Washington in 1837

By 1837, Washington had been the capital city of the United States for 37 years. However, its development lagged behind that of other cities, and far behind the grand visions of the city’s planners. The 1830 census had found 18,827 people in the city; the 1840 census would only count 23,364. Much of the original L’Enfant-Ellicott plan remained unfilled, and most of the streets were dirt roads. Some countries posted their diplomats in other cities; for example, Mexican ministers typically resided in Baltimore or Philadelphia.

Washington had supported the Texas rebel cause. In fact, the day that word reached Washington of Houston's victory at San Jacinto, a City Hall meeting to raise support for the Texas Revolution was already scheduled. Meanwhile, Washington's three main newspapers—The Globe (Democrat, pro-administration), The Intelligencer (Whig, anti-administration), and The United States Telegraph (Democrat, anti-administration)—reported on the Texas Revolution and on Santa Anna's progress toward the city.