21To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 19 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Latrobe presents his most respectful Compliments to the President U.S.—& thanks him for the Inventory sent him. Mr. Latrobe’s object in going to Philadelphia is to take some measures necessary for the supply of sundry materials for the Pblic Bldgs, & articles of furniture for the Presids. house. He intends to return without fail on the 2d. of March. Before the President’s journey to...
22Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Thomas Jefferson, 5 April 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
The high respect & attachment which I have always professed and very sincerely felt for you has not been proved by the frequency of my letters to you. But knowing how much your time & mind are occupied by correspondence of infinitely more importance, I have never had the vanity to believe that I am entitled to intrude upon you with t special occasion.—Another reason,—the reason indeed which...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 7 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I fear I have done wrong in printing the letter herewith sent without communicating to you the Manuscript. My only excuse is this: that having postponed the fulfillment of my intention so long that I found there would be difficulty in getting the letter printed after congress had met,—I at last wrote hastily, & the little pamphlet is the production of three nights, between the hours of 10 &...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 27 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
As I could not be well spared myself, I sent down my Clerk to the Quarries, immediately after writing to you, and as soon as the business would permit, I followed him, and made such arrangements, as that we have now all our most heavy stone in the Yard, and shall not probably be again at a Stand for stone. The architrave is set round the East semicircle, & by Friday evening the three Stones...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 11 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
We have put in the frames of the Pannel lights on the whole of the West side of the dome and are now engaged in putting in those on the East. I find it impossible to save the Center light on the South side, and indeed it would have been better to have sacrificed the two next east & West of them,—for the roof in that part is so flat, that I fear we must cover it with Lead. I will endeavor so to...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 23 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
To the President of the United States of America. The Report of the Surveyor of the Publick buildings of the United States, at Washington March 23d. 1808 My Report on the progress and state of the publick buildings of the United States in the City of Washington during the year 1807 has been delayed untill all the work performed at the Capitol and the Presidents house could be measured and the...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 11 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Since your departure the public Works have made regular progress, nor has any thing occurred which would have authorized, my trespassing on your time by a letter.—I have been since then in Philadelphia & New York, & returned hither about three weeks ago.—The confinement of my wife & the loss of our child has since my return delayed the statement I am now going to make of the present situation...
28Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Thomas Jefferson, 2 July 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
The occasion of my writing to you at present is to solicit your sanction to a voucher of expenditure which, without it, cannot pass the treasury, but will leave the amount chargeable to me individually.— The supper given, according to a custom, which I cannot but think a good one, to all the workmen at the Capitol was so arranged (as it to its being furnished), with M r Steele Stelle ,—that he...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 6 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my arrival in this city I have endeavored by enquiries here, & by writing to New York, Boston, & Albany to procure the glass necessary for the lights of the Cieling of the Hall of Representatives, and have been entirely disappointed. I have therefore sent by the Packet an order to England of which a duplicate shall follow by the first opportunity, and, unless the Vessel should be lost we...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 5 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have waited till this late hour for the list of his Workmen, & of all the blocks which are now on the Yard which Mr Blagden has promised me, & which is necessary to the completion of the scheme of the progress of the workg which I have to submit to you. I find so many of our Blocks, on examination, to be cracked by drying, that my statement, is incorrect, in as far as the work expected to be...
31To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 21 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
A Report has just now been made to the House on the public Buildings. It contains all the arguments that can be adduced in favor of the appropriation & the best defence that could have been urged as to the deficit. To me it is highly flattering, a circumstance not less pleasing to my self love, & useful to my professional standing, than agreeable to every feeling of my heart in reference to...
32To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 23 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I most sincerely regret your continued illness.—The weather prevented till Saturday any measures being taken to lay out the grounds. Today I am engaged in it.—A contract for the Wall is made.—As soon as the stakes are driven the diggers will go to work. At the capitol we have this morng recommenced the external works. The plaisterers are lathing the cieling.— with high respect Yrs. DLC :...
33Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Thomas Jefferson, 5 November 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
When your letter of the 27 t of Aug t arrived, I was confined to my bed by a bilious fever. After my recovery two long absences from the city, and as much occupation as filled all my time, prevented my acknowledging the favor you have done me in communicating to me the very simple, & valuable invention it discribes . But what renders your letter more valuable, is the assurance it gives me of...
34To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 3 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry that the necessity of producing your Voucher to the officers of the Treasury obliges me to trouble you with the enclosed account of expenditures. For my own expenses I have not been able to obtain vouchers in detail, travelling principally with my own horses, and must depend upon the amount of the expenses of each journey, which are minutely correct, appearing reasonable to you. For...
35To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 21 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Latrobe intended to have waited on the President this evening, but as he has returned the report, with his approbation, he will immediately cause two copies to be made of it, & then wait upon the President with them.— The Weather has for two days prevented the Gates being put into the Walls. If fair tomorrow the breach will be made & the Gates fixed.— DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
36Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Thomas Jefferson, 6 October 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Having been absent from Washington I did not receive your letter of the 24 t of Aug t under untill about (sept. 7 th ) 3
37Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Thomas Jefferson, 7 March 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here with my family on the 12 h of Jan y and a few days afterwards was taken ill of my old complaint, the Hemicran i a , a complaint in which no one, I believe, can more heartily sympathise with me than yourself, as I believe you are often severely afflicted with it. I was confined to my room for three weeks. Immediately on my recovery I was called to Annapolis to examine the bar at...
38To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 2 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I dispatched my letter of this morning, I have gone over with Mr Lenthall the papers in the office, & the following is the result. Our large stone has cost $1.75 ⅌ perch such as we have always used at the Capitol; but small stone fit for the Wall, if mixed with larger, may be had at $1.12 ½ , say with Waste, and laying up close, $1.30 One man will lay a perch of Wall & point it on both...
39To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 9 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I forgot to mention this morning,—that since my measurement & certificate of Mr Barry’s account he has threatened that unless I immediately complete his measurement he shall charge two Dollars a day for waiting here, & he has stated that you had ordered that no money should be paid out of the funds appropriated to the President’s house untill his demands were satisfied.—I feel an objection to...
40To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 19 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my departure from Washington, I find by constant correspondence with Mr. Lenthall, that all the works at Washington are regularly going on.—A difficulty has however occurred in procuring the boards for the roof of the Capitol of heart pine 12 inches broad.—Mr. King the Timber merchant at Georgetown has declined engaging to supply them on any terms. I have therefore written to Mr....
41To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 22 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
In applying the appropriations of the last Session of Congress, of 110,000$ to the prosecution of the work on the South wing of the Capitol, & of 20,000$ to the service of the other public buildings, I have endeavored so to comply with your directions, as to forward the progress of the works to the utmost extent of the limited resources of this City. The mass of building which has been erected...
42To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 4 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the favor of your letter of the 1st. of July yesterday evening & have immediately taken the necessary steps to procure 6 Stonecutters,—but as this is the Anniversary of our Independence I have found it impossible to procure the attention of anybody today . Tomorrow, I expect to be able to make sure of as many as the city can spare. I have called the Master Stonecutters together, & have...
43To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 10 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been twice at the Pr. House in hopes of having the favor of a few minutes conversation with you before my departure; but was both times so unfortunate as to find you engaged, and at the same time to be so pressed myself that I could not watch the opportunity of speaking to you.— I have I hope left nothing in a state to suffer by my absence, & I shall return as soon as I can arrange my...
44Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Thomas Jefferson, 28 June 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I have found so much pleasure in studying the plan of your College , that the drawings have grown into a larger bulk than can be conveniently sent by the Mail. If you can point out to me any convenient mode of conveyance within a few days, I should gladly avail myself of it. I have put the whole upon one very large sheet, which I am very unwilling to double; and to roll it on a stick will make...
45To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 31 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been here for some time, 10 days, & shall remain untill every thing which requires my presence is compleatly disposed of, which will be the case I hope about the middle of next week. I will now endeavor to give you full information of all the circumstances attending the present state of the public buildings. 1. The Capitol.— The exterior walls are caried up perfectly as high as the tops...
46To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 25 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I herein enclose the strongest specimen of the plant which under the name of Dryrot commits such ravages upon the timber of buildings,—which I had ever met with. It was taken from the timber upon which the principal piers of the Senate chamber were built. The timber itself is reduced almost to powder, being more decayed than any other part of the work. We have now pulled them all down, & I...
47To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 14 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I fear the largest Vessel which Mr. Foxall could Cast would be too small for a Cistern for the presidents house. A round Vessel might be indeed made of two Cylinder with a flat bottom. Last Year I proposed to Mr Foxall to cast a number of Flanched plates to make a Cistern, but he made some objection. However I will see him as soon as I can get out. At present I am confined by a most painful...
48To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 12 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
In my last I informed you of some difficulties which had occurred respecting Mr. Lenthall and our carpenters. I have fortunately arranged every thing with bothe parties to my perfect satisfaction, and hope to derive advantage from the perfect explanation which has taken place. The work that has been done upon thereof has been entirely successful. The West part has not leaked a drop during the...
49To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 24 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Your absence from Monticello having prevented my hearing from you before this day, I had proceeded to carry up the Chimnies agreeably to the plan I sent to you. They must be capped as nearly level with the top of the Dome as possible, & I must contrive some kind of a sky light in the center of them. It would not well have done to have carried them straight up; for 4 of them would have come out...
50Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Thomas Jefferson, 17 June 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 12 th curr t (P.M. 14 th June ) I have just now received, and am, more than I can express, flattered and gratified by the request it contains.—And not only is it pleasing to me, tha to find that after so many Years knowledge of my character & talents, while employed in the public service under your eye & direction, I still retain your esteem and friendship, but I have...