Hello and welcome to a history of the United States.

Episode 189, Colombia and Banks. Last time out,

we reviewed how Jefferson transformed the federal government with the revolution of 1800.

Jefferson wanted to bring about a much smaller government, which was directly connected to the people. I said last time that we

disembark from the SS narrative and spend some time in the world of 1800, and we're going to start

off our tour with the new national capital in the District of Columbia, which served as a perfect

simile the source of changes that Jefferson

wanted to bring about. You'll recall in our early episodes on the Washington administration

that the first national capital was New York City. This was where the first Congress sat.

However, it was only temporary. During the debate about Hamilton's

financial plan, you'll recall that Hamilton, Jefferson and Madison reached a compromise,

where Hamilton's financial plan was passed, and in return, the South would get the national capital.

The eventual location, which was chosen chosen was the Potomac River,

which forms part of the border between Virginia and Maryland, just downstream of the fall line,

meaning would be accessible from the sea, nearby to the local ports of Alexandria and Georgetown.

The area would not be part of any state, instead being a federal

district known as the territory of Columbia, Colombia being a common name for America,

as was the style at the time, and the new capital city in the district would be named after

their first president, Washington.

Giving us Washington, D.C.

However, this was a brand new city.

They couldn't just move the federal administration there.

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