1From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 31 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
The regular course which the affairs of The Federal City are likely to move in by the appointment of a Superintendant, who may relieve you from details, & from all sacrifices of time except your periodical meetings, enables me now to proceed, on more certain ground, to the subject of compensation. That a proper compensation should be made you, must undoubtedly be the public expectation as well...
2From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 31 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
(Private) Gentlemen, Philadelphia January 31st 1793 I have had under consideration Mr Hallet’s plans for the Capitol, which undoubtedly have a great deal of merit. Doctor Thornton has also given me a view of his. These last come forward under some very advantageous circumstances. The Grandeur, Simplicity and Beauty of the exterior—the propriety with which the apartments are distributed—and the...
3From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 3 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
This will be handed to you by Doctor Thornton of this City, who goes forward to lay before you a plan which he has prepared for the Capitol proposed to be built in the federal City. Grandeur, Simplicity and Convenience appear to be so well combined in this plan of Doctor Thornton’s, that I have no doubt of its meeting with that approbation from you, which I have given it upon an attentive...
4From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 3 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the 5th of January and 8th of february. The former enclosing a List of the squares actually divided &c.—copies of two letters from Majr Ellicott; and a statement of your certain funds & probable expenditures for the year 1793. Altho’ I have written to you since the receipt of your first Letter, yet, I have not ’till this moment had time to...
5From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 2 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
I approve of the Plan of Doctr Thornton for a Capitol to be erected in the City of Washington. LB , DNA : RG 42, Records of the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, Proceedings. GW received William Thornton’s partial plan of the Capitol in January, and the architect submitted his final design on 1 Mar. ( GW to D.C. Commissioners, 31 Jan. [second letter] , 3 Mar. [first letter] , to...
6From George Washington to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 3 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
On my way to, and at the landing of George Town yesterday, I had a good deal of conversation with Major Ellicott—who says, if you will give him an opportunity, he will make it appear to your satisfaction that there are not those errors in his work that have been reported; and that the work reported to have been done, and not actually executed he is persuaded he can expln to your entire...