Econlib

The Library

Other Sites

 Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow NOTES ON THE PERMANENT SEAT OF CONGRESS. 1 - The Works, vol. 4 (Notes on Virginia II, Correspondence 1782-1786)

Return to Title Page for The Works, vol. 4 (Notes on Virginia II, Correspondence 1782-1786)

Search this Title:

Also in the Library:

Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

NOTES ON THE PERMANENT SEAT OF CONGRESS. 1 - Thomas Jefferson, The Works, vol. 4 (Notes on Virginia II, Correspondence 1782-1786) [1905]

Edition used:

The Works of Thomas Jefferson, Federal Edition (New York and London, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1904-5). Vol. 4.

Part of: The Works of Thomas Jefferson, 12 vols.

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


NOTES ON THE PERMANENT SEAT OF CONGRESS.1

j. mss.

[April 13, 1784]

North River—recommended for the permanent seat of Congs. chiefly by its security against foreign danger.

Falls of Potomac—By 1. geographical centrality—2. proximity to Western Country already ceded—3. inducement to further cessions from N. C. S. C. & Georgia. 4. remoteness from the influence of any overgrown commercial city.

Falls of Delaware—By 1. centrality with regard to number of inhabitants. 2. centrality as to no. of States & of Delegates. 3. facility of obtaining intelligence from sea.

Temporary seat of Congress—

Princeton—in favor of it, 1. its neighbourhood to the Permanent seat, 2. inconveniency of a removal. 3. beneficial effect of a frugal situation of Congs. on their popularity throughout the States. 4. the risque in case of removal from Princeton of returning under the commercial & corrupt influence of Philada.—against it—1—unfitness for transacting the public business—2. deficiency of accomodation, exposing yemembers attending members to the danger of indignities & extortions, discouraging perhaps the fitest men from undertaking the services & amounting to a prohibition of such as had families from which they would not part. 3

Trenton. argts. in favor & agst. it similar to those respecting Princeton. It was particularly remarked that when the option lay between the President & committee between Trenton & Princeton the latter was preferred as least unfit to receive Congs. on their removal from Philada.

Philada. In favor of it. 1. its infinite unrivaled conveniency for transacting the public business, & accomodating Congress. 2 its being the only place where the all the public offices, particularly that of Finance could be kept under the inspection & controul of, & proper intercourse with Congs. 3 its conveniency for F. Ministers, to which, cæteris paribus, some regard would be expected. 4 the circumstances which produced a removal from Philada. which rendered a return expedient as soon as the insult had been expiated, expedient for supporting in the eyes of foreign nations the appearance of internal harmony, and preventing an appearance of resentment in Congs. agst. the state of Pa. or city of Philada. an appearance which was very much strengthened by some of their proceedings at Princeton—particularly by an unnecessary & irregular declaration not to return to Phia. In addition to these overt reasons, it was concluded by sundry of the members who were most anxious to fix Congs. permanently at Georgeto the falls of Potowmac that a temporary residence in Philada. would be most likely to endeavor prepare a sufficient number of votes in favor of Philadep for that place in preference to the Falls of Delaware for the permanent, and to produce a reconsideration of the vote in favor of the latter agst. Philada. were alleged. 1. the difficulty & uncertainty of getting away from it at the time limited. 2 the influence of a large comercial & wealthy city on the public councils. In addition to these objections, the hatred agst. Mr. M. and hope of accelerating his final resignation were latent motives with some, as perhaps envy of the prosperity of Philada. might be and dislike of the support of Pa. to obnoxious recomendations of Congs. were with others.

Annapolis. In favor of it, 1st. its capacity for accommodating Congs. and its conveniences for the public business. 2. the soothing tendency of so Southern a position on the temper of the S. States. Agst. it, 1st. the preposterousness of taking a temporary station so distant from the permanent seat fixed on, especially as better accomodations were to be passed by at Philada. which was not less than ⅘ths of the distance from the Permanent Seat 2d. the peculiar force such a step would give to the charge agst. Congs. of being swayed by improper motives. Besides these considerations it was the opinion of some that way a removal of Congs. to Annapolis would inspire Maryland with hopes that wd. prevent a co-operation in favor of Georgetown, & favor the commerce of that State at the expence of Virginia.

1. It requires 9 states to appropriate money, and only 7 to adjourn. There cannot therefore be buildings erected at Georgetown without the concurrence of 9 states, a number which I fear we shall never obtain. Yet if the buildings were erected, 7 could adjourn us there, & this number is within hope, but not within certainty.

Obj. It is then but a speculation by which the state may throw away 15000 Dollars.

Answ. True. But this is the extent of their loss.

Their possible advantages will be

  • Common to all the States.
  • 1. The firmness & tone which will be given to the federal government by fixing it’s administration more nearly central.
  • 2. The placing the federal council within reach of the Western states, & thereby cementing them to it’s Eastern part.
  • 3. Securing the seat of federal govmt from sudden enterprize without expensive works or establishments.
  • 4. Adjacence to two states from the one or the other of which a protection may generally be expected.
  • Common to Southern States.
  • 1. Drawing the federal fleets into the bay of Chesapeak.
  • 2. Bringing the federal administration nearer to the Southern States.
  • 3. Rendering an attendance in Congress more convenient to Southern members, and by thus removing obstacles, increase the chances for inducing the best men into the office.
  • Common to Virga & Maryland.
  • 1. Attracting foreigners, manufacturers and settlers to the two States of Virga & Maryland.
  • 2. Attracting commerce to them.
  • 3. Throwing a very large sum of Money annually into circulation which will be divided between them.
  • 4. Preferment of their citizens to possn of honour profit & Power to the federal administration.
  • 5. The advantages of a favorable biass in the Executive officers.
  • Peculiar to Virginia.
  • 1. The establishment of Alexandria on a par with Baltimore as a secondary place of commerce.
  • 2. Leaving Norfolk in possession of all the advantages of a primary emporium. Add to these that the £100.000 offered by Virginia will never be accepted.
Phila. Trenton. George Town 146 from P.
N. Hampshire 429 399 575
Massachusetts 365 335 511
Rhode Island 317 287 463
Connecticut 245 215 391
N. York 97 67 243
1303
N. Jersey 30 0 — 176
2805
1483
Pennsylva 0 — 30 146
2595
Delaware 30 60 116
2621
Maryland 144 174 0 — 784
1837
Virginia 280 310 134
N. Caroli 427 457 281
S. Caroli 797 827 651
Georgia 917 947 771

[1 ]Probably used during the discussion of this question in Congress, April 13, 1784. Cf. Journals.