Adams Papers Digital Edition

Diary of John Adams, volume 3

Notes of Debates on the Residence Bill, continued Sept. 23. Wednesday.

Notes of Debates in the Senate concerning unfinished business 1790 Jan. 25. Monday.

[Notes of Debates on the Residence Bill, continued] Sept. 24. Thursday. JA

1789-09-24

 [Notes of Debates on the Residence Bill, continued] Sept. 24. Thursday. Adams, John
Notes of Debates on the Residence Bill, continued Sept. 24. Thursday.

Mr. Grayson. moves to strike out the Words, “in the State of Pensilvania.”1

Mr. Butler. The Center of Population the best Criterion. The Center of Wealth and the Center of Territory.

Mr. Lee. The Center of Territory is the only permanent Center. Mr. Macclay. See his minutes.2

1.

That is, following the words “river Susquehannah” in the House bill, and thus assigning the federal capital to Maryland; all the senators present from the South voted for this amendment, but it lost by ten votes to eight.

 2.

Maclay's “minutes” of this day's debate are very full, but it would have been remarkable if he had offered to let JA see them, since they accuse him of grossly unfair conduct in the chair ( Journal , 1890, p. 162–165).