DELAWARE - In the spring of 1777, the atmosphere in New Castle, Delaware, was thick with more than just river fog—it was heavy with the threat of war. As the American Revolution intensified, the fledgling state government realized its capital was essentially a "sitting duck" for the British Royal Navy.
DELAWARE - In the spring of 1777, the atmosphere in New Castle, Delaware, was thick with more than just river fog—it was heavy with the threat of war. As the American Revolution intensified, the fledgling state government realized its capital was essentially a "sitting duck" for the British Royal Navy.The Great Escape of 1777: Why Delaware's Capital Fled to Dover
The decision to move the capital 40 miles south to Dover wasn't just an administrative change; it was a desperate tactical retreat that forever changed the geography of the First State.
1. The "Sitting Duck" Problem: New Castle's Vulnerability
Since its founding by the Dutch in 1651, New Castle had been a thriving port and the seat of government. However, its greatest asset—its location on the Delaware River—became its most outstanding liability during the Revolution.
- British Naval Dominance: The British fleet ruled the Atlantic and the Delaware Bay. New Castle sat directly on the water's edge, meaning a single British warship could hold the entire state government hostage with a few broadsides.
- The "Head of Elk" Landing: In late summer 1777, British General William Howe landed a massive force at the "Head of Elk" (modern-day Elkton, MD), just a short march from New Castle. The state leaders knew that if they stayed, they would be captured before the ink on their new laws even dried.
2. The Inland Shield: Why Dover?
In May 1777, the Delaware General Assembly voted to move the capital to Dover. The choice was purely strategic.
- Distance from the River: Unlike New Castle, Dover was located inland on the St. Jones River. While the St. Jones was navigable, it was far narrower and more difficult for large British warships to traverse than the wide Delaware River.
- Centrality: By 1777, the population of Kent and Sussex counties was growing. Dover offered a more central meeting point for representatives traveling from the southern ends of the state.
- Safety for the Records: State papers, tax records, and treasury funds were moved inland to prevent seizure or burning during a coastal raid.
3. A Close Call: The Capture of President McKinly
The move to Dover proved prophetic. Just months after the government began shifting south, the British defeated George Washington at the Battle of Brandywine (September 11, 1777).
Shortly after the battle, British troops marched into New Castle. They captured John McKinly, the first "President" (Governor) of Delaware, while he was still at his home. They also seized the state’s official seal and a large sum of money. Had the entire legislature still been meeting there, the Delaware government would have effectively ceased to exist overnight.
4. The Legacy: The Green as the Heart of the State
The move was made permanent in 1781. The center of this new capital was "The Green," a public square laid out in 1717 according to William Penn’s original designs.
- The Golden Fleece Tavern: It was here, on The Green, that Delaware’s delegates met in 1787 to ratify the U.S. Constitution. Because they were the first to do so, Delaware earned the title "The First State."
- The Old State House: Built in 1792, this iconic brick building served as the capitol for 140 years. It still stands today as a museum, preserving the room where the state's early laws were debated.
Dover's rise to prominence began as a survival tactic, but it grew into the permanent political heart of Delaware. Today, walking across The Green, you are stepping on the same ground where a young government once stood its ground against an empire.
