In other respects, Hamilton's financial measures prospered, and before many months he seized the opportunity of making a bargain by which the next Congress reversed its vote on Assumption.

In less than a year the members of Congress and many of the public had reached the conclusion that New York City was not the best place to be the capital of the Nation.

The men from the South argued that it put the South to a disadvantage, as its ease of access to New York, New Jersey, and the Eastern States gave that section of the country a too favorable situation.

There was a strong party in favor of Philadelphia, but it was remembered that in the days of the Confederation a gang of turbulent soldiers had dashed down from Lancaster and put to flight the Convention sitting at Philadelphia.

Nevertheless, Philadelphia was chosen temporarily, the ultimate choice of a situation being farther south on the Potomac.
Jefferson returned from France in the early winter.