1. The commissioners last wrote GW on 12 July.

2. The commissioners wrote Robert Morris on 15 July: “The time which has elapsed since we have been led to expect you and Mr Nicholson in the City, leaves us no hope of an adjustment of our affairs, by your presence here—We cannot, therefore, in justice to our public situation, longer delay addressing you on a subject highly interesting to the City and not less so to you—There is a certain point beyond which forebearance becomes folly and a total dereliction of public Trust …

“When the loan Bill received the Sanction of Congress, we were taught to believe, that if every other expedient to raise money failed, you would, without delay, expose to Sale, as much of the property bought of the late Commissioners as would raise a sufficient fund to pay off the Instalments due on the purchase—We too easily gave into a belief of a measure so just, and one which at all hazards promised to clear you from any loss; as the Lots would probably sell for considerably more than the original purchase money—Much time has past, many hopes have been held out, great preparations have been made for the divisions and Selections, and we still find ourselves in the same distressed situation as in the Autumn of 1795—The whole payments made since that period are not nearly sufficient to cover the arrears of that Year, and no step has been taken toward erecting a single house stipulated by the Contract to be built in 1795 and 1796—Whatever may be our Inclinations, your own good sense and experience in public Office, must tell you, that it is impossible for us, as Commissioners of the Federal Buildings patiently to bear, forever with this line of Conduct; and to use no exertions to obtain that redress for which the repeated breaches of your Contract so loudly call.

“We once more beg leave to repeat, that we will still receive the debt due from you—and Mr Nicholson, in monthly Instalments of 12,000 Dolls. the first payment to commence on the first monday of August, and to be paid on the first Monday of each succeeding month; until the debt shall be discharged. Or, if you can not make payments, as proposed, authorize us to sell at a Credit of 60 & 90 days, for good negotiable paper, indorsed to our satisfaction; as much of your City property as will discharge the debt due: or, if neither of these propositions are admissible, at least give us judgment Bonds at 60 and 90 days, for the debt, that we may avoid the necessity, of either in advertizement of your property, or a Law suit.

“These propositions appear, themselves, so just and shew so strong an Inclination to fall on any expedient, rather than carry things to extremity; that we know not how they can be refused by a Gentleman of Character, once celebrated for his punctuality throughout all Europe and America.

“You will no doubt remark that no proposition is made respecting that part of the Contract which relates to the Buildings. We think it best not to entangle the subject at present, with any thing relating to that part of the case, however important to the City. …

“We are highly sensible it cannot be pleasant to a gentleman of Reputation and feeling to be called on so repeatedly for a debt, the detention of which evidently Injures the Creditor to double the amount of the claim; and to the Contracting of which Debt, the creditor yielded his assent from a firm persuasion of its being discharged with the most pointed punctuality—Permit us to assure you that nothing can be more disagreeable to us, than to be compelled to address you on this occasion and in this urgent manner; but if some decisive measure for payment, be not adopted in 15 days from this date, we must proceed to such compulsory measures as may bring our transactions to an end” (DNA: RG 42, Records of the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, Letters Sent). For further troubling developments regarding Morris and John Nicholson, see Commissioners for the District of Columbia to GW, 12 August.

3. The commissioners had written Secretary of the Treasury Oliver Wolcott, Jr., on 7 July with a proposition: “Could the stock belonging to the Bank be borrowed and sold at par, at One, two & three months credit, it appears to be our best means of obtaining money, until the fate of the application at Amsterdam can be known” (DNA: RG 42, Records of the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, Letters Sent). Wolcott replied to the commissioners on 13 July: “Various causes have recently operated to render the proposals lately published for the sale of Stock uninviting to monied people—of course no applications were made.

“It is impossible for me therefore to express a satisfactory opinion of the price which the new Stock would bear, if put in circulation; when I can possess myself of information which can be useful to you it shall be communicated” (DNA: RG 42, Records of the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, Letters Received). For Wolcott’s first letter to the commissioners on this topic, dated 27 June, see Commissioners for the District of Columbia to GW, 22 June, n.3.