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On 16 July 1790, President Washington signed the "Act for establishing the temporary and permanent seat of the Government of the United States," commonly known as the Residence Act. This act established the District of Columbia on territory ceded by Virginia and Maryland, and it moved the seat of the federal government from New York City to Philadelphia, where it was supposed to remain until 1800. During the intervening period, the city on the Potomac River was to be made suitable for occupation by, at the very least, the three branches of government. The Residence Act also authorized Washington to appoint three commissioners to employ a team of surveyors for the district and supervise the construction of federal buildings. Among the commissioners top priorities were the construction of a residence for the president, called the President's House and the meeting place of congress the Capitol.
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