05/07/2026
May 7, 1791--President Washington's visit to Charleston continues! Today, he visited with the orphans at the old Orphan House that stood on Calhoun St. until 1956 (which was demolished to make way for a Sears). He also attended service at St Michael's, and capped off the day with a grand banquet at the Old Exchange. Moored behind the Exchange, a ship launched a firework display in the President's honor.
“The President of the United States, accompanied by [Senator] Pierce Butler . . . Gen. Moultrie, Gen. Pinckney, Major E[dward]. Rutledge, and the attorney-general of this state, conducted by his honor the intendant, visited the Orphan House [at the southwest end of Ellery Street]; where he was received by John Mitchell, John Robertson, Richard Cole, Thomas Corbett, Samuel Beekman, and Charles Lining, commissioners. Mr. [Mark-Anthony] Besselieu having attended with the boys under his tuition. The commissioners laid the ordinance for establishing the Orphan House, the rules of the house, the journals of the proceedings of the board and the register, before the president for his perusal; he was pleased to express the highest approbation of the institution. The children being assembled in the breakfast room, to the number of 107, with the mistress, steward, assistant and nurses, in their proper places; his honor the Intendant and the other commissioners, conducted the president, and the gentlemen who attended him, to the room. On taking leave of the children, he very pathetically pronounced his benediction on them. A genteel breakfast was provided in the commissioners’ room. On his departure he took a polite leave of the commissioners, wishing them success in their laudable and benevolent endeavors.”
“The president also visited St. Michael’s Church, went up the steeple to the second balcony, where he had a view of the city, harbor, rivers, and the adjacent country, with which he was much pleased.”
“A sumptuous entertainment was given by the merchants of this city to the President of the United States, in the Exchange, at which were present, by invitation, his excellency the governor, his honor the lieutenant-governor, the senators and representatives of this state in Congress, his honor the intendant, the wardens, with the federal, state and city officers, all the members of both houses of assembly for Charleston district who were in town, the clergy of every denomination, and many respectable strangers.”
“They assembled to the number of upwards of three hundred, [upstairs] in the city-hall; on the president’s arrival the ship America, of this place, (being moored off the Exchange) fired a federal salute. About half past four the company sat down to an elegant dinner [downstairs], which was furnished with every delicacy that the country and season could afford. The wines were excellent and in great variety.” As usual, dinner was followed by a series of patriotic toasts, including one offered by President Washington: “The commercial interest of Charleston.” “At each of which the America fired 13 guns.”
“At eight o’clock the president retired [upstairs] to the city hall, from whence he had a view of the fireworks displayed on board the ship, which was illuminated with lanterns, amidst the letters V. W. (Vivat Washington) were strikingly conspicuous.
“The walls of the Exchange were beautifully decorated with flowers and shrubbery, wreaths of laurel encircling the arches; over the president’s head was exhibited an emblematical painting, representing commerce distributing plenty over the globe. Opposite under the center arch, was suspended a ship in miniature; handsomely decorated, & furnished with lamps to the number of one hundred and thirty-six, which in the evening, were lighted up: this at once discovered a beautifully emblematical figure, and formed a most happy substitute for a brilliant chandelier; on her stern was painted, ‘The Commerce of Charleston,’ and the repeated acclamations of the company testified their wishes to her success."
