1From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 30 Dec. 1796 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 30 Dec. 1796 . The commissioners’ minutes for 4 Jan. 1797 read: “Letter of the 30th Ulto received from the Prest of the U. S. enclosing his approbation endorsed on the Resolutions approving the Loan made of the State of Maryland” ( DNA : RG 42, Records of the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, Proceedings, 1791–1802).
2To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 30 November 1796 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 30 Nov. 1796 . GW wrote the commissioners on 26 Dec. : “Your letters of the 30th and 30th of November … are now before me.” Only one letter for that date has been found.
3To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 21 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
After seeing things settled here as we thought the 10th of this Month, we left this place the Eleventh, we were again summoned by express and brought together last Tuesday. for Mr Roberdeau had the day after we left George Town collected hands, resumed digging of the Foundation of the Capitol—The severity of the season has prevented our visiting the spot more than once: when Mr Roberdeau...
4To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 16 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
We forgot the other day to apply to you for your permission to make sales of the publick property in the City of Washington —We therefore transmit to you a Couple of Instruments for your signature similar to those given at former times —Considering it as a mere matter of form, we shall commence tomorrow, agreeable to advertizement, and expect you will favour us with the return of them by the...
5To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 15 May 1795 (Washington Papers)
We had the honor of your favor of the 5th Inst. some Days since covering several Letters from Mrs Hallet. Your letter to her was immediately forwarded. Mr Hallet was discharged by the old board from the public service some time in June last; but he appearing to be much dissatisfied the new Board indulged him some time last winter with a full hearing in the presence of such of his friends as he...
6To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 7 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
We have just received a Letter from Mr Law, of which a Copy is inclosed at his Request, as you will observe & We think it unnecessary to trouble you with any Remarks. We are with sentiments of the greatest Respect sir Yr obt servts LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DNA : RG 42, Records of the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, Letters Sent. The copy of Thomas Law’s letter to the commissioners,...
7To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 18 December 1794 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 24th Ulto with the inclosure came to hand —We take the liberty of enclosing our letters to Mr Trumbull and his Brother for your perusal. We embrace this occasion to say that it is our intention to send for your information a statement of the business of the City as far as may be in our power, and Materials for that purpose can be collected together. We are &c. LB , DNA : RG...
8To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 3 November 1793 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Hooe and Majr Ross’s report, which they have inclosed you will inform you of the result of their examination of our accounts; that with the Treasurer stands in the place of a cash account, is accurate and authorized by our warrants, which are justified by Vouchers—these were all compared and did not take up two days—The Gentlemen went farther and have given a general state of Funds, this...
9To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 5 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
As we have not yet received your order for the Sales and the Time is near at hand, we think it proper (least it should have escaped you) to remind you of it —A few of the Plans executed, in Boston have Arrived, which we have dispersed, we have some expectation, that tomorrows Post may bring us some of those executed in Philaa—We take the liberty to send you one of the former. We are Sir &c. LB...
10To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 24 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
We beg leave to refer you to Mr Blodget on the subject of the National University to which in general we have the most friendly disposition, and the site painted out by him we entirely approve if it can be had on the generous terms proposed, on its meeting your approbation we will do every thing in our power in favour of the important institution. We are &ca LB , DNA : RG 42, Records of the...
11To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 1 October 1796 (Washington Papers)
We enclose a copy of a Letter from Messrs Morris & Nicholson respecting the completion of their titles; and supposing that the most eligible mode of accommodating those gentlemen, as well as all others similarly circumstanced, will be, to obtain a conveyance from the Trustees to the Commissioners, agreeably to a clause in the Deeds of Trust, authorising such conveyance; we also enclose a form...
12To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, September 1795 (Washington Papers)
We had the pleasure of your favor by Mr Lear Covering Mr Morriss Letter of the 21t instant —finding that Mr Morris is of Opinion that we have no power to sell his property we think it highly necessary to assure him that we are impress’d with very Different sentiments and shall if Compelled by him take the advice of able Counsel on the point—We enclose a Copy of our letter to Mr Morris with his...
13To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 14 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
We have to acknowledge the receipt of your several dispatches to us by the last Post —We regret you should have had any occasion to experience the untowardness of Majr LEnfants Temper—But without it, you could not have been so sensible of the very great disquietude which he has given us—As we were sincerely desirous, of retaining him as long as it was practiable, we cannot but lament the...
14To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 12 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
Our affairs with Messrs Morris & Nicholson bearing something like an appearance of drawing to a crisis; we beg leave to enclose you our two last letters to those gentlemen, with their Answers —We hope and believe that things are now in a train to raise some money from that unfortunate Contract, and we think it not prudent to let the breaches of Contract respecting the buildings until after the...
15To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 27 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 20th would have been sooner attended to, but the mails have lately come in, very irregularly, & always late at night —mr Davidson’s will be taken up as soon as we have a full board, which will be the last of this or beginning of next week —what mr Davidson alludes to in his memorial, where he says, deviations have been made since the publication of the engraved plan, we know...
16To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 9 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
Since closing our letter of this date we have had conversation with Mr Blodget on the Subject of another letter The avidity which the Ticketts of the present have been bought up, the probability of the sale of Ticketts in the time of the drawing and the Sale of lots, and our being restrained by an Act of the Assembly of Maryland from raising a Lottery after the first of June, have induced us...
17To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 19 July 1792 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday the Commissrs Contracted with Mr Hoben for his services by the year at 300 Guineas, his Draft and Attention may, be confined to the Palace or extended to other objects they may chuse. Doctor Stewart’s uneasiness at the State of his Family occasioned his leaving us as soon as the most material of our Business was finished—This morning we went with Mr Hoben to the Seite of the Palace...
18To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 6 June 1792 (Washington Papers)
We enclose you a Copy of a Section of our Act of the Assembly of Maryland, passed at the last session, the Treasurer, as we are informed, has about 24,000 Dollars now in Hand, we shall be obliged to you for your Order, as the late Demands has been so heavy that it is proper to lodge more Money in our Treasurers hands —There is a Ballance of 5746 Maryland Currency yet to receive on the Virginia...
19To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 10 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Several Incidents have occurred since Yesterday Evening—We had a conversation with Mr Roberdeau, which at first ⟨intimated⟩ no disposition to accomodate but afterwards on being renewed opened a prospect of our being able to retain him consistant with our own Views—This morning received a Letter from him and had another Conversation with him, which induced us to point out by Letter to him...
20To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 11 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
We were duly favored with your letter of the 7th Inst. That the inaccuracy of our Clerk and our own inattention should have occasioned so much trouble to the Executive, excites sensations scarcely to be expressed. The Words per annum noted by you are not contained in the original Draft of the letter to Messrs Willink, from which, the letter itself, and the copy inclosed with it, for your...
21To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 9 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
After closing our Letter of the 5th we wrote Majr Ellicott—a copy is sent, to which we soon received the inclosed answer —We feel a strong disinclination to go into discussions before the public and believe we shall not be led or drove into it. We are Sir with the greatest respect & esteem Your Obt hble Servts LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DNA : RG 42, Records of the Commissioners for the District of...
22To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 12 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
We had the honor of your two Letters, first and eighth Inst., covering a letter from the Secretary of War (which is returned) and also the several papers to be forwarded to Messrs Willink of Amsterdam —One complete set of those papers, with a [ ] of the power, signed by all of the Commissioners, will be forwarded to the Secretary at War by him, to be transmitted to Holland by fridays Mail—We...
23To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 22 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
The board, pursuant to your request, have had under consideration the propriety of permitting the erecting of wooden buildings in the City, & enclose you the result—should you be of opinion that the proposed suspension should take place, they have forwarded a sketch of the form which appears to them to be proper. We are happy to have it in our power to inform you, that a letter has been...
24To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 20 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
We had the honor of your favor of the 15th Instant—Your Ideas respecting the capitol are those which have been the prevailing ones with us for some time—No step has been omitted to put things in a state for advancing that building, as far as possible during the present Season; and we expect it to progress 30 additional feet, at least, by December next —You would see by our last Letters to you,...
25To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 21 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
We had the honor of receiving yours of the 17th Inst. by last mail —The ideas expressed in your former Letter, were perfectly understood, as you will see, by our answer of yesterday[.] We wish a Bill to incorporate the Commissioners, may be passed by Congress —It will obviate many inconveniencies, & place the property of the United-States in a more eligible situation than heretofore—We had...
26To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 1 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Esteeming it necessary to have your written order for Sales in the City we have enclosed a Draft, a Copy of that given last year, to be Signed against the approaching public Sales—An Idea has been pretty generally entertained, that it would be prudent to Sink a part of the price on condition of Speedy Improvement, and we have presumed to enclose the Draft of an Order calculated for that End,...
27To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 7 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
Having many reasons for wishing an interview with you at this meeting we cannot but express our regret at the Circumstances which have prevented it. We have the pleasure to inform you that it will be in our power from the Arrangements we have made with Mr Peter, the Proprietor of the Square on which your lots lie to accomodate you agreeably to your desire with the whole Square. The...
28To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 2 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
We have your favor of the 26th Ulto, covering the opinion of the Attorney General —It is by no means, our wish that any alterations should be made in the published plan of the City —It may, with great truth, be asserted, that every change occasions infinite trouble to the Commissioners, and creates confusion with the proprietors—We are yet without a full board, and are therefore prevented from...
29To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 31 October 1796 (Washington Papers)
Since our first Letter of this date, we have thought it prudent to write to Mr Wolcott & to enclose to him the proposals for a Loan from the Bank, drawn out into detail, both which are left open for your perusal & approbation, without which we do not consider ourselves at liberty to make the propositions —Not knowing what may be the event of the application to the Bank, we have thought it...
30To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 3 December 1796 (Washington Papers)
We are honored with your Letter of 27th Ulto, and on friday, agreeably to your expectations, we received a Letter from Mr Wolcott, informing of the failure of his negotiation with Mr Hope —The board therefore, immediately authorised Mr Scott to repair to Annapolis, and to negotiate a Loan with the Legislature of Maryland, agreeably to the terms of your act, authorising that measure —On an...
31To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 7 October 1796 (Washington Papers)
Since our last to you, Mr Walker has been with us, and has often mentioned the subject treated of in the inclosed Letter—presuming that you have yet come to no determination on the Several Subjects submitted in our last Letters for your opinion, we inclose a copy of Mr Walker’s Letter, which, if it deserves weight, will, we have no doubt, receive it. We are, with entire respect Yrs &c. LB ,...
32To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 8 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Papers give the best state we are able of Danl Carroll’s House —the times of the several runnings and their Difference can best be ascertained by the Artists employed, for, of the first we have no Certainty, of the latter we can conclude nothing—Majr L’Enfant has written us a Letter Concerning Mr Youngs House and Improvements, and without any previous Consultation with us another...
33To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 17 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
We had the honor of your favor of the 11th Instant, with the Inclosure & shall now proceed to take a conveyance of all the property in which the United States have an interest —The State of the business laid before you by Messrs Budd & Prior was particularly stated to you on your way to Mount Vernon, last summer, & the measures to be pursued by the board were approved of by you— We now inclose...
34To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 26 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
A variety of considerations have induced us to think, that many and great benefits might result from the employment of a person of intelligence, to make a tour for a few months into the Eastern States, and inform himself of the terms on which men, and materials may be had—We are happy that Mr Cabots engagements have permitted him to undertake this Office. We have requested him to call on you...
35To George Washington from the District of Columbia Commissioners, 15 October 1798 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from the District of Columbia Commissioners, 15 Oct. 1798. On 17 Oct. GW acknowledged the receipt of the commissioners’ “favour of the 15th.”
36To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 5 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
We enclose you a list of the Squares actually devided, of those certified ready for division, and a Copy of Majr Ellicott’s Return of those marked out but not yet certified for Division, as well as a Copy of Majr Ellicott’s Letter to us—From the Two last you will perceive that there is at least an Uncertainty whether we shall much longer have Majr Ellicott’s services, he has however shewn such...
37To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 31 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
We have this day, the honor of your Letter of the 22nd of this month, which was detained on the road by the late heavy rains—The Duplicate of the powers to Mesrs Wilhem & Jan Willink, we should not fail to forward by the next post, but as the original was signed by Mr White, it will be more in order to have his signature to the Copy—It shall be our first business, on his arrival, which we...
38To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 20 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
Since our last to you, we have been obliged to abandon all hopes of seeing Mr Morris here; in consequence of which, we forwarded to him, on the 15th a Letter of which, the enclosed is a Copy—We certainly mean to pursue the measures intimated in our Letter. A second Letter from Mr Wolcott of the 13th Inst. gives us no hopes of any aid from the Bank of the United States—We are proceeding to...
39To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 29 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
We had your favor of the 26th Inst. inclosing your approbation of the proposed alterations in the manner of improving in the City of Washington—We have given the necessary Instructions for their publication in the public prints of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, City, George Town, Alexandria, Richmond and Charleston; if you think the publication ought to be more general, we shall...
40To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 24 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Board have had under Consideration for some days past the Subject of regulating the building of wharves; according to the Powers delegated to them by the Act of the Maryland Legislature passed in 1791: An Abstract of which is herewith inclosed. On a Subject so extensive, it is not to be wondered at that considerable difficulties have occurred: and it is not probable that all will be...
41To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 26 December 1796 (Washington Papers)
The State of our funds will not admit of delay in disposing of some part of the Stock borrowed of the State of Maryland —Our Labourers and Mechanics will have a month’s wages due, on monday next; and, also, there will then be one quarter’s Salary due to all the Officers, who are paid by the Year —The Rules of the public Offices do not permit any transfer of Stock until the first of January,...
42To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 25 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
We do ourselves the honor of inclosing, a Letter received from Mr Covachichi, one of the partners of Messrs Lynch & Sands in the late purchase from Bailey—Wishing, ardently, to preserve harmony among all city proprietors, we have paid the earliest attention to this gentleman’s Letter —A copy of our Letter to him, and an Extract from the contract of Morris & Greenleaf, alluded to, by Mr...
43To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 23 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
You will receive inclosed a copy of an Agreement we have entered into with Messrs Morris and Greenleaf for the Sale of three thousand Lots farther, at 35£ a Lot, somewhat modifying the old and stating the whole in this new Contract —A consideration of the uncertainty of Settled Times, and an unembarrassed Commerce, weighed much with us: as well as Mr Morris’s Capital, Influence, and...
44To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 13 April 1796 (Washington Papers)
Our Principal surveyor Mr Freeman has applied to us to recommend him to an Appointment for laying out the Lines under the direction of General Knox: His good Conduct whilst in public Employment entitles him to our Recommendation & We with pleasure give it. Mr Freeman wou’d be usefull to us in the City for some Months yet, but We cannot blame his seeking a just Occasion to advance his fortune....
45To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 10 July 1794 (Washington Papers)
We have come to an agreement with Mr Greenleaf by which he will be accomodated, and the public participate in a Loan negociating in Holland in his name—the inclosed copy will let you into the particulars, one of which, that the paper which gives the legal title in the 1000 Lots the public part of the Mortgage, is to remain till Bills are drawn and the money deposited agreeable to our Order, on...
46To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 30 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your Instructions to Messrs Beall & Gantt to convey to us all the Lands in the City of Washington, vested in them, in trust, by the original proprietors, have been duly considered, with a reference to carrying the same into effect; in which some difficulties occur—That part of the Land which is held for the use of the United States, we consider, as in a very different predicament from those...
47To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 21 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
We have before had occasion to inform you, that we had contracted with Mr Fendall, for the delivery of rough foundation Stones, from the falls to the amount of £1200, to be delivered by next and the money to be paid at different periods during the delivery, our attention has since been directed to the securing some of the Quarries on Acquia. Before doing any thing final however, it was...
48To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 23 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
We take the Liberty to inclose you a Letter for Messrs Richard Harrison and George Taylor Jr, which we beg you to read and send to them: it will apprize you of our very difficult Situation with Mr Blodget, who has come hither without any Thing nearly, but evasions and excuses—we have past by the Secretary, because we imagine his time will not allow this to be a first object to him as it is...
49To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 5 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
we have now before us your Letters of the 13th & 29th of last month, the surveyor will be informed of your direction, in consequence of our Letter of the first of august and of the result of our views with him of the two short avenues on the spot which we intend this morning —we have so good an opinion of the probity and disinterestedness of Capn Conway and Mr David Ross of Bladensburgh, whose...
50To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 1 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
We inclose you a copy of the return of the 29th of July, from the surveyors office, which will give an Idea of the progress and state of the work of that department and a copy of Mr Briggs and B. Ellicotts letter of the 31st. You will be pleased to observe that they propose, three small alterations, which will be understood on referring to the printed plan. 1st stopping S. carolina Avenue west...