To Thomas Jefferson from the District of Columbia Commissioners, 1 June 1801
From the District of Columbia Commissioners
Commissioners Office 1st. June 1801.
Sir,
By a Regulation of the Commissioners of this City, approved by the President July 15th. 1794, Areas were permitted in front of dwelling Houses to the extent of five feet in breadth, but from experience these have been found too confined, and this has been frequently represented to us as a Subject worthy of consideration—We are convinced they are too confined, and think it our duty to submit to your decision the propriety of extending the permission to seven feet, which is deemed a sufficient extent for an Area in any situation. We are, with sentiments of the greatest respect, Sir,
Your mo: Obt Servts
William Thornton
Alexr White
Tristram Dalton
RC (DLC: District of Columbia Papers); in William Brent’s hand, signed by Thornton, White, and Dalton; addressed: “President of the United States”; signed by TJ as “Approved” 1 June; endorsed. FC (DNA: RG 42, DCLB).
Regulation: District of Columbia Commissioners to George Washington, 7 July 1794, approved and signed by Washington on 15 July (DLC: Washington Papers).