11To 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...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 27 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 27 Mch. 1802 . Latrobe takes the liberty to offer ideas on the canal intended to connect the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays. He is assured of the practicability of the project and shall not take up TJ’s time proving it. The principal difficulty will be to prevent the jealousies of Baltimore and Philadelphia from resulting in an imperfect or useless work. Baltimore fears that in a...
13To 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...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 4 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I herewith send you my report & the ground plan of the new wing. I fear I shall tire your patience, but I know not what I could have omitted.— I am with true respect Yrs. faithfully RC ( DLC ); undated; endorsed by TJ as received 4 Apr. and so recorded in SJL .
15To 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...
16To 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...
17To 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...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 19 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
In order to save the postage of the enclosed packet, containing the drawings & sections of the foundation Walls of the S. Wing of the Capitol,—I have taken the liberty of addressing it to you, and if there be no impropriety in my giving you the trouble I should beg leave to send further packets by the same means, as most of them will be very heavy.— As soon as I can move my family I shall...
19To 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...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 4 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here about a fortnight ago, and have been so unwell since then, as not to be quite so forward in my report upon the state of the Capitol, and the necessary drawings as I could have wished. On this account, and because I believed that on your first arrival your time would be taking up by more important objects,—I have not yet waited upon you. Late this evening however, I will, with...