Birth of the Nation: The First Federal Congress, 1789-1791 | Next Page
Locating the United States Capital

Speech by James Madison in the House of Representatives
Speech by James Madison in the House of Representatives, September 4, 1789
(New York Daily Advertiser, September 8, 1789--Courtesy of the Library of Congress

DHFFC Transcript: DHRRC, v.11, p.143-1443

Madison led the representatives who supported placing the capital on the Potomac. This speech is significant not only for its uncharacteristically strong language and passionate defense of the Potomac, but also because Madison raised questions about the nature of federalism that surprised his Federalist allies.
 

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