1To James Madison from Richard Bland Lee, 16 January 1812 (Madison Papers)
Having suffered some heavy injuries of fortune from the failure of others—and having imprudently spent the most active period of my life in unprofitable public employments—I feel at present in some degree the necessity of seeking some appointment from my country, which while I faithfully perform my duty will aid me in the comfortable support of my family. I should prefer a civil employment...
2To James Madison from Richard Bland Lee, 31 January 1815 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Key having informed me that it was probable that Mr. Swann & himself would decline accepting their appointments as Commissioners to settle the Yazoo claims—I beg leave to offer my services to fill one of the vacancies should they occur. My zeal in establishing the present constitution of the U. States and my agency in fixing the seat of government at this place is well known to you. Heavy...
3To James Madison from Richard Bland Lee, 7 February 1815 (Madison Papers)
Messrs. Swann & Key having determined to accept their appointment as Yazoo commissioners it has occurred to me that in case Congress should determine to repair the public buildings in Washington—that the government will find it necessary to appoint a commission to conduct & superintend the work. I take the liberty of requesting you in that event to think of me. I think I can safely say that in...
4To James Madison from Richard Bland Lee, 22 March 1815 (Madison Papers)
Some applications have been made by Brickmakers to the Commissioners for permission to make bricks on some of the public lots, where the use of the earth will be useful in reducing the lots to a proper level. Among others one has been made to me for permission to make bricks on the South Western part of the Square attached to the Presidents house. The applicant proposes to reduce the elevated...
Inclosed you will receive copies of a contract which we have made with the Bank of the Metropolis for the loan of one hundred thousand dollars pursuant to the act of Congress passed on the 13th. Feby. last entitled “An act making appropriations for repairing or rebuilding the public buildings within the city of Washington,[”] which we send for your approbation. Having made some heavy contracts...
6To James Madison from John P. Van Ness, Richard Bland Lee, and Tench Ringgold, 16 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
It is pleasing to us, as it no doubt will be to yourself, that we are able to inform you, without troubling you with any details, that our progress in repairing and rebuilding the public edifices in this City is highly satisfactory. For the completion of the Executive Offices by the 31. of December next, we have, at an early day, made Contracts with responsible experienced and industrious...
7To James Madison from John P. Van Ness, Richard Bland Lee, and Tench Ringgold, 23 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
Enclosed you will receive duplicate Copies of a Contract we have made with the Bank of Washington, for the loan of One hundred thousand Dollars, similar to that with the Bank of the Metropolis, pursuant to the act of Congress passed the 13. day of February last, making appropriations for repairing or rebuilding the public buildings in this City, which we send for your approbation. Altho’ this...
Having determined to send Mr. Andrei in the Corvette John Adams to the Mediterranean for the purpose of being landed at Barcelona in Spain, to be thence conveyed to Leghorn & for which the necessary orders, pursuant to your instructions have been given by the Secretary of the Navy, it has occurred to us that it might be found practicable consistent with the public service, to send one of the...
Herewith you will receive executed in Duplicate another contract for a loan of seventy five thousand dollars, which in pursuance of the authority you have been pleased to invest in us, we have lately negotiated with the Union Bank of Alexandria and now forward for your approbation, making the loans already effected amount to four hundred & twenty five thousand dollars. We have the satisfaction...
We are happy in being able to advise you that the Fire proof apartments at the west end of the Treasury Office are in a state fit for immediate occupation; the plastering being well seasoned and every part of the building completed. We may add that we have the best reason for believing that the War Office will be ready for occupation by the first of January next and the Treasury Office in all...
11To James Madison from John P. Van Ness, Richard Bland Lee, and Tench Ringgold, 20 November 1815 (Madison Papers)
Having found it impossible to obtain a supply of a quantity of seasoned yellow pine plank from 2 to 3 inches thick, and the works on the public buildings, being subjected to a suspension in consequence thereof; on being informed that a supply might possibly be obtained at the Navy yard in this City: and inasmuch as it would be in our power to return similar lumber in the spring which might...
12To James Madison from John P. Van Ness, Richard Bland Lee, and Tench Ringgold, 8 February 1816 (Madison Papers)
Give us leave to inform you that the War office is finished according to Contract, and ready for Occupation, excepting a few inconsiderable particulars which are delayed by the want of some arrangement among the Heads of Departments as to their respective locations. They have before been apprized of this State of the Building, but probably pressing engagements have prevented them from...
13To James Madison from Richard Bland Lee, 14 February 1816 (Madison Papers)
It is rumoured that Mr. Rush the Attorney Genl. of the U. States will soon be sent to Russia as our Minister and that his place here will be supplyed by Mr. Walter Jones. If any such events should take place, I am authorised to state to you that Mr. Edm. J. Lee the present Mayor of Alexandria will thankfully accept of the office of Attorney for the district of Columbia if rendered vacant by...
14To James Madison from Richard Bland Lee and Tench Ringgold, 15 February 1816 (Madison Papers)
Inclosed we forward a contract made with the Bank of Washington for an additional loan for thirty seven thousand five hundred dollars, part of the loan authorised by the act of Congress for repairing or rebuilding the public buildings in the city of Washington for your approbation—and have the honor to subscribe ourselves with great consideration yr most obt svts RC ( DLC ). Enclosure not found.
15To James Madison from Richard Bland Lee, 6 March 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have been very remiss in not mentioning to you, a wish which my Nephew Majr. Henry Lee requested me some months ago to communicate to you; that he was anxious to get into some civil employment, which his education would enable him properly to execute. The employment which he would most prefer would be that of Secretary to some foreign embassy. He is an accomplished Schollor familiar with...
16To James Madison from John P. Van Ness, Richard Bland Lee, and Tench Ringgold, 14 March 1816 (Madison Papers)
To the President of the United States The undersigned commissioners appointed by him, for carrying into execution An Act “Entitled An Act making appropriations for repairing or rebuilding the Public Buildings within the City of Washington,” beg leave respectfully to report. That as soon as they had received his letter of appointment, they proceeded to the execution of the trust committed to...
17To James Madison from John P. Van Ness and Richard Bland Lee, 25 March 1816 (Madison Papers)
We lately forwarded to you executed in duplicate a Contract with the Bank of Washington for an additional loan of thirty seven thousand five hundred dollars, and now inclose a similar contract executed in the same manner for another sum of thirty seven thousand five hundred dollars with the Union Bank of Georgetown —which contracts when they shall receive the approbation of the President of...
18To James Madison from Richard Bland Lee, 27 March 1816 (Madison Papers)
When I addressed you some time ago to communicate the wish of Majr. Henry Lee of Westmoreland to be appointed Secretary of Legation to some foreign embassy I informed him that I did suppose that the President would always leave such appointments to the ministers themselves, and that only he was on terms of intimacy with a gentleman, who might be selected for such a mission that he had little...
19To James Madison from Richard Bland Lee, 27 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
An Act having passed for abolishing the Board of Commissioners of the Public buildings—I beg leave to express to you my grateful feelings, for the notice which you were pleased to take of me in the selection of persons to fill that commission. I have the conscious satisfaction of knowing that I have faithfully assiduously and I trust not unusefully devoted myself to the execution of the duties...
20To James Madison from Richard Bland Lee, 27 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have just received a letter from Mr. Francis Corbin whom you well know, he professes & I believe sincerely feels the highest personal respect for you. You probably know as well as I do, that he is a gentleman of very large property. He begs me to suggest to the President, that he would be pleased to be nominated one of the Commissioners to receive the subscriptions to the Bank of the U....