151To 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...
152To 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...
153To 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...
154Benjamin 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...
155To 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...
156Benjamin 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...
157Benjamin 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...
158Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Thomas Jefferson, 24 July 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Yesterday I had the pleasure to receive Your letter d. July 16 th (P.mark 19 h ). I had presumed that you were from home, and also that as your institution has been so lately organized, some time could be given to the preparation of a design for the buildings.—But by your letter I find not only that I have been designing under a great misconception of your local e but also have presumed upon...
159Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Thomas Jefferson, 28 July 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last of the 24 th I have engaged a young man of the name of Johnson , to undertake your Stone cutting, should the terms be approved. He is not only capable of to cut a Doric Capital, or a Base, but to execute the common Architectural decorations, as foliage & Rosettes, with great neatness & dispatch, for, in the scarcity of Carvers, I have, for some time past, put him under Andrei , &...
160Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Thomas Jefferson, 12 August 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
A slight indisposition having prevented my attendance at my office, I did not receive your favor of the 2 d (post mark 4 th ) till the 9 th when you would have left Monticello , and I therefore did not immediately answer it, and now direct this letter where I hope it will soon reach You. I now offer to you, with the utmost freedom, a freedom which your request, as well as your long friendship...
161Benjamin 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
162Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Thomas Jefferson, 28 October 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for your letter of the , & am much gratified by the approbation you express of my drawings. I hope you will do me the favor to let me know which of the pavilions you approve for your first work of next spring; with a sketch of its dimensions and its plan, that I may send you the working drawings & the details a t large. Some months ago, I sent to Jefferson & Gibson of Richmond a...
163Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Thomas Jefferson, 20 November 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter has remained a week unanswered in consequence of my absence, but immediately on my return I wrote (yesterday ) to Philadelphia , desired one of the Carpenter’s pricebooks to be sent to You, which I have no doubt will be done without Loss of time.— I am under the necessity of resigning my situation at the Capitol . The present Commissioner Colonel Lane , has from the first week,...
164Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 26] December 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed letter will prove to you that I have not been unmindful of your wish to have the rate of Carpenter’s prices at Philadelphia , as your rule of valuation for the work of the new College . M r Thackara is one of the most respectable citizens & mechanics in Philadelphia . He did the Plaisterer’s work, so much & deservedly admired, of the Capitol , & was sent for again, by but did not...
165Benjamin 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...
166Enclosure: Circular from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 30 March 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
IN resigning my office as Surveyor of the Capitol , I publickly assigned those reasons whi c h were personal. It was my intention to lay those that regarded the public interests, before the proper authorities: but a severe illness, which confined me immediately after my removal from the city , and especially the consideration of the thanklessness, and general uselessness of every attempt of an...
167Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Thomas Jefferson, 14 April 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my retirement from the public service I no longer here hear from You, in answer to the letters I have written transmitting the information you requested, and in the only manner in which I could, myself, obtain it. This is the only bad consequence which has resulted to me from my resignation, and the displeasure of the President US. I enclose you, I hope without offence, as a statement...
168To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 8 July 1818 (Madison Papers)
I have not for a long time read any thing with so much delight and instruction, as I have received from the perusal of your address to the Agricultural society of Albermarle [ sic ]. The testimony of one, so very unimportant in litterature of any kind as I am, cannot be valuable, unless it be on account of its sincerity, & the high personal respect that accompanies it. And in the very remarks...