(DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA) Law Thomas Letter discussing plans to

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(DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.) Law, Thomas. Letter discussing plans to move the nation's capital. Autograph Letter Signed to Robert Goodloe Harper of Baltimore. 2 pages, 12 3/4 x 8 inches, on two detached sheets with address panel on verso of second page; moderate wear with two small tape repairs and catalogue description pasted to second page. Washington, 29 March 1804

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Thomas Law (1756-1834) emigrated from England in 1794, soon became one of Washington's leading planners and investors, and also married President Washington's step-granddaughter. The capital was officially moved to Washington in 1800, but efforts to relocate to a more cosmopolitan locale continued through at least 1815. Here Law discusses one such effort, a proposal by Senator Robert Wright of Maryland to relocate Congress to Baltimore because of Washington's housing shortage: "The Inhabitants here have been in some tribulation about a motion made by Mr. Wright to remove the seat of Gov't, which was found to be a constitutional question & only three voted in its favor. Afterwards an attempt was made to remove the seat of Congress to the President's house which also failed & at length by a majority of 17 to 7. 50,000 ds were voted to proceed with the Capitol. This I trust is the only attempt which will be made." Published in The Magazine of History with Notes and Queries IX:3 (March 1909), pages 172-3; listed in Walter R. Benjamin's 1952 catalogue.