1IX. The Secretary of State to the Commissioners of the Federal District, 29 January 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
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 Mr. Johnson, first named therein, and to observe that two Members suffice for Business. It will be some Time...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Commissioners of the Federal District, 28 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your joint letter of the 2d. inst. to the President , as also Mr. Carrol’s separate letters of the 5th. and 15th. have been duly recieved. Major Lenfant 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 consequence...
3Queries for D. C. Commissioners, [ca. 28 August 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
Will circumstances render a postponement of the sale of lots in the Federal City advisable?—If not Not adviseable? 2. Where ought they to be made Left to be considered ultimately on the spot, the general opinion being onlythat the leading interests be accomodated. 3. Will it in that case, or even without it, be necessary or prudent to attempt to borrow money to carry on the difft. works in the...
4From Thomas Jefferson to the Commissioners of the Federal District, 21 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
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 desireable to be...
5To Thomas Jefferson from the Commissioners of the Federal District, 10 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Immediately on the receipt of your letter of the 21st Ultimo, we gave directions to Mr. Ellicott, to lay out Squares in the Places mentioned.—The inclosed 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...
6From Thomas Jefferson to the Commissioners of the Federal District, 6 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
It having been found impracticable to employ Majr. Lenfant about the federal city, in that degree of subordination which was lawful and proper, he has been notified that his services are at an end. It is now proper that he should receive the reward of his past services, and the wish that he should have no just cause of discontent suggests that it should be liberal. The President thinks of...
7From Thomas Jefferson to the Commissioners of the Federal District, 11 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you two letters, the one from a Mr. Leslie of this place, offering to make a clock for some one of the public buildings at Washington, the other from Mr. R. B. Lee proposing that Mr. Ciracchi a statuary now at this place should be employed to erect at Washington a monument he has proposed. With respect to Leslie, he is certainly one of the most ingenious artists in America; and as to...
8To Thomas Jefferson from the Commissioners of the Federal District, 14 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The plan of the loan from Mr. Blodget which you inclosed us, appears to us to be very eligible. It has therefore our warmest approbation. Though, we have not the smallest apprehension from the best attention we have been able to bestow on it; that we can in any measure be liable in our private capacities, yet, we think it prudent to express our desire, that this may be well understood by Mr....
9To Thomas Jefferson from the Commissioners of the Federal District, 14 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of the 6th. Instant is now before us.—We doubt not but every advantage will be taken of the dismission of Major L’Enfant.—It is to be regretted that his temper made it a necessary measure. As far as our exertions can counter act any ill effects expected from it, they may be relied on. With respect to his compensation we have adopted the Presidents Ideas, in a letter to Mr. Stuart ....
10From Thomas Jefferson to the Commissioners of the Federal District, 21 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of Mar. 14. have been duly received, as also Mr. Carrol’s separate letter of Mar. 15. I now inclose you copies of the two advertisements inserted in Freneau’s, Fenno’s, and Dunlap’s papers of this place. You will probably think it proper to have them inserted in the papers of other parts of the Union, following herein your own choice. It is rather desired too that you adopt such...