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Many people today do not realize that when the United States Capitol was first moved to the Potomac it was 100 miles square and had land ceded from both Virginia and Maryland. There was a push from the commercial interests in what is now Alexandria to have the Virginia portion retroceded to the Commonwealth. In 1846 Congress agreed, but surprised everyone by also retroceding what is now Washington City to Maryland. What would have happened to Washington City had it remained a Federal enclave?