Clemson Universi
3 1604 016 834 360
*m
:Pm Til
A. AUiNAJL I
j: zq. 50: f
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2012 with funding from
LYRASIS Members and Sloan Foundation
http://archive.org/details/thomasjeffersonnOOpado
Umm
f/wma^
NATIONAL CAPITAL
Containing Notes and Correspondence exchanged between Jefferson, Washington, UEnfant, Ellicott, Hallett, Thornton, Latrobe, the Commissioners, and others, re- lating to the founding, surveying, planning, designing, constructing, and administering of the City of Washington
1783-1818
WITH PLANS AND ILLUSTRATIONS
FIRST GREAT SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES ADOPTED IN 1782
Preface by Harold L. Ickes Edited by Saul K. Padover
UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON • 1946
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Harold L. Ickes, Secretary
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Newton B. Drury, Director
<&r
SOURCE BOOK SERIES * No. 4
•^THIS BOOK Relates to The Thomas Jefferson Memorial and the National Capital Parks, Washington, D.C., administered by the National Park Service of the United States Department of the Interior.
FOR SALE BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS, UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING
OFFICE, WASHINGTON 25, D.C.
Preface
IT is proper that Thomas Jefferson, the architect of American democracy, should also have been one of the architects and founders of the City of Washington, which is both a symbol and a product of our democratic institutions. It is, furthermore, historically fitting that the National Capital of a republic that is made up of most of the cultural groups and racial strains of the world should have been conceived and built by immigrants.
The man who dreamed and planned the Capital of the worlds great- est democracy was Pierre Charles V Enfant — a French immigrant.
The man who designed the White House was James Hoban — an Irish immigrant.
One of the men who decorated the Capitol was Giovanni Andrei — an Italian immigrant.
These are but a few of the thousands of men who have given their brains, their talents and their genius to America. Others, less conspicu- ous, millions of them, have given the work of their hands and the devotion of their hearts to make of this country the most nourishing democracy in the world.
Thomas Jefferson, the many-sided genius who, among other things also helped to plan the Capital City of the Nation, as a matter of course encouraged scholars, scientists, and men of letters to settle in this country, with resulting enrichment of our culture.
This rich collection of letters and documents will prove a veritable mine of information and be a source of permanent usefulness to those who are interested not merely in Jefferson but also in city planning and in the early history of our country. I am proud to have my Department publish it. J*
Washington, D. C June 8, 1944
Table of Contents
Page
Preface by Harold L. Ickes in
Introduction by Charles W. Porter xxxm
1783
Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, November 1 1
Question of future residence of Congress 1
1784
Jefferson to James Madison, February 20
Question of removal of Government 4
Draft, April 13
Resolutions for the legislatures of Maryland and
Virginia 5
Jefferson Notes, April 13
Permanent seat of Congress 6
Draft, April 14
Resolution of Congress on buildings and grounds 1 o
Jefferson to James Madison, April 25
Question of where Congress should meet 1 0
1790
Note, ca. May
Residence Bill 1 1
Jefferson to T. M. Randolph, May 30
Removal of Government 1 3
Jefferson to William Short, June 6
Removal of Government 1 3
Jefferson to George Mason, June 1 3
Removal of Government 1 4
v
Jefferson to T. M. Randolph, June 20 Pase
Question of residence of Government 1 4
Jefferson to James Monroe, June 20
Question of residence of Government 15
Jefferson to Francis Eppes, July 4
Congress to move to Philadelphia 1 7
Jefferson to Edward Rutledge, July 4
Congress to move to Philadelphia 18
Jefferson to James Monroe, July 1 1
Congress to move to Philadelphia 19
Jefferson to T. M. Randolph, July 1 1
Congress to move to Philadelphia 1 9
George Washington to Jefferson, July 15
Asking opinion on residence of Government 20
Jefferson to George Washington, July 15
Letter and enclosure: opinion on constitutionality of removal of Government 20
Jefferson to William Short, August 25
Moving to Philadelphia in October 27
Jefferson to George Washington, September 1 7
General John Mason's preference for Georgetown
as the Federal seat 28
Memorandum for Mr. Charles Carroll (enclosed with his letter to the President), September 17
Form of deeds of lands to be conveyed to the Gov- ernment 29
Memorandum on proceedings to be had under the Residence Act, November 29 30
l79l
George Washington to Jefferson, January 2
Boundary lines 36
George Washington to Jefferson, January 4 [or 24] Distance from Alexandria Court House to the little
falls 37
Jefferson to the Commissioners, January 1 5
Ellicott to make a plat of the territory 37
VI
Jefferson to Daniel Carroll, January 24 Pa£e
Appointing him Commissioner 37
Jefferson to Thomas Johnson and David Stuart, January 24
Appointing them Commissioners 38
Jefferson to Thomas Johnson and David Stuart, January 29
Mr. Carroll has declined to be one of the Commis- sioners 39
George Washington to Jefferson, February 1
Ellicott should set out on Thursday 39
Jefferson to Ellicott, February 2
Directing him to survey the Federal territory 40
Andrew Ellicott to Jefferson, February 14
Encloses plat 41
Jefferson to Major L'Enfant, March —
Directing him to make drawings 42
Jefferson to Daniel Carroll, March 4
Enclosing appointment as one of the Commis- sioners 43
George Washington to Jefferson, March 6
Documents to be drawn up for ceded lands 44
Major L'Enfant to Jefferson, March 1 o
Progress of survey 44
Major L'Enfant to Jefferson, March 1 1
Survey impeded by bad weather 45
Opinion, March 1 1
Location of the Ten Mile Square 47
George Washington to Jefferson, March 1 6
Mr. Burnes. Major L'Enfant 50
Jefferson to Major L'Enfant, March 1 7
To survey land between Rock Creek and the Tiber 51
Draft, March 30
Proclamation amending boundaries 52
George Washington to Jefferson, March 3 1
Agreement with the landholders of Georgetown
and Carrollsburg 54
VII
George Washington to William Deakins and Benja- Pase min Stoddert, April i
Comment on Jefferson's letter of the 27th 55
Major L'Enfant to Jefferson, April 4
Requesting plans of European capitals 56
Daniel Carroll to Jefferson, April 6
Prospect for the location of the Government 58
Jefferson to Major L'Enfant, April 10
Sends him plans of European cities 58
Jefferson to Washington, April 1 o
Acquisition of ground in Georgetown 60
Major L'Enfant to Jefferson, May 10
Unfavorable weather impedes survey of land be- tween Eastern Branch and the Tiber 61
Daniel Carroll to Jefferson, July 29
Introducing Mr. Cabot 62
Jefferson to Major L'Enfant, August 1 8
Suggests way of engraving map of Federal City 63
Jefferson to Mr. Harwood, August 22
Money granted by Maryland for public buildings 64
Jefferson to the Commissioners, August 28
Proposes a meeting of the Commissioners to be at- tended by Mr. Madison and himself 65
Daniel Carroll to Jefferson, (received) August 29
Letter to Mr. Madison. Plans of Chateaus 66
George Washington to Jefferson, August 29
Plans of Carrollsburg and Hamburg 67
George Washington to Jefferson, August 29
Queries on the Federal City 68
Jefferson to George Washington, September 8
Consultation with Commissioners 69
Note, September 8
Meeting between Benjamin Stoddert, Charles Car- roll, Mr. Madison and himself 70
Commissioners' Proceedings, September 8
Queries by Jefferson and answers by the Commis- sioners 7 1
VIII
Commissioners to Major L'Enfant, September 9 Pa&
Decision to name the District and the City 74
Jefferson to Washington, November 6
Sale of lots 75
Jefferson to the Commissioners, November 2 1
Blodget's scheme 76
Jefferson to Elligott, November 2 1
Sale of lots 77
Commissioners to George Washington, November 25
Major L'Enfant and Mr. Carroll's house 78
George Washington to Jefferson, November 30
L'Enfant's blamable conduct 79
Jefferson to Major L'Enfant, December 1
Reprimands him for the demolition of Mr. Car- roll's house 80
Commissioners to Jefferson, December 8
Sale of lots. Mr. Carroll's house and Major L'En- fant 81
Opinion, December 1 1
On L'Enfant's letter justifying the demolition of
Mr. Carroll's house 82
George Washington to Jefferson, December 14
Major L'Enfant 86
George Washington to Jefferson, December 25
Enclosing letters for his consideration 86
1792
George Washington to Jefferson and Madison, January 14
Letters from the Commissioners 87
George Washington to Jefferson, January 1 5
Dispute between Major L'Enfant and Mr. Carroll 87
Jefferson to George Washington, January 15
Major L'Enfant 88
George Washington to Jefferson, January 18
Conduct of Major L'Enfant 88
IX
Jefferson to Daniel Carroll, January 27 Pase
Stakes marking the lots 89
Daniel Carroll to Jefferson, February 3
Inspection of stakes in the Federal City 89
George Washington to Jefferson, February 7
L'Enfant 90
George Washington to Jefferson, February 9
Requests him to find out the sentiments of George- town inhabitants through Mr. Walker 90
George Washington to Jefferson, February 1 1
Affairs of the Federal District 91
George Washington to Jefferson, February 1 5
L'Enfant 91
George Washington to Jefferson, February 22
Plan ought to appear as the work of L'Enfant 92
Jefferson to Major L'Enfant, February 22
He is to take orders from the Commissioners 93
Major L'Enfant to Jefferson, February 26
Complains of Commissioners 94
George Washington to Jefferson, February 26
L'Enfant 99
Jefferson to Major L'Enfant, February 27
Terminating his services 100
Jefferson to Thomas Johnson, February 29
Concerning L'Enfant 100
Jefferson to George Walker, March 1
Concerning L'Enfant 101
Jefferson to Daniel Carroll, March 1
Concerning L'Enfant. Plan to be engraved 102
George Washington to Jefferson, March 4
Engraving of plans 1 03
Jefferson to the Commissioners, March 6
Compensation for L'Enfant 103
Draft, March 6 (Enclosure to above)
A Premium for a plan of the President's House 1 06
Draft, March 6 (Enclosure to letter of March 6, above) Pa&e Declaration to be made by the President 107
Daniel Carroll to Jefferson, March 6
Engraved plan 108
George Washington to Jefferson, March 7
Canal navigation 109
Jefferson to Thomas Johnson, March 8
Proposed loan. Ellicott's plan is corrected from
the survey 109
George Washington to David Stuart, March 8
Jefferson's idea of importing Germans and High- landers 1 1 2
George Walker to Jefferson, March 9
End of services of L'Enfant alarms the Proprietors;
their letter enclosed 1 1 3
Jefferson to the Commissioners, March 1 1
Clock and monument for the public buildings 1 1 5
Commissioners' Proceedings, March 13
Letter written to Jefferson 1 1 6
Commissioners to Jefferson, March 1 4
Concerning L'Enfant. Ellicott and wages 116
Commissioners to Jefferson, March 14
Blodget's loan 118
Draft, March 14
Competition for a plan of the Capitol 1 1 9
Jefferson to George Walker, March 14
Major L'Enfant cannot be reemployed 1 20
George Washington to Jefferson, March 1 4
President feels insulted at Major L'Enfant's atti- tude 1 2 1
Commissioners' Proceedings, March 15
Letter received from Jefferson 1 2 1
George Walker to Jefferson, March 2 1
Proprietors want to reemploy L'Enfant 122
George Washington to Jefferson, March 2 1
Blodget loan. Stone bridge over Rock Creek 123
XI
Jefferson to the Commissioners, March 21 Pase
Importing workmen from Amsterdam 1 24
George Washington to Jefferson, March 24
Enclosing letter from the proprietors to Mr. Walker 1 25
Jefferson to George Walker, March 26
Concerning Major L'Enfant 126
Commissioners to Jefferson, March 30
Bridge over Rock Creek 127
George Washington to Jefferson, March 30
Blodget's proposed loan 130
Andrew Ellicott to Jefferson, April 3
Proprietors and Major L'Enfant 130
Jefferson to Leonard Harbaugh, April 5
Bridge over Rock Creek 1 3 1
Jefferson to the Commissioners, April 5
Bridge over Rock Creek 132
Jefferson to the Commissioners, April 9
National monument 133
Commissioners to Jefferson, April 1 1
Importation of stonecutters. National monument 134
Commissioners to Jefferson, April 14
Public sale of lots. Employment of Captain Wil- liams and Mr. Harbaugh 136
Jefferson to the Commissioners, April 20
President declines to alter plans of the city. Procur- ing workmen from Scotland and Germany 137
Samuel Blodget to Jefferson, April 20
Plan will be engraved in two months 139
Samuel Blodget to Jefferson, May 3
Mr. Hill to engrave the Plan for $150 139
Jefferson to the Commissioners, May 1 1
Enclosing Mr. Blodget's letter re loan 140
Andrew Ellicott to Jefferson, May 1 3
Opposition to the Commissioners in Georgetown.
Survey 141
XII
Commissioners to Jefferson, June 2 Pase
Importation of mechanics and laborers from Eu- rope 142
Commissioners to Jefferson, June 6
Draft for the Capitol by William Hart of Toney
Town 1 43
Jefferson to the Commissioners, June 9
Encloses a letter to Messrs. Van Staphorst & Hub- bard of Amsterdam 1 44
Jefferson to the Commissioners, June 1 1
Enclosing order on Treasurer of Maryland for
$24,000 145
Jefferson to Samuel Blodget, June 22
$10,000 was due on the 15th 146
Jamuel Blodget to Jefferson, June 25
Delivering to him the first impressions of the city
from the plate made by Mr. Hill 147
Jefferson to Andrew Ellicott, July 3
Level road 148
Commissioners' Proceedings, July 3
Letter received from Jefferson 1 48
Commissioners to Messrs. Van Staphorst & Hubbard,
J^y 4
Enclosing letter from Jefferson 1 49
Commissioners to Mr. Herman Hend Damen, July 4
Importation of German mechanics and laborers 1 50
Samuel Blodget to Jefferson, July 5
Loan 1 5 1
Commissioners to Jefferson, July 5
Plans for public buildings ready for President's in- spection 152
Jefferson to the Commissioners, July 1 1
Forwarding plans of the Capitol and President's
House. Proof sheet of engraving 152
Jefferson to Samuel Blodget, July 1 2
Soundings are not on the plan 153
Jefferson to the Commissioners, July 29
Engraved plate 154
xm
Jefferson to George Washington, July 30 Pai*
Road from Culpepper to Georgetown 154
Daniel Carroll to Jefferson, October 13
Sale of lots 1 55
Daniel Carroll to Jefferson, October 25
Disposal of lots by Mr. Blodget 156
Commissioners to Jefferson, November 5
Funds needed. Lots sold. List enclosed 156
Jefferson to the Commissioners, November 13
Sending them 500 copies of the Plan. Enclosing
2nd installment of money due from Virginia 157
Jefferson to the Treasurer of Virginia, November 1 3 Requesting copy of Act granting money for the
federal buildings 158
Jefferson to George Washington, November 18
M. Cointeraux's ideas on mud houses 159
Andrew Ellicott to Jefferson, November 26
Almanac 160
Commissioners5 Proceedings, December 3
Letter received from Jefferson 1 60
Commissioners to Jefferson, December 5
Sale of lots. Mr. Thornton has a plan of the Capi- tol to send 161
Jefferson to the Commissioners, December 13
Mr. Millikin's model for a mill to polish stone. Has
not received Mr. Thornton's plan of a Capitol 162
Jefferson to the Commissioners, December 1 7
Importation of workmen from Edinburgh 1 63
Jefferson to the Commissioners, December 23
Carpenters and masons in Connecticut 164
:793
Commissioners to Jefferson, January 5
Stone-cutting by machinery. Importation of work- men from France, Germany, Ireland, and Scot- land 1 65
xiv
Andrew Ellicott to Jefferson, January 9 Pasg
Anacostia River. Disagreement with the Commis- sioners 167
George Taylor to the Commissioners, January 10 Memorandum of plans sent from Philadelphia —
78 to Jefferson to send abroad 1 68
Andrew Ellicott to Jefferson, January 1 2
Eastern Branch — "Anna Kastia." Determina- tion to resign 169
Jefferson to Andrew Ellicott, January 15
Outlines of the city should be on the plat. Anna-
kostia. Hopes he will not resign 169
Jefferson to the Commissioners, January 15
Mr. Ellicott to outline the city on the plat of the
Territory 1 70
Jefferson to Daniel Carroll, February 1
Admires Dr. Thornton's plan of a Capitol 171
Commissioners' Proceedings, February 4 to 8
Map was returned by Jefferson to have additions
made to it 1 72
Commissioners to Jefferson, February 7
Mr. Ellicott's ill temper. Virginia and Maryland
payments due. Potomac Marble. Hallet 1 73
Commissioners to Jefferson, February 1 1
Sending him plat of the Territory 1 73
Commissioners to Jefferson, February 1 2
Expense account for running the outlines of the
territory 1 74
Commissioners' Proceedings, February 1 1 and 1 2
Letters written to Jefferson. Expense incurred in
running the permanent outlines 1 74
Jefferson to George Washington, February 18
Transmitting report of the Commissioners and plat
of the Territory 1 75
Jefferson to George Washington, March 4
Encloses letters from him to Ellicott during 1792
and 1793 175
xv
George Washington to Jefferson, March 9 Pasg
Commissioners 1 76
Jefferson — Memorandum, March 1 1
Compensation of Commissioners 1 77
Jefferson to Gouverneur Morris, March 1 2
Sends plans of Washington to be displayed in
France 1 78
Jefferson to Andrew Ellicott, March 22
President declines to interfere with the Commis- sioners 1 78
Andrew Ellicott to Jefferson, March 26
Complains of Commissioners 1 79
Jefferson to George Washington, March 26
Encloses description of Mr. Hallet's plan of a Capi- tol 180
Commissioners to Jefferson, June 25
Ellicott's new map of the Territory 181
George Washington to Jefferson, June 30
Mr. Hallet's unfavorable opinion of Dr. Thornton's
plan 181
Commissioners to Jefferson, July 7
Mr. Hallet 183
Jefferson to George Washington, July 17
Discussion of objections made to Dr. Thornton's
plan 184
Jefferson to the Commissioners, August 15
Estimate of cost of building the Capitol 186
Jefferson to George Washington, October 1 7
The power of the President to change the meeting
place of Congress 187
George Taylor to Jefferson, November 8
Will resume business 188
*795
George Washington to Jefferson, March 15
Prefers Federal City for the location of a national
university 1 89
XVI
1797 Page
Jefferson to Alexander White, September 10
Recollection of his opinion on removing the Gov- ernment to the Federal City 1 92
1798
Jefferson to James Madison, April 5
How the Senate will vote on the bill for the federal
buildings 1 95
1800
Alexander White to Jefferson, December 5
Correspondence on proposed road 195
I80I
Commissioners to President Jefferson, March 4
Submitting building regulations for approval 1 96
Declaration, March 1 1
Suspending building regulations 1 96
Commissioners' Proceedings, March 13
Ordering Mr. Hoban to follow directions of Jeffer- son 197
Jefferson to Andrew Ellicott, March 13
Refers Ellicott's letter to Mr. Dexter 1 98
Proclamation, March 16
Appoints 1 5 Justices of the Peace 1 98
Commissioners' Note, March 16
Orders publication of proclamation 1 99
Jefferson to Daniel Brent, March 18
Appointment of Marshall for District 1 99
George Hadfield to Jefferson, March 27
Complains of treatment received from Commis- sioners 200
Commissioners to Jefferson, March 28
Requests opinion and instructions on resale of un- paid lots 202
XVII
Jefferson to Commissioners, March 30 Paie
Will meet with Commissioners 204
Alexander White to Jefferson, April 6
Maryland postponement of payment on loan 204
Commissioners to Jefferson, May 7
Proposal to appropriate ground for a market place 205
Nicholas King to Jefferson, May 28
Title to lands for barracks site 206
Commissioners to Jefferson, June 1
Three plans of Mr. Hoban for better accommoda- tions of Congress 209
Commissioners to Jefferson, June 1
Ask permission to have 7-foot areas in front of
dwellings 209
Jefferson to Commissioners, June 2
Hoban's plan for House of Representatives 210
Collen Williamson to Jefferson, June 1 1
Difficulties with commissioners over contract 2 1 1
Commissioners to Jefferson, June 1 2
Requests decision on George Walker claim 2 1 2
Jefferson to Commissioners, June 14
Opinion on case between George Walker and Com- missioners 2 1 3
Commissioners to Jefferson, June 1 7
Transmit Act for approval 2 1 5
Jefferson to Thomas Beall and John Gantt, June 17
Requests conveyance of two lots of ground 2 1 5
Alexander White to Jefferson, August 8
Samuel Davidson's claim. L'Enfant's Plan 216
Commissioners to Jefferson, August 1 7
State of business 2 1 8
Benjamin Stoddert to Jefferson, August 1 8
Disagreement with Commissioner White 221
Commissioners to Jefferson, August 24
Reports improvements in streets and shows funds
insufficient 222
XVIII
Jefferson to Commissioners, August 24 Pasg
Payment of interest due Maryland 224
Jefferson to Commissioners, August 29
Opinion on Rock Creek bridge 226
Jefferson to the Commissioners, September 3
Application of Bishop Carrol for site of a church 228
Commissioners to Jefferson, September 4
Inability to pay money due to Maryland 228
Alexander White to Jefferson, September 14
Laying out of streets by the Commissioners 230
Commissioners to Jefferson, October 3
Submitting statement of amount needed to com- plete streets 231
Commissioners' Proceedings, October 13
Jefferson's visit to Commissioners 232
Commissioners to Jefferson, October 1 5
Submit application for purchase of lots 232
Major L'Enfant to Jefferson, November 3
Asks compensation for services and for injuries by
actions of the Commissioners 233
Commissioners to Jefferson, December 4
Address memorial to Jefferson 239
Commissioners to Jefferson, December 4
Summary of finances, sale of lots, etc. 240
Commissioners to Jefferson, December 1 0
Transmitting L'Enfant memorial for review 253
Commissioners to Jefferson, December 19
Receipts from sale of lots 253
l802
Message to the Senate, January 6
Nominations for reappointment of certain officers 254
Commissioners to Jefferson, January 6
William Rhodes' refusal to comply with building
regulations 256
XIX
Jefferson to Commissioners, January 7 Pase
Removal of Mr. Rhodes' house 257
Message to Congress, January 1 1
Payment of money due to Maryland 257
Message to Congress, January 1 1
Submits memorial of Commissioners 259
Commissioners to Jefferson, January 22
Renewal of building regulations 260
Commissioners to Jefferson, February 8
Request of Governor of Maryland 261
Daniel Carroll of Duddington to Jefferson, February 8
Claim of Mrs. Fenwick 261
Commissioners' Proceedings, February 9
Jefferson returns letter from Governor of Maryland 262
Commissioners' Proceedings, February 9
Enclosed letter from Daniel Carroll of Duddington 262
Commissioners to Jefferson, February 9
Removal of Mrs. Fenwick's houses 263
Jefferson to Daniel Carroll of Duddington, Feb- ruary 1 1
Demolition of Mrs. Fenwick's house 264
Commissioners to Jefferson, February 1 1
Transmits copies of Acts of Congress directing con- veyance of the streets to the Commissioners 264
Major L'Enfant to Jefferson, March 1 2
Settlement of claims against government 265
Jefferson to L'Enfant, March 14
Referred letter to Commissioners 266
Daniel Carroll of Duddington to Jefferson, March 28
Canal from the falls of the Potomac to the Eastern Branch 267
Message to the Senate, April 5
Correcting nominations made January 6 268
Alexander White to Jefferson, April 1 3
Enclosing draft of resolution on laying out of streets 270
XX
Commissioners to Jefferson, June i Pa&e
Expiration of office 270
Proclamation, June 1
Jefferson appoints Robert Brent mayor 271
Jefferson to Robert Brent, June 3
Asks acceptance of appointment as mayor 272
Robert Brent to Jefferson, June 3
Accepts appointment as mayor 272
Daniel Brent to Jefferson, June 7
Transmits plans for jail 273
Alexander White to Jefferson, June 10
On appropriation to improve the streets 273
Daniel Brent to Jefferson, June 26
Transmits Mr. Hadfield's plans for jail 275
Alexander White to Jefferson, July 1 3
Hoban's salary 276
William Thornton to Jefferson, July 28
Purchase of terrestrial globe 278
Daniel Brent to Jefferson, August 3
Hadfield's plan of the jail 279
Thomas Munroe to Jefferson, August 1 3
Need for a surveyor at sale of city lots 280
Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, August 16
Appointment of Nicholas King as surveyor 281
Thomas Munroe to Jefferson, August 24
Encloses letter from Nicholas King 282
Proclamation, November 10
Designates market place 283
Rt. Smith to Jefferson, December 8
Encloses Latrobe report on dry dock 284
B. Henry Latrobe to Jefferson, December 1 5
Preparing ships for dry dock 284
Thomas Munroe to Jefferson, December 20
Report by superintendent of the city 285
Message to Congress, December 28
Transmits plans and estimates for a dry dock 289
XXI
1803 Page
Proclamation, January 15
Suspension of certain building regulations 290
Daniel Brent to Washington, January 2 1
Details of jail 291
Message to Congress, January 24
Transmits report of superintendent on jail 294
Daniel Brent to Jefferson, February 1 7
Cost of stone to be quarried for Government build- ing 295 Jefferson to Latrobe, March 6
Offers Latrobe position of surveyor of public
buildings 296
Jefferson to Latrobe, March 6
How funds are to be spent on Capitol 297
Thomas Munroe to Jefferson, March 14
Boxing trees to prevent them from injury 297
Jefferson to Latrobe, March 15
Appoints Latrobe surveyor of public buildings 299
Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, March 2 1
Plans for City of Washington 300
Jefferson to Daniel Carroll of Duddington, Daniel Brent, and Charles Minifie, May 28
Funds available to improve highways 301
Nicholas King to Jefferson, September 25
Progress of surveying department 302
George Blagden to Jefferson, September 27
Prices for stonecutting of columns 320
Benjamin Stoddert to Jefferson, October 12
Lack of active capital in Washington prevent im- provement 320
Jefferson Note, October 1 2
Questions arising respecting the plan of the City of
Washington 322
1804
Thomas Munroe to Jefferson, February 18, 1804
Complaints against Mr. Jenkins 334
XXII
Latrobe to Jefferson, February 20 Pase
Report on public buildings 335
Message to Congress, February 22
Transmits report of surveyor of public buildihgs 340
Latrobe to Jefferson, February 27
Recounts disagreement with Thornton 340
Jefferson to Latrobe, February 28
Thinks it better not to change the plan of the Capitol 342
Latrobe to Jefferson, March 29
Transmits drawings of south wing of Capitol 343
Jefferson to Latrobe, April 9
Details of south wing of Capitol 344
Jefferson Note, June 14
Marginal comment 345
Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, July 1 4
Claim to grounds near President's house 346
Latrobe to Jefferson, December 1
Report of surveyor of public buildings 347
Message to Congress, December 6
Transmits report of surveyor of public buildings 355
1805
Latrobe to Philip Mazzei, March 6
Asks aid in procuring sculptor 355
Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, April 24
Sheet iron from Latrobe 358
Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, April 26
Questions legality of wooden house 358
Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, April 26
Asks subpoena 359
Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, May 1
Approves injunction 359
Latrobe to Jefferson, May 5
Submits drawings of buildings 360
Thomas Munroe to Jefferson, May 1 3
Asks opinion on topping trees 360
XXIII
Robert Brent to Jefferson, August 6 Paze
Jefferson appointed president of school board 361
Jefferson to William Lambert, August 1 2
Geographical position of capital 36 1
Jefferson to Robert Brent, August 14
Acknowledges school board appointment 362
Jefferson Note, October 27
Application for a market place 362
Proclamation, October 28
Site for public market 363
Message to Congress, December 27
Submits report of surveyor of public buildings 364
1806
Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, February 23
Encloses proclamation 364
Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, March 30
Encloses letter for John Davidson 364
Jefferson to Samuel Davidson, March 30
Reinclosure of city lots 365
John Breckenredge to Jefferson, April 5
Opinion on Davidson's claim 366
Nicholas King to Jefferson, September 25
Construction of city wharves 370
Jefferson to John Lenthall, October 2 1
Skylights in House of Representatives 371
Message to Congress, December 15
Submits report of surveyor of public buildings 372
Message to Congress, December 23
Accounts of expenditures on the capitol 381
1807
Robert Brent to Jefferson, March 9
Asks permission to divert funds 384
Jefferson to Robert Brent, March 10
Appropriation for roads 385
xxrv
Jefferson to Latrobe, April 22 Pase
Disapproves spending money for lights 386
Latrobe to Jefferson, April 29
Alteration of plan of road at the President's house 387
Latrobe to Jefferson, May 2 1
Details of public buildings 389
Nicholas King to Jefferson, May 27
Height of water in spring at Massachusetts Avenue 392
Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, June 1 7
Gravel on Pennsylvania Avenue 393
Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, July 23
Monies for July, August, and September 393
Latrobe to Jefferson, August 1 3
Roof of Capitol leaks 394
Latrobe to Jefferson, September 1
Asks ban on sightseers to unfinished buildings 396
Jefferson to John Lenthall, September 2
Opened letter by mistake 397
Robert Brent to Jefferson, September 8
Jefferson's reappointment as president of school
board 397
Jefferson to Robert Brent, September 1 9
Acknowledges appointment to school board 398
1808
Message to Congress, March 25
Transmits report of surveyor of public buildings 398
Jefferson to Latrobe, April 25
Expenditures and work to be done on public build- ings 414 Thomas Munroe to Jefferson, May 5
Monies drawn April 28 will soon be exhausted 416
Thomas Munroe to Jefferson, May 1 3
Disbursements of money 416
Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, May 1 7
Deficit of 1807 419
Latrobe to Jefferson, May 23
Progress of building the Capitol 420
XXV
Latrobe to Jefferson, May 25 Pase
"Dry rot" in the Capitol and President's house 428
Robert Brent to Jefferson, May 3 1
Commission as mayor expires 428
Jefferson to Latrobe, June 2
Result of Latrobe's estimates 429
Robert Brent to Jefferson, June 1 1
Office of mayor needs to be filled 432
Latrobe to Jefferson, July 6
Stone for President's house 432
Jefferson to Latrobe, July 25
Floor level of the Senate chamber 433
Latrobe to Jefferson, September 1 1
Report on work of the south wing 434
Jefferson to Latrobe, September 20
Preparation for Senate court room 435
Latrobe to Jefferson, September 23
Fall of arch on Mr. Lenthall 436
Thomas Munroe to Jefferson, October 3
Expenditures on South wing of Capitol and Presi- dent's house 439
Thomas Munroe to Jefferson, October 25
Asks advice in regard to work on President's square 440
Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, October 26
Directs repairs to wall 441
Thomas Munroe to Jefferson, November 15
Public sale of lots conveyed to James Greenleaf 441
Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, November 1 7
Sale of lots 443
Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, November 24
Sale of city lots under the decree in Chancery 444
Latrobe to Jefferson, November 30
For lack of appropriation work on Capitol must
stop 444
Message to Congress, December 1
Transmits report of surveyor of public buildings 445
XXVI
Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, December 4 Pase
Sale of city lots under a decree of the Chancellor of
Maryland 452
1809
Latrobe to Jefferson, January 3 1
Glass used for public buildings purchased for him- self 454
Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, February 6
Encloses Latrobe account of glass purchases 456
Latrobe to Jefferson, February 16
Wants inventory of President's furniture 457
Latrobe to Jefferson, February 19
To obtain building materials in Philadelphia 458
Washington Citizens to Jefferson, March 4
Wish Jefferson happiness in his retirement 458
Jefferson to Washington Citizens, March 4
Acknowledges letter 460
Latrobe to Jefferson, August 28
Sending model of columns for north wing of Capitol 462
Jefferson to Latrobe, October 10
Congratulates Latrobe on work in capitol 462
l8ll
Latrobe to Jefferson, April 5
Asks testimony to vindicate himself against charges
of Thornton 463
Jefferson to Latrobe, April 14
Assures him of his esteem for Latrobe's ability and
zeal 468
l8l2
Jefferson to Latrobe, July 1 2
Compliments him on the Representatives' chamber 470
1814
Latrobe to Jefferson, after August 181 4
Details of damage from fire to the Capitol 473
XXVII
Jefferson to Samuel H. Smith, September 2 1 Pase
Destruction of library by enemy 476
1816
Latrobe to Jefferson, November 5
Repairs to Capitol after British attack 479
1817
Latrobe to Jefferson, June 28
Capitol could be rebuilt cheaper if it had been com- pletely destroyed by British 480
Latrobe to Jefferson, July 20
Recommending Mr. Johnson to do marble cut- tings 483
Latrobe to Jefferson, July 24
Difficulties of getting Columbian Marble 485
Latrobe to Jefferson, August 1 2
Beauty of marble in House of Representatives 487
Latrobe to Jefferson, October 28
Sends a capitol made of tobacco leaves 490
Latrobe to Jefferson, November 20
Intends to resign his "situation" at the Capitol 491
Latrobe to Jefferson, December 6
Carpenters5 Price book 492
1818
Latrobe to Jefferson, March 7
Statement of expenditures on the building of the
Capitol 492
Latrobe to Jefferson, March 30
Printed letter, made public, refuting charges of ex- travagance 495
Latrobe to Jefferson, April 14
Resigns as surveyor of the Capitol 500
Bibliography 503
Appendix
Biographical and Place-Name Data 507
XXVIII
List of Illustrations
The illustrations listed below either face the page designated or are grouped immediately after it
Frontispiece — The Thomas Jefferson Memorial Page
Jefferson's Plan for the Federal City, from Jeffer- son Papers, March 1791, Division of Manuscripts, Li- brary of Congress 28
Map of the City of Washington, prepared by
R. King, during Jefferson's administration 28
Early Washington, showing the Jefferson poplars on
Pennsylvania Avenue 28
Boundary Stones for the Federal District, several
of which still stand. Installed 179 1 28
The First Department Building in the National Capital, at 15th St. and Pa. Avenue, comprising 30 rooms with 137 clerks. Occupied 1800. (Old Treas- ury site, 1 5th at New York Avenue) 60
The Buildings Known for Many Years as the "Six Buildings," on Pennsylvania Ave. between 21st and 22nd Streets NW., approximately as they appeared during Jefferson's administration. A seventh struc- ture had been added by the time this picture was taken 60
The L'Enfant Plan for the National Capital, which was adopted by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, 1 791 60
The Octagon House. Built about 1800, at 18th Street
and N. Y. Avenue NW. 60
The "Seven Buildings," at 19th and Pa. Avenue NW., the corner building was used as executive and depart- ment offices. In Jefferson's day — the State Depart- ment 60
xxix
Tripoli Column, erected in the Navy Yard, 1808, the Page first monument on public grounds in the National Capital 1 24
One of the Boundary Stones at the North point of the
District of Columbia 1 24
The Capitol as it Stood in the Administration of Thomas Jefferson (Statuary Hall, the old House of Representatives at right; the Senate at left); and con- necting covered way, 1 00 feet long, where is now the Rotunda. (Courtesy of National Commission of Fine Arts) 1 24
The Old Capitol Building, completed by Charles
Bulfinch in 1827 I24
Robert Brent's First Commission as Mayor of the City of Washington, reproduced in Volume 2, Records of the Columbia Historical Society 1 24
Elevation of James Diamond's Competitive Design for a Capitol, unaccepted 1 56
Elevation of Stephen Hallet's Design for a Capi- tol, unaccepted 156
Front Elevation of Philip Hart's Competitive De- sign for a Capitol, unaccepted 156
Elevation of Samuel Dobie's Competitive Design for
a Capitol, unaccepted 156
East Front of the Capitol of the United States as
originally designed by William Thornton, 1 793 252
Plat of the Proposed City of Washington, D. C, prepared in accordance with the order of the Board of Commissioners, April 1 o, 1 793 (in two parts). The National Archives 252
Ellicott's Map of Washington 1792 — Philadelphia
Plate (engraved by Thackara & Vallance of Phila.) 252
The Ellicott Topographic Map of the District of
Columbia 252
Ellicott's Map of Washington 1792? — Boston Plate
(with soundings) 348
XXX
Design for President's House, Washington — by Page Thomas Jefferson — 1792 — (interior) (Thomas Jef- ferson Coolidge Collection) — Courtesy Fine Arts Division, Library of Congress — 303^" X 21" 348
Design for President's House — by Thomas Jefferson — 1792 — (exterior) submitted anonymously. — Cour- tesy Fine Arts Division, Library of Congress — 20%" X17M" 348
View of the White House, showing the terraces de- signed by Thomas Jefferson 348
Jefferson's Plan of Colonnades and Dependencies for the President's House — about 1840. (Thomas Jefferson Coolidge Collection) — Courtesy Fine Arts Division, Library of Congress — 15%" X 1 i)i" 34^
The Jefferson Pier, marking the intersection of the Capitol and White House axis on the L' Enfant Plan of 1 79 1 348
Location of Land of the Original Proprietors 444
Study for the President's House — drawn by Jefferson
about 1792 — 12" X 20%" 444
Study for Section of President's House — drawn by Jefferson after 1804. (Thomas Jefferson Coolidge Collection) — Courtesy Fine Arts Division, Library of Congress — 30J4" X 2 1 " 444
Washington in i 792 showing manorial estates 444
Building Regulations issued by President Washington 444
Jefferson's Sketch of the Capitol, 1792 (exterior) (Thomas Jefferson Coolidge Collection) — Courtesy Fine Arts Division, Library of Congress 472
XXXI
Introduction
By CHARLES W. PORTER
DR. Saul K. Padover has been indefatigable in writ- ing the biography of Jefferson and in arranging and editing his writings in single volumes designed to afford a ready intellectual grasp of the political faith and wis- dom of Jefferson as the founder of a more vigorous American democracy. A product of this work has been a collection of notes and Jefferson correspondence which portrays the versa- tile Jefferson as one of our earliest and most successful city planners.
That Jefferson, who viewed city life with marked distrust, should have been a city planner seems contradictory, but such contradictions only indicate the practical statesman that was part and parcel of Jefferson the idealist. For instance, although a strict constructionist of the Federal Constitution, which did not specifically authorize the President to acquire new lands by purchase, Jefferson took the responsibility of purchasing the vast territory of Louisiana which insured the physical greatness of the United States. In almost all things Jefferson took the long-range view which is the distinguishing mark of the states- man; hence, despite his ingrained bias against urban economy, he served with zeal in the locating, planning, and building of our Capital City. He may neither have foreseen nor desired the City of Washington to grow to its present large proportions but he did much to lay the foundations of its greatness and provided, above all, for its enduring beauty.
Many of the papers or notes included in the present work are
XXXIII
hitherto unpublished items and some have been taken from printed court records, copies of which are scarce and not gen- erally available to scholars. Others have been found in the standard editions of Jefferson's writings. These last have been checked against available originals for possible inaccura- cies. Although Dr. Padover's services with the Armed Forces overseas and his inability to secure certain portions of Jeffer- son's correspondence now in bomb-proof storage, or otherwise unavailable to historians, have caused the omission of a few Jefferson notes and correspondence which delineate Jefferson's part in the planning and building of the National Capital, the present work, as edited by Dr. Padover, tells an integrated and unified story. The omitted papers, which are in any case not many, would only embroider a pattern which is set forth in the present volume with completeness.
The source materials comprised in the book have been pub- lished with a minimum of editorial comment in order that Jefferson may speak for himself. The reader will find that each note or letter tends to explain either those papers which have gone before or which appear later in the Source Book. An appendix dealing with persons and places mentioned in the text has been compiled from notes left by Dr. Padover before he went abroad. The general reader will find this material helpful.
The Editor, if he were here, would wish to thank the Hon. Harold L. Ickes for his ever-inspiring encouragement, and to acknowledge the assistance of Mrs. Joanne Sanborn; the staff of the National Archives, particularly Mr. Herman Kahn of the Interior Archives; Mr. Alexander Bell of the Department of Justice; Mr. H. P. Caemmerer of the Commission of Fine Arts; the staff of the Library of Congress; Mr. William T. Partridge of the National Capital Park and Planning Commis- sion; Mrs. Helen Duprey Bullock; and Mr. H. D. Rouzer, As- sistant Architect of the Capitol. On Dr. Padover's behalf I desire to express his sincere gratitude to them.
Those who utilize the Source Book for purposes of research or who read it for its general interest will not fail to perceive
xxxiv
how the education and experience of Jefferson ideally equipped him for many phases of city planning work. His aptitude for politics and friendship with Washington enabled him to make the compromise with Hamilton which resulted in the designa- tion of the banks of the Potomac as the site of the Capital City. His knowledge of surveying was of use in the early phases of laying out the boundaries of the District of Columbia. Train- ing as a lawyer qualified him to render legal opinions interpret- ing the scope of the Executive's authority in planning the Na- tion's Capital. While traveling abroad he had obtained plans of the European cities of Frankfort, Karlsruhe, Amsterdam, Strasburg, Paris, Orleans, Bordeaux, Lyons, Montpelier, Mar- seilles, Turin and Milan, valuable comparative data, which he made available to Major L' Enfant, original designer of the Washington City plan. Studies abroad and at home in the fields of architecture, design and the fine arts qualified him to advise with the Commissioners on, or handle directly, the selec- tion of competent architects, designers, and sculptors or to compose differences of opinion among these highly tempera- mental experts. Experience in the operation and improve- ment of his Albemarle plantation suggested means of securing types of skilled labor from abroad for the building of the Capi- tal City. A mechanical turn of mind fitted him to speak in- telligently about contrivances for the rapid cutting of large quantities of stone for building purposes. Political acumen was a requisite for securing adequate funds or for mollifying the Congress when zealous builders exceeded the limitations of moneys appropriated. The best example of the Renaissance type of man produced in this country, Jefferson with his en- cyclopedic mind comprehended all interests, from bridges, roads, and the planting of trees to the manner of securing the bars in the city jail. These varied activities he carried on first as a member of the Continental Congress, 1 783-1 784, then as Secretary of State under Washington, 1 789-1 794, as Vice President under John Adams, 1 797-1801, and finally as Presi- dent of the United States, 1 801 -1809.
XXXV
He was at his best in determining the architectural form of the City of Washington's public buildings. "You know my reverence for the Graecian and Roman style of architecture," he wrote to Benjamin H. Latrobe, Architect of the Capitol, and the Washington buildings still reflect this influence. With Latrobe's principles of what constituted good taste in Grecian architecture, Jefferson's ideas were not always in perfect ac- cord, but their correspondence and friendship, as recorded in this Source Book, reach a high peak of human interest. Of Jefferson, Latrobe wrote:
"It is not flattery to say that you have planted the arts in your country. The works already erected in this city are the monuments of your judgment and of your zeal and of your taste. The first sculpture that adorns an American public build- ing perpetuates your love and your protection of the fine arts."
Well into the evening of life, Jefferson maintained his keen interest in the beauty of the Nation's Capital toward which he had collaborated with Latrobe, Dr. Thornton, and even the temperamental Major L' Enfant, as well as with all others who had participated in this great work. The felicitous phraseology which he used to describe Latrobe's purpose best describes his own, which had been that of:
. . . "embellishing with Athenian taste the course of a nation looking far beyond the range of Athenian destinies."
xxxvi
THOMAS JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
Jefferson to the Governor of Virginia
[benjamin harrison]
Philadelphia, Nov. u, 1783. Sir,
YrouR Excellency's letter of the 25th ult. on the determi- nation of Congress as to their future residence has been duly received. You would doubtless soon after have heard of their subsequent determination on the same subject. As all this had taken place before my arrival I can give you an ac- count only from the information of others. Congress, it seems, thought it best to generalize their first determination by putting questions on the several rivers on which it had been proposed that they should fix their residence. Hudson river, the Dela- ware, & Potomac, were accordingly offered to the vote. The first obtained scarcely any voices; the Delaware obtained seven. This of course put the Potomac out of the way: and the Dela- ware being once determined on there was scarcely any differ- ence of opinion as to the particular spot. The falls met the approbation of all the states present, except Pennsylvania which was for Germantown, & Delaware which was for Wil- mington. As to the latter it appeared that she had been induced to vote for the Delaware on the single idea of getting Congress to Wilmington, and that being disappointed in this they would
2 1783 - 1784
not wish them on that river at all, but would prefer George- town or any other place. This being discovered, the Southern delegates at a subsequent day brought on a reconsideration of the question, and obtained a determination that Congress should set one half of their time at Georgetown and that til accommodations should be provided there, Annapolis should be substituted in its place. This was considered by some as a compromise; by others as only unhinging the first determina- tion and leaving the whole matter open for discussion at some future day. It was in fact a rally, and making a drawn battie of what had at first appeared to be decided against us. What will be its final decision can only be conjectured. I take the following to be the disposition of the several states.
The four Eastern states are for any place in preference to Philadelphia, the more Northern it is however the more agree- able to them.
New York and New Hampshire are for the falls of Delaware.
Pennsylvania is for Germantown first, and next for the falls of Delaware. It is to be noted that Philadelphia had no at- tention as a permanent seat. Delaware is for Wilmington: but for Georgetown in preference to the falls of Delaware or any other situation which attract the trade of their river. Mary- land is for Annapolis, and the smallest hope for this will sacri- fice a certainty for Georgetown.
Virginia, every place southward of Potomac being disre- garded by the states as every place north of the Delaware, saw it would be useless to consider her interests as to more Southern positions. The falls of Potomac will probably therefore unite the wishes of the whole state, if this fails, Annapolis and the falls of Delaware are then the candidates. Were the conven- ience of the Delegates alone to be considered, or the general convenience to government in their transaction of business with Congress, Annapolis would be preferred without hesita- tion. But those who respect commercial advantages more than
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 3
the convenience of individuals will probably think that every position on the bay of Chesapeak or any of its waters is to be dreaded by Virginia as it may attract the trade of that bay and make us with respect to Maryland what Delaware State is to Pennsylvania. Considering the residence of Congress therefore as it may influence trade, if we cannot obtain it on the Potomac it seems to be our interest to bring it past all the waters of the Chesapeak bay.
The three Southern states are for the most Southern situa- tion. It should be noted that N. Hampshire and Georgia were absent on the decisions of these questions, but considering their interests would be directly opposite, it was thought their joint presence or absence would not change the result. From the preceding state of the views of the several members of our union your Excellency will be enabled to judge what will be the prob- able determination on any future revision of the present plan: the establishment of new states will be friendly or adverse to Georgetown according to their situation. If a state be first laid off on the lakes it will add a vote to the Northern scale, if on the Ohio it will add one to the Southern. I had the happiness of seeing Gen'l. Washington the other day after a space of seven years. He has more health in his countenance than I ever saw in it before. Among other political conversations he entered earnestly into one respecting the Western section of Virginia, and the late vote of Congress accepting it. He thinks the con- ditions annexed by Virginia and not acceded to by Congress altogether unimportant, at least much less important than the consequences which would result from the state's adhering to these conditions. He thinks that a friendly and immediate set- tlement of this matter can alone give us that political happiness and quiet which we must all wish for: and that besides other disagreeable consequences the land will be lost to both as a source of revenue by their settlement of adventurers on it who will never pay any thing. It is now become evident that the
4 1784 " 179°
nine states North of Potomac have made up their minds on these questions & will act together.
[Th: Jefferson]
[Pp. 340-4, Ford, writings, III.] The key to this and to other similarly abbreviated citations will be found in the Bibliography.
Jefferson to Madison
Annapolis, Feb. 20, 1784.
TO JAMES MADISON.
Georgetown languishes. The smile is hardly covered now when the federal towns are spoken of. I fear that our chance is at this time desperate. Our object therefore must be if we fail in an effort to remove to Georgetown to endeavor then to get to some place off the waters of the Chesapeak where we may be ensured against Congress considering themselves as fixed. My present expectations are, that as soon as we get a Congress to do business, we shall attend to nothing but the most pressing mat- ters, get through them & adjourn, not to meet again till No- vember, leaving a Commee of the States. That Commee will be obliged to go immediately to Philadelphia to examine the offices & of course they will sit there till the meeting in Novem- ber. Whether that meeting will be in Philadelphia or Trenton will be the question and will in my opinion depend on the vote of New York [?] . Did not you once suppose in conversation with me that Congress had no authority to decide any cases between two differing states, except those of disputed territory? I think you did. If I am not mistaken in this, I should wish to know your good sense of the words which describe those cases which may be submitted to a federal court. They seem to me to com- prehend every cause of difference.
[Th: Jefferson]
[Pp. 399-400, Ford, WRITINGS, III.]
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 5
Draft of Resolutions for the Legislatures of Maryland and Virginia *
[April 13, 1784] Resolved that the Governor be desired to propose to the state of Maryland to concur with this Commonwealth in erect- ing buildings for the immediate accomodation of the Con- gress of the United States on the lands on Potowmac offered to be ceded to them by these two states, & particularly on such parts of them as they shall have reason to believe will be most agree- able to the Congress, the expence of which buildings with the purchase of the ground shall not exceed thirty thousand dollars to be advanced from time to time, as it shall be wanting, by the said states in equal portions: which advances on the part of this Commonwealth the Treasurer is hereby authorized & required to make on warrants from the Auditors according to the estab- lished forms of his office.
Resolved that three Commissioners be appointed by joint balot of both houses of Assembly, to act with Commissioners or other persons appointed or to be appointed on the part of the state of Maryland, who shall have powers to purchase sufficient ground to agree on the buildings necessary to be erected, to have them erected without delay, to call for & to apply Monies by way of paiment or of advance for the same, and to tender the said buildings to Congress for the sole purpose of their gen- eral & of their personal accomodation.
Resolved that to prevent any difficulties or delays which might be produced by doubts in what manner the said Com- missioners when assembled shall vote, it be proposed to the State of Maryland that they shall proceed to business always with an equal number (not less than two) from each state, that, so constituted, they shall be considered as forming one Com-
1 Probably drafted while the question of the national capital was under discussion.
6 1784 - 1 79°
mittee, every member whereof shall have one vote and no more and that if at any time they shall be divided on any question which may be likely to delay the said work, they shall state the same in writing to the delegates of the two states, in Congress, who concurring by a Majority of their respective members present shall decide the same.
LP. 462, Ford, WRITINGS, III.]
Notes on the Permanent Seat of Congress 2
[April 13, 1784]
North River — recommended for the permanent seat of Cong- chiefly by its security against foreign danger.
Falls of Potomac — By 1. geographical centrality — 2. prox- imity to Western Country already ceded — 3. inducement to further cessions from N. C. S. C. & Georgia. 4. remote- ness from the influence of any overgrown commercial city.
Falls of Delaware — By 1 . centrality with regard to number of inhabitants. 2. centrality as to n? of States & of Delegates. 3. facility of obtaining intelligence from sea.
temporary seat of congress —
Princeton — in favor of it, 1 . its neighbourhood to the Perma- nent seat, 2. inconveniency of a removal. 3. beneficial effect of a frugal situation of Cong? on their popularity throughout the States. 4. the risque in case of removal from Princeton of returning under the commercial and corrupt influence of Philad* — against it — 1 . — unfitness for trans- acting the public business — 2. deficiency of accomoda- tion, exposing ye-memfeefs- attending members to the danger of indignities & extortions, discouraging perhaps the fitest men from undertaking the services & amounting to a prohibi-
2 Probably used during the discussion of this question in Congress, April 13, 1784. Cf. Journals. [P. 458 n, Ford, writings, III.]
JEFFERSON &; THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 7
tion of such as had families from which they would not part.
Trenton, arg? in favor & agf it similar to those respecting Princeton. It was particularly remarked that when the op- tion lay between with the President & committee between Trenton & Princeton the latter was preferred as least unfit to receive Cong! on their removal from Philad*
Philad" In favor of it. i . its infinite unrivaled conveniency for transacting the public business, & accomodating Congress. 2 its being the only place where -the- all the public offices, par- ticularly that of Finance could be kept under the inspection & controul of, & proper intercourse with Cong! 3 its con- veniency for F. Ministers, to which, coeteris paribus, some regard would be expected. 4 the circumstances which pro- duced a removal from Philada which rendered a return expedient as soon as the insult had been expiated, expedient for supporting in the eyes of foreign nations the appearance of internal harmony, and preventing an appearance of re- sentment in Cong! agf the state of P? or city of Philad? an appearance which was very much strengthened by some of their proceedings at Princeton — particularly by an unnecessary & irregular declaration not to return- to Phi? In addition to these overt reasons, it was concluded by sundry of the members who were most anxious to fix Congs permanently at George te the falls of Potowmac that a tem- porary residence in Philad* would be most likely to endeavor' prepare a sufficient number of votes in favor of Philadcp for that place in preference to the Falls of Delaware for the permanent, and to produce a reconsideration of the vote in favor of the latter — ag^ Philad* were alleged. 1 . the diffi- culty & uncertainty of getting away from it at the time lim- ited. 2 the influence of a large comercial & wealthy city on the public councils. In addition to these objections, the hatred ag? Mr. M. and hope of accelerating his final resigna- tion were latent motives with some, as perhaps envy of the
8 1784 - 1790
prosperity of Philad? might be and dislike of the support of P* to obnoxious recommendations of Cong! were with others. Annapolis. In favor of it, 1? its capacity for accommodating Cong! and its conveniences for the public business. 2. the soothing tendency of so Southern a position on the temper of the S. States. Ag^ it, if the preposterousness of taking a temporary station so distant from the permanent seat fixed on, especially as better accomodations were to be passed by at Philad* which was ^©t- less than 4/5UIS of the distance from the Permanent Seat. 2*? the peculiar force such a step would give to the charge ag?* Cong? of being swayed by improper motives. Besides these considerations it was the opinion of some that way a removal of Cong! to Annapolis would inspire Maryland with hopes that w*? prevent a co-operation in favor of Georgetown, & favor the commerce of that State at the expence of Virginia. 1 . It requires 9 states to appropriate money, and only 7 to ad- journ. There cannot therefore be buildings erected at Georgetown without the concurrence of 9 states, a number which I fear we shall never obtain. Yet if the buildings were erected, 7 could adjourn us there, & this number is within hope, but not within certainty.
Obj. It is then but a speculation by which the state may
throw away 15000 Dollars. Answ. True. But this is the extent of their loss. Their possible
advantages will be
1 . The firmness & tone which will be given to the federal gov- ernment by fixing it's administration more nearly central.
2. The placing the federal council within reach of the Western states, & thereby cementing them to it's Eastern part.
3. Securing the seat of federal govmt from sudden enterprize without expensive works or establishments.
4. Adjacence to two states from the one or the other of which a protection may generally be expected.
a & o c/3
a v
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
|
oS |
I. |
|
■*■* (5 |
2. |
|
II |
3- |
|
u 3 |
|
|
Xfl |
|
|
r |
|
|
I. |
|
|
a |
|
|
bn |
|
|
£^ |
|
|
> a |
2. |
|
2^ J |
3- |
|
a a |
|
|
1* |
4- |
|
e*j |
|
|
o |
|
|
U |
|
|
> |
|
|
o |
i. |
|
41 «S |
|
|
rt .S |
|
|
-H M < |
? |
|
3 fa |
|
|
PL. |
Drawing the federal fleets into the bay of Chesapeak. Bringing the federal administration nearer to the Southern States.
Rendering an attendance in Congress more convenient to Southern members, and by -thus- removing obstacles, increase the chances for inducing the best men into the office. Attracting foreigners, manufacturers and settlers to the two States of Virga & Maryland. Attracting commerce to them.
Throwing a very large sum of Money annually into circula- tion which will be divided between them. Preferment of their citizens to poso" of honour profit & Power' to the federal administration.
The advantages of a favorable biass in the Executive officers. The establishment of Alexandria on a par with Baltimore as a secondary place of commerce.
Leaving Norfork in possession of all the advantages of a pri- mary emporium. Add to these that the £160.000 offered b) Virginia will never be accepted.
Phila
Trenton
GeorgeTown 146 from P.
N. Hampshire
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Connecticut ,
N. York
N. Jersey
Pennsylva
Delaware
Maryland
Virginia
N. Caroli
S. Caroli
Georgia
[Pp. 458-61, Ford, writings, III.
429 365 317 245
97
30 1483
2595 30
144
280
427 797 9i7
399 335
287
215
67
1303
2805
30 60
174
310
457 827
947
575 511 463 39i 243
176
146
116 2621
1837 134 281 651
771
784
Resolve on Continental Congress
[April 14, 1784?]
6. That the United States should be made capable of acquir- ing & holding in perpetuum such grounds and buildings in and about the place of their- session of Congress as may be necessary for the transaction of business by their own for their body, their committees & officers for the transaction of bu3inc33 and- that each state should be made capable of acquiring and hold- ing in perpetuum such grounds and buildings as they may at any time think proper to acquire & erect for the personal ac- comodation of their delegates: and that -a4t these- grounds and buildings before mentioned so long as they shall be so long as Congress or a Commee of the states shall be resident at such place -shatt- should be exempt from taxation.
[Pp. 463-4, Ford, WRITINGS, III.]
Jefferson to Madison
Annapolis, April 25, 1784.
TO JAMES MADISON.
The place at which Congress should meet in Nov. has been the subject of discussion lately. Alexandria, Philadelphia, & Trenton were proposed. The first was negatived easily. Tren- ton had the 4 Eastern states, N.Y., N.J., & Penns. We expect Georgia and Delaware shortly, in which case it will become possible that Phila. may be determined on. The question is put off to be considered with the establishment of a com. of the states, which, to my astonishment, would have been negatived when first proposed had not the question been staved off. Some of the states who were against the measure, I believe, be- cause they had never reflected on the consequences of leaving a government without a head, seem to be come over.
[Th: Jefferson]
[Pp. 471-2, Ford, WRITINGS, III.]
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL II
Jefferson Note note on residence bill
This fiscal maneuvre is well known by the name of the As- sumption. Independently of the debts of Congress, the states had, during the war, contracted separate and heavy debts . . . This money, whether wisely or foolishly spent, was pretended to have been spent for general purposes, and ought therefore to be paid from the general purse. But it was objected that nobody knew what these debts were, what their amount, or what their proofs . . . This measure produced the most bitter & angry contests ever known in Congress, before or since the union of the States . . . The great and trying question however was lost in the H. of Representatives. So high were the feuds excited by this subject, that on it's rejection, business was sus- pended . . . The Eastern members particularly, who . . . were the principal gamblers in these scenes, threatened a secession and dissolution. Hamilton was in despair. As I was going to the President's one day, I met him in the street. He walked me backwards & forwards before the President's door for half an hour. He painted pathetically the temper into which the legislature had been wrought, the disgust of those who were called the Creditor states, the danger of the secession of their members, and the separation of the States. He observed that the members of the administration ought to act in concert, that tho' this question was not of my department, yet a common duty should make it a common concern . . . ; and that the ques- tion having been lost by a small majority only, it was probable that an appeal from me to the judgment and discretion of some of my friends might effect a change in the vote, and the machine of government, now suspended, might be again set into motion. I told him that I was really a stranger to the whole subject . . . ; that undoubtedly if it's rejection endangered a dissolution of our union at this incipient stage, I should deem that the most
12 179° " ^9!
unfortunate of all consequences, to avert which all partial and temporary evils should be yielded. I proposed to him however to dine with me the next day, and I would invite another friend or two, bring them into conference together, and I thought it impossible that reasonable men, consulting together coolly, could fail, by some mutual sacrifices of opinion, to form a compromise which was to save the union. The discussion took place. I could take no part in it, but an exhortatory one, because I was a stranger to the circumstances which should govern it. But it was finally agreed that ... it would be better that the vote of rejection should be rescinded, to effect which some members should change their votes. But it was observed that this pill would be peculiarly bitter to the Southern States, and that some concomitant measure should be adopted to sweeten it a little to them. There had before been propositions to fix the seat of government either at Philadelphia, or at Georgetown on the Potomac; and it was thought that by giving it to Philadelphia for ten years, and to Georgetown perma- nently afterwards, this might, as an anodyne, calm in some degree the ferment which might be excited by the other meas- ure alone. So two of the Potomac members (White & Lee,3 but White with a revulsion of stomach almost convulsive) agree to change their votes, & Hamilton undertook to carry the other point. In doing this the influence he had established over the Eastern members, with the agency of Robert Morris with those of the middle states, effected his side of the engage- ment, and so the assumption was passed, and 20 millions of stock divided among favored states, and thrown in as pabulum to the stock-jobbing herd.
[Jefferson, the anas, (ca. May, 1790).]
3 Alexander White and Richard Bland Lee, both Congressmen from Virginia. Daniel Carroll, of Maryland, also changed his vote. Carroll was appointed a Commissioner of the District [of Columbia] in January, 1 791 ; he was succeeded by Alexander White in 1795-
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 13
Jefferson to Randolph
New York, May 30, 1790.
TO THOMAS MANN RANDOLPH.
A motion has been made in the Senate to remove the federal government to Philadelphia. There was a trial of strength on a question for a week's postponement. On that it was found there would be 1 1 for the removal & 1 3 against it. The motion was therefore withdrawn & made in the other house where it is still depending, & of very incertain event.
[P. 174, Ford, writings, V.]
Jefferson to Short
New York, June 6, 1 790.
TO WILLIAM SHORT.
The question of removal to Philadelphia was carried in the house of representatives by 38. against 22. It is thought the Senate will be equally divided and consequently that the de- cision will rest on the Vice-president, who will be himself di- vided between his own decided inclinations to stay here, & the unpopularity of being the sole obstacle to what appears the wish of so great a majority of the people expressed by propor- tional representation. Rhode island has at length acceded to the Union by a majority of two voices only in their convention. Her Senators will be here in about 1 o days or a fortnight. The opposers of removal in the Senate try to draw out time till their arrival. Therefore they have connected the resolution of the lower house with a bill originated with them to fix a permanent residence, & have referred both to the same committee.
[Pp. 1 78-9, Ford, writings, V.]
14 i79° " 1 79i
Jefferson to Mason
New Tork, June 13, 1790.
TO GEORGE MASON.
The House of representatives have voted to remove to Balti- more by a majority of 53. against 6. This was not the effect of choice, but of the confusion into which they had been brought by the event of other questions, & their being hampered with the rules of the house. It is not certain what will be the vote of the Senate. Some hope an opening will be given to convert it into a vote of the temporary seat at Philadelphia, & the perma- nent one at Georgetown. The question of the assumption will be brought on again, & it's event is doubtful. Perhaps it's op- ponents would be wiser to be less confident in their success, & to compromise by agreeing to assume the state debts still due to individuals, on condition of assuming to the states at the same time what they have paid to individuals, so as to put the states in the shoes of those of their creditors whom they have paid off. Great objections lie to this, but not so great as to an assumption of the unpaid debts only. My duties preventing me from mingling in these questions, I do not pretend to be very com- petent to their decision. In general I think it necessary to give as well as take in a government like ours.
[Th: Jefferson]
[Pp. 183-4, Ford, writings, V.]
Jefferson to Randolph.
New Tork, June 20, 1 790.
TO THOMAS MANN RANDOLPH.
Congress are much embarrassed by the two questions of assumption, and residence. All proceedings seem to be ar- rested till these can be got over, and for the peace & continu-
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 15
ance of the union, a mutual sacrifice of opinion & interest is become the duty of everyone: for it is evident that if every one retains inflexibly his present opinion, there will be no bill passed at all for funding the public debts, & if they separate without funding, there is an end of the government, in this situation of things. The only choice is among disagreeable things. The assumption must be admitted, but in so qualified a form as to divest it of it's injustice. This may be done by assuring to the creditors of every state, a sum exactly propor- tioned to the contribution of the state: so that the state will on the whole neither gain nor lose. There will remain against the measure only the objection that Congress must lay taxes for these debts which might be better laid & collected by the states. On the question of residence, the compromise proposed is to give it to Philadelphia for 15. years, & then permanently to George town by the same act. This is the best arrangement we have now any prospect of, & therefore the one to which all our wishes are at present pointed. If this does not take place, something much worse will; to wit an unqualified as- sumption & the permanent seat on the Delaware. The Dele- gations of this state and Pennsylvania have conducted them- selves with great honor and wisdom on these questions. They have by a steady (yet not a stipulated) concurrence avoided insidious baits which have been held out to divide them & defeat their object.
[Th: Jefferson]
[Pp. 185-6, Ford, writings, V.]
Jefferson to James Monroe
New York, June 20, 1 790.
TO JAMES MONROE.
* # *
Congress has been long embarrassed by two of the most irri- tating questions that ever can be raised among them, 1. the
i6 1790 - 1791
funding the public debt, and 2. the fixing on a more central residence. After exhausting their arguments & patience on these subjects, they have for some time been resting on their oars, unable to get along as to these businesses, and indisposed to attend to anything else till they are settled. And in fine it has become probable that unless they can be reconciled by some plan of compromise, there will be no funding bill agreed to, our credit (raised by late prospects to be the first on the ex- change at Amsterdam, where our paper is above par) will burst and vanish, and the states separate to take care every one of itself. This prospect appears probable to some well informed and well-disposed minds. Endeavours are therefore using to bring about a disposition to some mutual sacrifices. The as- sumption of state debts has appeared as revolting to several states as their non-assumption to others. It is proposed to strip the proposition of the injustice it would have done by leaving the states who have redeemed much of their debts on no better footing than those who have redeemed none; on the contrary it is recommended to assume a fixed sum, allotting a portion of it to every State in proportion to it's census. Consequently every one will receive exactly what they will have to pay, or they will be exonerated so far by the general government's tak- ing their creditors off their hands. There will be no injustice then. But there will be the objection still that Congress must then lay taxes for these debts which would have been much better laid & collected by the state governments. And this is the objection on which the accommodation now hangs with the non-assumptioners, many of whom committed themselves in their advocation of the new constitution by arguments drawn from the improbability that Congress would ever lay taxes where the states could do it separately. These gentlemen feel the reproaches which will be levelled at them personally. I have been, & still am of their opinion that Congress should al- ways prefer letting the States raise money in their own way
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 17
where it can be done. But in the present instance I see the necessity of yielding for this time to the cries of the creditors in certain parts of the union, for the sake of union, and to save us from the greatest of all calamities, the total extinction of our credit in Europe. On the other subject it is proposed to pass an act fixing the temporary residence of 12. or 15. years at Phila- delphia, and that at the end of that time it shall stand ipso facto & without further declaration transferred to Georgetown. In this way, there will be something to displease & something to soothe every part of the Union, but New York, which must be contented with what she has had. If this plan of compromise does not take place, I fear one infinitely worse, an unqualified assumption, & the perpetual residence on the Delaware. The Pennsylvania & Virginia delegations have conducted them- selves honorably & unexceptionably on the question of resi- dence. Without descending to talk about bargains they have seen that their true interests lay in not listening to insidious propositions made to divide & defect them, and we have seen them at times voting against their respective wishes rather than separate. * * *
[Th: Jefferson]
[Pp. 187-9, Ford, writings, V.]
Jefferson to Eppes
New York July 4. 1 790.
TO FRANCIS EPPES.
The Senate has passed the bill for transferring the temporary residence of Congress to Philadelphia for 10. years and the permanent one to George town thenceforward. The other question relative to the assumption of the state debts is still un- decided. Intheforminwhichithasbeenproposed.it
r can never
i8 1790 - 1791
be admitted. But neither can the proposition be totally re- jected without preventing the funding the public debt alto- gether which would be tantamount to a dissolution of the gov- ernment. I am in hopes it will be put into a just form, by as- suming to the creditors of each state in proportion to the census of each state, so that the state will be exonerated towards it's creditors just as much as it will have to contribute to the as- sumption, & consequently no injustice done. The only objec- tion then would be that the states could more conveniently levy taxes themselves to pay these debts. I am clearly of this opin- ion, but I see the necessity of sacrificing our opinions some times to the opinions of others for the sake of harmony.
[P. 194, Ford, writings, V.]
Jefferson to Rutledge
New Tork, July 4. 1 790.
TO EDWARD RUTLEDGE.
Some questions have lately agitated the mind of Congress more than the friends of union on catholic principles could have wished. The general assumption of state debts has been as warmly demanded by some states, as warmly rejected by others. I hope still that this question may be so divested of the injustice imputed to it as to be compromised. The question of residence you know was always a heating one. A bill has passed the Senate for fixing this at Philadelphia ten years, & then at George town: and it is rather probable it will pass the lower house. That question then will be put to sleep for ten years; & this and the funding business being once out of the way, I hope nothing else may be able to call up local principles.
[P. i97j Ford, writings, V.]
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 19
Jefferson to James Monroe
New York July 11, 1790.
TO JAMES MONROE.
Dear Sir,
I wrote you last on the 20th. of June. The bill for removing the federal government to Philadelphia for 1 o. years & then to Georgetown has at length passed both houses. The offices are to be removed before the first of December. I presume it will be done during the President's trip to Virginia about the 1st. of September & October. I hope to set out for Virginia about the 1st of September and to pass three or four weeks at Monticello. Congress will now probably proceed in better humour to fund- ing the public debt. This measure will secure to us the credit we now hold at Amsterdam, where our European paper is above par, which is the case of no other nation.
[Th: Jefferson]
[P. 198, Ford, writings, V.]
Jefferson to Randolph
New York July. 1 1 . 1 790. Dear Sir
Your last favor was of May 25. mine was of June 20. having written regularly every third week to you, & the intermediate one to Patsy or Polly, the bill for the removal of the federal government to Philadelphia for 10. years & then to George town has at length past both houses, so that our removal is now certain: and I think it tolerably certain that the President will leave this place on a visit to Mount Vernon about the last of August or first of September, that will fix my visit to Monti- cello to the same time.
**********
[Th: Jefferson]
Mr RANDOLPH
[Ms., Jefferson Papers, Library of Congress.]
20 179° " 179 1
Washington to Jefferson
Thursday, July 1 5, 1 790.
WASHINGTON TO JEFFERSON.
Dear Sir: Have you formed an opinion on the subject I sub- mitted to you on Tuesday? 4 Have you heard whether the Bill was disputed in both or either House of Congress on the ground of the Constitution, or whether this objection (in its full force) was held in petto for the last move, in the present Stage of the business? If it was debated, as above, whether the arguments
adduced by the Author of the Address to the P were made
use of, and how treated? and what would be the consequence supposing such a case, as he states, should arise? Yours sin- cerely and Affectionately.
[Pp. 69-70, whitings of Washington, Fitzpatrick, Vol. 31.]
Jefferson to Washington
Th: Jefferson begs pardon of the President for being later in sending the inclosed than he had given him reason to expect, the sole cause has been that the act of copying took him longer than he had calculated, he will have the honor of waiting on the President to answer to any thing which he may have omitted materially in these papers. July 15. 1790.
[Ms., Records of the Department of State, Miscellaneous Letters , June-July 1790, in the National Archives.]
Thursday July 15. 1790. Sir
I have formed an opinion, quite satisfactory to myself, that the adjournment of Congress may be by law, as well as by reso- lution, without touching the constitution. I am now copying fair what I had written yesterday on the subject & will have
4 A marginal note by Jefferson states: "For fixing the seat of the federal govmt"
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 21
the honor of laying it before you by ten oclock. — the address to the President contains a very full digest of all the arguments urged against the bill on the point of unconstitutionality on the floor of Congress, it was fully combated on that ground, in the committee of the whole, & on the third reading, the majority (a Southern one) overruled the objection, as a majority (a Northern one) had overruled the same objection the last session on the Susquehanna residence bill, so that two majorities, in two different sessions, & from different ends of the Union have overruled the objection, and may be fairly supposed to have declared the sense of the whole union. I shall not lose a mo- ment in laying before you my thoughts on the subject. I have the honor to be with the most respectful esteem
Sir
your most obedient & most humble serv*
Th: Jefferson the president of the united states
[Ms., Records of the Department of State, Miscellaneous Letters, June-July, 1790, in The National Archives; pp. 204-5, Ford, writings, V.]
A Bill having passed the two houses of Congress, & being now before the President, declaring that the seat of the federal government shall be transferred to the Patowmac in the year 1 790, that the session of Congress next ensuing the present shall be held at Philadelphia, to which place the offices shall be transferred before the I? of December next, a writer in a public paper of July 13. has urged on the consideration of the Presi- dent that the constitution has given to the two houses of Con- gress the exclusive right to adjourn themselves, that the will of the President mixed with theirs in a decision of this kind would be an inoperative ingredient, repugnant to the constitution, and that he ought not to permit them to part, in a single in- stance, with their constitutional rights: consequently that he ought to negative the bill.
22 1790 " I791
That is now to be considered.
Every man, & every body of men on earth, possesses the right of self-government: they recieve it with their being from the hand of nature, individuals exercise it by their single will: collections of men by that of their majority; for the law of the majority is the natural law of every society of men. when a cer- tain description of men are to transact together a particular business, the times & places of their meeting & separating de- pend on their own will; they make a part of the natural right of self-government, this, like all other natural rights, may be abridged or modified in it's exercise, by their own consent, or by the law of those who depute them, if they meet in the right of others: but — so far as it is not abridged or modified, they retain it as a natural right, & may exercise it in what form they please, either exclusively by themselves, or in association with others, or by others altogether, as they shall agree.
Each house of Congress possesses this natural right of govern- ing itself, & consequently of fixing it's own times & places of meeting, so far as it has not been abridged by the law of those who employ them, that is to say, by the Constitution, this act manifestly considers them as possessing this right of course, & therefore has no where given it to them, in the several different passages where it touches this right, it treats it as an existing thing, not as one called into existence by them, to evince this, every passage of the constitution shall be quoted, where the right of adjournment is touched; & it will be seen that no one of them pretends to give that right; that on the contrary every one is evidently introduced either to enlarge the right where it would be too narrow, to restrain it where, in it's natural & full exercise, it might be too large & lead to inconvenience, to de- fend it from the latitude of it's own phrases, where these were not meant to comprehend it, or to provide for it's exercise by others where they cannot exercise it themselves.
'A majority of each house shall constitute a quorum to do
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 23
business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, & may be authorised to compel the attendance of absent mem- bers.' Art. 1, sect. 5. a majority of every collection of men be- ing naturally necessary to constitute it's will, and it being fre- quently to happen that a majority is not assembled, it was neces- sary to enlarge the natural right, by giving to 'a smaller number than a majority' a right to compel the attendance of the absent members, & in the mean time to adjourn from day to day. this clause then does not pretend to give to a majority a right which it knew that majority would have of themselves, but to a num- ber less than a majority a right which it knew that lesser number would not have of themselves.
'Neither house, during the session of Congress, shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which the two houses shall be sitting.' ibid, each house exercising separately it's natural right to meet when and where it should think best, it might happen that the two houses would separate either in time or place, which would be inconvenient, it was necessary there- fore to keep them together by restraining their natural right of deciding on separate times & places, & by requiring a concur- rence of will.
But as it might happen that obstinacy, or a difference of ob- ject might prevent this concurrence, it goes on to take from them, in that instance, the right of adjournment altogether, & to transfer it to another, by declaring Art. 2. sect. 3. that 'in case of disagreement between the two houses with respect to the time of adjournment the President may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper.'
These clauses then do not import a gift, to the two houses, of a general right of adjournment, which it was known they would have without that gift, but to restrain or abrogate the right it was known they would have, in an instance where, exer- cised in it's full extent, it might lead to inconvenience, & to
24 1790 " J791
give that right to another who would not naturally have had it. it also gives to the President a right, which he otherwise would not have had, 'to convene both houses, or either of them, on extraordinary occasions.' thus substituting the will of another, where they are not in a situation to exercise their own.
'Every order, resolution, or vote, to which the concurrence of the Senate & house of representatives may be necessary (except on a question of adjournment) shall be presented to the President for his approbation &c.' Art. i, sect. 7. the latitude of the general words here used would have subjected the natural right of adjournment of the two houses to the will of the Presi- dent, which was not intended, they therefore expressly 'except questions of adjournment' out of their operation, they do not here give a right of adjournment, which it was known would exist without their gift; but they defend the existing right against the latitude of their own phrases, in a case where there was no good reason to abridge it. the exception admits they will have the right of adjournment, without pointing out the source from which they will derive it.
These are all the passages of the constitution (one only ex- cepted which shall be presently cited) where the right of ad- journment is touched: & it is evident that none of these are introduced to give that right; but every one supposes it to be existing, and provides some specific modification for cases where either a defect in the natural right, or a too full use of it would occasion inconvenience.
The right of adjournment then is not given by the constitu- tion; & consequently it may be modified by law, without inter- fering with that instrument, it is a natural right, &, like all other natural rights, may be abridged or regulated in it's exer- cise by law; & the concurrence of the third branch in any law regulating it's exercise is so efficient an ingredient in that law, that the right cannot be otherwise exercised, but after a repeal by a new law. The express terms of the constitution itself shew
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 25
that this right may be modified by law, when, in Art. 1 . sect. 4. (the only remaining passage on the subject not yet quoted) it sais 'the Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, & such meeting shall be on the i?t Monday in December, unless they shall, by law, appoint a different day.' then another day may be appointed, by law; & the President's assent is an effi- cient ingredient in that law. nay further, they cannot adjourn over the 1? Monday of December but by a law. this is another constitutional abridgment of their natural right of adjourn- ment; and completing our review of all the clauses in the con- stitution which touch that right, authorises us to say no part of that instrument gives it; and that the houses hold it, not from the constitution, but from nature.
A consequence of this is that the houses may by a joint resolu- tion remove themselves from place to place; because it is a part of their right of self-government: but that as the right of self- government does not comprehend the government of others, the two houses cannot, by a joint resolution of their majorities only, remove the executive, & judiciary from place to place, these branches possessing also the rights of self-government from nature, cannot be controuled in the exercise of them, but by a law, passed in the forms of the constitution, the clause of the bill in question therefore was necessary to be put into the form of a law, & to be submitted to the President, so far as it proposes to effect the removal of the Executive & Judiciary to Philadelphia, so far as respects the removal of the present houses of legislation thither, it was not necessary to be sub- mitted to the president: but such a submission is not repugnant to the constitution, on the contrary, if he concurs, it will so far fix the next session of Congress at Philadelphia, that it can- not be changed but by a regular law.
The sense of Congress itself is always respectable authority, it has been given very remarkeably on the present subject, the address to the President in the paper of the 1 3!11 is a complete
26 i79° " 1791
digest of all the arguments urged on the floor of the Repre- sentatives against the constitutionality of the bill now before the President; & they were over-ruled by a majority of that house, comprehending the delegations of all the states South of the Hudson, except South Carolina. At the last session of Con- gress, when the bill for remaining a certain term at New York, & then removing to Susquehanna or Germantown was ob- jected to on the same ground, the objection was overruled by a majority, comprehending the delegations of the Northern half of the union with that of South Carolina, so that the sense of every state in the union has been expressed, by its delegation, against this objection, South Carolina excepted, and excepting also Rhode island which has never yet had had a delegation in place to vote on the question. In both these instances the Senate concurred with the majority of the Representatives. The sense of the two houses is stronger authority in this case, as it is given against their own supposed privilege.
It would be as tedious, as it is unnecessary, to take up & dis- cuss one by one, the objections proposed in the paper of July 13. every one of them is founded on the supposition that the two houses hold their right of adjournment from the constitu- tion, this error being corrected, the objections founded on it fall of themselves.
It would also be a work of mere supererogation to shew that, granting what this writer takes for granted (that the President's assent would be an inoperative ingredient, because excluded by the constitution, as he says) yet the particular views of the writer would be frustrated, for on every hypothesis of what the President may do, Congress must go to Philadelphia. 1 . if he assents to the bill, that assent makes good law of the part rela- tive to the Patowmac, and the part for holding the next session at Philadelphia is good, either as an ordinance, or a vote of the two houses, containing a compleat declaration of their will, in a case where it is competent to the object, so that they must go to
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 27
Philadelphia in that case. 2. if he dissents from the bill, it annuls the part relative to the Patowmac; but as to the clause for adjourning to Philadelphia, his dissent being as inefficient as his assent, it remains a good ordinance, or vote, of the two houses for going thither, & consequently they must go in this case also. 3. if the President witholds his will out of the bill altogether, by a ten days silence, then the part relative to the Patowmac becomes a good law without his will, & that relative to Philadelphia is good also, either as a law, or an ordinance, or a vote of the two houses, & consequently in this case also they go to Philadelphia.
Th: Jefferson July. 15. 1790.
[Ms., Records of the Department oj State, Miscellaneous Letters, June-July 1790, in The National Archives; pp. 205-210, Ford, writings, V.]
Jefferson to Short
New York Aug. 25. 1790. Dear Sir
The President will leave this on the 30th for Mount Vernon and will return to Philadelphia towards the latter part of No- vember. I go hence a day or two after him, for Monticello, and shall return to Philadelphia about the last of October, the other offices will be removed to Philadelphia between the middle of October & of November. I very much wish my let- ters, written for this purpose may have reached you in time to change the destination of my furniture to Philadelphia di- rectly.
[Th: Jefferson]
Mr SHORT [Ms., Jefferson Papers, Library of Congress.]
28 1790 - 179*
Jefferson to Washington
Fredericksburg, Sep. 17 1790. Sir
In the course of the visit we made the day we left Mount Vernon, we drew our host 5 into conversation on the subject of the federal seat, he came into it with a shyness not usual in him. whether this proceeded from his delicacy as having prop- erty adjoining Georgetown, or from what other motive I can- not say. he quitted the subject always as soon as he could, he said enough however to show his decided preference of George- town, he mentioned shortly, in it's favor, these circumstances. 1 . it's being at the junction of the upper & lower navigation where the commodities must be transferred into other vessels: (and here he was confident that no vessel could be contrived which could pass the upper shoals and live in the wide waters below his island.) 2. the depth of water which would admit any vessels that could come to Alexandria. 3. the narrowness of the river & consequent safeness of the harbour. 4. it's being clear of ice as earlt at least as the canal & river above would be clear. 5. it's neighborhood to the Eastern branch, whither any vessels might conveniently withdraw which should be detained through the winter. 6. it's defensibility, as derived from the high & commanding hills around it. 7. it's actual possession of the commerce & the start it already has.
He spoke of Georgetown always in comparison with Alex- andria. When led to mention the Eastern branch he spoke of it as an admirable position, superior in all respects to Alexandria.
I have committed to writing a Memorandum for mr Carrol of the kind of conveyance I suggested to him, & which I had not the opportunity then to put on paper. I inclose it open for your perusal, and take the liberty of asking you to put a wafer
5 Gen. John Mason.
J
7
I .
'■*ajpft*
5*.
\-y*~ /fc
Jefferson' s plan for the Federal city, from Jefferson Papers, March 7797, Division of Manuscripts,
I ibrary of Congress.
*. f/* „
s-r
r>s
tvfSh
i — :5<r-n~T
•rr n &s ® ^ ra m e h E?a ej
fctS^HECtiEte ■ Sf^ E^<3E3HHE]aB^H
' SEBieOREr;, .
nrnrziBB FEGjHB
rnSBB
E3E300I
HEEK8 BBfP'^
: r- —
3B Q BCZjHB
rSGEB
■ «.ESQB
... ^gg
El
BB\
EBBS
3BEFF
BCPSr
IEFF[
BC3HB
BEBB BBBE BHBBBli
p&ebS11
BSHBEli
BEBBQf! bed: cpl EEjPEEI
HEBHH1
Rfti
FEF—
\
\
X>
'■
L
j_-HHhrm
i 1
o
-I
/\
>
Ma/) of the City of Washingti
>)
<h.i)0
(. i -
f>7'i' «9/'' MyLSIIlX€irrO.\
in lite Diftlricl ol Columbia
M
i
^iEfSlBSBBBgk OB \>ILilSC.\
: IB 0 Effl BCDBBBBEE^k ,„&,„ /;■<>,> «w .!■.•,„. «* w w TflHjiEBC^FFFFFR
0BBBHE0BBBBE]
:[^<TFFH
fZ
r>-
FT
I hi
"FFFFT
rt3E
T'FFFFB'FFFFr F/F-^^FFFFIFFFFFREBF'PFF 1 Ar^F FFFEEFFFFFEF1*-
FFI FrFFf^r~FFFf
EFFFfP^
fF r
rnprprrr
ilSIBfe^i
FFFF
-rrr-r-,^FEFf^
FF>F~t~tt^f rrrnfc^^rFFir I i.i.i Ff^l: *&r
rrFrvi^rV '
.
T. B
irlMlf
MrpTii iFi'" fffffff
ill 1 II
'J >, during Jefferson's administration.
Early Washington, showing the Jefferson poplars on Pennsylvania Avenue.
rr*?r
• 'ifl:
\i
i/_
Boundary stones for the Federal district, several of which still stand. Installed 1791.
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 29
into it, when you are done with it, & to forward it to mr Carroll. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect & attach- ment, Sir,
Your most obedient & most humble servt.
Th. Jefferson
From thos. jefferson esq and mr. madison
1 7th Sept. 1 790 — Free The president of the united states at Mount-Vernon
[P. 131, U.S. V. SMITH.]
Jefferson to Charles Carroll
[September 17, 1790]
[Jefferson's memorandum for Mr. Chas. Carroll which he enclosed with his letter to the President, September 77, 1790]
The Conveyance to be executed, according to the form of the laws of Maryland, by the Proprietors of the land designated by the President for the Federal seat.
The preamble to recite the substance of that part of the Residence Act which authorizes the President to receive grants of lands or money for the use of the United States and to declare that the object of the conveyance is to furnish both Land and money for their use. The body of the deed to convey the lands designated for the city (suppose 1500 acres) to A and B and their heirs in trust for the following purposes:
1. To reconvey to the commissioners their heirs and suc- cessors to be named by the President, such portions of the said lands as the President shall designate for the site of the public buildings, public walks, streets, &c, to remain for the use of the United States.
2. To reconvey the residue of such lands, to such persons, and on such conditions as the Commissioners shall direct, for
3° J79° - 1791
the purpose of raising money, and the money when received to be granted to the President for the use of the United States according to the Residence Act.
The effect of this last clause will be such that the President (without any further legislation from Congress) may proceed to lay out the town immediately into 1, public lots; 2 public walks and gardens; 3 private lots for sale; 4 streets. The 1, 2 and 4th articles to be reconveyed to the Commissioners, and the 3rd to private purchasers as above proposed. It is under- stood that this conveyance will have been preceded by articles of agreement signed by all the proprietors of the lands in and about those several spots which have such obvious advantages as render it presumable to every one that some one of them will attract the President's notice and choice.
[Pp. IO9-IO, HISTORY, CITY OF WASHINGTON, Tindall.]
Jefferson Note
November 29, 1790
Proceedings to be had under the Residence act.
a territory not exceeding 10. miles square (or, I presume, 100 square miles in any form) to be located by metes and bounds. 3. commissioners to be appointed
I suppose them not entitled to any salary.
[if they live near the place they may, in some instances, be influenced by self interest, & partialities: but they will push the work with zeal, if they are from a distance, & Northwardly, they will be more im- partial, but may affect delays.]
the Commissioners to purchase or accept 'such quantity of land on the E. side of the river as the President shall deem proper for the U. 5.' viz. for the federal Capitol, the offices, the President's house & gardens, the town house, Market house, publick walks, hospital, for the President's house, offices & gardens, I should think 2. squares sould be consolidated, for the Capitol
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 31
& offices one square, for the Market one square, for the Pub- lic walks 9. squares consolidated.
the expression 'such quantity of land as the President shall deem proper for the U. £.' is vague, it may therefore be extended to the acceptance or purchase of land enough for the town: and I have no doubt it is the wish, & perhaps expectation, in that case it will be to be laid out in lots & streets. I should propose these to be at right angles as in Philadelphia, & that no street be narrower than 100. feet, with foot- ways of 15. feet, where a street is long & level, it might be 120. feet wide. I should pre- fer squares of at least 200. yards every way, which will be of about 8. acres each.
The Commissioners should have some taste in architecture, because they may have to decide between different plans.
They will however be subject to the President's direction in every point.
When the President shall have made up his mind as to the spot for the town, would there by any impropriety in his saying to the neighboring landholders, CI will fix the town here if you will join & purchase & give the lands.' They may well afford it from the increase of value it will give to their own circumjacent lands.
The lots to be sold out in breadth of 50 feet ; their depths to extend to the diagonal of the square
I doubt much whether the obligation to build the houses at a given distance from the street, contributes to its beauty, it produces a disgusting monotony, all persons make this complaint against Philadelphia, the contrary practice varies the appearance, & is much more convenient to the inhabitants.
In Paris it is forbidden to build a house beyond a given height, & it is admitted to be a good restriction, it keeps the houses low & convenient, & the streets light and airy, fires are much more managable where houses are low. This however is an object of Legislation.
|
\ |
4 |
|
fer |
\ |
32 1790 - i79i
"The act for establishing the temporary and permanent seat of the Government of the U. States" requires the following steps for carrying the latter into effect.
i. The appointment of three Commissioners of sufficient respectability having good will to the general object without any particular bias of private interest.6
V
C r- .
6 Quer. If local situation or interest be an objection outweighing the advantage of proximity and zeal for %
the object, as the President is to prescribe the place ^ j3 ^ 5
& the commis. only to define the district, and as the Jj d *1 S ^ <j
w § subsequent discretion in the Comiss. will give no " o O " c S
§ .§> opportunity of sacrificing their trust to local consid- ° y • § o2
o o
Jg o erations, The essential point seems to be that the $ g fc '£ ^ o
co Commission's be filled by men who prefer residing "^ | £ a, ^
(a majority at least) so conveniently to the scene of ^ o jg 2? u -S
business as to be able to attend readily & gratis.
Should it be advisable after securing a majority near at hand to make an appointment with a view to attach particular parts of the Union to the object. N. England particularly Massa- chusetts, first occurs — and next, S. Carolina & Georgia.
Mr. Ellicott (Mr. Gorum Mr. Bull) Mr. Fitzhugh (of Chat- ham) Mr. O. Wolcott Mr. Tucker Mr. Loyd (of Annapolis) Mr. of R. I. Mr. Baldwin Rev'd Mr. Lee Massey.
2. That the President inform himself of the several rival positions; leaving among them inducements to bid against each other in offers of land or money, as the location when com- pleted by the survey will not be mutable by the President, it may be well to have the offers so framed as to become ipso facto absolute in favor of the U. S. on the event which they solicit.
3. That the President direct the Survey of the District which he shall ultimately elect. It seems essential that the District should comprehend the water adjoining the establishment, and eligible that it should comprehend the opposite shore. The legality of this seems to be decided by clause confining the pur- chase or acceptance of land for the use of the U. S. "to the East
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 33
side of the river within the said district" which imply that the whole district was not necessarily to be on that side. Quer: whether it will not be convenient to accept in the first instance so much less than 10 miles square as will allow places to be afterwards taken in, which may not now be attainable, or it may not be prudent now to accept.
4. The district being defined & the requisite quantity of ground secured, the next step must be to fix the site for the pub- lic buildings — and provide for the establishment or enlarge- ment of a town within the district. — as no special authority is given for the latter purpose the consent of proprietors will be necessary: but as they will have a common interest with the public, voluntary arrangements between them and the Com- missioners may be readily procured in favor of any plan which the President may patronize. Should any difficulties be appre- hended on this point they can be guarded ag'st in the negocia- tions preliminary to the actual location of the district.
5. The plan for the public buildings is to be approved by the President.
The Commissioners will no doubt submit different ones formed by themselves, or obtained from ingenious architects. Should it be thought proper to excite emulation by a premium for the best, the expence is authorized, as an incident to that of the Buildings.
6. The completion of the work will depend on a supyly [sic] of the means. These must consist either of future grants of money by Congress which it would not be prudent to count upon — of State grants — of private grants — or the conver- sion into money of lands ceded for public use which it is con- ceived the latitude of the term "use" & the spirit & scope of the Act will justify.
In conversations with Mr. Carrol, Mr. Stoddard and Mr. Dickens they were properly impressed with the idea that if the present occasion of securing the Federal seat on the Potowmack
34 J79<> - 1791
should be lost, it could never more be regained, that it would be dangerous to rely on any aids from Congress, or the assem- blies of Virginia or Maryland, & that therefore measures should be adopted to carry the residence bill into execution without recourse to those bodies: and that the requisites were 1 st land enough to place the public buildings on; & 2ndly money enough to build them, and to erect moreover about 20 good dwelling houses for such persons belonging to the Govern- ment as must have houses to themselves, about as many good lodging houses, and half a dozen taverns.
To obtain this sum, this expedient was suggested to them. To procure a declaration from the proprietors of those spots of land most likely to be fixed for the town, that if the President's location of the town should comprehend their lands, they would give them up for the use of the U. S. on condition they should receive the double of their value, estimated as they would have been had there been no thought of bringing the federal seat into their neighborhood, it was supposed that 1500 Acres would be required in the whole, to wit, about 300 acres for public buildings, walks &c and 1200 Acres to be divided into quarter acre lots, which, due allowance being made for streets, would make about 2000 lots, the vacant lots in Georgetown now sell at £200. those of Alexandria at £600. Suppose those of the new town should bring only £100 clear this would pro- duce 200,ooo£ a sum adequate to the objects before mentioned, it was further supposed that the Assembly of Maryland would interpose to force the consent of infant or obstinate proprietors for a reasonable compensation.
It was also suggested as a more certain means of ensuring the object, that each proprietor within the whole ten miles square should cede one half his lands to the public, to be sold to raise money; perhaps this would be pushing them too far for the reputation of the new government they were to come under, & further than is necessary when we consider the sum which may
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 35
be raised by the sale of lots, the donation of 120,000 Dollars by Virginia, & the possible donation of an equal sum by Mary- land; at least it might shew a commendable moderation not to push this proposition till experiment should prove the other resources inadequate; great zeal appeared in the gentlemen before mentioned, & they seemed to approve the proposition for the 1500 Acres; that for a moiety of all the lands within the 10 mile square was hazarded only to Mr. Carrol; they will probably proceed immediately to make the best arrangements practicable & to come forward with them to the President.
Queries. 1. Would it not be well if a position below the little falls should be decided on, to begin the 10 miles just above the commencement of the canal; and accept from Maryland, for the present, only from thence down to the Eastern branch, supposed about 7 miles: and to accept from Virginia 10 miles beginning at the lower end of Alexandria, & running up as far as it will extend, which probably will be as far up as the com- mencement on the Maryland side, this being accepted, & pro- fessedly (as to Maryland) in part only of their cession, when Congress shall meet they may pass an amendatory bill authoriz- ing the President to compleat his acceptance from Maryland by crossing the Eastern branch and compleating the 10 miles in that direction, which will bring the lower boundary on the Maryland side very nearly opposite to that on the Virginia side — it is understood that the breadth of the territory accepted will be of 5 miles only on each side.
2. In locating the town, will it not be best to give it double the extent on the eastern branch of what it has on the river? the former will be for persons in commerce, the latter for those connected with the Government.
3. Will it not be best to lay out the long streets paralel with the creek, and the other crossing them at right angles, so as to leave no oblique angled lots but the single row which shall be on the river? thus:
36
179*
1792
|
/ |
||||||||||||
|
vV |
/ |
|||||||||||
|
y |
||||||||||||
|
/ |
Creek
[Pp. 2155-9, u.s. v. morris, Records, Vol. VII.]
Washington to Jefferson
Sunday, January 2, 1 791 .
WASHINGTON TO JEFFERSON
Dear Sir: The enclosed Notes 7 are sufficiently descriptive to comprehend the two objects fully; but it is necessary to remark, that if the first line 8 begins at a point on Hunting Creek, the fourth line cannot, in any part touch (though it will include) the Town of Alexandria; because Huntg. Creek is below the bound- aries of the Town. And, if it could be so ordered as for the first line to avoid touching the town, that is, to allow room for its ex- tending backwards, as well as up and down the River, without throwing too much of the district into Virginia, it would be a desirable measure. Where are the Acts, or Resolutions of the States of Virginia and Maryland (respecting the Cession of the ten miles Square) to be met with? If to be brought from the Archives of these States, much time will be required in obtain- ing them: but quere, are they not among the deposits of the Genl. Government.? The presumption is, that they were trans- mitted by the two States above mentioned. Yrs. Affectly.
[Pp. 189, writings of Washington, Fitzpatrick, Vol. 31.]
7 These notes of the courses and distances are, with this letter, in the Jefferson Papers in the Library of Congress.
8 The southwest boundary line of the District of Columbia.
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 37
Washington to Jefferson
Tuesday [January 4,9 1 791 .]
WASHINGTON TO JEFFERSON.
The P. begs to see Mr. Jefferson before he proceeds further in the Proclamation. From a more attentive examination of some Papers, in his possession, he finds that it is in his power to ascertain the course and distance from the Court House in Alex- andria to the upper and lower end of the canal at the little Falls with as much accuracy as can be known from Common Survey- ing if not to mathematical truth.
If Mr. Jefferson is not engaged with other matters the Presi- dent will be at home at nine Oclock.
[P. igi, WRITINGS OF WASHINGTON, Fitzpatrick, Vol. 3 1.]
Jefferson to Commissioners
"The President, thinking it would be better that the outline, at least, of the city, and, perhaps Georgetown, should be laid down in the plat of the the territory, I have the honor now to send it and to desire that Major Ellicott may do it as soon as convenient, that it may be returned in time to be laid before Congress."
[Letter from Jefferson to the Commissioners, dated Philadelphia, January 15, 1791.10]
Jefferson to Daniel Carroll
Philadelphia J arfy 24.. 1 791 .
TO DANIEL CARROLL ES£)R.
Dear Sir
The President of the united States desirous of availing him
9 This date could also be Jan. 24, 1 J gi, post.
10 Records, Columbia Historical Society, vol. 2, p. 1 70. As Major Ellicott's appointment is dated February 2, 1791, the date of the letter of Mr. Jefferson must be an error.
38 i79> - 1792
self of your assistance in preparing the federal seat on the Poto- mac, is in hopes you will act as one of the Commissioners di- rected by the law for that purpose. I have the honor now to enclose a joint Commission for yourself and two others, to- gether with a copy of the Proclamation meant to constitute your first direction. The President will from time to time com- municate such further directions, as circumstances shall call for. I have the honor to be with great esteem, Dear Sir, &c.
Th: Jefferson.
[Ms., p. 198, American Letters, Vol. IV, 1788-92, Letters of the Secretaries of State, State Department Archives in the National Archives; p. 144, u.s. v. smith.]
Jefferson to Johnson and Stuart
Philadelphia January 24, 1 791 .
TO THOMAS JOHNSON & DAVID STUART ESQRS.
Dear Sir
The President of the united States desirous of availing him- self of your assistance in preparing the federal seat on the Potomac, has appointed you one of the three Commissioners directed by the law for that purpose, a joint Commission is made out and deposited in the hands of the honorable D. Car- roll, who is named second therein. I have the honor to enclose you a copy of the Proclamation meant to constitute your first direction. The President will from time to time communicate such further directions as circumstances shall call for. I have the honor to be with great esteem, Dear Sir &c.
Th. Jefferson.
[Ms., p. 199, American Letters, Vol. IV, 1788-92, State Department Archives in the National Archives; p. 144, u.s. v. smith.]
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 39
Jefferson to Johnson and Stuart
Philadelphia January 29. 1 791 .
TO THOMAS JOHNSON & DAVID STUART ESQRS.
Sir
Mr. Carroll supposing that doubts may arise whether he can act as one of the Commissioners for the federal Seat, while a member of Congress, has declined, and has returned me the commission, which had been deposited with him as one of the members. I have now the honor to enclose it to [you] and to observe that two members suffice for business. I will be some time before a third will be named. The President having thought Major L' Enfant peculiarly qualified to make such a draught of the ground as will enable himself to fix on the spot for the public buildings, he has been written to for that pur- pose, and will be sent on if he chuses to undertake it. I have the honor to be, Sir &c
Th: Jefferson.
Note. — In the letter to Mr. Stuart these words were comprised in the Brackets instead of ["you"] viz1.
["mr. Johnson first named therein"]
[Ms., p. 199, American Letters, Vol. IV, 1788-92, State Department Archives in the National Archives; p. 45, u.s. v. smith.]
Washington to Jefferson
February i, 1791 My dear Sir:
Nothing in the enclosed letter superceding the necessity ol Mr. Ellicots proceeding to the work in hand I would thank you, for requesting him, to set out on thursday; or as soon after as he can make it convenient: also for preparing such instruc-
4° i79 1 " 1792
tions as you may conceive it necessary for me to give him for ascertaining the points we wish to know; first, for the general view of things, and next for the more accurate and final deci- sion.
Yrs. Sincerely and affly
[Pp. 206-7, WRITINGS OF WASHINGTON, Fitzpatrick, Vol. 31; p. 56, HISTORY OF WASHING- TON, Tindall.]
Jefferson to Ellicott
Philadelphia, February 2, 1 791 :
TO MAJOR ELLICOTT,
Sir: You are desired to proceed by the first stage to the Federal territory on the Potomac, for the purpose of making a survey of it. The first object will be to run the two first lines mentioned in the enclosed proclamation to wit: — the S. W. line 160 poles and the S. E. line to Hunting Creek or should it not strike Hunting Creek as has been suggested then to the River. These two lines must run with all the accuracy of which your art is susceptible as they are to fix the beginning either on Hunting Creek or the River, if the second line should strike the River instead of the Creek take and lay down the bearing and distance of the nearest part of the creek and also of any of its waters if any of them should be nearer than the creek itself; so also should either of these two lines cross any water of Hunting Creek let it be noted. The termination of the Second line being accurately fixed, either on the creek or river proceed to run from that at a beginning the four lines of experiment directed in the proclamation, this is intended as the first rough essay to furnish data for the last accurate survey. It is desirable that it be made with all the dispatch possible and with only common exactness, paying regard however to the magnetic variations. In running these lines note the position of the mouth of the Eastern Branch, the point of your first course there will receive
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 41
the S. W. line from the Cape of the Eastern Branch, — the Canal and particular distance of your crossing it from either end, the position of Georgetown, and mouth of Goose Creek, and send by Post, A plat of the whole on which ultimate direc- tions for the rest of the work shall be sent you, as soon as they can be prepared. Till these shall be received by you, you can be employed in ascertaining a true Meridian, and the latitude of the place, and running the meanderings of the Eastern Branch, and of the River itself, and other waters which will merit an exact place in the map of the Territory. You will herewith receive a draft on the Mayor of Georgetown to cover your expenses.
Th. Jefferson.
P.S. — The President writes by Post to Mr. Beall Mayor of Georgetown to furnish you with money for your expenses for which therefore you may apply to him without further order.
[P. 170, COLUMBIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Records, Vol. 2.]
Ellicott to Jefferson
Sir: — I arrived at this town on Monday last, but the cloudy weather prevented any observations being made until Friday which was very fine. On Saturday the two first lines were completed. You will see by the enclosed plat that the second line does not touch any part of Hunting Creek unless the spring drain noted in the plat is to be considered a part of it. It ap- pears to me that in order to make the plan as complete as pos- sible it will be proper to begin the survey of the ten miles square at the Eastern inclination of the upper cape of Hunting Creek, marked on the plat. This plan will include all the Harbor and wharfs of Alexandria, which will not be the Case if the two first lines mentioned in the proclamation are to remain as now. I shall submit to your consideration the following plan for the permanent location which will I believe embrace every object of advantage which can be included within the ten miles
42 1791 - 1792
square. [Many erasures follow and indistinct writing.] — as marked in plat A. The magnetic variations at this place is somewhat uncertain, arising no doubt from some local cause. It was 20 easterly when the second line struck the river and at the end of the first line, it was nearly as much Westerly. The Latitude of Alexandria, I find to be about 33 48 20 N. This afternoon I intend beginning the rough survey which shall be executed with all possible dispatch, [more erasures]. You will observe by the plan which I have suggested for the Permanent Location a small deviation with respect to the compass from that mentioned in the Proclamation, the reason of which is that the Coup's in the Proclamation, strictly adhered to, would neither produce straight lines, nor contain quite the ten miles square, besides the utmost impropriety of running such lines without tolerable exactness. I am Sir with greatest respect and esteem your o'b'd't Servant.
Andrew Ellicott.
[Letter written either to the President, or to Mr. Jefferson, bears date of Feb. 14th, 1 791.]
[Pp. 172-3, COLUMBIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Records, Vol. 2.]
Jefferson to L'Enfant
March 1 791 .
JEFFERSON TO MAJOR L5ENFANT
Sir,
You are desired to proceed to Georgetown, where you will find Mr. Ellicot employed in making a survey and map of the Federal territory.11 The special object of asking your aid is to have drawings of the particular grounds most likely to be ap- proved for the site of the federal town and buildings. You will therefore be pleased to begin on the eastern branch, and pro-
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 43
ceed from thence upwards, laying down the hills, valleys, morasses, and waters between that, the Potomac, the Tyber, and the road leading from Georgetown to the eastern branch, and connecting the whole with certain fixed points of the map Mr. Ellicot is preparing. Some idea of the height of the hills above the base on which they stand, would be desirable. For necessary assistance and expenses, be pleased to apply to the Mayor of Georgetown, who is written to on this subject. I will beg the favor of you to mark to me your progress about twice a week, by letter . . .
[P. 221, WRITINGS OF WASHINGTON, III.]
Jefferson to Daniel Carroll
Philadelphia March 4. 1 791 .
TO DANIEL CARROLL ESQR.
Sir
The President of the united States desiring to avail the public of your services as one of the Commissioners for surveying the district of territory accepted by the act for establishing the temporary and permanent Seat of the Government of the
11 Extracts from Georgetown Weekly Ledger of March 12, 1 791.
"Some time last month arrived in this town Maj. Andrew Ellicott, a gentleman of superior astronomical abilities. He was appointed by the President of the United States to lay off a tract of land ten miles square on the Potomac for the use of Congress. He is now engaged in this business and hopes soon to accomplish the object of his mission. He is attended by Benjamin Banniker, an Ethiopian, whose abilities as a Surveyor and Astronomer clearly prove that Mr. Jefferson's concluding that race of men were void of mental endowments was without foundation."
"Wednesday evening arrived in this town Major Longfont, a French gentleman em- ployed by the President of the United States to survey the lands contiguous to George- town where the federal city is to be built. His skill in matters of this kind is justly extolled by all disposed to give merit its proper tribute of praise. He is earnest in the business and hopes to be able to lay a plat of that parcel of land before the President upon his arrival in this town."
[P. 2172, u.s. v. morris, Records, Vol. VII.]
44 i79i - 1792
united States, I have now the honor of enclosing you the Com- mission, and of expressing to you the sentiments of perfect esteem with which I am Sir &c.
Th: Jefferson.
[Ms., p. 208, American Letters, Vol. IV, 1788-92, State Department Archives in the National Archives; p. 146, u.s. v. smith.]
Washington to Jefferson
Sunday , March 6, 1 791 .
WASHINGTON TO JEFFERSON.
The President would thank Mr. Jefferson for placing all, or such of the enclosed papers (after he has perused them) in the hands of the Attorney General as he shall deem necessary for the purpose of drawing the several documents of the Ceded Lands or, the form of one. If the former, it is conceived fur- ther information than the enclosures contain is wanting. If the latter, the agreement, and perhaps the plat to which it refers, is all that is necessary; but the plat referred to, does not apply to the subsequent purchasers.
[P. IO9, HISTORY OF WASHINGTON, Tindall.]
L'Enfant to Jefferson
Georgetown Mars the 10 — 1791
l'enfant. recd Mar. 24.
Sir
On the 1 7ult the change of the weather at last having per- mitted me to proceed to the Eastern branch I deed on the after- nnon of that day set about the survey, but the variety of the weather has been such since as has much impeded my progress, I have only been able, to this day, to lay down of that part
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 45
which lay between the eastern branch and the tiber so much as includ Jenkins Hill & all the water course from round carroll point up to the ferry landing leaving for a better time some swampy pass which were rendered absolutely impasable by the Eavy rain which overflowing all the low ground determined me to confine myself on the heigh land — I Expected to have before this day attempted to lay down somme part of those lay- ing between the tyber and Rock creek had not a fall of snow and stormy wind which succeeded for these three day past pre- vented me — I hope to morrow will prove more favorable for me to proceed laying down that part which you prescribe in the letter which I this moment receive from M5 Ellicot who brought it himself to me & shall according to your direction join his endeavour to mine in running as much as possible of the wather course as may serve — connect the whole of our different surveys together —
I have the Honor to be with great respect sir your most
humble and most obedient servant
P. C. L'Enfant
the HONble th. jefferson, Secretary of State.
[Pp. 1 50-1, U.S. V. SMITH.]
L'Enfant to Jefferson
Friday March 11 — 1 791. Sir:
I have the honor of informing you of my arrival at this place where I could not possibly reach before Wednesday last and very late in the evening after having travelled part of the way on foot and part on horse back leaving the broken stage behind.
On arriving I made it my first care immediately to wait on the mayor of the town in conforming with the direction which you gave me — he appeared to be much surprised and he as-
46 1791 - 1792
sured me he had received no previous notice of my coming nor any instruction relating to the business I was sent upon — how- ever next day — yesterday morning — he made me a kind offer of his assistance in procuring for me three or four men to attend me in the surveying and this being the only thing I was in need of every matter has been soon arranged. I am only at present to regret that an heavy rain and thick mist which has been incessant ever since my arrival here has put an insuper- able obstacle to my wish of proceeding immediately to the sur- vey. Should the weather continue bad as there is every ap- pearance it will I shall be much at a loss how to make a plan of the ground you have pointed out to me and have it ready for the President at the time when he is expected at this place. I see no other way if by Monday next the weather does not change, but that of making a rough draft as accurat as may be obtain by viewing the ground in riding over it on horse back, as I have already done yesterday through the rain to obtain a knowledge of the whole. I put from the eastern branch to- wards Georgetown up the heights and down along side of the bank of the main river and along side of Goose and Rock creeks as far up as their springs.
As far as I was able to judge through a thick fog I passed on many spots which appeared to me raly beautiful and which seem to dispute with each other who command. In the most extensive prospect of the water the gradual rising of the ground from Carrollborough toward the Ferry Road, the level and extensive ground from there to the bank of the Potomack as far as Goose Creek present a situation most advantageous to run streets and prolong them on grand and far distant point of view the water running from spring at some distance into the creeks, appeared also to me possible to be conducted without much labour so as to form pounds for watering every part of that spot. The remainder part of the ground toward George- town is more broken — it may afford pleasant seats, but altho'
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 47
the bank of the river between the two creeks can command as grand a prospect as any of the other spots it seems to be less commendable for the establishment of a city not only because the level surface it presents is but small but because the heights from behind Georgetown absolutely command the whole.
No proof of the ground between the eastern branch and Georgetown can be say to be of a commanding nature, on the contrary it appear at first sight as being itself surrounded, however in advancing toward the eastern branch these heights seem to sink as the waves of a tempestuous sea and when con- sidering the intended city on that grand scale on which it ought to be planned, it will appear that the only height which would unavoidably.
In it a small town may easily be comprehended in the limit of such a one as is rendered by a proper management in the ap- propriation of the building that may be thereon erected, a means of protection and of security.
Such the few remarks which I have been able to make in a journey when the badness of the weather much impeded my progress. I therefore hope for your indulgence in hazarding to communicate them to you. I have the honor to be, Sir, With very great respect,
P. C. L'Enfant.
THE HONORABLE THOMAS JEFFERSON,
Secretary of State,
[P. I50, COLUMBIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY, Records, Vol. 2; pp. I49-5O, U.S. V. SMITH.]
Jefferson Opinion
Opinion relative to locating the Ten Mile Square for the Federal Gov- ernment, and building the Federal City.
March u, 1 791.
Objects which may merit the attention of the President, at Georgetown.
48 179 1 - 1792
The commissioners to be called into action.
Deeds of cession to be taken from the land-holders.
Site of the capitol and President's house to be determined on.
Proclamation completing the location of the territory, and fixing the site of the capitol.
Town to be laid off. Squares of reserve are to be decided on for the capitol, President's house, offices of government, town- house, prison, market, and public walks.
Other squares for present sale designated.
Terms of sale to be settled. As there is not as yet a town legislature, and things may be done before there is one to pre- vent them, which yet it would be desirable to prevent, it would seem justifiable and expedient that the President should form a capitulary of such regulations as he may think necessary to be observed, until there shall be a town legislature to undertake this office; such capitulary to be indented, signed, sealed, and recorded, according to the laws of conveyance in Maryland. And to be referred to in every deed for conveyance of the lots to purchasers, so as to make a part thereof. The same thing might be effected, by inserting special covenants for every regulation in every deed; but the former method is the shortest. I cannot help again suggesting here one regulation formerly suggested, to wit: To provide for the extinguishment of fires, and the openness and convenience of the town, by prohibiting houses of excessive height. And making it unlawful to build on any one's purchase any house with more than two floors be- tween the common level of the earth and the eaves, nor with any other floor in the roof than one at the eaves. To consider in what way the contracts for the public buildings shall be made, and whether as many bricks should not be made this summer as may employ brick-layers in the beginning of the season of 1 792, till more can be made in that season.
With respect to the amendment of the location so as to in- clude Bladensburgh, I am of opinion it may be done with the
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
49
consent of the legislature of Maryland, and that that consent may be so far counted on, as to render it expedient to declare the location at once.
B
The location A B G D A having been once made, I consider as obligatory and unalterable, but by consent of parties, except so far as was necessary to render it practicable by a correction of the beginning. That correction might be lawfully made either by stopping at the river, or at the spring of Hunting creek, or by lengthening the course from the court-house so that the second course should strike the mouth of Hunting creek. I am of opinion, therefore, that the beginning at the mouth of Hunting creek, is legally justifiable. But I would advise the location E F G H E to be hazarded so as to include Bladensburgh, because it is a better location, and I think will certainly be confirmed by Maryland. That State will neces-
5° J 79i - 1792
sarily have to pass another act confirming whatever location shall be made, because her former act authorized the delegates then in office, to convey the lands. But as they were not lo- cated, no conveyance has been made, and those persons are now out of office, and dispersed. Suppose the non-concurrence of Maryland should defeat the location E F G H E, it can only be done on this principle, that the first location A B C D A was valid, and unalterable, but by mutual consent. Then their non-concurrence will re-establish the first location A B C D A, and the second location will be good for the part E I D K E without their concurrence, and this will place us where we should be were we now to complete the location E B C K E. Consequently, the experiment of an amendment proposed can lose nothing, and may gain, and probably will gain, the better location.
When I say it can lose nothing, I count as nothing, the tri- angle A I E, which would be in neither of the locations. Per- haps this might be taken in afterwards, either with or without the consent of Virginia.
[Pp. 561-3, writings, Washington cd., VIII.]
Washington to Jefferson
[March 16, i79i.]lla
WASHINGTON TO JEFFERSON
My dear Sir: Enclosed is the last letter I have received from Messrs. Deakins and Stoddart. What step had I best take to bring matters to a close with Burn's, and by declaring at once the Site of the public buildings, prevent some inconvenience which I see may arise from the opinions promulgated by Mr. L'Enfont? as much probably from complaisance as judgment. Yrs.
[P. 244, writings of Washington, Fitzpatrick, Vol. 31.]
lla Date received, according to the Jefferson Papers in the Library of Congress, Vol. 62, p. 16712.
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 51
Jefferson to L'Enfant
Philadelphia march 17. 1791.
TO MAJOR L'ENFANT
Sir
Your favor of the 1 ith instant has been duly received: be- tween the date of that and your receipt of the present, it is probable that the most important parts of the ground towards the eastern branch will have been delineated. However, whether they are or not, as the President will go on within two or three days, and would wish to have under his eye, when at Georgetown, a drawing also of the principal lineaments of the ground between Rock Creek and the Tyber, you are desired, immediately on the receipt of this, to commence the survey of that part, beginning at the River, and proceeding towards the parts back of that till his arrival. If the meanders of these two creeks and of the river between them should not have been al- ready laid down either by yourself or mr. Ellicott, it is desired that mr. Ellicott should immediately do this while you shall be employed on the interior ground, in order that the work may be as much advanced as possible on the arrival of the President, and that you will be so good as to notify this to mr. Ellicott. I am with great esteem Sir &c.
Th: Jefferson.
P. S. — There are certainly considerable advantages on the Eastern branch: but there are very strong reasons also in favor of the position between Rock creek and Tyber independent of the face of the ground. It is the desire that the public mind should be in equilibrio between these two places till the Presi- dent arrives, and we shall be obliged to you to endeavor to poise their expectations.
[Ms., p. 216, American Letters, Vol. IV, 1788-92, State Department Archives in the Na- tional Archives; pp. 148-9, u.s. v. smith; p. 40, Columbia Historical Society, Records, Vol. 35-6.]
52 179 1 - 1792
Jefferson Draft
Mar. 30. 1 79 1.
By the President of the U. S. of A. a Proclamation.
Whereas by a proclaim! bearing date the 24?1 day of Jan. of this present year, & in pursuance of certain acts of the states of Maryland & Virginia, & of the Congress of the U.S. therein mentioned, certain lines of experiment were directed to be run in the neighborhood of Georgetown in Maryland for the pur- pose of determining the location of a part of the territory of 1 o. miles square for the permanent seat of the government of the U.S. & a certain part was directed to be located within the said lines of experiment on both sides of the Potomac & above the limit of the Eastern branch prescribed by the sd act of Con- gress:
And Congress by an amendatory act, passed on the 3d day of this present month of March, have given further authority to the President of the U.S. 'to make any part of the territory be- low the sd limit & above the mouth of Hunting creek, a part of the sd district, so as to include a convenient part of the Eastern branch, & of the lands lying on the lower side thereof, & also the town of Alexandria.'
Now therefore, for the purpose of amending & completing the location of the whole of the sd territory of ten miles square, in conformity with the sd amendatory act of Congress, I do hereby declare & make known that the whole of the sd territory shall be located & included within the four lines following, that is to say:
Beginning at Jones's point, being the upper cape of Hunting creek in Virginia, & at an angle, in the outset, of 45 degrees West of the North; & running in a direct line ten miles for the first line: then beginning again at the same Jones's point, & running another direct line, at a right angle with the first, across the Potomac, ten miles for the second line: then from the
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 53
terminations of the sd first & second lines, running two other direct lines, of ten miles each, the one crossing the Eastern branch aforesd, & the other the Potomac, & meeting each other in a point.
And I do accordingly direct the Commissioners named un- der the authority of the sd first mentioned act of Congress to proceed forthwith to have the sd four lines run, & by proper metes & bounds defined & limited, & thereof to make due re- port under their hands & seals: and the territory so to be lo- cated, defined & limited, shall be the whole territory accepted by the sd acts of Congress as the district for the permanent seat of the government of the U.S.
And WHEREAS the 3d first mentioned act of Congress did further enact that the 3d Commissioners should, under the direction of the President of the U.S. provide suitable buildings for the accomodation of Congress & of the President & for the public offices of the government of the United States; I do hereby further declare & make known that * [the highest summit of lands in the town heretofore called Hamburg, within the sd territory, with a convenient extent of grounds circumjacent, shall be appropriated for a Capitol for the accommodation of Congress, & ouch other lands between Georgetown & the stream heretofore called the Tyber, as shall on due ex amination be found convenient & sufficient, shall be appropriated for the accomodation of the President of the U.S. for the time being, & for the public offices of the government of the U.S.] — And I do hereby direct the 3d Commissioners accordingly.
In testimony whereof I have caused the seal of the U.S. to be affixed to these presents, & signed the same with my hand. Done at Georgetown aforesaid the 30*11 day of March in the year of our lord 1 791 . & of the Independance of the U.S. the fifteenth.
* the part within [ — ] being conjectural, will be to be rendered conforma ■ blc to the ground when more accurately examined.
[Ms., Records of the Department of State, Miscellaneous Letters, January-March 1 791, in the National Archives.]
54 *79i - 1792
Washington to Jefferson
Mount Vernon, March 31st, 1 791 .
TO THOMAS JEFFERSON
Dear Sir,
Having been so fortunate as to reconcile the contending in- terests of Georgetown and Carrollsburg, and to unite them in such an agreement as permits the public purposes to be carried into effect on an extensive and proper scale, I have the pleasure to transmit to you the enclosed proclamation, which, after an- nexing your counter signature, and the seal of the United States, you will cause to be published.
The terms agreed on between me, on the part of the United States, and the Landholders of Georgetown and Carrollsburg are That all the land from Rock-creek along the river to the eastern-branch and so upwards to or above the ferry including a breadth of about a mile and a half, the whole containing from three to five thousand acres, is ceded to the public, on condi- tion that, when the whole shall be surveyed and laid off as a city, (which Major L'Enfant is now directed to do) the present Proprietors shall retain every other lot, and for such part of the land as may be taken for public use, for squares, walks, &c they shall be allowed at the rate of Twenty five pounds per acre. The Public having the right to reserve such parts of the wood on the land as may be thought necessary to be preserved for ornament &ca. The Landholders to have the use and prof- its of all their ground until the city is laid off into lots, and sale is made of those lots which, by the agreement, become public property. No compensation is to be made for the ground that may be occupied as streets or alleys.
To these conditions all the principal Landholders, except the purchaser of Slater's property who did not attend have sub- scribed, and it is not doubted that the few, who were not pres-
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 55
ent, will readily assent thereto — even the obstinate Mr. Burns has come into the measure.
The enlarged plan of this agreement having done away the necessity, and indeed postponed the propriety, of designating the particular spot, on which the public buildings should be placed, until an accurate survey and subdivision of the whole ground is made, I have left out that paragraph of the proclama- tion.
It was found, on running the lines, that the comprehension of Bladensburg within the district, must have occasioned the exclusion of more important objects, and of this I am convinced as well by my own observation as Mr. Ellicott's opinion.
With great regard and esteem, I am, dear Sir, your most obedient servant,
Go. Washington.
THOMAS JEFFERSON, ESQUIRE,
Secretary of State
[Pp. 256-8, WRITINGS OF WASHINGTON, Fitzpatrfck, Vol. 31; pp. I55-6, U.S. V. SMITH.]
Washington to Deakins and Stoddert
washington to william deakins, junior, and benjamin stoddert
Mount Vernon, April 1, 1791.
The Mail of Wednesday brought me a letter from Mr. Jeffer- son dated the 27th.12 Ulto. in which is the following paragraph.
A bill was yesterday ordered to be brought into the house of representa- tives here 1S for granting a sum of money for building a federal-hall, house for the President &ca.
This (though I do not wish that it should be expressed as my sentiment) unfolds most evidently the views of P — ,14 at the
P [Jefferson's letter of Mar. 27, 1 791 to Washington is in writings edited by Washington,
pp. 230-2, III.
18 House of Representatives of Pennsylvania. u Pennsylvania.
56 i 79 i - 1792
sametime that it proves in a striking manner the propriety of the measure adopted by the George town and Carrollsburgh proprietors on Wednesday last; as also the necessity of their compleating the good work they have begun in a speedy, and in an effectual manner that the consequent arrangements may take place without delay. With esteem and regard I am etc.
[Pp. 262-3, writings of Washington, Fitzpatrick, Vol. 31.]
L'Enfant to Jefferson
Georgetown april the 4th. 1 791 Sir,
I would have reproched myself for not having writen to you as regularly as you had desired I should were it not for circum- stances, to which you will I doubt not attribut this seeming neglect in approving of the considerations which made me give the whole of my time to forwards as much as possibly could be the business I had to performe, Great as were my Endeavour to that end it [Steel] remained unfinished at the moment of the President arrival at this place were I could present him no more but a rough drawing in pincel of the several Surveys which I had been able to run — nevertheless the President In- dulgent disposition making him account for the difficulties en- countered, I had the satisfaction to see the little I had done agreable to his wish — and the confidence with which he has been pleased since to Honor me in ordering the Survey to be continued and the deliniation of a grand plan for the local dis- tribution of the City to be done on principle conformable to the ideas which I took the liberty to hold before him at the proper for the Establishment being to heigly flatering to my Embition to Fail Exacting the best of my hability. it shall be from this moment my Endeavour to Enswer the President Expectation in preparing those plans and having them ready for the time of his return from the Southern tour.
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 57
I shall in the mean while, Sir, beg for every information re- specting all what may in your jugement appear of most im- mediate importance to attend to as well as relating to Every desirable Establishment which it will be well to forsee although delaying or perhaps leaving the Execution thereof to a natural succession of time to Effect.
the number and nature of the publick building with the necessary appendix I should be glad to have a statement of as speedily as possible — and I would be very much obliged to you in the meantime if you could procure for me what Ever may fall within your reach — of any of the different grand city now existing such as for example — as London — madry [Madrid] — paris — Amsterdam — naples — venice — genoa — florence together with particular maps of any such sea ports or dock yards and arsenals as you may know to be the most compleat in their Improvement for notwithstanding I would reprobate the Idea of Imitating and that contrary of Having this Intention it is my wish and shall be my Endeavour to delinate on a new and original way the plan the contrivance of which the President has left to me without any restriction soever — yet the con- templation of what exist of well improved situation, iven the parrallel of these, with deffactive ones, may serve to suggest avariety of new Ideas and is necessary to refine and strengthen the Jugement particularly in the present instance when having to unite the usfull with the comodious & agreable viewing these will by offering means for comparing enable me the better to determine with a certainty the propriety of a local which offer an Extansive field for combinations.
I have the Honor to be with great respect
your most humble and most obedient servant
P. C. L'Enfant.
mr jefferson Secretary of State.
l'enfant recd Apr. 9.
[P. 158 U.S. v. smith; pp. 4-5 n, Columbia Historical Society, Records, Vol. 33. J
58 J79i " 1792
Daniel Carroll to Jefferson
George Town Apr. 6!h 1 79 1 Sir,
The inclosed for Mr Madison is open for yr perusal & in- formation.
The prospect before us respecting the great object of the Seat of Gov1 is pleasing at present here. — I shall have occasion probably at times to comunicate to you what may occur, & shall embrace every occasion of assuring you that I am,
Sr with very great regard & esteem, Y* respectful & ob* Serv*
Danl Carroll
P. S. — I expect we shall in a few days proceed to take proper deeds.
[Ms., Jefferson Papers, Library of Congress,]
Jefferson to L'Enfant
Philadelphia April 10. 1 791 .
TO MAJOR L'ENFANT
Sir
I am favored with your letter of the 4 instant, and in com- plyance with your request I have examined my papers and found the plans of Frankfort on the Mayne, Carlsruhe, Amster- dam, Strasburg, Paris, Orleans, Bordeaux, Lyons, Montpelier, Marseilles, Turin, and Milan, which I send in a roll by this Post. They are on large and accurate scales, having been pro- cured by me while in those respective cities myself. As they are connected with the notes I made in my travels, and often necessary to explain them to myself, I will beg your care oil them and to return them when no longer useful to you, leaving;
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 59
you absolutely free to keep them as long as useful. I am happy that the President has left the planning of the Town in such good hands, and have no doubt it will be done to general satis- faction. Considering that the grounds to be reserved for the public, are to be paid for by the acre, I think very liberal reser- vations should be made for them; and if this be about the Tyber and on the back of the town, it will be of no injury to the com- merce of the place, which will undoubtedly establish itself on the deep waters towards the Eastern branch and mouth of Rock Creek; the water about the mouth of the Tyber not being of any depth. Those connected with the Government will prefer fixing themselves near the public grounds, in the center, which will also be convenient to be resorted to as walks from the lower and upper town. Having communicated to the President, be- fore he went away, such general ideas on the subject of the Town, as occurred to me, I make no doubt that, in explaining himself to you on the subject, he has interwoven with his own ideas, such of mine as he approved : for fear of repeating there- fore, what he did not approve, and having more confidence in the unbiassed state of his mind, than in my own, I avoid inter- fering with what he may have expressed to you. Whenever it is proposed to prepare plans for the Capitol, I should prefer the adoption of some one of the models of antiquity, which have had the approbation of thousands of years, and for the Presi- dent's House I should prefer the celebrated fronts of modern buildings, which have already received the approbation of all good judges. Such are the Galerie du Louvre, the Gardes meu- bles, and two fronts of the Hotel de Salm. But of this it is yet time enough to consider, in the mean time I am with great esteem Sir &c.
Th: Jefferson.
(Pp. 236-7, writings of jefferson, Washington, Vol. Ill; pp. 159-160, u.s. v. smith.]
6o 1791 - 1792
Jefferson to Washington
Philadelphia Apr. 10. 1 791 . Sir
The acquisition of ground at Georgetown is really noble, considering that only £25. an acre is to be paid for any grounds taken for the public, and the streets not to be counted, which will in fact reduce it to about £19. an acre. I think very liberal reserves should be made for the public, your proclamation came to hand the night of the 5!11 Dunlap's & Bache's papers for the morning of the 6*h being already filled, I could only get it into Brown's evening paper of the 6?h on the 7?h the bill for the federal buildings passed the representatives here by 42. to 10. but it was rejected yesterday by 9. to 6. in the Senate, or to speak more exactly, it was postponed till the next session, in the meantime spirited proceedings at Georgetown will probably, under the continuance of your patronage, prevent the revival of the bill. I received last night from MajT L' Enfant a request to furnish him any plans of towns I could, for his examination. I accordingly send him, by this post, plans of Frankfort on the Mayne, Carlsruhe, Amsterdam, Strasburg, Paris, Orleans, Bordeaux, Lyons, Montpelier, Marseilles, Turin and Milan, on large & accurate scales, which I procured while in those towns respectively, they are none of them however comparable to the old Babylon, revived in Philadelphia, & exemplified, while in Europe I selected about a dozen or two of the handsomest fronts of private buildings of which I have the plates, perhaps it might decide the taste of the new town, were these to be en- graved here, and distributed gratis among the inhabitants of Georgetown, the expence would be trifling.
I inclose you extracts from a letter of mr Short's of Jan. 24. one of Jan. 28. has since come to hand, containing nothing but a translation of the letter said to have been written by the em- peror to the king of France, but which he suspects to be a forg-
The fust Department Building in the National Capital, at 15th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, comprising 30 rooms with 137 clerks. Occupied 1800. {Old Treasury site, 15th Street at New York Avenue.)
The buildings known for many years as the "Six Buildings," on Pennsylvania Avenue between 21st and 22d Streets NW., approximately as they appeared during Jefferson's administration. A seventh structure had been added by the time this picture was taken.
Oh?
«frt«>Pl*AN.
Bretuitfo of the Streets.
Orowjf. 'lows.
o*»
^
Tfo V Enfant Plan for the National Capital
|
a^ |
||
|
^v |
4$ |
|
\\ .
vv
tV
(iVfnrntrB
\:i
eorge Washington and Thomas Jefferson, 7797.
*• :
The Octagon House. Built about 7803, at 18th Street and New York Avenue NW.
The "Seven Buildings," at 19th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. The corner building was used as executive and department offices. In Jefferson's day — the State Department.
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 6l
ery, a forged bull of the pope having lately appeared in the same way. he says very serious differences have arisen between the minister of Prussia at Liege, and the Imperial commanding officer there.
I also inclose the debates of the Pennsylvania assembly on the bill for the federal buildings, and the bill itself; and have the honor to be with sentiments of the most perfect respect & attachment Sir
Your most obedient
& most humble serv*
Th: Jefferson the president of the u.s.
[Ms., Records of the Department of State, Miscellaneous Letters, April-July 1 791 in the Na- tional Archives; pp. 237-8, writings of jefferson, Washington, III; pp. 160-2, U.S. v.
SMITH.]
L'Enfant to Jefferson
Georgetown, May the ioth 1 791 .
L'ENFANT TO JEFFERSON
Sir:
On the 1 7th the change of the weather at last having per- mitted me to proceed to the Eastern branch I did on the after- noon of that day sat about the survey, but the variety of the weather has been such since as has much impeded my prog- ress; I have only been able, to this day, to lay down of that part which lay between eastern branch and the tiber so much as includes Jenkins Hill & all the water course from round Gar- roll point up to the ferry landing leaving for a better time some swampy parts which were rendered absolutely impassable by the heavy rain which overflowing all the low ground deter-
62 179 x - 1792
mined me to confine myself on the heigh land — I expected to have before this day attempted to lay down some part of those laying between the tyber and Rock creek had not a fall of snow and stormy wind which succeeded for these three days past prevented me — I hope to morrow will prove more favorable for me to proceed laying down those post which you prescribe in the letter which I this moment receive from Mr. Ellicott who brought it himself to me & shall according to your direc- tion join his endeavor to mine in running as much as possible of the water course as may serve connect the whole of our differ- ent surveys together.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most humble
and most obedient servant,
P. C. L'Enfant.
THE HONABLE TH. JEFFERSON,
Secretary of State.
[P. 2 1 91, u.s. v. morris, Records, Vol. VII.]
Daniel Carroll to Jefferson
George Town July 29^ 1791 Dear Sir,
This will be deliverd by M!: Cabot, a Gentleman of Massa- chusetts lately setteld in this place. He has expressd a desire of being acquainted with you. The character he bears, together with his respectable connections induce me readily to obtain for him that pleasure. I believe he has been mentioned in some letters to the President from the East. You will find him a sensible, intelligent Gentl? As he has enterd on business among us, he is desirous of embracing anything which may suit, with a prospect of advantage, in the transactions respect-
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 63
ing the public buildings & federal city. He has been in treaty with the Directors of the Potomack C? ab* supplying a number of his Countrymen for the purpose of makeing the Canal at the Little falls; they did not agree. He intends to Ph* with Major L'Enfant; I suppose many matters will be talk'd over respecting the business on hand. Permit me to take the liberty of request- ing you, if it should fall in yr way, to assist Mr Cabot in his views, on those appearing to coincide with the public interest. It is with pleasure, I take this occasion, of assuring you that I am Dear Sir, with great esteem, & respect, V ob* & Hble Serv*
Danl Carroll
[Ms., Jefferson Papers, Library of Congress.]
Jefferson to L'Enfant
Philadelphia, August 18, 1 791 .
TO MAJOR L'ENFANT
Sir
The President had understood for some time past that you were coming on to Philadelphia and New York, and therefore has delayed mentioning to you some matters which have oc- curred to him. Will you be so good as to inform me by return of post whether it is still your purpose to come this way, and when, that the President may thereon decide whether he will communicate his ideas by letter, or await your coming to do it by word? If you are detained by laying out the lots, you had better not await that, as a suggestion has been made here of arranging them in a particular manner, which will probably make them more convenient to the purchasers, and more profitable to the sellers. A person applied to me the other day on the subject of engraving a map of the federal territory. I ob- served to him that if yourself or Mr. Ellicott chose to have this
64 1791 - 1792
done, you would have the best right to it — do either of you
intend this? If you do I would suggest to you the idea of doing
it on a square sheet to hang corner upwards, thus
the outlines being N.W. N.E. S.E. & S.W. the
meridian will be vertical as they ought to be; the
streets of the city will be horizontal and vertical,
and near the center, the Potomac and Eastern
branch will be nearly so also; there will be no
waste in the square sheet of paper. This is suggested merely for
your consideration. I am with much esteem Sir &c.
Th: Jefferson.
[Ms., p. 278, American letters, Vol. IV, 1 788-92, State Department Archives in the National Archives; p. 174, u.s. v. smith.]
Jefferson to Harwood
to mr harwood. treasurer of maryland
Philadelphia August 22. 1 791 Sir
The Commissioners for the public buildings at Georgetown inform the President that they are in want of a sum of money for the objects of their appointment, and that they suppose you will accept his draught for the first instalment of the money granted by the State of Maryland. The President being unwill- ing to make a ly draught but on a certainty of its acceptance, I am to ask the favor of your information whether, from the cir- cumstances of the funds, you find yourself in a condition to ac- cept his draught for the first instalment or for any, & what, smaller sum. I have the honor to be &c
Th: Jefferson
[Ms., p. 279, American Letters, Vol. IV, 1788-92, State Department Archives in the Na- tional Archives.]
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 65
Jefferson to Commissioners to thomas johnson, david stuart, & daniel carroll esqrs.
Philadelphia August 28. 1 791 . Gentlemen
Your joint letter of the 2. instant to the President, as also Mr. Carroll's separate letters of the 5. and 15. have been duly re- ceived. Major L5 Enfant also having arrived here and laid his plan of the federal city before the President, he was pleased to desire a conference of certain persons, in his presence, on these several subjects. It is the opinion of the President, in conse- quence thereof, that an immediate meeting of the Commission- ers at Georgetown is requisite, that certain measures may be decided on and put into a course of preparation for a com- mencement of sale on the 1 7. of October as advertised. As Mr. Madison and myself, who were present at the conferences, pro- pose to pass through Georgetown on our way to Virginia, the President supposes that our attendance at the meeting of the Commissioners might be of service to them, as we could com- municate to them the sentiments developed at the conferences here and approved by the President, under whatever point of view they may have occasion to know them. The circumstances of time and distance oblige me to take the liberty of proposing the day of meeting and to say that we will be in Georgetown on the evening of the 7. or morning of the 8. of the next month, in time to attend any meeting of the Commissioners on that day, and in hopes they may be able in the course of it to make all the use of us they make think proper, so that we may pursue our journey the next day. To that meeting therefore the answers to the several letters before mentioned are referred.
The letter is addressed externally to Mr. Carroll only with a requisition to the post master at Georgetown to send it to him by express, under the hope that he will by expresses to the other
66 i79 i
1792
Gentlemen take timely measures for the proposed meeting on the 8. I have the honor to be with sentiments of the highest respect and esteem Gentlemen &c.
Th: Jefferson
[Ms., p. 281, American Letters, Vol. IV, 1788-92, State Department Archives in the Na- tional Archives; p. 181, u.s. v. smith.]
Daniel Carroll to Jefferson
rec* Aug. 29. [1791]
I wrote lately a few lines to MT Madison directed to him in Pha — By which he wrote me from N York I presume he may be there — if not will you be so obligeing as to take Charge of that Letter? I refer you to what I have written him.
YT &c
D. C.
Should you pass by George Town on yr way to N. Yk permit me to request you if not inconvenient to bring a few of the plans of Chataus you show'd, which shall be returned on yr way back to Ph* & Care taken of them.
Yr D. C.
[Ms., Jefferson Papers, Library of Congress.]
Washington to Jefferson
Monday Morning, August 29, 1791.
Dear Sir: The enclosed for Mr. Young, I pray you to put under cover to Mr. Johnson, the other for Mr. Vaughan may go in like manner, or otherwise, as you may think best; both however by the Packet.
The letter for Mr. Carroll 15 I also return, besides which,
" Daniel Carroll.
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 67
were you to write a line or two to Mr. Johnson, addressed to the care of the Postmaster in Baltimore, it might be a mean of giving him earlier notice of the intended meeting. The Plan of
Carrollsburgh sent me by D Carroll 15 it will be necessary
for you to take along with you. To settle something with respect to that place and Hambg. which will not interfere with the genl. Plan is difficult, but essential. There are other Papers also which it may be useful for you to have. Mode of improving, regulations, &ca. &ca. will be subjects to occupy your thoughts upon. I am, etc.
[P. 349, WRITINGS OF WASHINGTON, Fitzpatrick, Vol. 3 1.]
Washington to Jefferson
washington to jefferson
[August 29, 1 791]
Will circumstances render a postponement of the Sale of Lots in the Federal City advisable? If not
2. Where ought they to be made.
Will it in that case, or even without it, be necessary or pru- dent to attempt to borrow money to carry on the difft. works in the City?
Whether ought the building of a bridge over the Eastern branch to be attempted; the Canal set about; and Mr. Peter's proposition with respect to wharves gone into now, or postponed until our funds are better ascertained and become productive?
At what time can the several Proprietors claim, with propri- ety, payment for the public squares wch. is marked upon their respective tracts?
Ought there to be any wood houses in the town?
7. What sort of Brick or Stone Houses should be built; and of wh[a]t height; especially on the principal Streets or Avenues?
68 179 J " J792
When ought the public buildings to be begun, and in what manner had the materials best be provided?
How ought they to be promulgated, so as to draw plans from skilful Architects? and what would be the best mode of carrying on the Work?
Ought not Stoups, and projections of every sort and kind into the Streets, to be prohibited absolutely?
1 1 . What compromise can be made with the Lot holders in Hamburgh and Carrollsburgh by which the plan of the Federal City may be preserved?
Ought not the several Land holders to be called upon to ascertain their respective bounderies previous to the Sale of Lots?
13. Would it not be advisable to have the Federal district as laid out (comprehending the plan of the Town) engraved in one piece?
[Pp. 351-2, writings of Washington, Fitzpatrick, Vol. 31.]
Jefferson to Washington
September 8, 1 791 .
JEFFERSON TO WASHINGTON
We were detained on the road by the rains so that we did not arrive here till yesterday about ten o'clock; as soon as horses could be got ready we set out and rode till dark, examining chiefly the grounds newly laid open, which we found much superior to what we had imagined, — we have passed this day in consultation with the Commissioners, who having deliber- ated on every article contained in our paper and preadmon- ished that they should decide freely on their own view of things, concurred unanimously on, I believe every point with what had been thought best in Philadelphia.
[P. 1 20, HISTORY OF WASHINGTON, Tindall.]
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 69
Jefferson Note
Sept. 8, 1 79 1 (or Sept 9)
[Jefferson's notes on the meeting between Wm. Deakins, Benjamin Stoddert, Charles Carroll, Mr. Madison and himself at Georgetown on Sept. 8, 1791]
In conversation with Mr. Carroll, Mr. Stoddert and Mr. Deakins they were properly impressed with the idea that if the present occasion of securing the Federal seat on the Potowmack should be lost, it could never more be regained, that it would dangerous to rely on any aids from Congress, or the Assemblies of Virginia or Maryland, and that therefore measures should be adopted to carry the Residence Bill into execution without re- course to those bodies; and that the requisites were 1st land enough to place the public buildings on; and 2ndly money enough to build them, and to erect moreover about 20 good dwelling houses for such persons belonging to the Government as must have houses to themselves, about as many good lodging houses, and half a dozen taverns.
To obtain this sum, this expedient was suggested to them. To procure a declaration from the proprietors of those spots of land most likely to be fixed for the town, that if the President's location of the town should comprehend their lands, they would give them up for the use of the U.S. on condition they should receive the double of their value, estimated as they would have been had there been no thought of bringing the federal seat into their neighborhood. It was supposed that 1500 acres would be required in the while, to-wit, about 300 acres for public buildings, walks, etc., and 1200 acres to be divided into quarter acre lots, which, due allowance being made for streets, would make about 2000 lots, the vacant lots in Georgetown now sell at £200, those of Alexandria at £600. Suppose those of the new town should bring only £100 clear this would produce £200,000, a sum adequate to the objects before mentioned. It
7° i79 J " !792
was further supposed that the Assembly of Maryland would interpose to force the consent of infant or obstinate proprietors for a reasonable compensation.
It was also suggested as a more certain means of ensuring the object, that each proprietor within the whole ten miles square should cede one-half his lands to the public, to be sold to raise money; perhaps this would be pushing them too far for the reputation of the new government they were to come under, and further than is necessary when we consider the sum which may be raised by the sale of lots, the donation of 120,000 dol- lars by Virginia, and the possible donation of an equal sum by Maryland; at least it might show a commendable moderation not to push this proposition until experiment should prove the other resources inadequate; great zeal appeared in the gentle- men before mentioned, and they seemed to approve the propo- sition for the 1500 acres; that for a moiety of all the lands within the ten miles square was hazarded only to Mr. Carroll; they will probably proceed immediately to make the best ar- rangements practicable and to come forward with them to the President.
[Pp. 41-2, HISTORY OF WASHINGTON, Tindall.]
Notes on Commissioners' Meeting
Thursday 8th Sept. 1 791 .
At a meeting of the Commissioners at Georgetown on Thurs- day the eighth day of September, 1 79 1 , and continued by ad- journment till Friday, the 9th, present Thomas Johnson, David Stuart and Daniel Carroll, Esquires. The Hon. Thomas Jeffer- son, Secretary of State, and the Hon. James Madison attended the Commissioners in conference, (see Mr. Jefferson's letter of the 28th August last).
The following queres were presented by the Secretary of State to the Commissioners and the answers thereto with the resolutions following were given and adopted:
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
71
Will circumstances render a post- ponement of the sales of lots in the Federal City advisable? If not
Where ought they to be made?
Will it in that case, or even without it, be necessary or prudent to at- tempt to borrow money to carry on the different works in the city?
The ready money payments in- creased to one-fourth.
Whether ought the building of a bridge over the Eastern Branch to be attempted — the canal set about, and Mr. Peter's proposi- tion with respect to wharves gone into now or postponed until our funds are better ascertained and become productive?
At what time can the several pro- prietors claim with propriety pay- ment for the public squares which are marked upon their respective tracts?
Ought there to be any wood houses in the town.
What sort of brick or stone should be built, and of what height, es- pecially on the principal streets or avenues?
"No house wall higher than 35 "None lower than that on any
When ought the public buildings to be begun, and in what manner had the materials best be pro- vided?
Not advisable.
Left to be considered ultimately on the spot, the general opinion be- ing only that the leading inter- ests be accomodated.
Doubtful if a loan can be proposed without previous legislative au- thority, or filled till a sale shall have settled something like the value of the lots which are to se- cure repayment.
[Must wait for money. The prop- erty of reclaimed lands consid- ered of —
Whenever the money shall have been raised by the sale of their own lands.
No.
Liberty as to advancing or with- drawing the front, but some lim- its as to height would be advisa- ble, feet in any part of the town." of the avenues."
The digging the earth for brick this fall is indispensable, provisions of other materials to depend on the funds.
72
i79i - 1792
How ought they to be promulgated so as to draw plans from skilful architects, and what would be the best mode of carrying on the work?
Ought not stoups and projections of every kind into the streets be pro- hibited absolutely?
What compromise can be made to the lot holders in Hamburgh and Carrollsburgh by which the plan of the Federal City may be pre- served?
Ought not the several land holders be called upon to ascertain their respective boundaries previous to the sale of lots?
Would it not be advisable to have the Federal District as laid out comprehending the plan of the town, engraved in one piece?
Names of streets, alphabetically one way and numerically the other, the former to be divided into north and south letters, the latter east and west numbers from the Capitol.
Lots with springs on them to be appropriated to the public if practicable, without too much discontent, and the springs not to be sold again.
The public squares to be left blank except that for the Capitol and the other for the executive Department, which are to be considered as appropriated at present, all other particular ap- propriations of squares to remain till they are respectively wanted.
By advertisement of a medal or other reward for the best plan — see a sketch or specimen of ad- vertisement.
No incroachments to be permitted.
A liberal compromise will be better than discontents or disputed titles.
Certainly they ought.
It would.
To be done but whether by the Commissioners or artist, to be considered of.
Soundings of Eastern Branch. Post road through the City.
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 73
Name of the City and Territory — City of Washington & Territory of Columbia.
Meeting of President and Commissioners on afternoon of October 16.
The Geographer General, Mr. Andrew Ellicot presented to the Commissioners the following observations respecting the sale of lots on the 17th Oct. next, viz:
In disposing of lots in the Federal City three things appear necessary to attend to: fast, those situations which will be con- siderably increased in value when the public improvements are made. Secondly, those situations which have an immediate value from other considerations, and thirdly, those situations whose real value must depend upon the increase and population of the City.
With respect to the fast it is presumed that all the lots about the congress house, the President's House, the public gardens and on the street leading from the Congress House to the Presi- dent's house will be infinitely more valuable when the public improvements are made, and therefore if reserved until that period must considerably increase the funds.
Secondly, it is not probable that the public improvements will considerably affect either the value of the lots from George- town to Funks Town or generally on the Eastern Branch: the proximity of the first to a trading town and good navigation, and the second lying on one of the best harbours in the country must have an immediate value; and are therefore the most proper places to confine the first sales to.
Thirdly, would it not be proper to dispose of a part of such situations whose value must depend upon the increase and population of the City, in lots of such magnitude as to answer for meadows, pastures or large gardens?
The following advertisement of the sale of lots, viz:
George Town, Sept. gth, 1 791. The sales of lots in the Federal City will commence on Mon-
74 179* " 1792
day the Seventeenth day of October next. The Commissioners finding they may engage materials and workmen for the public buildings to any desirable extent with a view to draw the funds into action so as to facilitate the work, instead of a deposit of eight per cent will require one fourth part of the purchase money to be paid down, the residue to be on bond with secur- ity, payable with interest in three equal yearly payments. The manner of improvement will be published at the sale.
Signed T. Johnson, Dd Stuart & Danl Carroll,
Commrs.
[Ms., pp. 21-3, Proceedings of the Commissioners, Vol. VI, 1800-2, in the National Archives ; pp. 18 1-3, u.s. v. SMITH.]
Commissioners to L'Enfant
George Town, Sept. 9th 1791. Sir:
We have agreed that the federal District shall be called "The Territory of Columbia," and the federal City "The City of Washington": the title of the map will, therefore, be "A Map of the City of Washington in the Territory of Columbia."
We have also agreed the streets be named alphabetically one way, and numerically the other; the former divided into North and South letters, the latter into East and West numbers from the Capitol. Maj. Ellicott, with proper assistance, will immedi- ately take and soon furnish you with soundings of the Western (Eastern) Branch to be inserted in the map. We expect he will also furnish you with the direction of a proposed post road which we wish to have noticed in the map.
We request you to inquire for L'Brunt, the brickmaker, of whom you had a memorandum; and, if he is carrying on his business, it will be well for you to see his bricks before you con- verse with him on the subject of his removal next Spring; if you
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 75
approve his bricks, to inquire whether we could have him and on what terms.
We are, etc.,
Thos. Johnson, D'd Stuart, Dan'l Carroll.
P. S.: If you have no contrary directions we wish about 1 0,000 of the maps to be struck on the best terms, and as soon as possible, leaving what number the President pleases subject to his order; one-half the residue to be left in Phila. subject to our order, and the other half transmitted to us. We shall honor your order for the expences.
[P. 188, U.S. v. smith; p. 70, Records, Columbia Historical Society, Vol. 35-36.]
Jefferson to Washington
Nov. 6. 1 79 1. i$iV
I have the honour to inclose you a draught of a letter to Governor Pinkney, & to observe that I suppose it to be proper that there should, on fit occasions, be a direct correspondence between the President of the U.S. and the Governors of the states; and that it will probably be grateful to them to recieve from the President answers to the letters they address to him. the correspondence with them on ordinary business may still be kept up by the Secretary of state in his own name.
I inclose also a letter to Majf Pinkney with a blank to be filled up when you shall have made up your mind on it. I have conferred with mr M. on the idea of the Commissioners of the federal town proceeding to make private sales of the lots & he thinks it adviseable. — I cannot but repeat that if the surveyors will begin on the river, laying off the lots from Rock creek to the Eastern branch, and go on, a-breast, in that way from the
76 1791 - 1792
river towards the back part of the town, they may pass the avenue from the President's house to the Capitol before the Spring, and as soon as they shall have passed it a public sale may take place without injustice to either the Georgetown or Carrolsburg interest, will not the present afford you a proper occasion of assuring the Commissioners that you leave every thing respecting L'Enfant to them? I have the honor to be with the most sincere respect, Sir, your most obed? humble serv!
Th: Jefferson the president of the u.s.
[Ms., Records of the Department of State, Miscellaneous Letters, November-December 1791 in the National Archives; pp. 297-8, writings of jefferson, Washington, III; p. 206,
U.S. v. SMITH.]
Jefferson to Commissioners to thomas johnson, david stuart & daniel carroll esqjs
Philadelphia Novemr. 21. 1 791 . Gentlemen
A Mr. Blodget has a scheme in contemplation for purchasing and building a whole street in the new City, and any one of them which you may think best. The magnitude of the proposition occasioned it to be little attended to in the beginning; however, great as it is, it is believed by good judges to be practicable: it may not be amiss, therefore, to be ready for it. The street most desirable to be built up at once, we suppose to be the broad one (the avenue) leading from the President's House to the Capitol. To prepare the squares adjoining to that, on both sides, in the first place, can do no harm; because if Mr. Blodget's scheme does not take effect, still it is part of a work done, which was to be done: if his scheme takes effect, you will be in readiness for him, which would be desirable. The President, therefore, de- sires me to suggest to you the beginning at once on that avenue, and when all the squares on that shall be laid off, they may go
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 77
on laying of the rest of the Squares between that and the river, from Georgetown to the Eastern Branch, according to an idea he has suggested to you in a letter not long since. This however is but a suggestion for the good of the undertaking, on which you will decide as you think proper.
I have the honor to be Gentlemen &c.
Th: Jefferson
[Ms., Records of the Department of State, Miscellaneous Letters, November-December 1 791, in the National Archives; pp. 300-01, whitings of Jefferson, Washington, III (incom- pletely published); p. 207, u.s. v. smith.]
Jefferson to Elligott
to mr. andrew ellicott
Philadelphia Noverrtr 21. 1 791 . Dear Sir
It is excessively desirable that an extensive sale of lots in Washington, should take place as soon as possible. It has been recommended to the Commissioners to have all the squares adjacent to the avenue from the President's House to the Capi- tol, on both sides, and from thence to the river, through the whole breadth of the ground between Rock creek and the East- ern branch, first laid off. The object of the present is to ask your private opinion of the earliest time at which this portion of the work can be completed? which I will beg the favor of you to communicate to me by letter. In order that the sale may not be delayed by the engraving, it is hoped that by communicating what is executed from time to time, the engraver may nearly keep pace with you.
I am with great esteem, Dear Sir, &c.
Th: Jefferson.
[Ms., pp. 306-7, American Letters, Vol. IV, 1 788-92, State Department Archives in the National Archives; p. 301, writings of jefferson, Washington, III; p. 257 Mem. Ed., VIII; p. 195, u.s. v. smith.]
78 1791 - 1792
Commissioners to Washington
Nov* 25?11 1 79 1
gomm'rs to the president
Sir/
We are sorry to be under the dissagreeable necessity of men- tioning to you an Occurance which must wound your feelings. On our meeting here today, we were to our great astonishment informed that, MajT L'Enfant, without any Authority from us, & without even having submitted to our consideration, has proceeded to demolish, M? Carroll's house. My Carroll who had received some letters, from the Maj? on the subject, fearing the consequences obtained an injunction from the Chancellor, for him to desist; with a summons to MajT L'Enfant to attend the Court of Chancery in December, to receive his decision on the subject, but before his return the houses was in part demol- ished. Tho' this circumstance is sufficiently unfortunate of itself it is particularly so with respect to the time at which it has hap- pened. We had just sent up a memorial to the Assembly, on several subjects which we had deemed of importance to the Federal City. We therefore fear it may produce unfavourable impressions in the members respecting the several matters prayed for. Tho' we have taken every step in our power to pre- vent it. As soon as we met we issued directions to MajT L'Enfant and the persons acting under him in his absence, to disist till he received our instructions which might have obtained, what was proper in the Case, without any disagreeable consequences. As he cannot pretend to have Acted from any authority from us, we have been much hurt at insinuations, that he acted by x . . . . authority from you. Being fully convinced that these were un- founded, we have not hesitated to declare that they were so. The MajT is at Dumfries, so that we have had no opportunity, of communicating, with him on the subject or learning his rea- sons and justifications, anticipating your feelings on this sub-
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 79
ject, and fully apprised of the MajTs fitness for the work he is employed in, we cannot forbear expressing a hope that the affair may be still so adjusted that we may not Lose his services. Your letter to Mr. Stuart which has been laid before us, has given us the greatest satisfaction. We hope as far as good inten- tions and diligence on our part, can promote the great work, never to be found deficient in either. We shall give immediate notice to M? Ellicot to lay out squares agreeable to your direc- tions, so as to be in readyness for as early a sale as possible. We shall also attend to the Ideas suggested by M? Jefferson in his letter just received. We some time ago contracted with MT Jendall for the delivery of four thousand perches of foundation stone: And this day compleated a contract with two persons for the two thousand wharf logs to be delivered by the 1? of June so that we hope at the next sale, there will be every proof of our being in earnest. We hope soon to be able to inform you, of a contract for quarries. We are &c.
D? Stuart D! Carroll
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
[letters of the commissioners of the public buildings and grounds of the city of Washington and district of Columbia, Vol. i, 1 791-1793, (hereafter to be cited as commissioners' letter book), pp. 40-1, in the National Archives.]
Washington to Jefferson to thomas jefferson. esqre
Nov. 30th. 1 79 1. My dear Sir,
Mr. L' Enfant5 s letter of the 19th. of October to Mr. Lear — Mr. Lear's answer of the 6th. instant (the press copy of which is so dull as to be scarcely legible) — in which I engrafted senti- ments of admonition, and with a view also to feel his pulse
8o 1791 - 1792
under reprehension. — His reply of the 10th. to that letter, to- gether with the papers I put into your hands when here, will give you a full view of the business; and the Major's conduct; and will enable you to judge from the complexion of things how far he may be spoken to in decisive terms without losing his services; which, in my opinion, would be a serious misfor- tune. — At the same time he must know, there is a line beyond which he will not be suffered to go. — Whether it is zeal, — an impetuous temper, or other motives that lead him into such blameable conduct, I will not take upon me to decide — but be it what it will, it must be checked ; or we shall have no Com- missioners. — I am, always
Your obedt. & affecte.
Go. Washington. Wednesday, the 30th Nov. 1 791 .
[Washington's letter book, vol. 1 1, 158; pp. 197-8, u.s. v. smith.]
Jefferson to L'Enfant
Philadelphia Dec. i. 1 791 . Sir
I have recieved with sincere concern the information from yourself as well as others, that you have proceeded to demolish the house of mr Carrol of Duddington, against his consent, and without authority from the Commissioners, or any other per- son, in this you have laid yourself open to the laws, & in a coun- try where they will have their course, to their animadversion will belong the present case. — in future I must strictly enjoin you to touch no man's property, without his consent, or the previous order of the Commissioners. I wished you to be em- ployed in the arrangements of the federal city. I still wish it: but only on condition that you can conduct yourself in subordina-
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 8l
tion to the authority of the Commissioners, to the laws of the land, & to the rights of it's citizens.
[Th: Jefferson] major l'enfant
[Ms., Jefferson Papers, Library of Congress.]
Commissioners to Jefferson
from commissioners to mr. jefferson
8th Deer. 1791 Sir,
Immediately on the receipt of your letter of the 2 1 st ultmo we gave directions to Mr. Ellicot, to lay out squares in the places mentioned — The enclosed letter will inform you of the progress he has made. From the opportunities we have had, of acquiring any knowledge on this subject, we think it will be of importance that some squares on the most eligible situations on Navigation, should be in readyness by the next sale — We are enclined to think from our conversation with Majr. L'Enfant, and Mr. Ellicot, that it will not be advisable to have a sale sooner than the middle of June, Mr. Blodget has not yet ar- rived — It would certainly be very desirable to form a contract of such magnitude with him — We fear from some Ideas thrown out by a Mr. Welsh who, (we understand) is to be con- cerned with him in the contract, that he rates the importance of it, to the City so highly, as to expect to get the ground at a low rate — We should be happy in case of an Offer from him, to be favoured with the Presidents, Ideas respecting the terms which might be acceded to — In so great a purchase, as Mr. Blodget contemplates, it would certainly, be wrong to take our late sales as the only guide or standard — But how far short of what they averaged pr Acre would it be proper to stop — The circumstances respecting Mr. Carroll's house we have already laid before the President, and received his late communications
82 179 x " x792
on the subject — As the house was nearly demolished before the Chancellors injunction arrived, Mr. Carroll did not think it worth while to have it served, trusting perhaps, that our di- rections expressly forbidding their further proceedings in it would have been attended to — We are sorry to mention that the Majr. who was absent at the time we issued them, paid no attention to them but completely demolished it on his return, this instance has given fresh alarm, as the proprietors had flat- tered themselves, that in any instances in which they might con- ceive themselves injured, they should be able to obtain redress from the Commissioners — As we have already more than once, from our high oppinion of his talents sacrificed our feel- ings to our Zeal we have done it again — The Majr. has indeed done us the honour of writing us a letter justifying his conduct — We have not noticed it, and believe as we are likely to get every thing happily adjusted between Mr. Carroll and him, it will be most prudent to drop all explanations — We expect you will see the Majr. in Philadelphia in a short time — We cannot conclude, without expressing our Sanguine hopes from the train in which all matters are now respecting the unhappy affair, that however reprehensible it may have been, in the mode of, conducting it, that it will prove Ultimately salutary.
We are Sir &c —
Signed Da. Stewart
Dl. Carroll
[commissioners' letter book, Vol. i, 1 791-1793, p. 42 in the National Archives; p. 208,
U.S. D. SMITH.]
Jefferson's Opinion on L'Enfant Letter of December 7
Opinion relative to the demolition of Mr. Carroll's house by Major UEnfant, in laying out the Federal City.
December 11, 1 791 .
Observations on Major L'Enfant's letter of December 7th,
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 83
1 79 1,16 to the President, justifying his demolition of the house of Mr. Carroll, of Duddington:
He says that "Mr. Carroll erected his house partly on a main street, and altogether on ground to which the public had a more immediate title than himself could claim." When blam- ing Mr. Carroll, then, he considers this as a street; but when justifying himself, he considers it not yet as a street, for to ac- count for his not having pointed out to Carroll a situation where he might build, he says, "The President had not yet sanctioned the plan for the distribution of the city, not deter- mined if he would approve the situation of the several areas proposed to him in that plan for public use, and that I would have been highly to be blamed to have anticipated his opinion thereon." This latter exculpation is solid; the first is without foundation. The plan of the city has not yet been definitely determined by the President. Sales to individuals, or partition decide the plan as far as these sales or partitions go. A deed with the whole plan annexed, executed by the President, and recorded, will ultimately fix it. But till a sale, or partition, or deed, it is open to alteration. Consequently, there is as yet no such thing as a street, except adjacent to the lots actually sold or divided; the erection of a house in any part of the ground cannot as yet be a nuisance in law. Mr. Carroll is tenant in common of the soil with the public, and the erection of a house by a tenant in common on the common property, is no nui- sance. Mr. Carroll has acted imprudently, intemperately, fool- ishly; but he has not acted illegally. There must be an estab- lishment of the streets, before his house can become a nuisance in the eye of the law. Therefore, till that establishment, neither Major L'Enfant, nor the commissioners, would have had a right to demolish his house, without his consent.
The Major says he had as much right to pull down a house, as to cut down a tree.
16 Published in Kite, l'enfant and Washington, pp. 89-91.
84 I791 - 1792
This is true, if he has received no authority to do either, but still there will be this difference: To cut down a tree or to de- molish a house in the soil of another, is a trespass; but the cut- ting a tree, in this country, is so slight a trespass, that a man would be thought litigious who should prosecute it; if he prose- cuted civilly, a jury would give small damages; if criminally, the judge would not inflict imprisonment, nor impose but a small fine. But the demolition of a house is so gross a trespass, that any man would prosecute it; if civilly, a jury would give great damages; if criminally, the judge would punish heavily by fine and imprisonment. In the present case, if Carroll was to bring a civil action, the jury would probably punish his folly by small damages; but if he were to prosecute criminally, the judge would as probably vindicate the insult on the laws, and the breach of the peace, by heavy fines and imprisonment. So that if Major L'Enfant is right in saying he had as much au- thority to pull down a house as to cut down a tree, still he would feel a difference in the punishment of the law.
But is he right in saying he had as much authority to pull down a house as to cut down a tree? I do not know what have been the authorities given him expressly or by implication, but I can very readily conceive that the authorities which he has re- ceived, whether from the President or from the commissioners, whether verbal or written, may have gone to the demolition of trees, and not houses. I am sure he has received no authority, either from the President or commissioners, either expressly or by implication, to pull down houses. An order to him to mark on the ground the lines of the streets and lots, might imply an order to remove trees or small obstructions, where they insuperably prevented his operations; but a person must know little of geometry who could not, in an open field, designate streets and lots, even where a line passed through a house, without pulling the house down.
In truth, the blame on Major L'Enfant, is for having pulled
JEFFERSON & THE NATIONAL CAPITAL 85
down the house, of his own authority, and when he had reason to believe he was in opposition to the sentiments of the Presi- dent; and his fault is aggravated by its having been done to gratify private resentment against Mr. Carroll, and most prob- ably not because it was necessary; and the style in which he writes the justification of his act, shows that a continuation of the same resentment renders him still unable to acquiesce under the authority from which he has been reproved.
He desires a line of demarcation between his office, and that of the commissioners.
What should be this line? and who is to draw it? If we con- sider the matter under the act of Congress only, the President has authority only to name the commissioners, and to approve or disapprove certain proceedings of theirs. They have the whole executive power, and stand between the President and the sub- ordinate agents. In this view, they may employ or dismiss, order and countermand, take on themselves such parts of the execution as they please, and assign other parts to subordinate agents. Consequently, under the act of Congress, their will is the line of demarcation between subordinate agents, while no such line can exist between themselves and their agents. Under the deed from the proprietors to the President, his powers are much more ample. I do not accurately recollect the tenor of the deed; but I am pretty sure it was such as to put much more ample power into the hands of the President, and to commit to him the whole execution of whatever is to be done under the deed; and this goes particularly to the laying out the town: so that as to this, the President is certainly authorized to draw the line of demarcation between L' Enfant and the commissioners. But I believe there is no necessity for it, as far as I have been able to judge, from conversations and consultations with the commis- sioners. I think they are disposed to follow implicitly the will of the President, whenever they can find it out; but L'Enfant's letters do not breathe the same moderation or acquiescence;
86 i79 J " J792
and I think it would be much safer to say to him, "the orders of the commissioners are your line of demarcation," than by attempting to define his powers, to give him a line where he may meet with the commissioners foot to foot, and chicane and raise opposition to their orders whenever he thinks they pass his line. I confess, that on a view of L'Enfant's proceedings and letters latterly, I am thoroughly persuaded that, to render him useful, his temper must be subdued; and that the only means of preventing his giving constant trouble to the President, is to submit him to the unlimited control of the commissioners; we known the discretion and forbearance with which they will exercise it.
[Pp. 564-7, writings of jefferson, Washington, VII.]
Washington to Jefferson
washington to jefferson
Philadelphia, December 14, 1 791 . Dear Sir:
I am very glad to