New-York, August 29, 1788.
Dear Sir:
We are informed here, that there is some probability that your
Legislature will instruct your delegates to vote for Philadelphia
as the place of the meeting of the first Congress under the new
Government. I presume this information can hardly be well founded,
as upon my calculations, there is not a State in the Union so much
interested in having the temporary residence at New-York, as New Jersey.
As between Philadelphia and New-York, I am mistaken if a greater
proportion of your State will not be benefited by having the seat of
government at the latter than the former place.
If at the latter, too, its exposed and eccentric position will
necessitate the early establishment of a permanent seat, and in passing
south, it is highly probable the Government would light upon the
Delaware in New Jersey. The Northern States do not wish to increase
Pennsylvania, by an accession of all the wealth and population of the
Federal City. Pennsylvania, herself, when not seduced by _immediate
possession_, will be glad to concur in a situation on the Jersey side
of the Delaware. Here are at once a majority of the States; but place
the Government once down in Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania will, of course,
hold fast; the State of Delaware will do the same.
All the States south, looking forward to the time, when the balance
of population will enable them to carry the Government further south
(say to the Potomac), and being accommodated in the mean time as well
as they wish, will concur in no change. The Government, from the delay,
will take root in Philadelphia, and Jersey will lose all prospect of
the Federal City within her limits.
These appear to me calculations so obvious, that I cannot persuade
myself New Jersey will so much _oversee_ her interest as to fall, in
the present instance, into the snares of Pennsylvania.
With the sincerest respect and regard,
I remain, dear Sir,
Your obedient servant,
A. Hamilton.