The article is about how Alexander Hamilton, Thomas
Jefferson, and James Madison played a role in deciding to locate the federal
capital in Washington, D.C. Congress had
been meeting from place to place during and after the Revolution. In 1788, the U.S. Constitution had authorized
establishment of a federal district but it did not choose an exact place. Many states fought to have their city picked
as the capital. But Congress decided
they needed a land that was not part of any state to avoid any conflicts. They also needed a land where the federal
government would provide for its own safety and security. In 1790 at a dinner meeting, Hamilton,
Jefferson and Madison agreed that capital would be located on the Potomac River
under the condition that the federal government would pass the assumption
bill. This was a bill requiring the
federal government assume state’s war debts, which was originally proposed by
Hamilton but rejected by Madison.
Finally, Hamilton agreed to the location in exchange for enough southern
votes to pass the bill. Philadelphia
became the temporary capital until President Washington picked an exact site on
the Potomac River.
President Washington had personal interests in
choosing to site the capital on the Potomac River, which was overlooked. For one, he was a president of a
canal-building enterprise called the Potomac Company. For two, he owned many
lands along the Potomac River. But this
was not considered a conflict of interest during that time. Also, the Potomac was geographically
convenient because of easy waterways to the east and west. Also, it was centrally located for the 13
colonies. In the end, it was located on
the southern side, a slaver country, which was significant during the Civil
War.
1. President
Washington had personal gains and benefits in locating the capital on the
Potomac River. Why was not it considered a conflict of interest during that time?
2. Why
the northern states wanted the new federal government to assume the war debts?
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