The zestful aeronaut explained in his Journal of My Forty-Fifth Ascension that he came to the New World because “the [Western] Hemisphere had as yet only heard of the brilliant triumph of aerostation [the art or science of ballooning]; and the people who inhabit it appeared to me worthy of enjoying the sublime spectacle that it affords.” He added, “The eagerness which I thought I discovered in the public to see Montgolfier’s sublime discovery reduced to practice, everything seemed to tell me that I might, with confidence, display the mechanism of an aerostat [balloon], to make it soar above the clouds, and convince the New World that man’s ingenuity is not confined to earth alone, but opens to him new and certain roads in the vast expanse of heaven.” Whether for money, fame, scientific research or fun, the daring aeronaut had thus far kept his promise to “display the mechanism of an aerostat.”

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There were good reasons why Blanchard wanted to use the prison yard for his takeoff point. First, he needed protection from vandals for his balloon and the hydrogen-making “ventilator” during the preparations. Second, the walls around the prison would assure that the brisk winter winds would not damage the bag during the inflation process. And last, he had to have money to “lighten the burden of my expenses.” It would be easy to keep those without tickets from witnessing the departure. When the tickets were collected at the prison gate, however, only about 100 spectators had been admitted to an area that could have held an estimated 4,800 spectators. Most of the crowd had prudently decided they didn’t need to view the departure ceremony; they could witness the flight as soon as the daring aeronaut rose in his “aerostat” above the prison walls.

There was a flurry of excitement outside the prison at a quarter to 10, when a carriage bearing President George Washington arrived. As the dignified chief executive stepped down, the crowd hushed respectfully. Fifteen cannons roared in salute. Inside the yard, Blanchard was ready. When the president approached, followed by the French ambassador and other dignitaries, Blanchard took off his plumed hat, bowed briefly and exchanged pleasantries with his distinguished guests.

“At 9 minutes after 10,” Blanchard wrote in his Journal, “I affixed to the aerostat my car, laden with ballast, meteorological instruments, and some refreshments with which the anxiety of my friends had provided me. I hastened to take leave of the President, and of Mr. Ternant, Minister Plenipotentiary of France to the United States.”

A well-wisher shoved a small black dog into Blanchard’s arms which he accepted rather dubiously. He dropped the animal into the basket and prepared to board. As Blanchard climbed into the wicker basket, President Washington shook his hand, wished him bon voyage, and handed him a “passport” letter recommending “to all citizens of the United States, and others, that… they oppose no hindrance…to the said Mr. Blanchard” and assist him in his efforts to “advance an art, in order to make it useful to mankind in general.”

Blanchard thanked the president, and as the artillery battery fired a final salvo, he threw out some ballast, nodded to his assistants Peter Legaux and Dr. Nassy to let go the restraining ropes, and was lifted gently skyward. Waving his hat in one hand and a flag in the other, he acknowledged the oohs and aahs of the crowd watching open-mouthed below.

“My ascent was perpendicular and so easy,” he said, “that I had time to enjoy the different impressions which agitated so many sensible and interesting persons who surrounded the scene of my departure, and to salute them with my flag, which was ornamented on one side with the armoric bearings of the United States, and on the other with the three colors so dear to the French nation. Accustomed as I long have been to the pompous scenes of numerous assemblies, yet I could not help being surprised and astonished when, elevated at a certain height over the city, I turned my eyes towards the immense number of people who covered the open places, the roofs of the houses, the steeples, the streets and the roads, over which my flight carried me in the free space of the air. What a sight!”

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