From Thomas Jefferson to John Lenthall, 11 June 1806
Washington June 11. 1806
Sir
Mr. Latrobe, at my request, furnished me with a statement of the progressive advance of the S. wing of the Capitol which would be necessary to ensure it’s completion in time for the next session of Congress, of which I inclose you a copy. I desired at the same time that reports might be made to me from time to time of the actual progress, so that we might judge of the expediency of employing more hands. according to mr Latrobe’s statement I have fixed on the epochs at which I wish you to return me reports of the work actually done at each epoch, and that whenever it shall be found to be short of what his statement requires, additional hands may be employed so as that the work shall overtake the statement before the next epoch for reporting. According to this paper the 1st. report asked from you will be the 15th. inst. and after that I have to request that you will in like manner report on the
1st. & 14th. of July
1st. & 15th. of Aug.
2d. & 15th. of Sep.
and the 1st. of October.
as I shall be absent the months of Aug. & Sep. the reports of those months being put into the post office will reach me in three days. Accept my salutations & best wishes.
Th: Jefferson
DLC: Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
Enclosure
Reporting days as to the progress on the S. wing of the Capitol.
| Ist. report. | June 15. | by this time the erection of the shafts of the internal pilaster should be
compleated; the shaft of the center South columns set. the capping course on the E. of the Zocle walk compleated, and all the capitals on the West columns set. |
| IId. report. | July 1. | the architrave on the West side is to be got up by this day, all the columns on the E. side set all the sashes and frames of the Office story put in, & the grounds for the plaistering put up. |
| IIId. report. | July 14. | the frieze on the W. side is to be set before this day the architrave on the E. side began to be set the plaistering of the S.W. rooms to be begun |
| IVth. report. | Aug. 1. | the architrave & frieze all round, is to be set before this day the Lobby on the W. side to be covered |
| Vth. report. | Aug. 15. | the timber of the roof on the W. side in great forwardness, and some of it on
the roof. the East lobby to be covered by this day |
| VIth. report. | Sep. 1. | all the freestone work is to be finished by this time ready to recieve the roof.
the setting up the ribs of the Dome will be begun. |
| VIIth. report. | Sep. 15. | the covering the Dome with iron begun by this day. |
| VIIIth. report. | Oct. 1. | the whole roof is to be covered by this day. |