1To James Madison from John P. Van Ness, Richard Bland Lee, and Tench Ringgold, 16 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
It is pleasing to us, as it no doubt will be to yourself, that we are able to inform you, without troubling you with any details, that our progress in repairing and rebuilding the public edifices in this City is highly satisfactory. For the completion of the Executive Offices by the 31. of December next, we have, at an early day, made Contracts with responsible experienced and industrious...
2To James Madison from John P. Van Ness, Richard Bland Lee, and Tench Ringgold, 23 May 1815 (Madison Papers)
Enclosed you will receive duplicate Copies of a Contract we have made with the Bank of Washington, for the loan of One hundred thousand Dollars, similar to that with the Bank of the Metropolis, pursuant to the act of Congress passed the 13. day of February last, making appropriations for repairing or rebuilding the public buildings in this City, which we send for your approbation. Altho’ this...
Having determined to send Mr. Andrei in the Corvette John Adams to the Mediterranean for the purpose of being landed at Barcelona in Spain, to be thence conveyed to Leghorn & for which the necessary orders, pursuant to your instructions have been given by the Secretary of the Navy, it has occurred to us that it might be found practicable consistent with the public service, to send one of the...
Herewith you will receive executed in Duplicate another contract for a loan of seventy five thousand dollars, which in pursuance of the authority you have been pleased to invest in us, we have lately negotiated with the Union Bank of Alexandria and now forward for your approbation, making the loans already effected amount to four hundred & twenty five thousand dollars. We have the satisfaction...
We are happy in being able to advise you that the Fire proof apartments at the west end of the Treasury Office are in a state fit for immediate occupation; the plastering being well seasoned and every part of the building completed. We may add that we have the best reason for believing that the War Office will be ready for occupation by the first of January next and the Treasury Office in all...
6To James Madison from John P. Van Ness, Richard Bland Lee, and Tench Ringgold, 20 November 1815 (Madison Papers)
Having found it impossible to obtain a supply of a quantity of seasoned yellow pine plank from 2 to 3 inches thick, and the works on the public buildings, being subjected to a suspension in consequence thereof; on being informed that a supply might possibly be obtained at the Navy yard in this City: and inasmuch as it would be in our power to return similar lumber in the spring which might...
7To James Madison from John P. Van Ness, Richard Bland Lee, and Tench Ringgold, 8 February 1816 (Madison Papers)
Give us leave to inform you that the War office is finished according to Contract, and ready for Occupation, excepting a few inconsiderable particulars which are delayed by the want of some arrangement among the Heads of Departments as to their respective locations. They have before been apprized of this State of the Building, but probably pressing engagements have prevented them from...
8To James Madison from John P. Van Ness, Richard Bland Lee, and Tench Ringgold, 14 March 1816 (Madison Papers)
To the President of the United States The undersigned commissioners appointed by him, for carrying into execution An Act “Entitled An Act making appropriations for repairing or rebuilding the Public Buildings within the City of Washington,” beg leave respectfully to report. That as soon as they had received his letter of appointment, they proceeded to the execution of the trust committed to...
We lately forwarded to you executed in duplicate a Contract with the Bank of Washington for an additional loan of thirty seven thousand five hundred dollars, and now inclose a similar contract executed in the same manner for another sum of thirty seven thousand five hundred dollars with the Union Bank of Georgetown —which contracts when they shall receive the approbation of the President of...