How the Philadelphia Mutiny Created the District of Columbia
The Philadelphia Mutiny was an uprising of soldiers who threatened the Continental Congress in the waning days of the Revolutionary War.
Also known as the Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783, this event had a lasting impact on the nation in the fact that it led to the creation of the District of Columbia.
The Philadelphia Mutiny
By June of 1783 the Battle of Yorktown was almost two years past.
The Continental Soldiers who were stationed in Philadelphia had still not been paid for their service.
With a peace treaty almost complete and the Continental Army preparing to disband, these men were anxious that they’d be discharged without receiving their promised salary.
They decided it was time to take action.
Threatening Congress
Seeing how they were in the same city as the Continental Congress, the soldiers sent a letter threatening to take action against the Delegates if they were not given their pay.
Though nothing came of this immediately, the soldiers eventually went to Independence Hall to confront the Delegates as they were leaving the day’s meeting.
Alexander Hamilton was able to convince the men to let the Congressmen go and promised to discuss the situation the following day.
No Help From PA
Hamilton met quietly with a committee who decided to ask the Pennsylvania Government for protection.
Unfortunately, the Pennsylvania men, led by President John Dickinson, chose not to assist the Congressmen.
The stated reason for this was that they did not believe the local militia would actively fight against Continental Soldiers.
Fearing for their safety, the Delegates decided to leave town the next day.
This would be the last time that Philadelphia was the capital of the United States for a decade.
Fallout
As for the soldiers, General Washington sent William Heath and Robert Howe to suppress the mutiny.
Though there were many arrests, no one was subject to capital punishment.
Later, when the Constitution was written, it was explicitly decided that the capital of the nation should be a Federal District. This meant the Delegates themselves would control the police force in the capital.
The Philadelphia Mutiny essentially had the effect of creating the District of Columbia.
Want to read about other EVENTS OF THE REVOLUTION?
Check out these articles:
The Pennsylvania Line Mutiny of 1781
Executing Officers - The Pompton Mutiny of the New Jersey Line
There were several mutinies during the Revolutionary War.
‘Rebellion in the Ranks’ takes a look at all of the mutinies…and their repercussions.
If you’d like a copy you can pick one up through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).
