Washington, George (1732-1799) to Edmund Randolph re: debating legality of relocating Congress

Mount Vernon, 14th Oct 1793
Dear Sir,
Enclosed is the copy of what I wrote to you agreeably to the date, since which I have received yours of the 3d inst., which shews [sic] it had not at that time got to your hands.
I sincerely hope your son Peyton is in no danger from the sick person he saw, and that the rest of your family, wherever they be, are in good health. Are you certain that the disorder of which the persons in Germantown died was the real malignant fever of Philadelphia? For every fever now, of which people die in and about that city, will be so called. I was in hopes Congress might have assembled at Germantown in the first instance, and there taken ulterior resolutions if the City of Philadelphia at the time should be thought unsafe for them to sit in.
I have just received a letter from the Speaker of the late house of Representatives (Trumbull) suggesting the expediency of convening Congress a few days before the first Monday in December at some other place than Philadelphia, in order to avoid the necessity of a quorum of both houses meeting there, similar sentiments I have heard, are entertained by others. Query, what with propriety can the President do under the circumstances which exist? If the importance, and awfulness of the occasion would justify calling the legislation together at any other place than Philadelphia (on acct. of the calamity with which it is visited) where should it be? This question if Germantown is also visited, would involve the Executive in a serious, and delicate decision. Wilmington and Trenton are equidistant from Philadelphia in opposite directions, but both are on the great thoroughfare through the Union, equally liable on that account to receive the Infection, and each, to the members whose distance would be increased, obnoxious. Annapolis is more out of the comn. and has conveniences, but it might be thought that interested and local views dictated the measure. What sort of a Town is Reading, and how would it answer for the purpose of a Session? Neither Northern nor Southern members would have cause to complain of partiality on acct. of its situation. Lancaster would be thought to favour [sic] the Southern members most.
You will readily perceive that if a change of place becomes indispensable, not a moment is to be lost in the notification thereof, whether by Proclamation, requiring it, as by a simple statement of facts, accompanied with information that at any certain time and place (which might be blank days before the 1st of December) I would meet the members in their Legislative capacity, as for the purpose of ulterior arrangements. The latter would, I presume, be a novel proceeding, the other an illegal Act, if there is no power delegated for the purpose and either would be food for scribblers; yet, if Philadelphia should continue in its present unfortunate and alarming state something preliminary seems necessary. I wish you to think seriously of this matter; and not only give me your opinion thereon, but accompany it with what you may conceive a proper and formal instrument for publication; for my consideration leaving the place and time blank therein, but dilated upon in a letter under the sevel. views you may take of the subject, especially too as (I have heard but know not on what grounds) that it is made a question by some, whether even the Legislature itself having in this instance fulfilled the powers of the Constitution have now a right to change the places which are established by law. This to me I confess, seems to be a strained construction of the Constitution and is only mentioned to shew that caution is necessary.
The heads of the Departments you will have no opportunity to advise with on this interesting subject, nor do I suppose you will be in the way of seeing professional men of much eminence, otherwise I should request you to know their sentiments on the legality, or expediency of convening Congress otherwise than in Philadelphia.
My best wishes attend you, Mr. Randolph and family and I am Dear Sir

Yours Affectionately
George Washington

[docket:]
The Att. [?] Gen. U. States
14th Oct. 1793