New York City was the capital of the United States from 1785 to 1790 and capital of the State of New York until 1797. It was host to the First Congress of the United States in 1789. In April of that year, on the steps of Federal Hall, George Washington was sworn in as president of the United States.
During its early years, New York was not the most important city in British America. It was outdistanced in population between 1630 and 1750 by Boston and between 1690 and 1810 by Philadelphia. Following the American Revolution, however, New York swept past its rivals in size and economic importance. By 1789 it was the leading city in the coastal trade. It exceeded Philadelphia in total tonnage in 1794, in the value of imports in 1796, and in exports in 1797. By 1830 New York City surpassed Mexico City to become the largest metropolis in the Americas.
