From Bentley Diaries Volume I p. 130-131On Thursday, Oct. 29,[1789] General Washington, the President of the United States visited Salem. Notice of his approach from Marblehead was to be given by hoisting a flag at Gardiner's Mills, two miles from the town and at the head of the bay, which makes the harbour of Salem. This flag was to be followed by another at the old Fort, a mile below the Town, at the entrance of the Harbour, opposite to Noggshead and this was to be signal for discharging thirteen cannon from New Fort, on the Great hill west of the Old Fort on the Neck. Three Pieces12 pounders were placed at the entrance of the new Fort, towards the Town for the discharge. A the same time orders were issued in town to assemble the Inhabitants at one o'clock in Court Street, who formed from the Court House towards the street, first the Town Magistrates such as Selectment, Overseers, School Committees & Justices of the Peace, then the Clergy, the the Merchants, Mechanics, & the School-Masters with the children of their respective charges. These were marched to the corner at the Entrance of the Town, called Buffum's Corner, & then opened on the opposite sides of the streets. The Militia of the Town were ordered out to be reviewed in the Back Street, within sight of the Procession & crossed the Procession in the Main Street just as ot had arrived at the place appointed. The regiment of the Town under the command of Col. Abbot was joined by a Regiment from Lynn, with the Horse form Ipswich, the Independant Company, and the Artillary. The Ipswich Horse were in blue with hats, the Independants in red, and the Artillary in balck uniforms. The Militia were partly in Rifle frocks. After two o'clock General Washington passed Gardiner's Mills, and approached the Town by Marblehead road, turned up into the Street leading to Pickering Hill, passed Chapman's Corner, crossed the street at the Town Pump and proceeded by the North Meetinghouse into the Back Street to review the troops. He then passed round to Buffum's Corner through Boston Road, escorted by the troops from Andover in red uniform with caps, preceeded by the Marshall Mr. Jackson, 7 the Sheriff of the county, & attended by such gentlemen as joined him on horseback as personal attendants. He had a few servants with him and a Baggage waggon. He was received at the Procession by the Independant Company, and passed through the procession, leaving the Troops which opened for him at the head of the Procession. After he had passed, the Procession formed and moved towards the Court House through Paved Street; upon their arrival the General was accompanied by the Town Officers into the Balcony in full view of the crowd below. An Ode was then sung by the Inhabitants, in a loft erected for the purpose on the west side of the Street, and then an address was read to him by Mr. B. Goodhue, the Member of Congress. The General then read an answer, and the Crowd dispursed after several most loud Huzzas, with the fullest expressions of the highest satisfaction. The General then retired to the house of Joshua Ward, which is situated below the Old Church at the Entry of the Town from Marblehead. It is a large Brick House on the west side of the Street. This assignation was made at the General's particular request, and was part of his plan of proceeding through New England. In the Evening he received the principal Gentlemen of the Town. The Clergy were first introduced, took hands, but did not sit down. After Seven the General attended the Assembly, and tarried till after nine. The ladies were numerous and brilliant. The gentlemen were also numerous. The Bells rand 15 minutes after his arrival and in the evening Sky rockets were thrown from the Court House. The Artillary discharged after they were reviewed, as did the other troops. As there was a disposition to accomodate the Town by assigning Capt. Boardman's House on the East side of the Common, which was overruled, on Friday morning the General took his departure from the Town through the Great Street eastward, and turned at the bottom of the Common through Ives lane. At the bridge which was covered with Falgs from on board the ships the General was received with the Shouts of the Inhabitants, collected in crowds on the occasion and after satisfying his curiosity upon the Bridge, at ten he went for Ipswich.