31To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 27 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I judged very ill in going to Thornton . In a few peremptory words, he, in fact, told me, that no difficulties existed in his plan, but such as were made by those who were too ignorant to remove them and though these were not exactly his words,—his expressions, his tone, his manner, & his absolute refusal to devote a few minutes to discuss the subject spoke his meaning even more strongly and...
32From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin H. Latrobe, 28 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry the explanations attempted between Dr. Thornton & yourself on the manner of finishing the chamber of the house of representatives have not succeeded. at the original establishment of this place advertisements were published many months offering premiums for the best plans for a Capitol and President’s house. many were sent in. a council was held by Genl. Washington with the board of...
33To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 28 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The circumstances that attend the conflict between my wish to promote your views respecting the Capitol, and my conviction of the necessity for forming a plan different from that which is now said by Dr. Thornton to be the plan approved by General Washington are among the most unpleasant which I have ever had to struggle with.—It cannot in my opinion be stated that any plan,—that is any...
34To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 29 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The situation of Mr. Lenthall as Clerk of the Works at the Capitol and Presidents house, combines, the duties formerly performed by seperate persons. For instance, Mr. Williams was employed to collect materials at 800 Dollars pr. annum,—Mr. Blagden measured and superintended the Stone work at 3$. 66 Cents pr. day;—the Carpenter at 2$. 33 cts., the Sculptor or Carver at 3$,—each kept their day...
35From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin H. Latrobe, 5 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I returned here on the 30th. Ult. and confess myself much disappointed in the progress of the Capitol. mr Lenthall urges the general sickness among his hands as the cause, and from my entire confidence in his diligence I have no doubt as much has been done as could be by the hands he had. the error has been in not engaging others so as to keep up a sufficient number constantly at work. I am...
36To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 11 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I am just now arrived in the city, and will wait upon you as soon as I can make myself acquainted with the exact state of the public Works. I left Washington on the 30th. of June last. On the 12th. of July, Mrs. Latrobe’s mother died suddenly. On the 17th she was brought to bed of a daughter and continued so unwell for a month that it was improper to communicate to her the loss she had...
37To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 18 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I accept with pleasure the favor of Your invitation to dinner tomorrow, and will come to the house at such an hour, with the workmen, as to put the work you propose into immediate execution. After waiting upon you yesterday, I examined the whole of the lower part of the building with a view to a supply of water to the Washhouse by means of the proposed forcing pump, and by this means have...
38To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 24 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here on the 18th. and had the honor to receive Your letter of the 5th. Octr.—I immediately wrote to the works respecting your Iron, & have received for answer that it would be ready to go to Richmond in one Month. In my letter, I ordered our Roller to go to Jones & Howell, late Howell & Roberts to enquire as to the mode of welding the ends of the sheets together. On this point I have...
39From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin H. Latrobe, 3 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of Oct. 5. I asked the favor of you to have me furnished with 100 sheets of rolled iron 16. I. wide and 11. f. 8. I. long, and pressed the welding the ends of the sheets together in the manner of a model of paper therein inclosed as greatly preferable to tucking them in the ordinary way, a process which I suppose known at all the works, as I have heretofore recieved such from the...
40To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 9 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived at this place from our works on the Canal yesterday, having daily attended at the postroad from the 3rd of Novr. to the 5th. in hopes that I should have been able to procure a passage to Washington. But the stages were so crouded with the Members going to Congress that I could not get a seat, and on the 5th. both lines were preengaged for three days to come. It was then too late to...
41From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin H. Latrobe, 12 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
It would be well to recieve from you as early as possible the report you propose to make for Congress as to the progress, state and further cost of the public buildings. I am apprehensive of a more serious opposition to another appropriation than has ever been made. perhaps after you shall have sent me the report, & it is referred to a committee it may be expedient you should come up yourself...
42To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 17 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I returned home last night from the Canal and found your favor of the 14th . Our directors meet on Tuesday next the 20th. instant, and will probably sit the two following days. As soon as the board breaks up, I shall set off for Washington, and arrive with the Mail.—There are a few articles of information which it will be necessary for me to obtain before I can compleat my report,—as to the...
43To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 26 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
This day our board & its Committees finish their business. I shall get into the Mail, if possible today. At all events tomorrow & come on without the loss of a moments’ time. I am with the sincerest respect Yrs RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received 27 Nov. and so recorded in SJL .
44To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 1 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
In the reporting to You on the manner in which the work on the public buildings of the United States has been conducted during the Year 1804, I cannot avoid expressing my regret that a sensible portion of the appropriation by Congress has necessarily been expended in pulling down or repairing what was done insufficiently, previously to the Year 1803. The application of the public money to the...
45To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 5 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I received while in Philadelphia, (from whence I am just now returned) a short letter Decr. 21st from Mr Thompson, chairman of the Come. of the House of Representatives on the public buildings, requiring simply an estimate of the sum required to finish the South wing of the Capitol. I promised, by return of post, an answer in a few days. In the mean time, having fortunately all the drawings...
46From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin H. Latrobe, 16 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the bill appropriating 110,000. D. for the South wing of the capitol & 20,000. for the North wing & other public buildings as it has past the H. of R. with only 17. dissenting votes. I have no reason to suppose it will fare worse with the Senate: but till it passes them it will not be safe to take any positive steps. I will endeavor to have it hurried there, and as soon as it...
47From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin H. Latrobe, 26 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The bill appropriating 110,000. D. for the South wing & 20,000. for the other public buildings is passed—it would be well therefore to contract for the materials immediately, and to begin at once all the branches of the wooden work which can be done independantly of the walls. also to order the paving tile from Bourdeaux, Havre being blockaded. mr Lee our Consul there will do any thing in that...
48To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 26 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
My very frequent absence from home at the Ch. & Del. Canal, occasions a great unpunctuality in my correspondence, & I have to apologise for not sooner answering Your letter of the 16th. Jany. Immediately after hearing of the passing of the appropriation law by the Senate, I will come to Washington, & in the mean time endeavor to digest a system of procedure for the next season, to be laid...
49To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 21 February 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
For the last three weeks I have been at Lancaster as the Agent of the Ches. & Del. Canal Co. to solicit Legislative aid to our undertaking, and having been detained from day to day, by the usual tediousness of such an application. Having succeeded as far as a resolution of each house in our favor, I returned hither last night, and shall in an hour proceed by the Mail to the works and thence to...