8984. WASHINGTON (City), Foundation of.—[further continued] .
Philadelphia. In favor
of it. 1. Its unrivalled conveniency for transacting
the public business, and accommodating
Congress. 2. Its being the only place where
all the public offices, particularly that of Finance
could be kept under the inspection and
control of, and proper intercourse with Congress.
3. Its conveniency for foreign ministers,
to which, ceteris paribus, some regard would
be expected. 4. The circumstances which produced
a removal from Philadelphia; which rendered
a return, as soon as the insult had been
expiated, expedient for supporting in the eyes
of foreign nations the appearance of internal
harmony, and preventing an appearance of
resentment in Congress against the State of
Pennsylvania, or city of Philadelphia, an appearance
which was very much strengthened by
some of their proceedings at Princeton—particularly
by an unneccessary and irregular declaration
not to return to Philadelphia. In addition
to these overt reasons, it was concluded
by sundry of the members, who were most anxious
to fix Congress permanently at the Falls
of the Potomac, that a temporary residence in
Philadelphia would be most likely to prepare
a sufficient number of votes for that place in
preference to the Falls of Delaware, and to
produce a reconsideration of the vote in favor
of the latter. Against Philadelphia were alleged.
1. The difficulty and uncertainty of
getting away from it at the time limited. 2.
The influence of a large commercial and wealthy
city on the public councils. In addition to
these objections, the hatred against Mr. Morris,
and the hope of accelerating his final resignation
were latent motives with some, as perhaps
envy of the prosperity of Philadelphia, and dislike
of the support of Pennsylvania to obnoxious
recommendations of Congress were with
others.—
Notes on Permanent Seat of Congress.
Ford ed., iii, 459.
(April. 1784)
