The Senate now had practically no choice but to drop the matter, but in so doing adopted a resolution that because of its desire that “a due respect for the majesty of the people of the United States may not be hazarded by singularity,” the Senate was still of the opinion “that it would be proper to annex a respectable title to the office.”  Thus it came about that the President of the United States is distinguished by having no title.  A governor may be addressed as “Your Excellency,” a judge as “Your Honor,” but the chief magistrate of the nation is simply “Mr. President.”  It was a relief to Washington when the Senate discontinued its attempt to decorate him.  He wrote to a friend, “Happily this matter is now done with, I hope never to be revived.”

Details of the social entanglements in which Washington was caught at the outset of his administration are generally omitted by serious historians, but whatever illustrates life and manners is not insignificant, and events of this character had, moreover, a distinct bearing on the politics of the times.  The facts indicate that Washington’s arrangements were somewhat encumbered by the civic ambition of New York.  That bustling town of 30,000 population desired to be the capital of the nation, and, in the splendid exertions which it made, it went rather too far.  Federal Hall, designed as a City Hall, was built in part for the accommodation of Congress, on the site in Wall Street now in part occupied by the United States Sub-Treasury.  The plans were made by Major Pierre Charles l’Enfant, a French engineer who had served with distinction in the Continental Army but whose clearest title to fame is the work which he did in laying out the city of Washington when it was made the national capital.  Federal Hall exceeded in dignified proportions and in artistic design any public building then existing in America.  The painted ceilings, the crimson damask canopies and hangings, and the handsome furniture were considered by many political agitators to be a great violation of republican simplicity.  The architect was first censured in the public press and then, because of disputes, received no pay for his time and trouble, although, had he accepted a grant of city lots offered by the town council he would have received a compensation that would have turned out to be very valuable.

Federal Hall had been completed and presented to Congress before Washington started for New York.  The local arrangements for his reception were upon a corresponding scale of magnificence, but with these Washington had had nothing to do.  The barge in which he was conveyed from the Jersey shore to New York was fifty feet long, hung with red curtains and having an awning of satin.  It was rowed by thirteen oarsmen, in white with blue ribbons.  In the inauguration ceremonies Washington’s coach was drawn by four horses with gay trappings and hoofs blackened and polished.  This became his usual style.  He seldom walked in the street,