Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-12
WASHINGTON IN 1900.

sembly of that state assuring it protection
and asking that a permanent seat of gov
eminent be established in that state. New
York. Maryland and Virginia had offered
places a permanent seat of government.
New York proposed Kingston, Maryland
suggested Annapolis and Virginia offered
Williamsburg.
1t then that the serious work of
adopting permanent seat of government
was begun. Both the north and the south
wanted the capital, not only for the ma
terial prosperity that it believed it would
bring to the site selected. but also because
Of the influence that might be eXerted.
through means of its location, on legislation.
At least two dozen different sites were pro-
posed, the banks of the Potomac, the Della
ware and the Susquehanna were all sug-
gested. On the Potomac a place near George
town and another near the Little Falls
We're put forward.
On the Delaware, Trenton and Whining
ton were urged as desirable places. Phila-
delphia, Lancaster, York Wrghts Ferry.
Harrisburg, Reading. Germantown. Chester
and some place on the eastern bank of the
Susqueh anna were all claimants for the ma
t!onal capital. Baltimore and Annapolis put
forth their claims did Newport Il. l.,
New York city and Kingston, n. Y, as
well as Alexandria and Williamsburg IN
Virginia. Several of these places were
adopted by the Senate or House at different
times, but a long struggle ensued before
beth Houses could agree.
Numerous Propositions.
The conditions under which the govern
ment should be located At a given place
were discussed. Mr. Monroe proposed that
Maryland and Virginia should advance
money necessary to erect the desired build
inga as condition upon which Georgetown
or the Potomac should become the capital.
A proposition was made that Pennsylvania
and Maryland should make provision for
the removal of all Instructions to the navi
CATION of the Susquehanna between the At
l;Etic ocean ard some location on that
river. II was suggested that the states of
Delaware and Maryland should open a
tel communication between the Chesapeake
bay and the Delaware as condition OF
the location of the capital at Wilmington.
A free navigation to the ocean appears to
have been one of the foremost considera-
items. Both Philadelphia and New York
endeayored TO secure the prize by Offering
their public buildings. while the people OF
Baltimore subscribed between twenty and
thirty thousand pounds for public offices f
their city shOuld be chosen.
An effort to compromise these differences
made by the suggestion for the planting
of two capital cities in which Congress
was to meet alternately, one at or near
the falls of the Delaware and another at or
near Georgetown. This unique proposition
was made by Mr. Gerry of Massachusetts
and was seconded by Mr.. Lee of Virg MIA.
The idea of a dual capital was so far re-
ceived favorahly that a committee ap
pointed by Congress 10 examine the regions
suggested. A great deal of bitterness crept
into the debate over this question. but final
ly. on the Sth of June, 1870, the Senate pro-
ceeded to a final consideration of the report
of the committee, which had recommended
that the permanent residence of Congress
and the government Of the United States