IV. George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, [16 March 1791]
IV. George Washington to Thomas Jefferson
[16 March 1791]
My dear Sir
Enclosed is the last letter I have received from Messrs. Deakins and Stoddart.—What step had I best take to bring matters to a close with Burn’s, and by declaring at once the site of the public buildings, prevent some inconvenience which I see may arise from the opinions promulgated by Mr. L’Enfont? as much probably from complaisance as judgment.—Yrs,
Go: Washington
RC (DLC); addressed: “Mr. Jefferson”: endorsed by TJ as received 16 Mch. 1791. Entry in SJPL reads: “[Mch.] 16. G. W. to Th: J. on site of public buildings. Burns.” Enclosure: Deakins and Stoddert to Washington, [11 Mch. 1791], not found but from Washington’s response on the 17th (Document v) it is clear that, in addition to conveying information about the willingness of the inhabitants of Washington county to cede their lots in Hamburg, their letter indicated that L’Enfant had expressed opinions in Georgetown contrary to what they knew Washington’s views to be (Washington to Deakins and Stoddert, 2 Mch. 1791; TJ to L’Enfant, 2 Mch. 1791; see Editorial Note above).