Relocation of the United States Government to Trenton facts for kids
| Date | August 24, 1799 |
|---|---|
| Location | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Trenton, New Jersey |
| Type | Emergency evacuation |
| Cause | Yellow fever epidemic |
| Outcome | U.S. Government abandons Philadelphia, temporarily reestablishes itself in Trenton; the federal government is restored to Philadelphia in November 1799 |
The relocation of the United States Government to Trenton happened in August 1799. This was because of a serious sickness called yellow fever that spread in Philadelphia, which was the capital city of the United States at the time. The government moved back to Philadelphia by November of the same year.
Contents
Why the Government Moved
Before 1800, Philadelphia was the capital city of the United States. It was where the main government offices were located. In 1799, a dangerous disease called yellow fever spread quickly through Philadelphia. This was the fourth time such an outbreak had happened in that decade.
Trenton, New Jersey, which became a city in 1792, was a busy trading town by 1799. One person who visited at the time said Trenton looked "very modest." However, it also had "a number of handsome villas," which are large, fancy houses.
Moving the Government
Evacuating Offices
To make sure the government could keep working, several important United States offices left Philadelphia for Trenton on August 26, 1799. The Navy had already started moving out two days before.
The Department of State finished its move on August 29, 1799. Important papers, records, and furniture were sent by boat along the Delaware River from Philadelphia to Lamberton, New Jersey. From there, they traveled by land to Trenton. The Department of State worked temporarily from the New Jersey State House during this time.
President John Adams approved the move for the United States Department of War. He sent his approval by mail on August 30, 1799, from his home in Quincy, Massachusetts.
President Adams Arrives
President Adams was not eager to join the government in Trenton at first. He thought the places to stay in Trenton were not very good. So, he stayed in Quincy and managed the government by sending letters.
However, news reached the United States that things were getting worse in France. Because of this, the President's top advisors, known as the Cabinet, insisted that Adams join them. On September 13, the Secretary of the Navy, Benjamin Stoddert, wrote to Adams. He apologized for the lack of good places to stay in Trenton. But he strongly wished for Adams to join the Cabinet there.
I ... cannot but lament that the accommodations to be obtained here are very far inferior to such as would be suitable for the President of the United States. Indeed, I am afraid none could be obtained which would not be extremely inconvenient and disagreeable to both Mrs. Adams and yourself. Yet having no motive unconnected with your honor and that of the government, I hope you will pardon my freedom in adhering to my wish that you would join the officers here ...
Adams agreed and left Quincy for Trenton with a small group of staff. His wife, First Lady Abigail Adams, stayed in Massachusetts. President Adams and his group arrived in Trenton on October 10, 1799. His arrival was celebrated with a fireworks show.
Returning to Philadelphia
The United States Government moved back to Philadelphia in the middle of November. This happened after the yellow fever sickness was under control. Six months later, on May 15, 1800, President Adams ordered the government to move to the new capital city of Washington, D.C..
