Thomas Jefferson's first inaugural address was given on Wednesday, March 4, 1801, in
Washington, D. C.. The address contains the famous line, “
We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists,” in reference to the unity he felt was necessary in
government.
It was
Chief Justice John Marshall who administered the first executive oath of office ever taken in the new federal city in the new
Senate Chamber (now the
Old Supreme Court Chamber) of the partially built
Capitol building. The outcome of the election of 1800 had been in doubt until late February because
Thomas Jefferson and
Aaron Burr, the two leading candidates, each had received 73
electoral votes. Consequently, the
House of Representatives met in a special session to resolve the impasse, pursuant to the terms spelled out in the
Constitution. After 30 hours of debate and balloting, Mr. Jefferson emerged as the
President and Mr. Burr the
Vice President. President
John Adams, who had run unsuccessfully for a second term, left Washington on the day of the inauguration without attending the ceremony.