1To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 30 December 1816 (Madison Papers)
The enclosed Letter was written at the instance of several Members of Congress, who, on enquiry, finding that I could not give them any information respecting the expense, the probably [ sic ] time of completing, or the measures taken to complete the Capitol, wished me to state to You, and to the Committees of the District, the opinion I expressed to them, on the System, which appeared to me...
2To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 24 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
I have too much confidence in your candor & justice to believe that you will be offended at the statement & request which it is the object of this letter to make to You. I will therefore without further preface appeal to You in this most critical moment of my life, upon which its whole future course appears to depend. I have been engaged as Surveyor to the Capitol under the Commissioners since...
3To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 16 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
Having a good opportunity to write to England, I will gladly avail myself of it, to make such enquiries, as might conduce to promote the object of the Governor of Virginia, in procuring a Professional Man of character & eminence to direct the improvement of the State by roads & Canals. It would however be necessary, perhaps, that I should mention the terms likely to be granted to the Principal...
4To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 8 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
In reflecting on the subject on which you did me the honor to converse with me this morning, the appointment of a principal Engineer to direct the improvement of the State of Virginia by Roads & Canals, under the Establishment lately formed for that patriotic purpose, I have thought that I may venture, so far to intrude upon your time, as to offer to you, & through You, to the Government of...
5To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 25 February 1815 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave respectfully to offer you my services in the restoration of the public buildings in the city of Washington. Having devoted the best Years of my life to the public, I need not trespass upon your time, by stating the qualifications which I should bring into the Office. That I have shared the charge of extravagance with every Architect, to whom the expenditure of money on public Works...
6To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 8 October 1813 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to submit to you by the hands of Mr Lewis Deblois an account of the expenditure of the balance of Monies in my hands as agent of the fund for furnishing the Presidents House—of monies recieved by sales at Auction of old Furniture—And of payments made by me beyond the amount received—excepting the article of James & Hugh Finlay’s Account which could not be brought into my last...
7To 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...
8To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 10 June 1812 (Madison Papers)
Enclosed is the Copy of an account of expenditures out of the furniture fund of the President’s house which I have rendered to the accounting Officers of the Treasury, with the necessary Vouchers, & which is in a train of Settlement. By this account a balance of 75$. 47 cts. appears to be in my hands, which balance is more than absorbed by an account of expenditures on small articles of...
9To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 31 March 1812 (Madison Papers)
By mistake I omitted to send my original appointment with the papers transmitted to You yesterday. If you think it necessary to transmit it to Congress I can I presume get it again by application to the Clerk of the House. Respectfully—Your obedt hble Servt. P. S. Mr. Jefferson was mistaken in the Salary of the former persons employed Mr. Hoban & Mr. Hadfield had each 750£ p Annum or 2000$ &...
10To 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...