Passage and Signing of the Residence Act (1790)

The Residence Act of 1790 established a permanent seat of government along the Potomac River, resolving legislative deadlocks through a political compromise. Passed by the Senate on July 1 and the House on July 9, the act was signed by President Washington on July 16. It designated Philadelphia as the temporary capital until the new site was ready, marking a pivotal shift in federal governance.

Episodes

Background and detail

Legislative Context. Following the establishment of Congress in 1789, New York City served as the temporary capital. Initial attempts to locate the permanent seat failed when the House favored the Susquehanna River and the Senate preferred the Delaware River. These conflicting bills could not be reconciled, leading to a renewed debate in the summer of 1790 that required political negotiation to resolve.

Political Brokerage. The passage of the Residence Act was part of the Compromise of 1790, brokered by James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton sought to pass his Assumption Bill, while Jefferson facilitated a dinner in New York City to bring Madison and Hamilton together. This diplomatic intervention was crucial for aligning the legislative priorities necessary for the act's approval.

Provisions and Timeline. The act empowered President Washington to appoint commissioners and decide the exact location. It set a deadline of December 1800 for the capital's completion and designated Philadelphia as the temporary seat. Congress reconvened in Philadelphia in December 1790, while Washington began work on the project soon after signing the act, initiating the surveying process.

People involved

Sources

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