1From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin H. Latrobe, 18 October 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the reciept of your favor of Sep. 22. the canal which is the subject of it is a very small affair, the whole fall about 30. feet, of which two thirds are past by my mill canal 1200 yds long, and one third by Henderson’s canal 200 yds long. all between us is dead water. doubling the breadth of our canals would make them wide enough for batteaux, and this we know from the...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin H. Latrobe, 2 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The placing of a navy in a state of perfect preservation, so that at the beginning of a subsequent war it shall be as sound as at the end of the preceding one when laid up, and the lessening the expence of repairs, perpetually necessary while they lie in the water, are objects of the first importance to a nation which to a certain degree must be maritime. the dry docks of Europe, being below...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin H. Latrobe, 13 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 9th. is recieved as that of the 8th . had been the day before. on recieving that of the 8th. I was immediately sensible I had omitted in mine to say any thing on the subject of a just compensation for the preliminary business of a survey, estimate &c. I therefore referred your letter to the Secretary of the Navy (who was now returned, having been absent at the date of my...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin H. Latrobe, 6 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress have appropriated a sum of money (50,000. D) to be applied to the public buildings under my direction. this falls of course under the immediate business of the Superintendant, mr Monroe, whose office is substituted for that of the board of Commissioners. the former post of Surveyor of the public buildings , which mr Hoben held till the dissolution of the board at 1700. Doll. a year...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin H. Latrobe, 6 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter in which this is inclosed being a public one, and to be produced whenever necessary as a voucher, I have thought it would be useful to add a word in one of a private & friendly nature. from the sum of 50,000 D. we shall take between 5, & 10,000. for covering the North wing of the Capitol & the President’s house. the residue of 40. to 45,000. D. will be employed in building the South...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin H. Latrobe, 23 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter for mr Lenthall was recieved last night & will be delivered this morning. thinking the demolition did not go on with spirit enough I sent for him 2. days ago. he assures me the foundation will be down this week, and the rebuilding begin on Monday. from that day to the end of September, by which time the stone work to the top of the basement should be compleat, we have 23. weeks. I...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin H. Latrobe, 23 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his salutations to mr Latrobe, and recommends to him, in passing through Baltimore, to examine the covering on the flat part of Genl. Smith’s house. it is with sheet iron in gutturs, is the first & only example yet executed, and may furnish us, by the manner of it’s execution, information both as to what succeeds, and as to what may not succeed & therefore is to be...
8From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin H. Latrobe, 26 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I think you were so good as to say you would desire mr Peale to furnish me a double penned writing box, with some particular directions which experience had pointed out to you. a drawer at each end is indispensible, or if this cannot be, it should open on the left. the principal inconvenience I find in yours, proceeds from the unequal pressure of the copying pen, which I ascribe to unevenness...
9From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin H. Latrobe, 28 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry the explanations attempted between Dr. Thornton & yourself on the manner of finishing the chamber of the house of representatives have not succeeded. at the original establishment of this place advertisements were published many months offering premiums for the best plans for a Capitol and President’s house. many were sent in. a council was held by Genl. Washington with the board of...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin H. Latrobe, 5 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I returned here on the 30th. Ult. and confess myself much disappointed in the progress of the Capitol. mr Lenthall urges the general sickness among his hands as the cause, and from my entire confidence in his diligence I have no doubt as much has been done as could be by the hands he had. the error has been in not engaging others so as to keep up a sufficient number constantly at work. I am...
11From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin H. Latrobe, 3 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of Oct. 5. I asked the favor of you to have me furnished with 100 sheets of rolled iron 16. I. wide and 11. f. 8. I. long, and pressed the welding the ends of the sheets together in the manner of a model of paper therein inclosed as greatly preferable to tucking them in the ordinary way, a process which I suppose known at all the works, as I have heretofore recieved such from the...
12From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin H. Latrobe, 12 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
It would be well to recieve from you as early as possible the report you propose to make for Congress as to the progress, state and further cost of the public buildings. I am apprehensive of a more serious opposition to another appropriation than has ever been made. perhaps after you shall have sent me the report, & it is referred to a committee it may be expedient you should come up yourself...
13From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin H. Latrobe, 16 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the bill appropriating 110,000. D. for the South wing of the capitol & 20,000. for the North wing & other public buildings as it has past the H. of R. with only 17. dissenting votes. I have no reason to suppose it will fare worse with the Senate: but till it passes them it will not be safe to take any positive steps. I will endeavor to have it hurried there, and as soon as it...
14From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin H. Latrobe, 26 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The bill appropriating 110,000. D. for the South wing & 20,000. for the other public buildings is passed—it would be well therefore to contract for the materials immediately, and to begin at once all the branches of the wooden work which can be done independantly of the walls. also to order the paving tile from Bourdeaux, Havre being blockaded. mr Lee our Consul there will do any thing in that...