Existing comment:
November 21, the first workday of the United States Government in the new National Capital founded by George Washington.
On November 21, during a very unusual (3-inch) fall of snow, the Congress met for the first time in the new Capitol building. The 106 representatives and 32 Senators from 6 states, as well as President John Adams, 4 department heads, and 131 clerks have recently and permanently remove to this new city asrequired [sic] by law.
Our beloved first President, the late GEORGE WASHINGTON, chose the exact site in 1790 nd [sic] directed the founding of the city for the next 6 years. Under his inspired leadership, Charles Pierre L'Enfant created the design for the city, which will become more visible as buildings rise on squares and all the streets and avenues are opened. Numbers of buildings at the moment: 109 brick, 263 wood, 2 sandstone.
Population of the city is presently 3,210, or about 600 families. It included all of the Government as well as mentioned above; some doctors, lawyers, and businessmen, the U.S. Marines; hotel and tavern keepers; artisans and shipbuilders; shopkeepers; Irish laborers; servants and slaves. (Population in 1790 was about 75, being landowners, farmers, laborers, and slaves.)
Population of adjacent Georgetown is 2,993, and of Alexandria on the west bank of the Potomac River and downstream about 2 miles, is 5,000. |