801To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 21 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
The numbers 3 in Square 107 at £20 No. 8 in Square 87, at 55 No. 15 in Square 105 at 92, and No. 16 in the same Square at 76£ fall again to the public those bids were to protect its Interest so that the real Sales are of Thirty one Lots averaging 96 . . 7 . . 9. To accomodate some Strangers we were obliged after the payment of the ¼ Deposit to agree that the Land should stand as Security,...
802To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 7 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Desirous of answering your letters on particular subjects, we think it best to do it separately. With a view to settle all accounts to the first of this month and to form, as far as we might be able, a scheme of the business for the ensuing year, we met here the day before yesterday. many accounts are presented for our examination, the aggregate of which, exceeds our expectation, and many of...
803To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 31 October 1796 (Washington Papers)
We were favored, by last Mail, with the two inclosed Letters, which are forwarded by the earliest conveyance since their arrival; not having been received until the Saturday’s Mail had been closed—The prospects held out by Messrs Willinks are by no means flattering —We inclose an answer to their letter which we presume will readily meet with a conveyance to Amsterdam or Hamburgh; a copy of...
804To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 19 July 1792 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday the Commissrs Contracted with Mr Hoben for his services by the year at 300 Guineas, his Draft and Attention may, be confined to the Palace or extended to other objects they may chuse. Doctor Stewart’s uneasiness at the State of his Family occasioned his leaving us as soon as the most material of our Business was finished—This morning we went with Mr Hoben to the Seite of the Palace...
805To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 4 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Board have for some time contemplated a statement of the affairs of the City, to be laid before you; which has been hitherto delayed by the difficulty of collecting the several Documents necessary to accompany it; and which even yet are very far from being perfect. Independent of the present circumstances of Affairs, there are strong reasons why our proceedings at certain stated periods...
806Enclosure: Daniel Carroll’s Case, 8 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
In 1790. the Cellar of his House was walled up and stood so the Winter—30th March 1791. He signed the Agreement subjecting his property. Mark’d. A. 27th or 28th June 1791 he executed a deed in Trust to Carry the Agreement into Effect—The Original is in the Office at Annapolis where it was lodged to be recorded, but the paper B. is a Copy of the trust part of that and the other Deeds. (B.) In...
807To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 13 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed we send you a list of our Sales, which were closed yesterday. Tho’ the average price is not entirely equal to that of the first sales, yet, when it is considered, that the Company assembled, was by no means such, as might have been expected, from the unlucky intervention of several circumstances; and allso, that it was the Public opinion, that the first sales were too high; and that...
808To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 23 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
We inclose you a Certificate of your Purchase of Lots, and payment of the price, which by a late Act transfers the Title without the formality of Deeds—This is a Duplicate, the Original is lodged in the Office of the recording Clerk, to be entered by him, and will be returned to our Office. We were not unmindful of your intention of becoming a Purchaser of a Situation in the other end of the...
809To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 3 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
It is with much regret, we trouble you with the enclosures, but as the appropriations will now be finally determined, we hope it will be the last application on that subject—We have only to observe, that Mr Davidson has received payment for his proportion of the President’s Square, as delineated on the engraved plan —We are, with sentiments &c. LB , DNA : RG 42, Records of the Commissioners...
810To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 13 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
This day has been Cheifly spent in writing letter to Major Ellicott. those and his as well as his hand bill we enclose you—We are vexed and tired by an Intercourse so triffling —It may be proper to inform you, that when we were at Prouts House last night with Major Ellicott, he offered us the Platt of the Territory telling us he had received it from you, with Orders to make additions, we...
811To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 6 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 29th Ulto did not reach the City till late on friday evening, of course, it could not receive an earlier attention—We hope with you that the Spring will be early and exertions shall not be wanting, on our part, to forward the public buildings—Our own Ideas with respect to the mode of carrying them on, we expressed loosely in our Letter of 31st Ulto. when we say, “we think it...
812To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 9 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
On Saturday morning we passed the enclosed order to Mr Boaraff, nor suspected that there would be any repugnance to, or delay in carrying it into effect. We saw nothing of him again till today, having in the morning heard that he had been in Virginia, had an intercourse with Mr Roberdeau there, returned and was proceeding in the old line. Soon after this he came to our Room to settle the pay...
813To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 21 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
We do ourselves the honor of inclosing a Memorial concerning the intended University, about which, you expressed a desire to receive some documents, which, if judged proper, might be laid before Congress—The one inclosed, has been drawn up with a view to that object; and the authors of it will feel the highest gratification, if it in any degree brings about the commencement of this great...
814To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 6 June 1792 (Washington Papers)
We enclose you a Copy of a Section of our Act of the Assembly of Maryland, passed at the last session, the Treasurer, as we are informed, has about 24,000 Dollars now in Hand, we shall be obliged to you for your Order, as the late Demands has been so heavy that it is proper to lodge more Money in our Treasurers hands —There is a Ballance of 5746 Maryland Currency yet to receive on the Virginia...
815To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 24 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Letter from the Secretary of State covering the charge made by Mr Greenleaf were received by the mail the Day you left town. Upon such an occasion we thought the sooner an Invitation to Greenleaf to come forward and substantiate his charges was handed to him the better. The enclosed answer to him open and under Cover to the Secretary of State which is also enclosed was forwarded...
816To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 8 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
We have received your favour of 31st January on the subject of the Compensation necessary to be made us for our part and future services as Commissioners, and requiring a candid communication of our Sentiments thereupon—As it is both Interesting and delicate and withall one in which we are jointly concerned we hope it will be a sufficient apology for our not entering on it at present, that Mr...
817To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 10 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Several Incidents have occurred since Yesterday Evening—We had a conversation with Mr Roberdeau, which at first ⟨intimated⟩ no disposition to accomodate but afterwards on being renewed opened a prospect of our being able to retain him consistant with our own Views—This morning received a Letter from him and had another Conversation with him, which induced us to point out by Letter to him...
818To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 11 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
We were duly favored with your letter of the 7th Inst. That the inaccuracy of our Clerk and our own inattention should have occasioned so much trouble to the Executive, excites sensations scarcely to be expressed. The Words per annum noted by you are not contained in the original Draft of the letter to Messrs Willink, from which, the letter itself, and the copy inclosed with it, for your...
819To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 9 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
After closing our Letter of the 5th we wrote Majr Ellicott—a copy is sent, to which we soon received the inclosed answer —We feel a strong disinclination to go into discussions before the public and believe we shall not be led or drove into it. We are Sir with the greatest respect & esteem Your Obt hble Servts LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DNA : RG 42, Records of the Commissioners for the District of...
820To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 2 January 1795 (Washington Papers)
We did ourselves the honor of inclosing, in our answer to your letter, two Communications to Messrs Trumbu⟨ll. W⟩e could not at that time determine what should be done relative to Mr Hatfield. We require all the aid of Talents, but the inadequacy of our Funds restrain our Engagements. We have met with several Disappointments, not only in the inability of the Bank here to give us accommodation,...
821To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 12 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
We had the honor of your two Letters, first and eighth Inst., covering a letter from the Secretary of War (which is returned) and also the several papers to be forwarded to Messrs Willink of Amsterdam —One complete set of those papers, with a [ ] of the power, signed by all of the Commissioners, will be forwarded to the Secretary at War by him, to be transmitted to Holland by fridays Mail—We...
822To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 22 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
The board, pursuant to your request, have had under consideration the propriety of permitting the erecting of wooden buildings in the City, & enclose you the result—should you be of opinion that the proposed suspension should take place, they have forwarded a sketch of the form which appears to them to be proper. We are happy to have it in our power to inform you, that a letter has been...
823To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 13 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of a correspondence between Mr Scott & Mr Robert Gilmor of Baltimore, and a conversation Mr White had with Mr Gilmor, in his return from Phila., we have judged it expedient, through his means to set on foot a negotiation for a Loan in Holland—Mr Gilmor expressed a very clear opinion that the necessary Sums may be procured at an interest not exceeding 6 percent per Annum,...
824To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 20 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
We had the honor of your favor of the 15th Instant—Your Ideas respecting the capitol are those which have been the prevailing ones with us for some time—No step has been omitted to put things in a state for advancing that building, as far as possible during the present Season; and we expect it to progress 30 additional feet, at least, by December next —You would see by our last Letters to you,...
825To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 21 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
We had the honor of receiving yours of the 17th Inst. by last mail —The ideas expressed in your former Letter, were perfectly understood, as you will see, by our answer of yesterday[.] We wish a Bill to incorporate the Commissioners, may be passed by Congress —It will obviate many inconveniencies, & place the property of the United-States in a more eligible situation than heretofore—We had...
826To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 20 April 1795 (Washington Papers)
It being our earnest wish that every means of just information should be furnished to form a proper Opinion on Mr Johnsons claim under the Contract entered into by the late Board with Morris & Greenleaf; we beg leave to forward to you in addition to the Statement handed in by Dr Thornton—the Contract with Greenleaf (see page 3rd marked with double Lines) The State of the Case and opinion of...
827To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 1 October 1796 (Washington Papers)
Conformably to your wish, expressed to us, when we had last the honor of your company, we have taken into consideration such matters, relative to the business of the City, as appear to require your attention, and beg leave, respectfully, to submit our opinions thereon—With respect to a national university, we are of opinion, that the Space heretofore proposed to be appropriated for a fort and...
828To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 14 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
Our Letter of Yesterday, covering the power of attorney to Messrs Willink, will shew you, that we are busily engaged in endeavoring to draw some good effects from the Loan Bill which has cost us so much time & trouble—We beg leave to submit to your consideration, the enclosed advertisement, which, when approved by you, we wish to appear in the public prints at Boston, New York and Phila., as...
829To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 11–12 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
Doctor Thornton’s Plan for a Capitol has been laid before us; the rooms for the different Branches of Congress and the Conference Room, are much to our satisfaction and its outward appearance we expect will be Striking, & pleasing On the whole it gains our preference tho. we cannot but fear that several of the Small Rooms, of which there seems to us, there are more than necessary will want...
830To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 1 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Esteeming it necessary to have your written order for Sales in the City we have enclosed a Draft, a Copy of that given last year, to be Signed against the approaching public Sales—An Idea has been pretty generally entertained, that it would be prudent to Sink a part of the price on condition of Speedy Improvement, and we have presumed to enclose the Draft of an Order calculated for that End,...
831To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 30 November 1796 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 30 Nov. 1796 . GW wrote the commissioners on 26 Dec. : “Your letters of the 30th and 30th of November … are now before me.” Only one letter for that date has been found.
832To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 7 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
Having many reasons for wishing an interview with you at this meeting we cannot but express our regret at the Circumstances which have prevented it. We have the pleasure to inform you that it will be in our power from the Arrangements we have made with Mr Peter, the Proprietor of the Square on which your lots lie to accomodate you agreeably to your desire with the whole Square. The...
833To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 2 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
We have your favor of the 26th Ulto, covering the opinion of the Attorney General —It is by no means, our wish that any alterations should be made in the published plan of the City —It may, with great truth, be asserted, that every change occasions infinite trouble to the Commissioners, and creates confusion with the proprietors—We are yet without a full board, and are therefore prevented from...
834To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 28 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
Major Ellicotts return in November, after being absent great part of the Summer, and soon after we had employed his Brother Joseph, was so plainly calculated to be heavy on the Funds, that we could not submit to it, and discharged him at our last Meeting: we flattered ourselves, that we should have more expedition and Quiet too with his Brothers, but he has continued here, and has, we believe,...
835To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 31 October 1796 (Washington Papers)
Since our first Letter of this date, we have thought it prudent to write to Mr Wolcott & to enclose to him the proposals for a Loan from the Bank, drawn out into detail, both which are left open for your perusal & approbation, without which we do not consider ourselves at liberty to make the propositions —Not knowing what may be the event of the application to the Bank, we have thought it...
836To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 3 December 1796 (Washington Papers)
We are honored with your Letter of 27th Ulto, and on friday, agreeably to your expectations, we received a Letter from Mr Wolcott, informing of the failure of his negotiation with Mr Hope —The board therefore, immediately authorised Mr Scott to repair to Annapolis, and to negotiate a Loan with the Legislature of Maryland, agreeably to the terms of your act, authorising that measure —On an...
837To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 9 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
We have had explanations with majr Ellicott, there appears to us no occasion to tire you with particulars in general. He is to continue under a general Arrangement marked out which we flatter ourselves will spur to attention and activity platting and dividing, the Squares on Certificates from the head of the surveying department is to be the Work of a different person—As we mentioned before,...
838To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 7 October 1796 (Washington Papers)
Since our last to you, Mr Walker has been with us, and has often mentioned the subject treated of in the inclosed Letter—presuming that you have yet come to no determination on the Several Subjects submitted in our last Letters for your opinion, we inclose a copy of Mr Walker’s Letter, which, if it deserves weight, will, we have no doubt, receive it. We are, with entire respect Yrs &c. LB ,...
839To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 25 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
We are sorry to be under the disagreeable necessity of mentioning to you an Occurance which must wound your feelings. On our meeting here to day, we were to our great astonishment informed that, Majr L’Enfant, without any Authority from us, & without even having submitted the matter to our consideration, had proceeded to demolish, Mr Carroll’s house, Mr Carroll who had received some letters,...
840To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 8 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Papers give the best state we are able of Danl Carroll’s House —the times of the several runnings and their Difference can best be ascertained by the Artists employed, for, of the first we have no Certainty, of the latter we can conclude nothing—Majr L’Enfant has written us a Letter Concerning Mr Youngs House and Improvements, and without any previous Consultation with us another...
841To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 17 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
We had the honor of your favor of the 11th Instant, with the Inclosure & shall now proceed to take a conveyance of all the property in which the United States have an interest —The State of the business laid before you by Messrs Budd & Prior was particularly stated to you on your way to Mount Vernon, last summer, & the measures to be pursued by the board were approved of by you— We now inclose...
842To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 3 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
Upon an accurate research into the several laws past by the Legislature of Maryland respecting that part of the City formerly known by the names of Carrollsburgh and Hamburgh, it is thought, that the order lately made by you for a reconveyance, may not be extensive enough to include those Lots—We therefore take the liberty of requesting your signature to the enclosed, which will include all...
843To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 26 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
A variety of considerations have induced us to think, that many and great benefits might result from the employment of a person of intelligence, to make a tour for a few months into the Eastern States, and inform himself of the terms on which men, and materials may be had—We are happy that Mr Cabots engagements have permitted him to undertake this Office. We have requested him to call on you...
844To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 9 December 1795 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed letter you will observe is requested to be forwarded to you, we know not why, but do not think ourselves at liberty to refuse the request; the answer also accompanies the Letter. Mr Law is at all times entitled to our best attention, but our finances will not at present permit the laying out money in levelling streets or making highways. Nothing new has occur’d since our last; if...
845To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 31 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
This letter with the enclosure will be handed to you by Mr George Hadfield. We conceived the contents of his address as involving matters in too serious a nature to be determined on without the interposition of the Executive. We consider Mr Hadfields declaration as tending to involve the progression of the building in much uncertainty and perplexity as he states he cannot progress without...
846To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 30 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
The affairs of the City have hitherto not materially suffered for want of money, tho undoubtedly they would have been taken up on a much larger scale at the beginning of the Season had it not been foreseen that the funds would not permit it. The Treasury will be without a shilling in ten days time; all the provisions and many of the materials necessary for the ensuing season must be contracted...
847To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 5 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
We have the pleasure of informing you that notwithstanding the total failure in payments from Morris and Greenleaf since June last we have insured the progression of the public buildings till the first of December unless we should be Disappointed in a sale of our Bank Stock. It is not improbable but we shall by an immediate sale be compelled to make a Sacrifice of six or eight ⅌ Cent even this...
848To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 18 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 9th instant came duly to hand. on friday Mr Scott returned from Annapolis and Mr White from Virginia in consequence a full board has been held every day since; The principal object of deliberation has been the very important and delicate subject of the proposed change in the plan of the Capitol, the result you will see from the enclosed copies; and in some measure the ground...
849To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 27 October 1795 (Washington Papers)
Since you left this we have been favor’d with the enclosed Communication from General Forrest on a subject very interesting to the City; we enclose you a copy of the Generals letter as it gives the object in view and the prospect of success very fully. Whilst an application to the Legislature of Maryland is contemplated by us with much pleasure, we have no Idea of abandoning the plan laid...
850To George Washington from the Commissioners for the Federal District, 2 August 1791 (Washington Papers)
We have your communication of Mr Peter’s proposals for wharfing and To day had propositions from Mr George French to cut the Canal from James’s to Goose Creek and wharf the sides of the Creek, fill in and compleat the work for twenty two thousand pounds—We are not furnished with Mr Peter’s Estimate, but suppose it would amount to a large sum—On a rough estimate we expect in October we must pay...