The Correspondence of Thomas Jefferson
By Subject
CONGRESS / LOCATION OF SESSION
The fever in Philadelphia has so much abated as to have almost
disappeared. The inhabitants are about returning. It has been
determined that the President shall not interfere with the meeting of
Congress. R. H. and K. were of opinion he had a right to call them to
any place, but that the occasion did not call for it. I think the
President inclined to the opinion. I proposed a proclamation notifying
that the Executive business would be done here till further notice,
which I believe will be agreed. H. R. Lewis, Rawle, etc., all concur
in the necessity that Congress should meet in Philadelphia, and vote
there their own adjournment. If it shall then be necessary to change
the place, the question will be between New York and Lancaster. The
Pennsylvania members are very anxious for the latter, and will attend
punctually to support it, as well as to support much for Muhlenberg,
and oppose the appointment of Smith (S. C.) speaker, which is intended
by the Northern members. According to present appearances this place
cannot lodge a single person more.
James Madison, 2 November 1793
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