The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

Extract of a letter from a member of Congress, to his friend in the district of Columbia.

"I am sorry for the dissatisfaction of some of your neighbours, because they did not get every thing they asked, from Congress. Considerate men will reflect that Congress had to legislate for the whole United States, as well as for the district of Columbia: that most of the members were entirely ignorant of your local affairs:--but above all, that there was seldom any thing like unanimity among yourselves, on the subject of your wants. There was a disposition in Congress to grant you every thing you could reasonably expect, and it need not be doubted, that this disposition will always prevail. On your part, you should take care never to ask, what Congress ought not to grant, and it should be the object of your respectable citizens to discourage frivolous and trifling applications. You are the children of Congress, not their slaves--but you must not wish to be treated as spoiled children, or expect that Congress will consider you entitled to this privilege, which would only tend to your own injury."

"Having always been a friend, and a sincere well-wisher to the city of Washington, as well from partiality to its founder, and the name it bears, as from conviction, that the permanent seat of the government, was rightfully and wisely fixed in that central position. I have lamented that such prejudices or jealousies should have prevailed against it, as to retard its growth--but such things were natural enough, and ought not to surprise us. Philadelphia was offended at losing the government--and other large towns, possessing an influence over the monied capital of the country, and first receiving foreigners, who come to settle in our country, and therefore able to make the first impressions on their minds, have seen, or fancied they saw their own interests in discouraging settlements in Washington; --hence the doubts so industriously inculcated, whether Congress ever would sit in Washington, before the removal--and hence too, the mischievous rumours that have been propagated about the probability of a removal, since the government took up its residence in that city."

"This question must now be for ever settled--none will hereafter be so credulous as to listen to tales of a removal; few will have impudence enough to attempt to circulate them. To put an end to such idle apprehensions, and to quiet and fix the public mind, members from all quarters of the union, have substantially declared in their places, a removal to be out of the power of Congress, some on the ground that Congress could not violate the public faith, pledged to those who granted their lands for the use of government, and to those who under the faith of government, have acquired property in the city; others on the ground of the constitution--and as the strongest evidence of their determination to make the city a comfortable residence, they voted a large sum for another wing of the Capitol, and smaller sums, for smaller objects in the city."

"If after this, your city does not fill so fast as your reasonable expectation, the fact cannot be charged to Congress, but must be sought for in the want of energy and enterprize in your citizens."