The District of Columbia is a federal district, made up of land ceded by Maryland in 1791. The original district was 100 square miles, and included land ceded by Virginia. In 1846 Virginia's land was returned to the state. The 67-square-mile area houses the federal capital and the city that grew up with it, Washington, DC. President John Adams moved the government to the new capital in June 1800, and Congress met there for the first time the following year. Congress maintains veto power over all of the legislation of the Washington city council. Congressional appropriations are paid to the district in lieu of taxes on federal property, and the president retains the right to appoint district judges.