Federal Hall
New York City Is Named the Nation’s Temporary Capital
In 1787, the Constitutional Convention adopted the U.S. Constitution (though the document would not be ratified until the following year).
The enclave clause (Art. I, § 8, cl. 17) of this Constitution, states that Congress may choose an area, not exceeding 100 square miles, to become the national capital.
The Convention also agreed that New York City would serve as the nation’s temporary capital until such time as Congress chose a permanent location for the capital.
Federal Hall and Alexander Macomb House
During the short period for which New York City held the title of America’s capital, Federal Hall served as the seat of the U.S. Congress and many of the fiercest political debates in early American history took place here.
Federal Hall was also the site of George Washington’s inauguration as America’s first president.
While the original Federal Hall was demolished in the 19th century, the Federal Hall National Memorial, seen in the video above, stands where the first Congress of the United States once convened business and houses a museum detailing America’s earliest days.
And just a few blocks away, a plaque marks the location where Alexander Macomb House once stood.
Macomb House was the home of one of America’s first collapsed financial speculators and was used as George Washington’s executive residence for a short time.
A marker denoting the site of Alexander MaComb House.
Written By: Aiden Singh Published: July 26, 2020.