The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

464 LIFE OF WASHINGTON. [1790.
was it to be expected that the adversaries of the plan,
and these a large minority, would readily change their
opinion after the strenuous opposition they had shown,
or cease from their hostility. The President expressed
no sentiments on the subject while it was under debate
in Congress, but he approved the act for funding the
public debt, and was undoubtedly, from conviction, a
decided friend to the measure.
Another important point, upon which Congress under
the old Confederation had been for a long time divided,
was settled in the course of this session. Local interests, and other considerations, made it difficult to agree
on the place for the permanent seat of government.
It was at length determined, that it should be removed for ten years to Philadelphia, and then be
established at some place on the Potomac River. Ultimately the position was selected, which has since been
called the District of Columbia; and the territory was
surveyed, the city planned, and the public buildings
commenced, under the direction of Washington, this
duty devolving on him as President. For three or four
years it occupied a great deal of his attention; and, in
compliance with the laws, he appointed commissioners
for managing the business, with whom he carried on a
voluminous correspondence, giving personal directions,
and requiring exact accounts of all proceedings.
Rhode Island having adopted the constitution, and
acceded to the Union, the President made a visit to
that State immediately after the session of Congress.
In his eastern tour he had avoided going to Rhode
Island, because it had not then joined the Union under
the new government.
Another severe disease, and constant application to
business, had much impaired his health; and he determined to take advantage of the recess of Congress,