Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from Daniel Carroll, Daniel Brent, and Charles Minifie, 24 May 1803

From Daniel Carroll, Daniel Brent,
and Charles Minifie

Washington, May 24th. 1803

Sir,

The Eastern Branch Bridge Company, incorporated by law, is now engaged in the erection of a Bridge from the intersection of Pennsylvania and Kentucky Avenues at the Branch, to the Land of Mathew Wigfield on the opposite Shore, with the best prospect of a completion of the work by the last of the Summer. Under these circumstances, we trust, Sir, you will concur with us in opinion that the improvement of Pennsylvania Avenue to this point, will contribute greatly to the convenience and accommodation of the City, from the facility that it will give to travelling & to the transportation of articles coming and going across the Bridge—and that under this view of the subject, you will not be averse to the application of any public Monies that may be under your controul, which can with propriety be so used, to this object. We take the liberty, therefore, respectfully to ask the favor of you to take this subject into consideration, and to give such Directions in the case as you shall think proper.

We are, with Sentiments of very high respect, Sir, Yr. Mo: Obt Servants.

Danl. Carroll of Dudn
Danl Brent.
Cha Minifie
} Directors
the Eastern
Branch
Bridge Co.

RC (DLC); in an unidentified hand, signed by all; torn; at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received “May [. . .].” Recorded in SJL as received on 25 May.

The eastern branch bridge company was chartered by the Maryland legislature in 1795 with a capital of $45,000. Subscriptions were not completed until 1801 and the company did not commence collecting tolls until January 1804. The bridge was destroyed by American forces in August 1814 (Baltimore Federal Gazette, 9 Jan. 1796, 9 June 1801; National Intelligencer, 4 May 1801, 2 May 1803, 9 Jan. 1804; JS description begins Journal of the Senate of the United States, Washington, D.C., 1820–21, 5 vols. description ends , 5:529; U.S. Statutes at Large description begins Richard Peters, ed., The Public Statutes at Large of the United States…1789 to March 3, 1845, Boston, 1855–56, 8 vols. description ends , 6:152).

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