How Washington, D.C. Became U.S. Capital

Some capitals emerge from the eternal depths of history. Legend has it that Washington, D.C., was the result of a backroom political compromise. President Washington, newly sworn into office at New York’s Federal Hall in 1789, faced a daunting challenge: War had strained the colonies’ finances to the breaking point, and the young nation was deeply in debt. Creditors were clamoring to be paid.

Much of this debt was owed by individual states, but Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of the Treasury in the new Washington administration, had a plan. In his First Report on Public Credit, delivered to Congress in January 1790, Hamilton proposed that the national government fully assume the debts of the states.

Hamilton’s proposal was met with swift opposition, led by Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, a member of the House of Representatives from Virginia.

Read Full Article »


Comment
Show comments Hide Comments


Related Articles