Your favor by Mr Phillips was duly received. Your recommendation was decisive with me. Mr Crawford had been very polite & useful to me on the occasion, and I had formed a very good opinion of himself & Mr Peck. The association between Mr Crawford & Mr Phillips, strengthened my wish to get the contract for Mr Phillips. In a word, I thought it but common decency to incline to the appointment of men who had aided me on the occasion or who came recommended by one who had given me aid. Added to this, Mr Phillips put in the lowest bid. He got the contract honorably & fairly; & altho’ the members of the committee differed among themselves, as to some of the principles which should regulate the choice they have unanimously1 agreed that Mr Phillips is entitled by his offer to the preference. I was very sorry to be under the necessity of chusing among undertakers of high standing.

I write now to return you thanks for your polite & friendly aid on this occasion. Your estimates were of great service to us. Mr Jefferson’s plan having been adopted, I have enclosed him a copy of the contract, & written him, to elicit, if there be occasion for it, further light as to the details of the execution. I should be gratified by any suggestions from yourself or Mr Nelson, if you should think of any. I trust in God, Mr Jefferson has entirely recovered.