VI.

AFTER THE ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION.

THE discussions which had taken place in the old Congress, no doubt, had their influence upon the minds of those who framed that part of Section 8, Art. I. of the Constitution of the United States, which declares that Congress shall have power to exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever over such district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular States, and the acceptance of Congress, become the seat of Government of the United States, and to make all laws which may be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers.

This Article appears to have been assented to in the Convention without debate. In the Virginia Convention, some fears were expressed as to the influence to be exerted by a spot so exclusively under the control of Government, under the apprehension that it would be in some measure out of the pale of law, and an asylum for political criminals, or violators of State rights; but the clause was finally acceded to without much opposition.

After the adoption of the Constitution, New

York appropriated its public buildings to the use of the new Government, and Congress met in that city on the 6th of April, 1789. On the 15th of May following, Mr. White, from Virginia, presented to the House of Representatives a resolve of the Legislature of that State, offering to the Federal Government ten miles square of its territory in any part of that State which Congress may choose, as the seat of the Federal Government. On the next day, Mr. Seney, of Maryland, submitted a similar Act from that State. Numerous memorials and petitions followed, from citizens of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland, for the selection of a site in their respective States.

The resolve of the Virginia Legislature was accompanied by a resolution requesting the cooperation of Maryland in the effort to get the permanent seat of Government established on the banks of the Potomac; and offering in that case to ". 'pass an act for advancing a sum of money not exceeding one hundred and twenty thousand dollars, to the use of the general Government, to be applied, in such manner as Congress shall direct, toward erecting public buildings, the Assembly of Maryland, on their part, advancing a sum not less than two fifths of the sum advanced by this State for the like purрове."

On the receipt of the Virginia resolution, the Assembly of Maryland passed a similar resolution, agreeing to cede the necessary territory, and to furnish seventy-two thousand dollars toward the erection of the public buildings.

New York and Pennsylvania had gratuitously furnished "elegant and convenient accommodations" for the use of the Government, during the eleven years that it was located within their respective limits, as appears from the resolutions passed by Congress on its removal. They had offered to continue to do so. New Jersey offered accommodations at Trenton. The citizens of Baltimore, through their representative, proposed to furnish money for the erection of the necessary buildings, in that "town," for the Federal Government.

The subject came up for discussion in Congress, on the introduction of a resolution by Mr. Thomas Scott of Pennsylvania, that it would be expedient to select a site which should be

as near as possible the centre of wealth, of population, and of territory." Mr. Lee afterward moved that a place as nearly central as a convenient communication with the Atlantic Ocean and an easy access to the Western territory will permit, ought to be selected, and established as the permanent Seat of Government of the United States." Long and exciting dis

cussions followed, during that and the ensuing sessions, on the various resolutions and bills which were offered, involving great bitterness and sectional jealousy.

Almost all were agreed that New York was not a suitable place, not being sufficiently central. There was much division of sentiment as to the relative advantages of Philadelphia and Germantown, in Pennsylvania; Havre de Grace and a place called Wright's Ferry on the Susquehanna; Baltimore on the Patapsco, and Connogocheague, on the Potomac. The two last were almost equally balanced for some time in the number of supporters. It was remarked, by one of the members for Maryland that the people of the State were in the situation of Tantalus, uncertain which to prefer, the Susquehanna or the Potomac. Mr. Carroll strongly advocated the latter. Mr. Seney noticed sundry measures of the Legislature of Maryland which evinced, he said, their determination to support the pretensions of the Susquehanna. Mr. Smith set forth the advantages of Baltimore, and the fact that its citizens had subscribed $40,000 for public buildings. The South Carolinians offered an apparently whimsical objection to Philadelphia, to wit: the number of Quakers who, they said, were eternally dogging the Southern members with their schemes of emancipation.

Others ridiculed the idea of building palaces in the woods. Mr. Gerry, of Massachusetts, thought it highly unreasonable to fix the seat of Government in such a position as to have nine States out of the thirteen to the northward of the place, and adverted to the sacrifice the northern States were ready to make in being willing to go as far south as Baltimore. Mr. Page said New York was superior to any place he knew for the orderly and decent behavior of its inhabitants.

On the 3d of September, 1789, Mr. Goodhue, of Massachusetts, said in a debate, that the eastern and northern members had made up their minds on the subject, and were of opinion that, on the eastern banks of the Susquehanna, Congress should fix its permanent residence.

Two days after, a resolution passed the House of Representatives, "that the permanent Seat of the Government of the United States ought to be at some convenient place on the banks of the Susquehanna, in the State of Pennsylvania."

On the introduction of the bill to carry this resolution into effect, much feeling was manifested by the southern members, and particularly by those from Virginia, who earnestly contended that the banks of the Potomac was the