Columbia, PA’s Brush with Destiny

adamzurn

2 years ago

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Have you ever wondered how Washington, D.C., came to be the permanent seat of the United States government? The story is a captivating journey filled with political maneuvering and intriguing decisions during the nation’s infancy. In a parallel universe, the town of Columbia, PA is the nation’s capital because, in our reality, it missed out by a single vote.

In the 1770s and 1780s, the U.S. capital was somewhat of a nomad, moving between various cities along the eastern seaboard. While its time in Philadelphia is well-remembered, it also made temporary homes in Annapolis (1783-84) and New York (1785-90). However, this period of transience was destined to end.

The U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1788, included a specific provision in Article I, Section 8, for establishing a federal district.

To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of Government of the United States, and to exercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consent of the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for the Erection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings[.]

This district, not exceeding ten miles square, would be selected by the secession of particular states and the acceptance of Congress. It was to be a place exclusively legislated by Congress, potentially including sites for forts, magazines, arsenals, dockyards, and other essential buildings.

The real contest for the permanent capital kicked off with the Constitution’s ratification. In September 1789, Congress saw a flurry of petitions. One notable campaign aimed to establish Old Philadelphia as the permanent capital. However, an intriguing resolution proposed on September 7 suggested the capital be located on the east bank of the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania, specifically mentioning the small town of Columbia.

Resolved, That the permanent seat of the Government of the United States ought to be at some convenient place on the East bank of the river Susquehannah, in the State of Pennsylvania, and that, until the necessary buildings be erected for the purpose, the seat of the Government ought to continue at the city of New York.

This location was notably close to land owned by Pennsylvania Senator William Maclay.

A year earlier, in 1788, as Samuel Wright had the area surveyed and formally laid out 160 lots, he envisioned the site as the future capital of the United States when he set aside a generous square and a half. This town, originally called Wright’s Ferry, changed its name to “Columbia” in a nod to Christopher Columbus to help sway the U.S. Congress into making it the nation’s capital. Even George Washington was reportedly on board with the idea!

The debate heated up when Pennsylvania’s other senator, Robert Morris, a Philadelphia-based merchant, pushed for Philadelphia to become the permanent capital. On September 21, 1789, Morris reminded the Senate of his March 5 proposal, offering the use of public buildings in Philadelphia for the federal government.

*Map Showing the relation of the Proposed Morristown Canal. with the upper Basins of the Delaware and Susquehannah Rivers.* 📷: National Archives

A critical moment occurred in 1790 when a motion in the Senate proposed replacing “some convenient place on the banks of the river Susquehannah” with a location encompassing Philadelphia, Chester, and Bucks counties, including Germantown and part of the Northern Liberties of Philadelphia. With Senator Morris voting yea and Maclay nay, the ballot was a deadlock at 9-9 until Vice President John Adams cast the deciding vote in favor of Philadelphia, ending Columbia’s brief brush with destiny.

The final decision came with the passage of “An Act for Establishing the Temporary and Permanent Seat of the Government of the United States” on July 16, 1790. This act was a compromise brokered by Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton. It designated a site on the Potomac River, which would be named Washington, District of Columbia, as the permanent capital after a ten-year period. Meanwhile, Philadelphia was appointed the temporary capital.

Thus, the wandering days of the U.S. capital concluded, setting the stage for Washington, D.C., to become the iconic political center it is today. The story of its selection reflects the complexities and compromises essential in the early years of the United States.