James Madison
First Inaugural Address
Saturday, March 4, 1809
Chief Justice John Marshall administered the oath of office in the Hall of the House of Representatives (now National Statuary Hall). Subsequently the oath by Presidents-elect, with few exceptions, was taken in the House Chamber or in a place of the Capitol associated with the Congress as a whole. The Vice Presidential oath of office for most administrations was taken in the Senate Chamber. President Jefferson watched the ceremony, but he joined the crowd of assembled visitors since he no longer was an office-holder. The mild March weather drew a crowd of about 10,000 persons.