1From James Madison to John P. Van Ness, Richard Bland Lee, and Tench Ringgold, 23 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your letter of the 16th. inclosing a letter from Messrs. Carroll, Law & May, with your answer. It is very agreeable to learn that your progress and prospects are so favorable to the undertaking committed to you. In carrying into execution the law for rebuilding the public Edifices, it will best comport with its object & its provisions, not to deviate from the models destroyed,...
2From James Madison to John P. Van Ness, Richard Bland Lee, and Tench Ringgold, 10 March 1815 (Madison Papers)
For carrying into execution the act of Congress entitled “An Act making appropriations for repairing or rebuilding the public buildings within the City of Washington,” I do hereby authorize you, or any two of you, to borrow, with the approbation of the President of the United States, such sums of money as may be necessary, within the limit, and to be applied to the objects of the appropriation...