March 7, 1861; The Charleston Mercury
A Washington correspondent of the Baltimore Sun writes:
I have seen today such a sight as I could never have believed possible at the capital of my country. An inauguration of a President surrounded by an armed soldiery, with loaded pieces and fixed bayonets. The President himself hid from public view, in a hollow square of cavalry three or four deep. The tops of houses occupied by soldiery, watching for signs of tumult or assassination.
The carriage in which Mr. Lincoln rode was flanked on either side by cavalry, six or eight deep. It was almost impossible for the crowd on the pavement to get a sight of the President, as the cavalry hid the vehicle from view. Mr. Lincoln did not look either to the right or the left, and it was only occasionally that he raised his hat. There was no enthusiasm exhibited–no cheering–and with but very few exceptions the ladies remained motionless at the windows, and looked upon the pageant without manifesting the slightest feeling. For the most part, Mr. Lincoln appeared to be looking vacantly at the bottom of the carriage. There was but little conversation between him and Mr. Buchanan, and the latter looked as though he would much rather not have participated in the ceremonies.