The Chief Justice was placed in front of the Clerk's table, having before him another table on the floor of the hall, on the opposite side of which sat the remaining Judges, with their faces towards the chair.

The doors having been closed, and silence proclaimed, Mr.Adams arose, and, in a distinct and firm tone of voice, read his inaugural address.
At the conclusion of the address, a general plaudit burst forth from the vast assemblage, which continued some minutes.

Mr.Adams then descended from the chair, and, proceeding to the Judges' table, received from the Chief Justice a volume of the Laws of the United States, from which he read, with a loud voice, the oath of office.

The plaudits and cheers of the multitude were at this juncture repeated, accompanied by salutes of artillery from without.
The congratulations which then poured in from every side occupied the hands, and could not but reach the heart, of President Adams.

The meeting between him and his venerated predecessor, had in it something peculiarly affecting.