Commissioners for the District of Columbia

Item

Title: Commissioners for the District of Columbia
Creator: Commissioners for the District of Columbia
Description: In 1791, President Washington appointed Thomas Johnson, Daniel Carroll, and David Stuart commissioners to supervise the planning, design, and construction of the new capital city and surrounding federal district. They oversaw the survey and land acquisition of the district, and were responsible for approving a modified version of Pierre Charles L'Enfant's city plan.
Coverage: Pre-1800s
Biographical Text: Thomas Johnson served as the first Governor of Maryland and thereafter pursued a vigorous legal and political career. He was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates, the Maryland convention for ratifying the Federal Constitution, an Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court, and later the Chief Judge of the new Federal District.

Daniel Carroll was the son of a wealthy Catholic family that owned much of the land which eventually became the Federal District. He was heavily involved in Maryland politics, serving as a member of the Continental Congress and later in the House of Representatives.

David Stuart was the only Commissioner from the Commonwealth of Virginia. Prior to his appointment, Stuart served as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, the Constitutional Convention, and as an Elector from Prince William County.
Source: George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. View original document.
Occupation: Politician