nioii of that State, as any man whatever, but he
was afraid of their influence ; and thatftate was
the last in which he would ever consent the per.
nianent feat of 'government should be. He then
adverted to the influence of the members from
that State, who by their political management
had, he said, raised a-ftorrnt in the United States.
Here Mr. Burke was called to order—after a
short interruption he proceeded, and said a quak
er Hate was a bad neighbourhood for the South-
Carolinians—here he adverted to the quaker bu
iinefs lall winter. He obje&ed to Philadelphia
also, oh account <rf there being no gallery in the
house proposed for the accommodation of Con
gress—an open gallery he considered as a very
important check to the Legifllature.
Mr. Lawrance.—The gentleman from Virginia
has observed that the object of the amcndmentis
to defeat the bill—he has also mentioned the
States which are most particularly interested in
the queltion. Mr. Lawrance laid the State of
!New-York might have been considered. He wiilied
the motion might succeed, because he thought
that it would conduce to the peace of the Union.
He obje&ed to the place proposed for the perma
nent residence ; by the bill it is conceded that the
place is not, at present, a suitable position—by
what magic can it be made to appear it will be
more proper at the end of ten years !—What
reason can be given why those parts of the Uni
on should not populate, which are at a diltance
from the Potowmac, in proportion to those parts
in the vicinity of that place. I presume none
can be afligned ! Why then is a period of ten
years to elope, previous to going there ? The
reason is plain—the people would not nowconfent
to have the government dragged to so remote a
part of the United States—He then adverted to
the funding business, and other important mat
ters which remain to be decided on, and very
strongly intimated that these quertions were to
be determined ag eeable to the fate of this bill.
He fbewetl from a vaHety of particulars,
that Philadelphia would become the permanent
residence.
He then adverted particularly to the several
parts of the bill.— The firft was refpeifting the
place where it is proposed to eredt the public
buildings ; he laid they could not be erected
tvithin the time mentioned, and lhewed the vari
ous difficulties which would attend the whole
buiinefs. He then Hated the advantages of Bal
tiinore, and faidthat that place would have ob
tained in Senate, if the Maryland Senators would
have voted for it. He concluded by observing,
that as no neceflity exilts for removing the tern
pnrary residence, lie hoped that Cong.efs would
fct down contented where they are.
Mr. Bloodworth observed, that as the fuuding
bill, had been alluded to, he could wilh that the
objection from that quarter might be taken ou;
of the way, he moved that the committee (hould
rife, in order to take up the Ways and Means.
Mr. Smith, (M.) introduced an address from
the inhabitants of Baltimore, to the Members and
Senators from that State, which Was read. This
contained an account of the number of houses
and inhabitants of that town, &c. alio, the ac
commodations already made, and the provision to
be made tocompleat every wecefl'aiy arrangement.
Mr. Carroll mentioned to the commitiee that
there was a memorial of the inhabitants of
George-Town, on Potowmac.on the table—whicli
he had presented some days since , and fubmirted
it to the lioufe whether it would be proper to
read it.—lt was read.
Mr. Lee uioved that certain papers received
from the executive of Virginia, should be read
■which was done.
Mr. Smith, (S. C.) called for the reading of a
report of a committee appointed by the old Con
gress, to view the banks of the Potowmac—which
was done.
Mr. Stone.—All we feemto differ about,is whe
ther Baltimore or Potowmac /ball be the feat of the
government; and if this was all, the delegates ot
that State might fold their arms and set down
contented—but the flare of Maryland has been
placed in the situation of Tantalus. He then lta
terl how the gentleman had formerly, finally vo
ted, who now appear in favor of Baltimore—had
the bill comedown from the Senate with Balti
more inserted, inltead of Potowmac, he should
have had no difficulty in determining how toadi
.—but he conceived that if the amendment now
proposed should take place, nothing would be
done—and the business will be left in a very in
auspicious ftate—from this and other considera
tions, he was resolved not to be drawn off from
his present dete'mmation,by any motion, amend
ment, or modification of the bill whatever.
With refpedl to liimfelf, he had no election be
tween the town of Baltimore and the Potowmac ;
yet is a Marylander, he would, if he saw a prof
| cR of success, vote for the town of Baltimore ;
hut as it refpe<fied the United States, he should
- ote for potowmac—and on this idea he was wil
Jing to make some facrifices. He considered the
fcihje<st as one of the mofl painful and difagreea-
We that could be agitated, and he wiflied to have
r .hc business finally and unalterably fixecl.
Mr. Seney also considered this as an unhappy
question to come before the hoUfc at this time.
The ttate of Maryland was as much divided ou
the fubjeiftas the United State# appeared to be ; a
great rivalfliip fublifts between the Potowmac
and Sufquehannah rivers ; and he doubted not
but"thit vfrlien tlifc qutftion was ultimately deci-"
ded, it would be either on the one or the other
of those rivers. He agreed with Mr. Lee, that
Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia were the
only states who could'make any reasonable pre
tentions to be the l'eat of government—but a ma
jority of voices from these States had been agjainft
the Potowmac. Pennfylvaaia and Maryland he
observed, had given the preference to the Sufque
hannah. Mr. Seney-then noticed some tranlac
tions of the legiilature of Maryland, Which he
said clearly evinced their detexmination to sup
port the pretentions of the Sufquehannah. Mary
land certainly had an equal right with Pennsyl
vania and Virginia,to have her interests consulted.
The interests of Maryland, it appeared,
now to be facrificed t® those two adjoining States.
And howeveiflau&iiiigit may seem, to Maryland,
to fix the feat of rnrfient on her fide of the
Pstowinac, the ;-eal advantages were in a great
measure nugatory, as it would be but a very small
portion of that State that could reap any benefit
therefrom—the real advantages would undoubt
enly result to Pennlylvania and Virginia.— It ap
peared somewhat extraordinary lohim, that gen
tlemen should be willing to confine the residence
to a particular fptot, previous to their removing
to a permanent residence. Why is it neceflary
to fix upon Philadelphia for ten years ?—Surely
this is putting the government in a very ineligi
ble tituation, for it is by no means improbable
that many ferisus and important occurrences
might render a removal highly expedient perhaps
unavoidable. Betides, after the government
shall have' remained ten years in Philadelphia,
the probability of quirting it for the Potowmac,
appeared to be very flight indeed. For though
it was tinderftood by the bill that the offices were
to be removed tothe Potowmac, yet if a majority
in either houl'e were opposed to going there,
Congress would remain at Philadelphia, and they
would be obliged to repeal the bill from necel"-
fiiy.
Mr. Scot faidhefhould not notice many things
which hail been offered on the fubje<ft,he would on
ly obferve,that from the town ofßaltimore there is
110 water conveyance to the interior country
—but from the proposed place on the Potowmac,
there are 200 miles navigation directly into the
heart of the country—Nor is Baltimore more
northerly than the jjofition contemplated.—A
connection with the Weft ern country is of the
tumult ccnfequence to the peace and union of
the United States, let the gentlemen from thefea
coast fay what they will.
Mr. Madison : (n order to decide this question
rightly, we ought to compare the advantages and
disadvantages of the two places as they relate to
the good of the United States. Now,l will defy
any gentleman, however sanguine lis may be
with refpedi to Baltimore, to point out any fub
ftaiuial advantage that is not common to the Po
towmac—and 1-defythem to disprove, that there
are not several important advantages belonging
to tlie PoLowmac, which do not appertain to
Baltimore. The committee have had ample in
formation with refpeift to the northern and south
ern portions of the two places. Inpoint offalu
brity of air, without dilparagmg the pretensions
of Baltimore, the Potowmac is at least equally fa
vored in that refpeOt. In regard to centrality of
si. uation, I'otowmac has undoubtedly the advan
tage—in refpe(fl to security from invasion, I aver
the Potowmac has the advantage also—with rela
tion co the western country there is not a shadow
of coinparifon. If we should go as far South as
Baltimore, why not an equal diltancc south weft
to the Potowmac ?—Thofe who are acquainted
; with the country on the Potowmac, and that in
the neighborhood of Baltimore, do not heinate
to give the preference to the Potowmac It is
true that Baltimore has refpertable resources—
her rapid growth is a dear proof of it—but look
at the resources of the Fptowmac—the great range
of rich country that bonders on it, and fee if there
are not advantages thatmuft in a short time pro
duce a commercial town. Sir, a period might be
named, not exceeding ten years, within which
the town of Baltimore obtained the greater part
ot ttsmcreafe and consequence ; a period of ten
years w,ill produce the fame effects on the Potow
mac because the fame causes exilt ; and when
l\-peradded to this the residence of government
<hall be there, there can be no doubt but that
desired eery accommodation that can be
It is laid that before the ten years expire a re
peal of the may take place, and thus Congreis
be kept at Ph.ladelphia. But what more can we
do than pass a law for the pnrpofe ? It i s n o f i,i
our power to guard agajnft a repeal-oar a<fts are
not like those of the, Aledcs and Persians unal
terable. A repeal is a thing against which no
prov.fion cail be m , de . rfthat \ an obieftio no
u holds good against anylw that can bepafTed!
522
If cliufe states that may have a fupeiiority JnC
grefs at a future day, will pay no 'refpeet to th*
aifts of their predccellbrs or to the public n 0 ,i
there 'is 110 power to compel them. ° '
But, I flatter inyfelf that some will 1 m
paid to the public interest, and to the plin],ted
faith of the government. As to centrality t),
he it evidence we have at this time in favor oftle
Potowmac, is the different travel of the
and this, Sir, proves incOnteftibly that the u r '
posed place 011 the Potowmac is near the centre
If any arguments could be brought againlt it it
is its being too far to the northward. For the
mileage south of the Potowmack is 12782 mile"
to the north of it 12422. If to this Rh«de.Jfl an( j
be added, it will not be more than equal. [f'thg
bill once pafles, I am not under any apprehenii.
ons of a repeal ; but if danger of a repeal dots
exist ; it is of that kind againlt which we cannot
guard. Sir, we (hould calculate on accepting
the bill as it now stands ; we ought not to riikjf
by making any amendment. We have it now in
our power, to procure afouthern position. The
opportunity may not again speedily pref'entitf If
We know the various and jealous iiiterefts ttiat
exist 011 this fubjec r t. We ihould hazard nothing,
If Potowmac is struck out, are »ou sure of ret
ting Baltimore ? May 110 other places be propo
ted > Instead of Baltimore is it not probable wi
may have Suftjuehaimah inserted, perhaps th
Delaware ? Make any amendment, Sir, and thi
bill will go back to the Senate. Are wefuretha
it will come back into our pofleflion aoain ? B<
amending, we give up a certainty for an uncer
tainty. In my opinion, we (hall adt wifely, jf W(
aceept the bill as it now stands, and I beg Jeavi
Lo press it on gentlemen not to consent to any al
teration left it be wholly defeated, and the pro!
peift t)f obtaining a foutliern position vanifi so
ever.
Mr. Gerry said he rose with greater reluc
ance on this, than he ever did on any foune
iccafion ; and it is because it appears pretty evi
lent the advocates of the bi'l are sure of a niajori
y,and .ire determined not to change their mind;
et what arguments will be offered on the sub
ert—the business of elhiblifhing the permanent
efidence ii contrary to the sentiments of a ma.
oriry of the members of this House—and of the
Senate as they have both negatived a bill for this
vn-pofe the prelem feflion ; it is to be regretted
hat ir has ever been brought forward,for i: isve.
y evident that it has had a very pernicious in.
Jticnce on the great business of funding the pub.
ic debt. He then mentioned the former remo.
>'aliof Congress, which had never bp£a com
plained of—as the public business was never neg
lected :—He said that if the present bill is car
ried into execution, a very great uneafinefswill
?nfue—for the msafures of Congress, and nottheir
re.ldence a e the objects of concern to the peo
—Thofe States who think that they in all be
njured, it can not be expected will acquiesce ; he
hen gave an account of the pi ocefs of this mca
ure the last feflion. The travel, said he, hasbeei*
mentioned—This he said could not be considered
is an argument in favor of the bill.lor the expellee
s not paid by particular States—it conies out of
he common treasury. He aflerted that the ac
eflibilityto New York is better than that to the
J otowmac.—He contended the rifle by land is
greater than that by water. He Hated the ad
vantages that the southern members derived from
:oming to the northward, while on the other hand
is there, said he, any thing to balance the rifle and
difficulties which the northern members must en
:ounter in such a southern situation. He said it
was highly unreasonable to fix the feat of
nentinfuch a position as to haStates out
as thirteen, to the northward of the place. —He
idvertcd to the facrifices which the northern States
ire ready to make in being willing to go so far
Touth as Baltimore. He contended that the ex
plicit consent of the eastern States ought to beob>
ained before they are draggedftill farther foutli-
He ridiculed the idea of fixing the governmentat
He did not think there was any
erious intention of ever going to this Indian
~le considered the whole business as a nieer ma
rneuvre. Baltimore holds out the only profpeit
)f a permanent feat ®f government. —He recapi
tulated the account which before had been given.
f 1 i om this he adverted to the general expectation
if the public with refpetft to the government's
arrying here till the permanent feat was eftab.
ithed—He particularized the expences that had
jeen incurred by the citizens, aad for which they
Merited great honor.—He said it had been pro
nifecl to New.York, tha this place should be the
emporary residence of Congress, and on this en
gagement they came into an unconditional adop
ion of the conflitution—Should this bill pass.
what can ii be denominated bui a delusion, a de-.
eption, faniflionecl by Congress itfelf. He re
narked on the several observations offered by Mr.
Vladifen, Mr. Lee, Mr. Stone, and Mr. Scott.
Mr. V ining— When I find arguments made life
>1 lo inflame the minds of gentlemen against the
"embers of this house, I think it my duty te notice
such observations : Attempts are made to hold
U P, in an odious poitjt of light, the members ci