Washington, D.C. placed under United States Congress jurisdiction

Background. The Constitution called for a federal district under exclusive U.S. jurisdiction. The Residence Act of 1790 approved creating this capital on the Potomac River. In 1800, the capital moved from Philadelphia, and Congress began meeting in the unfinished Capitol Building. The district, formerly part of Maryland and Virginia, included settlements like Georgetown and Alexandria.

Legislative Action. The Organic Act was enacted by the 6th Congress in accordance with Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution. It formally placed the District of Columbia under the control of the United States Congress. The act organized the territory into two counties: Washington County to the north and east of the Potomac, and Alexandria County to the west and south.

Judicial and Municipal Organization. The act established the United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia with jurisdiction over the new counties. On May 3, 1802, the City of Washington was granted a municipal government consisting of a mayor appointed by the president. This structure defined the administrative framework for the federal district.