Washington D.C., 1800
The establishment of the nation's capital on the banks of the Potomac River resulted from a compromise between the Federalist and the Republican factions of the early republic. The Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson, accepted the Federalist proposal that the national government pay the state debts incurred during the war of independence. In exchange, the Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, agreed to situate the capital at a place chosen by George Washington. Work on the new city began in 1790 and by 1800 was complete enough for the seat of government to be moved there from Philadelphia. John Adams was the first president to reside in the new city, if only for a short period as he was defeated for reelection by Thomas Jefferson in the fall of 1800 and left office in March 1801. President Adams and his wife, Abigail, moved to their new home in November.
Today, the region between Washington D.C. and Baltimore is a sprawling megalopolis - a seamless blend of suburban communities interlaced with super highways and rapid transit. Two hundred years ago it was mostly wilderness - dense forest punctuated by mosquito-infested swamps. One road connected the two locations and travel between them, which today takes less than an hour by car, could take two days.
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/pfcapital.htm
