March 4, 1861. Mr. Lincoln was staying at Willard's Hotel, which had become the centre of attention that day. By 10 A.M the Avenue at that point was blocked up. The day was beautiful and everyone was in the street. Over twenty-five thousand strangers were in the city, many of whom had slept in the Capitol and in the streets—it being absolutely impossible to find a hotel room.
According to custom, the Inaugural ceremonies should have begun at noon. But at that hour Mr. Buchanan was still in his office at the Capitol signing bills. It was not till ten minutes past twelve that he left the Capitol. He drove rapidly to the White House, entered an open barouche with servants in livery, and proceeded to Willard's. There the President-elect, and Senators Pearce and Baker of the Committee of Arrangements, entered the carriage, and in a few minutes the procession began to move.