1. GW approved the form and returned a signed executive order dated 25 June when he replied to the commissioners on 26 June. GW likely requested an allowance to erect wooden buildings in conversation with the commissioners on 19 June, when he spent the day at the Federal City (see Oliver Ellsworth to GW, 19 June, n.1).

2. Robert Morris and John Nicholson wrote Alexander White on 13 June that “as we are preparing for our Journey to the City of Washington you may rely that one or both of us will set out in the course of this Week and bring with us the means of making a handsome payment to the Commissioners” (DNA: RG 42, Records of the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, Letters Received).

3. The commissioners wrote Secretary of the Treasury Oliver Wolcott, Jr., from Washington, D.C., on 20 June: “We are informed by the President of the United States that he has had some conversation with you on the subject of aiding us with money, through the agency of the Bank of the United States for the purpose of erecting the public buildings in this City—At his desire, we now apply for more particular information: should the proposed purchase of the lately created 6 ⅌ cent Stock, take place at what rates would it sell in small quantities, say 3 or 4000 Dolls. weekly, or 10, 12 or 15000 Dollars ⅌ month? And what will be the nature of the security required by the Bank, for the repayment? … We wish for a speedy communication of your sentiments, the affairs of the City requiring immediate supplies, should we fail in this, there ought to be no delay in pursuing other measures” (DNA: RG 42, Records of the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, Letters Sent).

Wolcott replied to the commissioners on 27 June that no stock sales had “yet been made, nor can any judgement be formed how extensive the applications will be; there is no probability however that the whole sum of Two Millions & an half will be applied for, on the first of July—The price which the Stock will command in the Market is a matter of uncertainty; the late intelligence from Europe announcing the recommencement of hostilities will depress the price lower than it otherwise would have been, perhaps it may prevent the sale of any considerable sum at present—It will be most safe for the Commissioners to wait until after an experiment has been made by sales in the Market; when the present value of the Stock must be ascertained—If however the Commissioners choose to become purchasers in the first instance, their application may be made either here or at the Office of Discount & Deposit at Baltimore.

“I do not find any probability of being able to obtain a direct Loan from the Bank of the United States, as the means of that Institution are inadequ⟨ate⟩ to the demands of the Merchants of this City” (DNA: RG 42, Records of the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, Letters Received).

The commissioners wrote the president and directors of the Bank of Columbia on 21 June: “The gentlemen of your board are too well informed of the finances of the City Not to know, that we have, for some time, been strugling with great difficulties on that score.” After discussing their prospects for money from The Netherlands and reviewing their relationship with the bank (to whom they owed “about 42,000 Dollars”), they proposed to borrow $58,000 at 6 percent interest “to be paid to us in four equal monthly instalments—the first payment to be made on the first day of Augt & so monthly, until the whole sum shall be paid—The whole of our debt of 100,000 Dollars to the Bank to be secured by note, to bear an Interest of 6 ⅌ cent & payable 6 months after date, & to be endorsed to your satisfaction. …

“This is intended as a proposition to the Bank for consideration, & we do not wish any measures to be taken, until we hear from the Secretary of the Treasury” (DNA: RG 42, Records of the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, Letters Sent).