Thomas Jefferson Papers
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Agenda for Commissioners of the Federal District, [ca. 5 March 1792]

Agenda for Commissioners of the Federal District

[ca. 5 Mch. 1792]

Commissioners1

  • to settle the matter of Carrol of Duddington’s house.
  • to give up the prosecution of Roberdeau.
  • to employ Ellicot to finish laying off the town.
  • to agree with him as to his wages future and past.
  • x to employ such superintendant and other officers as they shall think best.
  • x to advertize for plans of buildings.
  • to decide what work shall be done this year, viz which of the following objects.
    • bridge over Rock creek.
    • Wharves.
    • Canal
    • Cellars of both houses.
    • Foundations of one or both.
  • x making bricks—stores of lime, stone, timber &c.
  • Compensation to Lenfant.2 Quary stone to be raised by skilfull people.
  • Loan—on3 the Security of the State of Maryland4 4 or 500,000 dollars.—The buildings, especially the Capitol, ought to be upon a scale far superior to any thing in this Country.—The House for the President should also (in the design though not executed all at once) be upon a commensurate scale.
  • Measures, in my opinion ought to be taken for importing Highlanders and Germans as laborers—Mechanics also, if practicable.
  • Carroll of Duddingtons House ought not to be paid for by the valuation rendered, but every material taken care of, and put up again (where they are not injured) in the manner they were before in a proper situation.

Estimates &ca. are sent to shew the views &ca. of Majr. LEnfant.

MS (DLC: Washington Papers); in the hands of both TJ and Washington, as indicated in notes below; undated, but certainly written after 1 Mch. and on or before 6 Mch. 1792. It is very probable that TJ wrote the first part of the agenda and sent it or left it with Washington on 5 Mch. 1792 (see Washington to TJ, 4 Mch. 1792) and that Washington returned it with his additions that day or the next in time for TJ to employ it in his letter of 6 Mch. 1792 to the Commissioners.

1In pencil beneath this word is written “Superintendent” in an unidentified hand.

2In pencil and above the line at this point is written “secret” in an unidentified hand. Remainder of line in Washington’s hand. TJ wrote in margin: “2500 d. & 3000 d.”

3Remainder of manuscript in Washington’s hand.

4This reference to Maryland as security has diagonal marks through it that are typical of TJ’s marks for deletion.

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