Inaugural Address of Mayor Alexander Loyd

March 9, 1840

This speech is recorded as it first appeared in print. Archaic spelling and misspellings in the original document have not been corrected.

Editor’s note: This is the earliest inaugural address we are able to find evidence of. Unfortunately we have not been able to find the actual text. The address is not preserved in the official proceedings files, and although Mayor Loyd was a Democrat, the Chicago Democrat neither printed nor commented upon his speech. Below is the disgruntled and satirical account of the inauguration that appeared in the Chicago American, a Whig Party newspaper.

THE COMMON COUNCIL
The new Board last night were sworn into office—Wm. B. Ogden, Alderman elect from the 6th Ward, being absent from the city. A resolution of thanks, in behalf of Mr RAYMOND, the late Mayor, was offered by H.L.RUCKER, Esq, highly creditable to the mover, and due to Mr Raymond, who retires from his troublesome and responsible station, with the respect and confidence of the community. Mr Raymond responded to the resolution in a few unassuming and appropriate remarks. Mr LOYD, the Mayor elect, having been qualified, and taken his seat, though much embarrassed in his strange and probably unexpected position, delivered a brief inaugural to the common council and citizens present—which, considering his embarrassing situation and that he was probably totally unaccustomed to public speaking, was as appropriate and well as could have been expected.

Source

• Chicago American, March 10, 1840.