In the Compromise of 1790, the Federal Government was to be set up along the Potomac River. After 10 years of construction, the Federal Government permanently set up in the Federal District of Columbia. When the Adams family moved in, Abigail Adams called the small town "a very dirtiest hole." In 1801, the final separation from the states of Maryland and Virginia took place, and the District was put under exclusive control of the Federal Government. The city wasn't very popular, and never grew above a large town. Most of its residence were government officials living there. On August 24th-25th, during the War of 1812, the British burned the city to the ground, but were driven out by a tornado that touched down. The city recovered, but the Capitol building wouldn't be completed until 1868.