11To 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...
12To 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...
13To 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...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 26 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received Your note of this morning, and am very happy imperfect as it is, that the Polygraph is not useless to you. I wrote to Mr Peale two or three days ago giving him the necessary directions & particularly describing the manner of making two drawers, one on each side instead of one. If Mr. Foxall makes the plate, he should also polish or scour it. I have another idea however on this...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 20 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 4th. of April 1803, I had the honor to lay before you a general report, on the State of the public Buildings in this City. I now beg leave to submit to you an account of the progress that has been made in the works directed by you in consequence of that report: and in order more clearly to explain the subject, I beg to recapitulate concisely what I formerly stated. I. On the North Wing...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 18 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I last had the honor to wait upon you nothing has occurred upon which I felt myself authorized to take up your time, and though I have often been in your house, I have not found it necessary to trespass upon your leisure for directions.— In the mean time, every thing has been prepared to begin the roof as soon as the Weather promises to be fair.—The lead for the Gutters has been cast &...
17Enclosure: Sources of Stone for the Capitol, 18 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
State of the Prospect of procuring Stone for the Capitol for the Year 1804.— 1. From Messrs. Brent & Cook .—These Gentlemen are the only contractors who may with certainty be relied upon. They require an advance of 2000.$ on a contract made with them Feby. 17h. 1804 for 1000 Tons delivered in Washington, at 8.$ ⅌ Ton for all stone of one Ton & under,—8.25 above one Ton to 1½ Ton & 8.75$, for...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 15 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The following passage is contained in a letter just received from Mr Wm Stewart, by far the most wealthy & respectable Stonecutter at Baltimore. Mr Robert Stewart ,—his father is proprietor of an acre, containing the best Stone on the Island. I have not yet received his proposals for supplying stone. “I have understood ⅌ Mr Conway who was in Baltimore some time ago, that Mr D. C. Brent expects...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 14 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have for some days hoped that every day of my stay here would be the last. But I am so dependent of the exertions of others, and so unwilling to leave any thing to their neglect after I shall be gone, that I am still detained. Every however draws to a conclusion. In the mean time, on referring to the date of my letter to the Vice president on the subject of the means of warming the Senate...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 30 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The difficulties I have met with in my surveys & levellings for the Canal which is to unite the Bays of Chesapeake & Delaware, have forced me to pay much less attention, otherwise than by correspondence to the duties with which you have intrusted me, than I could have wished.—I am now here solely for the purpose of urging the progress of those works which must be performed here , and find that...