32351To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 1 October 1796 (Washington Papers)
We enclose a copy of a Letter from Messrs Morris & Nicholson respecting the completion of their titles; and supposing that the most eligible mode of accommodating those gentlemen, as well as all others similarly circumstanced, will be, to obtain a conveyance from the Trustees to the Commissioners, agreeably to a clause in the Deeds of Trust, authorising such conveyance; we also enclose a form...
32352To George Washington from Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 19 November 1799 (Washington Papers)
We were this morning favored with your letter of yesterday—Your check has been paid, and the Balance of your Dividend being 93 53/100 Dolls. is enclosed in a post note of the Bank of Columbia —We are, with Sentiments &c., LB , DNA : RG 42, Records of the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, Letters Sent. In his letter to the commissioners of 18 Nov., GW enclosed a check “on the Bank of...
32353To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 21 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
We have before had occasion to inform you, that we had contracted with Mr Fendall, for the delivery of rough foundation Stones, from the falls to the amount of £1200, to be delivered by next and the money to be paid at different periods during the delivery, our attention has since been directed to the securing some of the Quarries on Acquia. Before doing any thing final however, it was...
32354To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, September 1795 (Washington Papers)
We had the pleasure of your favor by Mr Lear Covering Mr Morriss Letter of the 21t instant —finding that Mr Morris is of Opinion that we have no power to sell his property we think it highly necessary to assure him that we are impress’d with very Different sentiments and shall if Compelled by him take the advice of able Counsel on the point—We enclose a Copy of our letter to Mr Morris with his...
32355To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 14 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
We have to acknowledge the receipt of your several dispatches to us by the last Post —We regret you should have had any occasion to experience the untowardness of Majr LEnfants Temper—But without it, you could not have been so sensible of the very great disquietude which he has given us—As we were sincerely desirous, of retaining him as long as it was practiable, we cannot but lament the...
32356To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 23 April 1794 (Washington Papers)
We take the Liberty to inclose you a Letter for Messrs Richard Harrison and George Taylor Jr, which we beg you to read and send to them: it will apprize you of our very difficult Situation with Mr Blodget, who has come hither without any Thing nearly, but evasions and excuses—we have past by the Secretary, because we imagine his time will not allow this to be a first object to him as it is...
32357To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 5 September 1793 (Washington Papers)
we have now before us your Letters of the 13th & 29th of last month, the surveyor will be informed of your direction, in consequence of our Letter of the first of august and of the result of our views with him of the two short avenues on the spot which we intend this morning —we have so good an opinion of the probity and disinterestedness of Capn Conway and Mr David Ross of Bladensburgh, whose...
32358To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 12 August 1796 (Washington Papers)
Our affairs with Messrs Morris & Nicholson bearing something like an appearance of drawing to a crisis; we beg leave to enclose you our two last letters to those gentlemen, with their Answers —We hope and believe that things are now in a train to raise some money from that unfortunate Contract, and we think it not prudent to let the breaches of Contract respecting the buildings until after the...
32359To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 27 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 20th would have been sooner attended to, but the mails have lately come in, very irregularly, & always late at night —mr Davidson’s will be taken up as soon as we have a full board, which will be the last of this or beginning of next week —what mr Davidson alludes to in his memorial, where he says, deviations have been made since the publication of the engraved plan, we know...
32360To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 1 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
We inclose you a copy of the return of the 29th of July, from the surveyors office, which will give an Idea of the progress and state of the work of that department and a copy of Mr Briggs and B. Ellicotts letter of the 31st. You will be pleased to observe that they propose, three small alterations, which will be understood on referring to the printed plan. 1st stopping S. carolina Avenue west...
32361To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 9 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
Since closing our letter of this date we have had conversation with Mr Blodget on the Subject of another letter The avidity which the Ticketts of the present have been bought up, the probability of the sale of Ticketts in the time of the drawing and the Sale of lots, and our being restrained by an Act of the Assembly of Maryland from raising a Lottery after the first of June, have induced us...
32362To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 18 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 20th of January relates to one of the most engaging subjects with which the human mind can be impressed. The Legislators of all enlightened Countries have thought the education of youth so important to the welfare of Society that it has been a primary object of their attention. It is a theme which merits the most serious Consideration of United America at this time; for, as...
32363To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 21 October 1791 (Washington Papers)
The numbers 3 in Square 107 at £20 No. 8 in Square 87, at 55 No. 15 in Square 105 at 92, and No. 16 in the same Square at 76£ fall again to the public those bids were to protect its Interest so that the real Sales are of Thirty one Lots averaging 96 . . 7 . . 9. To accomodate some Strangers we were obliged after the payment of the ¼ Deposit to agree that the Land should stand as Security,...
32364To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 7 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Desirous of answering your letters on particular subjects, we think it best to do it separately. With a view to settle all accounts to the first of this month and to form, as far as we might be able, a scheme of the business for the ensuing year, we met here the day before yesterday. many accounts are presented for our examination, the aggregate of which, exceeds our expectation, and many of...
32365To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 31 October 1796 (Washington Papers)
We were favored, by last Mail, with the two inclosed Letters, which are forwarded by the earliest conveyance since their arrival; not having been received until the Saturday’s Mail had been closed—The prospects held out by Messrs Willinks are by no means flattering —We inclose an answer to their letter which we presume will readily meet with a conveyance to Amsterdam or Hamburgh; a copy of...
32366To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 19 July 1792 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday the Commissrs Contracted with Mr Hoben for his services by the year at 300 Guineas, his Draft and Attention may, be confined to the Palace or extended to other objects they may chuse. Doctor Stewart’s uneasiness at the State of his Family occasioned his leaving us as soon as the most material of our Business was finished—This morning we went with Mr Hoben to the Seite of the Palace...
32367To George Washington from the District of Columbia Commissioners, 3 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
We had the honor of your favor of the 28 th ulto enclosing two Checks on the Bank of Alexandria; the one for D. Carroll for $428 40/100 the other for the Commissioners $178 57/100, and have directed the proper conveyances to be prepared for your purchases of the public; the deed from Mr Carroll was executed this day. Mr Blagdin delivered in his estimate yesterday amounting to $12,982 29/100....
32368To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 4 February 1795 (Washington Papers)
The Board have for some time contemplated a statement of the affairs of the City, to be laid before you; which has been hitherto delayed by the difficulty of collecting the several Documents necessary to accompany it; and which even yet are very far from being perfect. Independent of the present circumstances of Affairs, there are strong reasons why our proceedings at certain stated periods...
32369Enclosure: Daniel Carroll’s Case, 8 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
In 1790. the Cellar of his House was walled up and stood so the Winter—30th March 1791. He signed the Agreement subjecting his property. Mark’d. A. 27th or 28th June 1791 he executed a deed in Trust to Carry the Agreement into Effect—The Original is in the Office at Annapolis where it was lodged to be recorded, but the paper B. is a Copy of the trust part of that and the other Deeds. (B.) In...
32370To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 13 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed we send you a list of our Sales, which were closed yesterday. Tho’ the average price is not entirely equal to that of the first sales, yet, when it is considered, that the Company assembled, was by no means such, as might have been expected, from the unlucky intervention of several circumstances; and allso, that it was the Public opinion, that the first sales were too high; and that...
32371To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 23 March 1794 (Washington Papers)
We inclose you a Certificate of your Purchase of Lots, and payment of the price, which by a late Act transfers the Title without the formality of Deeds—This is a Duplicate, the Original is lodged in the Office of the recording Clerk, to be entered by him, and will be returned to our Office. We were not unmindful of your intention of becoming a Purchaser of a Situation in the other end of the...
32372To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 3 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
It is with much regret, we trouble you with the enclosures, but as the appropriations will now be finally determined, we hope it will be the last application on that subject—We have only to observe, that Mr Davidson has received payment for his proportion of the President’s Square, as delineated on the engraved plan —We are, with sentiments &c. LB , DNA : RG 42, Records of the Commissioners...
32373To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 13 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
This day has been Cheifly spent in writing letter to Major Ellicott. those and his as well as his hand bill we enclose you—We are vexed and tired by an Intercourse so triffling —It may be proper to inform you, that when we were at Prouts House last night with Major Ellicott, he offered us the Platt of the Territory telling us he had received it from you, with Orders to make additions, we...
32374To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 6 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your Letter of the 29th Ulto did not reach the City till late on friday evening, of course, it could not receive an earlier attention—We hope with you that the Spring will be early and exertions shall not be wanting, on our part, to forward the public buildings—Our own Ideas with respect to the mode of carrying them on, we expressed loosely in our Letter of 31st Ulto. when we say, “we think it...
32375To George Washington from Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 4 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
We have made all the examination in our power of the enclosed Estimate, and so far as relates to the foundation Stone, free stone and Brick work, taking it for granted the materials are to be of the best kind, and the work done in the strongest and neatest way, that the Estimate is not unreasonable. We have the highest opinion of the integrity of Mr Blagdin, and of his knowledge of stone and...
32376To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 9 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
On Saturday morning we passed the enclosed order to Mr Boaraff, nor suspected that there would be any repugnance to, or delay in carrying it into effect. We saw nothing of him again till today, having in the morning heard that he had been in Virginia, had an intercourse with Mr Roberdeau there, returned and was proceeding in the old line. Soon after this he came to our Room to settle the pay...
32377To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 21 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
We do ourselves the honor of inclosing a Memorial concerning the intended University, about which, you expressed a desire to receive some documents, which, if judged proper, might be laid before Congress—The one inclosed, has been drawn up with a view to that object; and the authors of it will feel the highest gratification, if it in any degree brings about the commencement of this great...
32378To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 6 June 1792 (Washington Papers)
We enclose you a Copy of a Section of our Act of the Assembly of Maryland, passed at the last session, the Treasurer, as we are informed, has about 24,000 Dollars now in Hand, we shall be obliged to you for your Order, as the late Demands has been so heavy that it is proper to lodge more Money in our Treasurers hands —There is a Ballance of 5746 Maryland Currency yet to receive on the Virginia...
32379To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 24 July 1795 (Washington Papers)
The enclosed Letter from the Secretary of State covering the charge made by Mr Greenleaf were received by the mail the Day you left town. Upon such an occasion we thought the sooner an Invitation to Greenleaf to come forward and substantiate his charges was handed to him the better. The enclosed answer to him open and under Cover to the Secretary of State which is also enclosed was forwarded...
32380To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 8 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
We have received your favour of 31st January on the subject of the Compensation necessary to be made us for our part and future services as Commissioners, and requiring a candid communication of our Sentiments thereupon—As it is both Interesting and delicate and withall one in which we are jointly concerned we hope it will be a sufficient apology for our not entering on it at present, that Mr...
32381To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 10 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Several Incidents have occurred since Yesterday Evening—We had a conversation with Mr Roberdeau, which at first ⟨intimated⟩ no disposition to accomodate but afterwards on being renewed opened a prospect of our being able to retain him consistant with our own Views—This morning received a Letter from him and had another Conversation with him, which induced us to point out by Letter to him...
32382To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 11 November 1796 (Washington Papers)
We were duly favored with your letter of the 7th Inst. That the inaccuracy of our Clerk and our own inattention should have occasioned so much trouble to the Executive, excites sensations scarcely to be expressed. The Words per annum noted by you are not contained in the original Draft of the letter to Messrs Willink, from which, the letter itself, and the copy inclosed with it, for your...
32383To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 9 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
After closing our Letter of the 5th we wrote Majr Ellicott—a copy is sent, to which we soon received the inclosed answer —We feel a strong disinclination to go into discussions before the public and believe we shall not be led or drove into it. We are Sir with the greatest respect & esteem Your Obt hble Servts LS , DLC:GW ; LB , DNA : RG 42, Records of the Commissioners for the District of...
32384To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 2 January 1795 (Washington Papers)
We did ourselves the honor of inclosing, in our answer to your letter, two Communications to Messrs Trumbu⟨ll. W⟩e could not at that time determine what should be done relative to Mr Hatfield. We require all the aid of Talents, but the inadequacy of our Funds restrain our Engagements. We have met with several Disappointments, not only in the inability of the Bank here to give us accommodation,...
32385To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 12 July 1796 (Washington Papers)
We had the honor of your two Letters, first and eighth Inst., covering a letter from the Secretary of War (which is returned) and also the several papers to be forwarded to Messrs Willink of Amsterdam —One complete set of those papers, with a [ ] of the power, signed by all of the Commissioners, will be forwarded to the Secretary at War by him, to be transmitted to Holland by fridays Mail—We...
32386To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 22 June 1796 (Washington Papers)
The board, pursuant to your request, have had under consideration the propriety of permitting the erecting of wooden buildings in the City, & enclose you the result—should you be of opinion that the proposed suspension should take place, they have forwarded a sketch of the form which appears to them to be proper. We are happy to have it in our power to inform you, that a letter has been...
32387To George Washington from the District of Columbia Commissioners, 15 October 1798 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from the District of Columbia Commissioners, 15 Oct. 1798. On 17 Oct. GW acknowledged the receipt of the commissioners’ “favour of the 15th.”
32388To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 13 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
In consequence of a correspondence between Mr Scott & Mr Robert Gilmor of Baltimore, and a conversation Mr White had with Mr Gilmor, in his return from Phila., we have judged it expedient, through his means to set on foot a negotiation for a Loan in Holland—Mr Gilmor expressed a very clear opinion that the necessary Sums may be procured at an interest not exceeding 6 percent per Annum,...
32389To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 20 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
We had the honor of your favor of the 15th Instant—Your Ideas respecting the capitol are those which have been the prevailing ones with us for some time—No step has been omitted to put things in a state for advancing that building, as far as possible during the present Season; and we expect it to progress 30 additional feet, at least, by December next —You would see by our last Letters to you,...
32390To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 21 February 1797 (Washington Papers)
We had the honor of receiving yours of the 17th Inst. by last mail —The ideas expressed in your former Letter, were perfectly understood, as you will see, by our answer of yesterday[.] We wish a Bill to incorporate the Commissioners, may be passed by Congress —It will obviate many inconveniencies, & place the property of the United-States in a more eligible situation than heretofore—We had...
32391To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 20 April 1795 (Washington Papers)
It being our earnest wish that every means of just information should be furnished to form a proper Opinion on Mr Johnsons claim under the Contract entered into by the late Board with Morris & Greenleaf; we beg leave to forward to you in addition to the Statement handed in by Dr Thornton—the Contract with Greenleaf (see page 3rd marked with double Lines) The State of the Case and opinion of...
32392To George Washington from the District of Columbia Commissioners, 25 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
We received your Letter of 22d Inst., and in consequence, have caused the Draft of an agreement to be made, such as appeared to us to correspond with your ideas, but lest any alterations might be wished, we advised Mr Blagdin to wait on you with it, and to take with him the Plans, specifications &c, so that if you have stamped paper, the duty on which will be seventy five cents per sheet, the...
32393To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 1 October 1796 (Washington Papers)
Conformably to your wish, expressed to us, when we had last the honor of your company, we have taken into consideration such matters, relative to the business of the City, as appear to require your attention, and beg leave, respectfully, to submit our opinions thereon—With respect to a national university, we are of opinion, that the Space heretofore proposed to be appropriated for a fort and...
32394To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 14 May 1796 (Washington Papers)
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...
32395To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 11–12 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
Doctor Thornton’s Plan for a Capitol has been laid before us; the rooms for the different Branches of Congress and the Conference Room, are much to our satisfaction and its outward appearance we expect will be Striking, & pleasing On the whole it gains our preference tho. we cannot but fear that several of the Small Rooms, of which there seems to us, there are more than necessary will want...
32396To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 1 September 1792 (Washington Papers)
Esteeming it necessary to have your written order for Sales in the City we have enclosed a Draft, a Copy of that given last year, to be Signed against the approaching public Sales—An Idea has been pretty generally entertained, that it would be prudent to Sink a part of the price on condition of Speedy Improvement, and we have presumed to enclose the Draft of an Order calculated for that End,...
32397To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 30 November 1796 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 30 Nov. 1796 . GW wrote the commissioners on 26 Dec. : “Your letters of the 30th and 30th of November … are now before me.” Only one letter for that date has been found.
32398To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 7 June 1794 (Washington Papers)
Having many reasons for wishing an interview with you at this meeting we cannot but express our regret at the Circumstances which have prevented it. We have the pleasure to inform you that it will be in our power from the Arrangements we have made with Mr Peter, the Proprietor of the Square on which your lots lie to accomodate you agreeably to your desire with the whole Square. The...
32399To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 2 January 1797 (Washington Papers)
We have your favor of the 26th Ulto, covering the opinion of the Attorney General —It is by no means, our wish that any alterations should be made in the published plan of the City —It may, with great truth, be asserted, that every change occasions infinite trouble to the Commissioners, and creates confusion with the proprietors—We are yet without a full board, and are therefore prevented from...
32400To George Washington from the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, 28 January 1794 (Washington Papers)
Major Ellicotts return in November, after being absent great part of the Summer, and soon after we had employed his Brother Joseph, was so plainly calculated to be heavy on the Funds, that we could not submit to it, and discharged him at our last Meeting: we flattered ourselves, that we should have more expedition and Quiet too with his Brothers, but he has continued here, and has, we believe,...