1Receipt from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 1 February 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 February 1811. “Recd. of the President of the U. States his letter to the Secretary of the Treasury U.S. [not found] directing a Warrant for 1.000 on account of the fund for furnishing the President house to be issued in my favor.” Ms ( DLC ). 1 p. In Latrobe’s hand.
31 December 1810, Washington. Encloses a copy of his report on the public buildings. Will call on JM in a few days to see if any part of the report appears improper to lay before Congress or requires further information. FC ( MdHi : Latrobe Letterbooks). 1 p. Latrobe apparently enclosed a draft of his 28 Dec. report, the final version of which was enclosed in his 11 Jan. 1811 letter to JM .
3To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 19 February 1811 (Madison Papers)
In order to furnish some apology for the writer of the anonymous letter, I enclose a letter [ illegible ] written in 1797. A Member of the committee informs me that all the equivocal passages are underlined, ⟨& that⟩ if they were not so that they could make no impression. With high respect I am &c Copy ( MdHi : Latrobe Letterbooks). In Latrobe’s hand; written on the verso of a copy of Latrobe...
4To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 6 January 1811 (Madison Papers)
I herein enclose the letter you did me the favor to write on the 29h. septr. 1809. The point which I wished to impress by quoting it is only that of the Jury boxes, to preoccupy the ground of objection to the manner of fitting up the court room. With high respect RC ( DLC ); FC ( MdHi : Latrobe Letterbooks). Letter not found.
5To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 24 July 1810 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 24 July 1810. Calendared as a two-page letter in the lists probably kept by Peter Force (DLC, series 7, container 2).
6To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 16 April 1816 (Madison Papers)
Having a good opportunity to write to England, I will gladly avail myself of it, to make such enquiries, as might conduce to promote the object of the Governor of Virginia, in procuring a Professional Man of character & eminence to direct the improvement of the State by roads & Canals. It would however be necessary, perhaps, that I should mention the terms likely to be granted to the Principal...
7To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 12 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Previously to the establishment of arrangements for carrying on the work during the ensuing Season, I beg to lay before you a proposition of which I hope to receive your approbation, and which I beg specially to explain on account of the personal interest I appear to have in it. Independently of my Salary, the expenses of the direction of the public works have been, Salary of the Clerk of the...
8Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Dolley Madison, 20 March 1809 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
20 March 1809, Philadelphia. Encloses samples of “two kinds of lace” for use in the chariot ordered by JM. The coach will be finished by 15 May, “the Chariot about a fortnight later.” Has examined a “very handsome” English chariot made in London last July which has influenced his thinking. Mrs. Latrobe [a friend of Dolley Madison’s since childhood] is suffering from an eye inflammation, but...
9To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 10 June 1812 (Madison Papers)
Enclosed is the Copy of an account of expenditures out of the furniture fund of the President’s house which I have rendered to the accounting Officers of the Treasury, with the necessary Vouchers, & which is in a train of Settlement. By this account a balance of 75$. 47 cts. appears to be in my hands, which balance is more than absorbed by an account of expenditures on small articles of...
10To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 14 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I solicit your directions as to the adaptation of the rooms in the East end of the President’s house to the use of the President and the Secretaries in Cabinet Council. If the first room occupied by Mr Coles as a sitting room be considered as sufficiently large for this use, supposing that used as the bedchamber to contain the Books & papers not in constant use, it would save much delay,...
11Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Dolley Madison, 7 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
I am here & expected to have been tomorrow in Washington. It is however necessary, I find that I should see Mr Finlay, who is making the Chairs & Sofas for your Drawing room in his Shop, & therefore I shall stay tomorrow & arrive in the city on Tuesday. Your Chariot is in great forwardness, & will be one of the handsomest things Philadelphia has produced. The Coachee has its last Coat of paint...
The Society of Artists of the United States established at Philadelphia, have committed the immediate management of the institution to a President, & four Vice-presidents. But for that Patronage which shall give to it, in its very infancy, the character of public usefulness, and secure to it public encouragement, the Society look up to You: to You, who while your life has been devoted to the...
13To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 30 March 1812 (Madison Papers)
In my conversation with Mr. Munroe on the subject of the accounts demanded by congress, he mentioned that it was your understanding that my Salary, as surveyor of the public Buildings should be lowered to 1500$ in consequence of its increase on account of the Navy Department, & should cease altogether on the 1st. of July 1811. That it was sometime before my interview with you in July proposed...
14To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 6 July 1810 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
6 July 1810, Washington. Expresses views about that part of the law appropriating $20,000 for public buildings which relates to the “fireproofs” to be erected in the public building west of the President’s House. Observes that the only security that can be attained in safeguarding records from fire is against “fire from without,” since it is evident that in the case of “persons using the...
15To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 11 January 1811 (Madison Papers)
I herewith transmit to you two reports. The first my annual report of the public Building the other that called for by a resolution of the House of representatives. I am sorry that I have not found it possible to send them sooner, especially as the friends to the completion of the buildings, in congress have pressed me on the subject. With high respect Yrs. FC ( MdHi : Latrobe Letterbooks)....
16To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 23 February 1811 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
23 February 1811, Washington. Makes the following statement in compliance with JM’s direction that he submit information required by the House of Representatives resolution of 14 Jan. “Of the Center of the Capitol, no estimate can be presented without a more definite plan than I possess of that part of the building. I have therefore transmitted only an estimate of the Wings.” Provides...
17To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 29 May 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to lay before you an account of the expenditure of 5.000$, advanced to me on account of the furniture of the President’s house. It will appear from the account itself that some of the payment have been made only on account of Claims. The Vouchers therefore being incomplete, untill the whole accounts shall have been liquidated, it has not be[en] possible to settle thus far the...
18Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Dolley Madison, 29 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Your very obliging & kind letter was received by Mrs. Latrobe yesterday, & I had also your commands on business which I beg leave to answer concisely today & to write more at large tomorrow. Your directions as to the liveries shall be obeyed. The patterns of colors on Glass met with an accident. They were broken & shall be sent on, repainted , tomorrow. The sketch of the Chariot in my letter...
19Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Dolley Madison, 17 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
The time of the President U.S. is so occupied by matters of so much more importance, that I did not mention to him the subject on which you did me the favor to speak to me, the purchase of a grand piano-forte, before my departure. I have again tried the instrument I mentioned to you, & accurately examined its state of repair & construction, & altho’ I still think it a very excellent one, I...
20To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 6 August 1812 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to submit to you, & to solicit your approbation of these accounts, the only ones relating to the public buildings on which I have occasion to give you any trouble, because unless allowed by you they cannot pass the treasury, and must stand as a charge against me personally. 1. Of the first, the enclosed affidavit explains the nature perfectly, and I will only add that altho’ the...
21To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 8 October 1813 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave to submit to you by the hands of Mr Lewis Deblois an account of the expenditure of the balance of Monies in my hands as agent of the fund for furnishing the Presidents House—of monies recieved by sales at Auction of old Furniture—And of payments made by me beyond the amount received—excepting the article of James & Hugh Finlay’s Account which could not be brought into my last...
22To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 19 May 1811 (Madison Papers)
Letter not found. 19 May 1811, Philadelphia. Calendared by Latrobe in a list of “Letters written at Philadelphia May 1811” as forwarding a copy of his “⟨ann⟩iversary oration” (MdHi: Latrobe Letterbooks). Latrobe’s Anniversary Oration, Pronounced before the Society of Artists of the United States,… on the Eighth of May, 1811 (Philadelphia, 1811; Shaw and Shoemaker R. R. Shaw and R. H....
23To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 25 February 1815 (Madison Papers)
I beg leave respectfully to offer you my services in the restoration of the public buildings in the city of Washington. Having devoted the best Years of my life to the public, I need not trespass upon your time, by stating the qualifications which I should bring into the Office. That I have shared the charge of extravagance with every Architect, to whom the expenditure of money on public Works...
24To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 18 January 1811 (Madison Papers)
In obedience to your directions conveyed to me by Mr Munroe, & contained in the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 14h. of January transmitted to me, I shall without Loss of time comply with that part of it which relates to the outstanding Claims. But to make an estimate of the sum necessary to finish the Capitol, it is impossible for me to proceed without Assistance especially...
25Benjamin Henry Latrobe to Dolley Madison, 4 July 1809 (Madison Papers)
I am more mortified than I can express at the conduct of the Coach-maker, I have had the misfortune to employ in your service, in furnishing to you a Carriage, which even before it has been used is discovered to be so extremely faulty. I am the more irritated and disappointed, as he has in every other instance in which I have employed or recommended him, done himself so much credit, as to have...
26To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 18 November 1811 (Madison Papers)
In order to defray immediate demands on the fund for furnishing the Presidents house, I solicit You to grant me a warrant for 300$ on account. My account up to your departure from the city has been settled at the Treasury, and for the monies since received I have the requisite Vouchers and shall transmit them to the treasury before the end of the quarter. Among the accounts now payable is 100$...
27To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 14 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
The plan on which the Presidents square is proposed to be planted having been approved by the late President U.S. I had given the necessary directions prior to the 4th. of March last. The principal work which will be done during my departure will be the planting of trees & shrubs near the outer Wall as far as the Ground is finished, the manuring such parts as were omitted on account of the...
28To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 1 September 1810 (Madison Papers)
It is my duty to take up so much of your time, as is necessary to inform you of the progress of the public business under my charge. By the arrangements made by Mr. Munroe, & the sale of useless materials, of which we have a very large stock on hand, I have been able to continue the work of the sculptors on the capitals of the Hall of Representatives, & when congress meet, there will be only...
29To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 5 October 1810 (Madison Papers)
I have been unfortunate in the construction of the fireproof. Depending on the old Walls, which ought to have been amply sufficient to carry the light Vault I placed upon them, had they been tolerably well built, I lowered the center. Finding that the arch settled I examined the Walls, & perceived that they were ⟨much⟩ cracked; but it appearing that the cracks were not new, being very black,...
30To James Madison from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 23 November 1809 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to submit to you the following sketch of expenditures on the furniture of the President’s house. The detail of the principal articles comprised in the first item, has been submitted to You, & I do not therefore occupy your time by repeating the same. Amount of payments on accts. fully settled, 8.575.59 Monies placed in the hands of Mr Deblois & expended for minor articles of...