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tion over the Capitol's completion. It also nicely coincided with the approaching centennial of George Washington's birthday in February 1832. Congress once again took up the issue of filling the empty tomb beneath the Rotunda, but sectionalism had drastically altered the political landscape. Washington's commem- oration became intertwined with contemporary issues as representatives and senators vehemently argued over westward expansion, economic and taxation policies, internal improvement, and the constitutional authority of the federal government to enact and enforce such measures. Serving as co-chair of the joint committee on the centennial observance, Kentucky Senator Henry Clay accumulated Whig support for removal, maintain- ing that Washington belonged to the nation. Virginia congressmen countered that Washington was first and foremost a Virginian and that he should remain in his native soil. Democrats rallied to the cause, scorning the measure as yet another example of an overzealous national government infringing upon the sovereignty of a state. Despite the partisan and regional resistance, the measure requesting Washington's body for entomb- ment passed the Senate 29-15 and the House of Repre- sentatives 109-76. 9 The new proprietor of Mount Vernon, John Augustine Washington Jr., had inherited the property from his uncle Bushrod and aunt Julia Blackburn Washington in 1829. Along with the mansion, outlying buildings, and a considerable amount of land, John became owner of the family tomb and the remains of his deceased family members (fig. 9). As a result, it was John Augustine's decision and his alone that truly mattered in securing the remains. At the same time, word reached Richmond that Congress intended to remove George Washington and entomb him in the United States Capitol. The Virginia General Assembly responded with a unanimous reso- lution denouncing the proposal, citing the connections between Washington, the state of Virginia, and their ancestors who fought alongside the general in the Rev- olutionary War. The Assembly's declaration concluded, Fig. 10. The Capitol Crypt as it appears today 8 THE CAPITOL DOME