George Washington Papers
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To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 14 May 1796

From the Commissioners for the District of Columbia

City of Washington 14th May 1796

sir

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 soon as possible—There can be no reason to return them to us, previous to their being inserted in the public prints; when approved by you, we shall immediately proceed to have the advertizement inserted in the public prints here and in the Southern States1—We are using our best endeavors to procure some immediate supplies to commence, actively, on the public buildings—We are not yet able to say what will be the result—Morris & Nicholson promise to come forward in the course of the month, but experience will not permit us to place much confidence in their promises2—We mean, however, to proceed to advertise their property for Sale on the first of June, agreeably to the notice given them, unless they make their payments, as required—We have the honor &c.

(signed)   G. Scott
W. Thornton
A. White

LB, DNA: RG 42, Records of the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, Letters Sent.

1The advertisement on this date reads: “The Commissioners give notice, that under direction of the President of the U. States they will immediately proceed to the Sale of Lots in the said City, and continue the same until they shall have raised a sum sufficient to compleat the Public Buildings, and to repay all sums borrowed or hereafter to be borrowed for that purpose. they will sell on moderate terms, and will give a preference to those who mean to improve—One third part of the price will be expected in hand, and the remainder in two equal annual payments—Or in deferred Stock of the U. States as may best suit Purchasers—Information respecting the situation and prices of Lots may be had at the Commissioners Office in the said City where constant attendance will be given” (DNA: RG 42, Records of the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, Letters Received).

2Commissioner Alexander White had written Robert Morris and John Nicholson from Philadelphia on 9 May to threaten sale of their lots “as soon as 30 days after the May instalment becomes due” if $12,000 was not paid. Morris and Nicholson replied to White from Philadelphia that same date: “Our inclination to pay the instalments to the Commissioners of the Federal City has more influence over our Conduct, than any other consideration can have.

“We shall therefore make exertions to pay the $12000 you mention within the time prescribed because we believe it to be necessary to progress in the buildings and we think we shall be able to accomplish this payment to Your wish” (both letters, DNA: RG 42, Records of the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, Letters Received).

White’s correspondence with Morris and Nicholson resulted from White’s conversation with GW on 7 May. White summarized the exchange when he wrote the commissioners from Philadelphia on Monday, 9 May: “Altho: I expect to accompany this letter as [far] as the City of Washington I have supposed there might be a propriety in the whole of my proceedings at this place appearing on your file. And therefore inform you that on Saturday I had a conversation with the President on the affairs of the City in which I submitted to his consideration the following subjects.

“1st Morris and Nicholson

“2d The Sale of Lots

“3d The Roof and Stair Case of the Presidents House

“4th The erecting Buildings for the Executive Departments

“5th The propriety of retaining a Treasurer

“6th The propriety of selling the Freestone Quarry reserving a right to take as much Stone as may be necessary for the Publick Buildings

“In regard to the first he is of opinion, that no further indulgence ought to be granted, and that I should acquaint those Gentlemen with that determination before I should leave the City. …

“With respect to the second, he repeated his opinion as formerly expressed as to large Sales but thinks it proper to sell in small quantities to such as mean to improve, and that the money arising from these Sales may be applied to the payment of the interest of the money borrowed, if a Loan shall be made, and the Overplus, if any, invested in the U: States stock to indemnify the Gover[n]ment against the Guarantee, and that this measure should be made as publick as possible, As to the prices at which Lots ought to sell he gave no opinion.

“The roof of the Presidents House, he wishes to be of Slate, if it is within our means, that is, if the expence will not be too great. And if Workmen whose skill and integrity may be relied on can be procured to execute—With respect to the Stair Case, he said he was not well acquainted with such things, but supposed that any Stone other than marble, and a particular kind of marble too would have a very heavy appearance, and that marble would be very expensive, On the whole he appeared to prefer Wood, and intimated very plainly a wish, that such private matters might be conducted without particular applications to him.

“He thinks nothing should be done towards erecting Buildings for the Executive Departments until the Presidents House and Capital are finished, or so far advanced that their seasonable completion may be relied on.

“A Treasurer he thinks a useless Officer in the present state of things—and consequently an unnecessary expense, At the commencement of the business when the Commissioners resided at a distance and seldom met, it might be necessary to have some responsible Person on the spot to receive and pay money but now the Commissioners, always present may deposit the money, when there is any on hand, with the Bank of Columbia and draw it out as wanted.

“The Freestone Quarry he would not agree to sell unless compelled to it by the absolute want of money, as he thinks the value will rapidly rise with the encrease of the City” (DNA: RG 42, Records of the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, Letters Received).

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