After moving to Washington in 1800, Margaret Smith and her husband became quickly part of the political and social elite, a political power couple. Samuel Smith established the first newspaper in Washington City, the "Daily Intelligencer." When Jefferson took office as president, his administration awarded Smith a government contract to print the House of Representatives' "Journal." Margaret Smith's ability to write about her observations made her an ideal partner for her husband. She often wrote for the "Intelligencer" and other publications, most often anonymously, but sometimes under her own name.