11Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Dolley Madison, 7 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
I am here & expected to have been tomorrow in Washington. It is however necessary, I find that I should see Mr Finlay, who is making the Chairs & Sofas for your Drawing room in his Shop, & therefore I shall stay tomorrow & arrive in the city on Tuesday. Your Chariot is in great forwardness, & will be one of the handsomest things Philadelphia has produced. The Coachee has its last Coat of paint...
The Society of Artists of the United States established at Philadelphia, have committed the immediate management of the institution to a President, & four Vice-presidents. But for that Patronage which shall give to it, in its very infancy, the character of public usefulness, and secure to it public encouragement, the Society look up to You: to You, who while your life has been devoted to the...
13To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 30 March 1812 (Madison Papers)
In my conversation with Mr. Munroe on the subject of the accounts demanded by congress, he mentioned that it was your understanding that my Salary, as surveyor of the public Buildings should be lowered to 1500$ in consequence of its increase on account of the Navy Department, & should cease altogether on the 1st. of July 1811. That it was sometime before my interview with you in July proposed...
14To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 6 July 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 July 1810, Washington. Expresses views about that part of the law appropriating $20,000 for public buildings which relates to the “fireproofs” to be erected in the public building west of the President’s House. Observes that the only security that can be attained in safeguarding records from fire is against “fire from without,” since it is evident that in the case of “persons using the...
15To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 11 January 1811 (Madison Papers)
I herewith transmit to you two reports. The first my annual report of the public Building the other that called for by a resolution of the House of representatives. I am sorry that I have not found it possible to send them sooner, especially as the friends to the completion of the buildings, in congress have pressed me on the subject. With high respect Yrs. FC ( MdHi : Latrobe Letterbooks)....
16To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 23 February 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 February 1811, Washington. Makes the following statement in compliance with JM’s direction that he submit information required by the House of Representatives resolution of 14 Jan. “Of the Center of the Capitol, no estimate can be presented without a more definite plan than I possess of that part of the building. I have therefore transmitted only an estimate of the Wings.” Provides...
17To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 29 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to lay before you an account of the expenditure of 5.000$, advanced to me on account of the furniture of the President’s house. It will appear from the account itself that some of the payment have been made only on account of Claims. The Vouchers therefore being incomplete, untill the whole accounts shall have been liquidated, it has not be[en] possible to settle thus far the...
18Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Dolley Madison, 29 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Your very obliging & kind letter was received by Mrs. Latrobe yesterday, & I had also your commands on business which I beg leave to answer concisely today & to write more at large tomorrow. Your directions as to the liveries shall be obeyed. The patterns of colors on Glass met with an accident. They were broken & shall be sent on, repainted , tomorrow. The sketch of the Chariot in my letter...
19Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Dolley Madison, 17 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
The time of the President U.S. is so occupied by matters of so much more importance, that I did not mention to him the subject on which you did me the favor to speak to me, the purchase of a grand piano-forte, before my departure. I have again tried the instrument I mentioned to you, & accurately examined its state of repair & construction, & altho’ I still think it a very excellent one, I...
20To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 6 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to submit to you, & to solicit your approbation of these accounts, the only ones relating to the public buildings on which I have occasion to give you any trouble, because unless allowed by you they cannot pass the treasury, and must stand as a charge against me personally. 1. Of the first, the enclosed affidavit explains the nature perfectly, and I will only add that altho’ the...