Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-03-15

II would be highly agreeable to TINS House IL uia' ~
abe body should deem in which case
,h. r 70 i:enpress the different departments IN the
S,t. tiouss and the adjacent buildings, which they
formerly occupied for the purpose OF transacung 'he
National business therein. IN .La
.,. measures to enable the Executive of the State
m aord speedy and adequate support and protecnoh
~ the honor and dignity of the United States III Con-
gres, and the persons composing the Supreme Couhc'
Of the Nation, assembled in this CITY,
RESOLVED unanimously, That, as this House IS SIM
-ev d;sposed to render the permanent residence OF
CONGRESS in this State commodious and agreeable 10
that honorable body, the Delegates from tins STATE DC
instructed to request that Congress Will be pieaseu 70
define what jurisdiction they deem necessary 70 De
vested in them IN the pace wnere '"'y '""'' rs'N
nently reside"
Congress, on the 9th Of October, 1888.
q" R.,olped That the question be taken in which
State buildings shall be provided and erected LOT !e
residence of Congress, beginning with New Hampshire
and proceeding in the order in which they stand"
And the question on each State passed 10 the
negative.
Previous 10 this a committee had been APP
pointed, OF which Mr.. Madison was MEMBER
"to consider wha, jurisdiction may be proper
for Congress in the place OF their Perma"e"'
| residence" On the 9Th OF October, II was re-
solved TO erect buildings, for the use OF Con
eress, near the banks and tails OF the De,a"are
river, provided suitable district could De oo-
tanned, SC.
! follows
whereas there is reason to expect that the proVid
ing buildings for the alternate residence OF Congress
two places will be productive of the most salntary ct
f.cts by securing the mutual confidence and affection
of the States:
RESOLVED, That buildings be likewise erected for
the use of Congress, at or near the 'owef ia G .n
on the banks of the river be procured TOR fede
raj town. and the right of soil and exclusive Jurisdlc'
tion such other as Congress may direct sha'i De
vested in the United States; and that, until the bu'd
ings to he erected on the banks of the Delaware and
Potomac shall be prepared for the reception Of Con-
gress their residence shall be alternately at equal Pc
RODS of not more than one year, nor less than SIX
months, in Trenton and Annapolis; and the President
is hereby authorized and directed to adjourn Congress
on the 18th day of November next to meet at Annapo'
| lis on the 26 day of the same month"
On the Goth day Of April, 1884, il was
"Re,olr.d That the President be, and he is hereby,
authorized and directed to adjourn Congress ON the Sd
of June next, to meet the 5Oth OF october next AZ
Trenton"-where they accordingly assembled.
| On the Goth Of December, i; was
| Resolved That it is inexpedient for Congress to
erect public buildings for their accommodation at more
than one place"
On the Esd, Commissioners were authorised
to be appointed with full power 10 lay out a
District, Of not less than two nor more than
three miles square, on the banks OF either side
of the Delaware, aud purchase such part OF 'he
soil they might Judge necessary, and to
erect buildings for the use oil Congress and The
Executive offices.
-, ,hnt Tow
should meet in the city Of New York, until The
cordingly assembled there on ,he 18th January,
1875; and in February after, the three Commits
sioners were appointed pursuant to the ordi-
ia nee of the Esd December, previous.
II does no, appear from the journals of Con.
gress that any further proceedings were bad
under the said ordinance.
The Cons tuition of the United States hav-
ing been ratified, it was resolved, on The 4th OF
August, 1888, that The first meeting Of Congress
under said Constitution should be al Baltimore
but in two days after, New York was substilu-
ted for Baltimore, and this was confirmed by
another resolution Of the 18th Of September
following.
Here terminated the discussions Of the old
Congress in regard to the seat OF government.
These discussions had occupied much time OF
tina, memorable body, and the almost number
less resolutions, motions, debates and votes, In
relation 10 that question, as appear from the
journals, show the exceeding difficulty and
agi,a,ing nature of The subjec:.
The Convention which framed the Constitu'
ton, sensible of the importance Of a permanen,
seat Of government, inserted in the 9th section
Of the LIST article thereof, clause giving Con-
gress power to exercise exclusive Legislation.
in all cases whatsoever, over such district, (not
exceeding ten miles square) as might, by ces
sion Of particular states, and the acceptance OF
Congress, become the seat Of Government OF
The United aes.'
The proceedings under the Constitution
commenced at New York, March 4,h, 1899
In May following, acts of the legislatures of
Virginia and Maryland were presented 10 Con-
gress, each offering to its acceptance, ten
miles square of territory for permanent seat OF
Government, reserving 10 The States the righl
of legisa,ing until assumed by Congress; after
wards, petitions for its location in various 9th
er places and States were also presented.
On the 9Th August, 1889, The following re-
solution was offered