There had before been projects to fix the seat of government either at Philadelphia or at Georgetown on the Potomac; and it was thought that, by giving it to Philadelphia for ten years, and to Georgetown permanently afterwards, this might, as an anodyne, solve in some degree the ferment which might be excited by the other measure alone.

So two of the Potomac members (White and Lee, but White with a revulsion of stomach almost convulsive) agreed to change their votes, and Hamilton undertook to carry the other point.

In doing this, the influence he had established over the eastern members, with the agency of Robert Morris with those of the Middle States, effected his side of the engagement.[1] [Footnote 1: _Jefferson's Works_, IX, 93.] As a result of Hamilton's bargain, the bill for Assumption was passed, and it was agreed that Philadelphia should be the capital for ten years and that afterwards a new city should be built on the banks of the Potomac and made the capital permanently.
During the summer of 1789 Washington suffered the most serious sickness of his entire life.

The cause was anthrax in his thigh, and at times it seemed that it would prove fatal.

For many weeks he was forced to lie on one side, with frequent paroxysms of great pain.
After a month and a half he began to mend, but very slowly, so that autumn came before he got up and could go about again.