The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-01-20
strugsio for the l.ocnSi Of the Seat
OF the National GoSeinmcnt.

On the 9Th OF January, the Senate of the
United States took possession Of the new
hall in the capitol extension. Previous IL
the removal, speeches were made by Senator
CRIrrxsnES and Vice President BarcKiN.
RIp0s. The Vice Presideut gave the fol
lowing interesting account Of the variou.
struggles for The location of the capitol
The Congress Of the Revelation was
sometimes u fugitive. holding its sessions, as
the chances of war required AT Philadelphia
Baltimore. Lancaster, Annapolis and York.
town. Daring the period between the con
cuson OF peace and the commencement al
the present Government, il met ut Prince.
ton, Annapolis. Tren'on md New York.
After the idea of permanent Union had
been executed in part OF adoption Of the
Articles OF Confederation, the question pre-.
scnted Itself Of fixing seat OF Government,
and lhl. Immediately called forth intense
Interest ana rivalry
That the place should hc central. having
regard for the population and territory oi
the Conietieraey, was the only point com
mon to the cou,cnding parties. PROPOSE.
tons Of all kinds were offered, debated, aud
rejected, sometimes with Incorporate
warmth. At length, On the Stl, OF October,
1883, The Congress being at Prince
Philadelphia, be the insults Of body Of
armed men. II was resolved that builling
Tor the use Of Congress he crecte near the
falls OF tie Delaware. This was soon after
modified by requiring suitable buildings To
be also erected nenr the TAILS of the Potomac
.ha, the residence Of Congress might alter.
nate between those place. Bat the question
was not allowed 10 rest, and II, length, after
frequcn, and warm debates, II was resolved
that the residence of Congress should con
time a, one place and commissioners were
appointed with full power TO lay out dis
trict fora Federal town, near the ialla OF
the Delaware and in the meantime Goa
gress assembled alternately II, Trenton and
Annapolis; but the rcpres' Natives of other
States were unremi,,lng in eAertions for
| their respective localities.
On the I'D Of December, 1884. il was re
solved to remove to the city of New York,
AID TO remain there until tho building oi
the Delaware should be completed and,
accordingly, on the nth Of January. 1885,
the Congress met at New York, where they
continued TO bold their sessions until The
Confederation gave place to the Consltut o..
The Commissioners to lay ont u town on
the Delaware reported their procc, diugs to
Congress but no further steps we're taken
Al .t..tt LIT
When the bonds Of union were drawn
closer by the organization OF the new Gov
eminent under the, Constitution Of the Jrd on
March, 1859 the subject was revived aud
discussed with greater warmth than before.
II was conceded On all sides that the resi-,
dcnce OF Congress should continue al one
place, and the prospect Of stability in the
government invested the question with u
deeper interest. Some members proposed
New York, as being superior 10 any place
they knew for the orderly and decent DO
layior Of it, inhabitants. TO this, IL was
answered il was moi desirable that the poll
'ica' capital should be n commercial metro
poll. Others rdiculcd the idea Of building
PALACES IN the woods. Mr.. nerry. OF Massa
ehusetts. though. IL highly unreasonable 10
tx thc sat OF GoYerumen in such q position
~ to have nine States of the thirteen 10 'hc
nortbward Of the pIarc ; whit the south
Caroiinians objected to Philadelphia, on 10.
count Of the number ol z Iakers, Who they
said continually annoyed the southern mem
tora, with schemes OF emancipation.
In the midsi Of these Disputes the House
oi Representatives resolved, that the per
manen, seat Of govcrDmen, ought to he nj
some convenient place on the banks Of the
Susquehanna Ga the introduction Of
bill TO give effect 10 this resolution, much
feeling was exhibited, especially by the
southern members. Mr. Madison thought
# the proceeding Of that day had been fore
seen by Virginia, that State might not haye
become party to the Constitution, Tie
question was allowed by every member 10
be- matter Of great importance. Mr.. Scott
saif the future tranquility and well being oi
The United States depandad % much on this
~ on any question that ever bad or could, !
come before Congress ard Mr.. Fisher
Ames remarked that every principle Of pride
aud honor, AMI eycu Of patriotism. were cn.
gagged For time, any agreemqu, appeared
TO BE- impossible T.; bat the good genius Of
o1r system prevailed, AID on the 18th u
jane. 100, an act was lsed containing
the iyliowing clan@s
Thata district ~ country 90 the river PGto- |
mac. ~ som" pom, between the msnthn Of the |
easterB brAnob aud The C0nnoeocheasue, be. |
atd 'he same rs hereby accepted tor The per
tnansnt seat Of he Government 81 the United !
-lAtes.
The same act provided that Congnfp !
sfo1ld hold il sessions IN Pbiladelpaia un,il !
he fret MONDAY 10 November, 1900, when |
tx Govoruneut should remove 10 the dis !
,r.ct shctei on the Potomac. Thus was
as,tied question which had produced much |
sectional feeling between the States Bot |
oil digicHl'ies were not HurnouBtd; fo' Coo' |
gress, either IRON indIHirehoe, or the want
u money, failed to make adequate sppro-
pris,ions Tor the erection 81 public buildings, |
sDJ the commissioners vere Often reduced /
~ great s'raits ~ maintain the prO2rcss u /
the work. Finding il imposs'bIs to borrow
moncy IN Europe, Or to obtain IL IRON Con
grcs Washington, 10 December. 1896. !