To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Claxton, 18 May 1801
From Thomas Claxton
City of Washington May 18, 1801
Honor’d Sir
I am preparing to Start from this place for Philadelphia on Thursday next, and beg leave to lay before you a view of such Articles as appear to me to be necessary for the further completion of the furnishing of the Presidents House—Nothing Sir, would trouble my mind more than, (by progressing according to my own ideas, without your concurrence) to derange any plan which you may have formed with respect to the expenditure of the balance of the fund yet on hand. For this reason, Sir, I have taken the liberty of troubling you at this time—I shall do myself the honor of waiting on you on Wednesday for your determination
The first thing, Sir, is the President’s Drawing Room which you have already mentioned a desire to have completed—For this will be required
A Brussels Carpet
4 Window Curtains, (none being necessary for the doors until altered
4 Girandols
3 Dozen chairs—cheapest that will answer are similar to those now in the President’s house—black & gold
The Cabinet ware necessary can be had here
2d The Windows on each side of the north front door are much in want of curtains as well as the window at the foot of the family Starecase—
3d 4 Curtains for the windows of the Lodging Room and office of the private Secretary
4th Curtains for all the windows on the second story of the north front as far as finished
The following articles are stated to be wanting by the Steward & Cook
| Steward— | 5 pair brass Candlesticks |
| 4 Brass Patent Lamps | |
| 1 large dish kettle—cast iron | |
| 3 Common beds for Servants |
With respect to the curtains, Sir, some of them may be low priced articles which will answer as well for an outside appearance as if they were better
I have the Honor to be Sir with the greatest respect & esteem Your most obt. Svt.
Thos. Claxton
P.S. I, long since, intended to procure a good Spy Glass, which I think is much wanting for the convenience of the House—1
RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as received 18 May and so recorded in SJL.
TJ converted a south-facing oval room (now known as the Blue Room), which the Adams administration used as an entrance hall during its brief four-month occupation of the President’s House, into the president’s drawing room. Simultaneously, TJ restored the main front to the north side of the house. Lodging room and office of the private secretary: two adjoining rooms built by TJ’s direction on the south end of the East Room. Steward: Joseph Rapin. Cook: Honoré Julien (, 1:83, 91, 93, 94; , 2:1035, 1040).
1. Partially erased: “and which I.”