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Since the creation of the District of Columbia, antislavery reformers had decried the presence of slavery as a contradiction of the nation's founding principles of freedom, equality, and justice. The nation's capital was a natural target for the early antislavery movement. Constitutionally, Congress controlled the District of Columbia through "exclusive jurisdiction" and could eliminate the slave trade and slavery itself within its borders at any time. When the federal government moved to Washington in 1800, Congress agreed to enforce Maryland's laws in the city, including both slavery and a "black code" that restricted the freedom of all African Americans, slave and free. As a southern city, Washington was a congenial place for slavery to take root. In 1800, thirty percent of the District of Columbia's residents were African Americans, fewer than one-fifth of them free. From its very beginning, visitors and government officials from the North and abroad condemned the capital for its open slave markets, economic reliance on slavery, exploitation of African Americans, and racial discrimination. Immediately after moving into the White House, for example, Abigail Adams wrote contemptuously that "The effects of slavery are visible everywhere." The institution continued to grow steadily until 1830, when the number of slaves in Washington reached its peak, representing twelve percent of the city's population. At the same time, Washington began supplanting Baltimore as a regional center of the slave trade. After 1830, slavery began to decline in Washington as the slave trade drained laborers from the faltering tobacco plantations of the Chesapeake region. Between 1830 and 1860, the slave population fell from its peak of twelve percent to just three percent of the District of Columbia's residents, about 3,300.

"Within sight of the White House : section of Washington, D.C., known as "Hooker's Division," which contains 50 saloons and 109 bawdy-houses--list of 61 places where liquor is sold with government [sic] but without city licenses." Newspaper clipping. - Available also through the Library of Congress Web site as a raster image. - Includes text, directory of unlicensed premises, and index to points of interest. - LC copy mounted on cloth backing.

"Civil War Washingotn, DC." A private blog April 2, 2102 posting gives historical overview of Washington City Canal, once envisioned as a key artery linking the capital with the West via the Potomac and C&O Canal. Backs up narrative with primary sources, e.g. maps, photos, newspapers. Great Library of Congress photos are consolidated here, including overview of Canal w clear view of waterworks and of cattle grazing on its banks.

"Civil War Washingotn, DC." A private blog April 2, 2102 posting gives historical overview of Washington City Canal, once envisioned as a key artery linking the capital with the West via the Potomac and C&O Canal. Backs up narrative with primary sources, e.g. maps, photos, newspapers. Great Library of Congress photos are consolidated here, including overview of Canal w clear view of waterworks and of cattle grazing on its banks.

Literary Magazine and British Review - Google Books. Geographer Jedediah Morse describes the landscape of the area of the District of Columbia. His narrative fleshes out a map (plate) which doesn't seem to appear in the Google Book. Note: Cross-reference Library of Congress for early Morse maps. (Morse authored numerous maps of territories throughout the country)

From library of Congress. Created by the Engineer Department of the District of Columbia, published 1892