1. The copy of Thomas Law’s letter to the commissioners, written on 6 Feb. from Washington, D.C., reads: “I am obliged by the perusal of the Letter from the President—His mind, being ever intent upon the public good, and his disposition always ready to adopt its suggestions, of course, he expected the same from others—At first, he slightly suggested the propriety of Mr Scott’s residing in the City, next, he was delicately urgent, but, at length, when mildness had almost degenerated into culpability, he uses the language of exhausted forbearance.

“As it has been doubted whether there are habitations near the Capitol, for the Commissioners, their Offices and Officers, with their families, permit me to explain to you, how the whole may be accommodated.

“1st Mr [George] Ralph’s house, which lately belonged to the public, would, very well suit one Commissr.

“2—The house now occupied by Mr [George] Hadfield, would accommodate another.

“3—Mr [William] Thornton is already provided, and if either of the two houses above-mentioned, would not answer, Doctor [John I.] Crocker’s house would be soon ready.

“4—The offices might all be held in Mr Carroll’s houses, at a lower rent than at present and the Papers might be more securely lodged.

“5—Mr [Thomas] Munroe and his family, might reside in Mr Barcklay’s house, or, in a good brick house belonging to Mr Burrows.

“6—Mr [James Reed] Dermott might reside in his own brick house.

“Thus, you perceive, gentlemen that there are plenty of houses, all ready; but should others be wanting, I will relinquish my own, and remove any where, & chearfully submit, with my family, to a temporary inconvenience, which would be nothing, in my mind, when put in competition with the advantages to result from the arrangement: and others will do the same.

“Mr [Daniel] Carroll [of Duddington] promises, immediately, to erect an hotel at the Capitol, & I will instantly commence solid Improvements, to promote private buildings for Congress—Mr [William] Cooke of Annapolis, Samuel Ringold [Ringgold] of Hagers Town & Mr [John] Tayloe of Virginia, resolved, last Year, to build on Square 688—In short, if you, Gentlemen, will reside near the Capitol, your presence will create a Society, and not only promote the public-buildings, but more private houses, in One Year, than have been produced in the Six last.

“I earnestly request that the board will not separate at this important crisis; and as I trust, this statement will be acceptable to you, and agreeable to the President, you will oblige me by transmitting it to him, with any remarks, for every proprietor in the City, will benefit by a certainty that Congress would have buildings ready for them, and must know their fate, by your decisions” (DLC:GW). Law may have perused GW’s letter to the commissioners of 29 Jan., which had enclosed a letter from George Walker criticizing Gustavus Scott’s residence in Georgetown.

George Ralph, the rector of Christ Church, Washington Parish, had properties on E Street between 6th and 7th streets, NW, and on the north side of East Capitol Street (see Law to GW, 8 Feb., and n.4). For George Hadfield’s nineteenth-century residence at the corner of F and 8th streets, see King, George Hadfield description begins Julia King. George Hadfield: Architect of the Federal City. Farnham, England, and Burlington, Vt., 2014. description ends , 216–17. For Dr. John I. Crocker’s three-story brick house at the northeast corner of 9th and E streets, NW, see Bryan, National Capital description begins Wilhelmus Bogart Bryan. A History of the National Capital: From Its Foundation through the Period of the Adoption of the Organic Act. 2 vols. New York, 1914–16. description ends , 1:324, 350. For Law’s probable residence, see Martha Parke Custis Peter to GW, 18 Jan., n.1.

2. Following this word, the LB has “it is transmitted to you.”