11From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 20 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The H. of R. having by a resolution requested me to take effectual measures for the completion of the S. wing of the Capitol by the commencement of the next session, it becomes my duty to be under a constant & well supported certainty that the work (except such internal stone carving as may be done at leisure hereafter) is making such progress as will admit it’s being ready by a fixed day....
12From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 20 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I found your letters of the 12th. & 14th. on my return to this place on the 17th. and such was the mass of business accumulated during my absence that I have not been able sooner to answer them. I am very happy that there is no doubt of the readiness of Congress hall for the meeting of that body. with respect to the North wing I like well all your ideas except that of introducing a Cupola...
13From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 26 May 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my letter of the 22d. mr King has shewn me the alterations of your original design of the Contour of the grounds around this house, & I find they are precisely what I proposed in my letter except as to the extent of ground to be allowed to the offices, which may be a subject of consideration hereafter. this is but the 2d. day of the Labourers working on the S.E. quarter, & it begins...
14From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 31 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I was so extremely sick on both the days you were so kind as to call on me that I had been obliged to desire the porter to recieve nobody, except the Secretaries. I am now well enough to do business & shall be glad to see you whenever it shall be convenient to you to call. in the mean time I will observe that the information you have recieved that I was displeased with the mode of lighting the...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 18 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Another reporting day has come about, and by mr Lenthall’s report I find the stone work falling more & more behind and keeping back the work of the Carpenters & Plaisterers. instead of 6. stone cutters, which might have sufficed at the date of my former letter, 12. at least will now be necessary, & every days delay of their arrival must still add to the number to be sent on. price must not be...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 1 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I am told there are good workmen who will undertake the wall of our inclosure at 2 ½ D. per perch. this saving alone (or difference between that & last year’s price) would build our South porch. I have no doubt of your attention to this, and that you will avail us of the benefits of competition by inviting proposals generally. you proposed to carry up the hewn stone work of the gates as high...
17From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 22 May 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
On considering the amount of our 15,000. D. fund and it’s objects, to wit, 1. finishing the offices of the Pres’s house, 2. smoothing the ground, and 3. inclosing it, and sensible it would not do the whole, I concluded that it was best to do the first absolutely, to do all that part of the 2d. which will require but a moderate sum, & then such a portion only of the inclosure as the balance...
18From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 1 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
In order to keep within our power the completion of the South wing of the Capitol, as desired by the H. of R. I have requested mr Lenthall to report to me, at the epochs stated in your estimate, the progress actually made. the report of this day should have stated 1. all the columns on the E. side set up. this is done. 2. the West architrave up. half only up. i.e. ¼ of the whole. 3. grounds...
19From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 5 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
When we were conversing last on the digging & smoothing the ground round the President’s house, you mentioned that there would be wanting some earth to be dug to fill up the Northwest angle of the ground. as I have in contemplation to extend the offices at the West end of the house 50. feet further Westwardly, I should be glad that the earth wanting for the N.W. angle should be procured by...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 8 September 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Aug. 31. has been recieved. the partition you propose in the clerk’s office of the Senate is readily approved, as it will not injure the room for that purpose, and is necessary to support the decayed beam. this latter consideration will justify it to the Senate even should it not be otherwise agreeable to them. but the division of the semicircular Vestibule I cannot say I approve. it...