Show CHOICE OF BUT TEN STATES now york state had no part in the election of the first president of the united states foursome years following the establishment of the federal government the legislatures of most of the states chose the presidential electors the people voting for them only indirectly their choice being expressed by their votes for legislators A deadlock between the senate and the assembly prevented teil the selection of electors from new york state rhode island and north carolina had not yet ratified the constitution so washington waa wa elected the first time by the votes of only ten of the 13 states new york city was the scene of the first inauguration however washington took the oath on the portico of federal hall on the present site of tho at walland nassau streets april 30 1789 immediately following this ceremony lie he retired within the building and delivered an address to congress which met in federal hall ira in those days john bolm adams the second president also addressed congress in person hut but jefferson broke tho the custom which president wilson has revived jefferson stigmatized that form of address as monarchical and put his message in writing new york sun |