CHAPTER LVI.

I. THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

THE framers of the federal constitution appreciating the necessity of locating the government where it would have supreme control beyond all possible interference of State authorities, provided in that instrument the necessary means of protection and independence in this provision: "Congress shall have power to exercise exclusive legislation, in all cases whatsoever, over such district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular States and the acceptance of Congress, become the seat of the government of the United States."

The Congress of the Confederation, after the adoption of the constitution, resolved that New-York, where it was then sitting, should be the temporary seat of government, and that the President should be there sworn into office, and the new Congress assemble on the thirtieth of April, 1789. On that day Washington there took the constitutional oath of office and entered upon the duties of President.

2. The first Congress assembled at the same time and held two sessions there, ending on the twelfth of August, 1790. In July of that year, Congress passed an act accepting territory offered by Maryland and Virginia, on the Potomac, for a permanent seat of

government, under the provisions of the constitution, about one half of the ten miles square being in each State, and directing that it be removed there by the first Monday in December, 1800, which was done. They also directed that prior to the first Monday in December, 1790, the seat of government should be at Philadelphia. It was accordingly removed, and the third session of the first Congress and all those of the next four years, ending March 3d, 1799, were held in that city.

The government was removed to Washington by the first of December, 1800, during the last year of the administration of John Adams.

The District of Columbia contained three cities, Alexandria, on the Virginia, and Georgetown and Washington on the Maryland side of the Potomac. The two former were then old cities, and the latter consisted of common farms when the government was located there.

Courts and the usual machinery of city governments were provided for these cities. Banks and other institutions were established in each. On the east side of the Potomac, the laws of Maryland were adopted, and continued, unless altered by Congress. The laws of Virginia were declared in force on the west side. The anomaly was presented of the same judges declaring and enforcing Virginia laws one day, and those of Maryland on the next.

3. In 1846, on the application of Virginia, Congress retroceded to that State so much of the District as she had formerly ceded to Congress. The

District of Columbia now lies wholly in Maryland, on the east side of the Potomac.

The act transferring the seat of government to the district provides that "all offices attached to the said seat of government shall accordingly be removed thereto by their respective holders, and shall, after said day, cease to be exercised elsewhere," thus requiring all the officers of the executive departments to perform their duties in the District of Columbia.

4. By a recent act of Congress, the city governments of Washington and Georgetown under their charters have been abolished, and a territorial government, called the District of Columbia, established over both, including the whole district. Provision is made for the appointment of a governor, secretary, and other officers to be appointed by the President with the consent of the Senate, and for the election of a territorial legislature, with specific and limited powers, and for choosing a delegate to Congress with the same power and privileges as exercised by delegates from other territories. The officers appointed by the President are paid from the federal treasury, and all others by the district government. A board of public works with broad powers over streets, bridges, and the construction of private buildings, is provided, the members of which are appointed by the President with the consent of the Senate, of which board the governor is president.

The salary of members of the board is twenty-five hundred dollars, and that of the governor five thousand dollars.

CHAPTER LVII.

I. THE TERRITORIES.

THE territories acquired by the federal government of the States prior to the constitution have long since passed into States in conformity with the terms of the cession. Much of that acquired of France, Spain, and Mexico has been disposed of in like manner. But there still remains a vast area not yet sufficiently settled to be entitled to be admitted as States of the Union. There are nine of these territorial governments framed by Congress, to wit, New-Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Idaho, Washington, Utah, Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana, containing a million of square miles, besides the Indian Territory, embracing sixtynine thousand, and the Russian purchase, which includes near six hundred thousand square miles.

Except the two last, these territories have governors, judges, (whose salaries are three thousand dollars,) marshals, district-attorneys, and some other officers appointed by the President with the consent of the Senate. The people elect a legislative council, whose acts Congress can annul to make laws for their respective governments. They also elect delegates to Congress, who can address the House on the affairs of their territories, but have no votes.

The lands in these territories mostly belong to the government, which causes them to be surveyed and offered for sale. Many of these lands are valuable for their gold, silver, and other mines; for their timber, and for agricultural purposes. Those at the south are valuable for grazing, and at the north for their furs and peltries, and nearly all parts for their fisheries. Rail and wagon roads are penetrating these territories, which are being fast settled, even among the Rocky Mountains. It is only a question of time when they will be converted into States, and assume a position of equality with the present States.

2. THERE ARE NINE TERRITORIES, TO WIT, COLORADO, MONTANA, UTAH, ARIZONA, WYOMING, IDAHO, DAKOTA, WASHINGTON, AND NEW-MEXICO.