From James Madison to Thomas Munroe, [12 July 1816]
To Thomas Munroe
[12 July 1816]
Sir
Mr. H. Who is to survey the Coasts, has selected for the scite of an Observy. a square north of the Captl. including the House formerly Gen: Washington; an entire square being necessary for the purpose. In comparing this scite with others, it will be necessary to know the cost to the pub: of the ground, as well as to take into view the inconvenecy of alienating from all other uses, the square selected. Be so good as make an estimate of the value of the square the whole of which must be made pub: property, & to communicate it with any observations you think may be useful, to the Secy. of the Trey. or in his absence from the City, to the Attorney Genl. Mr. H. has been desired to point out the next best scite. A like estimate of that will also be requisite.
Draft (DLC). Unaddressed and undated; conjectural addressee and date assigned based on JM to Rush, 12 July 1816, and on the fact that the draft is written below the draft of JM to Samuel Lane, 12 July 1816; both on verso of canceled partial draft of JM to James Monroe, 11 July 1816.