HAMILTON TO GOVERNOR LIVINGSTON.
New-York, August 29, 1788.
Dear Sir:
We are informed here, that there is some probability that your Legislature will instruct your delegates to vote for Philadelphia as the place of the meeting of the first Congress under the new Government. I presume this information can hardly be well founded, as upon my calculations, there is not a State in the Union so much interested in having the temporary residence at New-York, as New Jersey.
As between Philadelphia and New-York, I am mistaken if a greater proportion of your State will not be benefited by having the seat of government at the latter than the former place.
If at the latter, too, its exposed and eccentric position will necessitate the early establishment of a permanent seat, and in passing south, it is highly probable the Government would light upon the Delaware in New Jersey. The Northern States do not wish to increase Pennsylvania, by an accession of all the wealth and population of the Federal City. Pennsylvania, herself, when not seduced by immediate possession, will be glad to concur in a situation on the Jersey side of the Delaware. Here are at once a majority of the States; but place the Government once down in Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania will, of course, hold fast; the State of Delaware will do the same.
All the States south, looking forward to the time, when the balance of population will enable them to carry the Government further south (say to the Potomac), and being accommodated in the mean time as well as they wish, will concur in no change. The Government, from the delay, will take root in Philadelphia, and Jersey will lose all prospect of the Federal City within her limits.
These appear to me calculations so obvious, that I cannot persuade myself New Jersey will so much oversee her interest as to fall, in the present instance, into the snares of Pennsylvania.
With the sincerest respect and regard,
I remain, dear Sir,
Your obedient servant,
A. Hamilton.