1To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 24 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to transmit to you by my particular friend, and near relation,—Mr Eakin of the War-office the enclosed letter, in which I have taken the liberty to give to you all the information which I possess on the proposed plan of a canal communication between the Delaware & Chesapeake bays. I have done this with a view to suggest the propriety of this subject being taken up by Congress as an...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 27 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 27 Mch. 1802 . Latrobe takes the liberty to offer ideas on the canal intended to connect the Chesapeake and Delaware Bays. He is assured of the practicability of the project and shall not take up TJ’s time proving it. The principal difficulty will be to prevent the jealousies of Baltimore and Philadelphia from resulting in an imperfect or useless work. Baltimore fears that in a...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 9 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
In the haste in which I was under the necessity of answering your letter of the 2d inst. I fear I could not do justice to my sense of the obligation I owe to your kindness. If any thing I have written should have borne the slightest appearance of false pride, or of a mercenary disposition, I have done the greatest injustice to my sentiments of respectful attachment to you, as a public, and as...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 16 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The Post came in so late to-day, that I cannot prepare to leave Philadelphia in compliance with your favor of the 13th. before Thursday morning (the day after tomorrow). I shall then come on by the Mail, and by using my utmost exertion to accomplish the object, in which you have pleased to engage me, prove how gratefully sensible I am of the honor you have done me by your confidence. I am with...
5Memorandum from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 22 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Latrobe presents his respectful Compliments to the President of the U. States: In preparing for his survey of the line of Potowmac Canal, Mr L. has obtained access to the records of the Commissioners, which happen to be perfect as to the levels of the Streets N. West of the Presidents house, & South of the large Street K and also as to those of some streets about the Capitol. The page...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 28 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
An unfortunate scratch across the end of my Nose which I received among the briars in the Neighborhood of the Navy Yard, has given me so disgraceful an appearance for the last four days, that I have confined my Labors to the Survey of the Canal, & to my Chamber. I have now nearly finished the Ground work of my Estimate & have every reason to believe, that the Canal from the Locks to the Navy...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 4 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I should be happy to wait upon you with the result of my calculations at 2 o’clock, if you could then make it convenient to devote half an hour to me. I propose that hour because it is the very earliest that I can mention,—and I believe you to be desirous of obtaining the information which I can give as soon as possible; but a later hour will be equally convenient to me.—I am anxious that you...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 15 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Captain Dale , of the Un. State’s Navy, called upon me this morning, and in conversation upon the Naval Arsenal or Dry Docks proposed by You to be erected at the Federal City, which he most warmly approved,—he informed me that the Swedish Government had lately conceived the idea of adopting the same means of preserving their Navy in times of peace. The Swedish Admiral Söderstrom described to...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 13 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of the 6th with the most grateful sentiments. It did not reach me till the 11th. I cannot better express the sense I have of your kindness, than by setting off for Washington as soon as I can leave my business with convenience, & safety. This will be in 2 or 3 days at furthest. I have already made my principal arrangements.—The failure of my partners Messrs. Bollmann ,...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 4 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here about a fortnight ago, and have been so unwell since then, as not to be quite so forward in my report upon the state of the Capitol, and the necessary drawings as I could have wished. On this account, and because I believed that on your first arrival your time would be taking up by more important objects,—I have not yet waited upon you. Late this evening however, I will, with...