From the very founding of the United States, there was a debate that took place amongst the representatives from the 13 states.

Where should the capital of the new country be located?

A compromise was eventually reached where the states of Maryland and Virginia would donate a total of 100 square miles of land along the Potomac River for the new federal capital.

Learn more about Washington, D.C.

Its past, its present, and possible future on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. This episode is sponsored by Audible.

My audio book recommendation today is Empire of Mud, the secret history of Washington DC by J.D. Dickie.

Before America became a world power, Washington City was an eyesore at best and a disgrace at worst.

Unfilled swamps, filthy canals, and rutted horse trails littered its landscape.

Political bosses hired hooligans and thugs to conduct the nation's affairs.

The police served and protected with the

aides of bribes and protection money. Deadly horse races took place on the

dusty streets and opposing factions of volunteer firefighters battled one another

like violent gangs rather than life-saving heroes.

The city's turbulent history set a precedent for the dishonesty, corruption, and mismanagement

that have led to generations to look suspiciously on the various sins of Washington politicians.

You can get a free one-month trial to audible and two free audio books

by going to audible trial.com slash everything everywhere or by clicking on the link in the show notes.

In 1783, the Continental Congress was in session in Philadelphia when they were besieged by revolutionary war veterans who hadn't been paid.

Known as the Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783, it highlighted to Congress the need for the federal government to have its own area which it

could control which wasn't reliant on any particular state government.

James Madison echoed this sentiment in Federalist Paper No 43 and spoke of a need

for a special area outside of the states which the

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