1From George Washington to William Thornton, 8 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
The President of the United States is much obliged by Doctr Thornton’s polite attentions, and prays him to accept his thanks for the Treatise on the Elements of written language. The President is sorry to hear of the Doctors indisposition. A speedy and perfect recovery is wished. AL , DLC : William Thornton Papers. Thornton’s Cadmus, or A Treatise on the Elements of Written Language...
2From George Washington to William Thornton, 9 November 1795 (Washington Papers)
I have been favoured with your letter of the 1st instt and thank you for the explanations & details given therein. I must however decline giving any decisive opinion on the matter referred to me, by the Board, for the reasons which have been briefly stated in my official letter to it —to which others might have been added, but the pressure of business at this time would not allow me to be more...
3From George Washington to William Thornton, 26 December 1796 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 4th of the present month came to my hands in the usual course of the Post; but a pressure of other matters at that time, prevented my acknowledging the receipt of it at an earlier period. As you seem sensible of the propriety of the Commissioners residing in the City, with the concerns of which they are intrusted, I have not the smallest doubt of your removing thither as...
4From George Washington to William Thornton, 7 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
Genl Washington presents his compliments to Doctr Thornton. Mrs Washington recollecting her promise of saving him a few of the Spanish Chesnuts, some are now sent. They are immediately from the tree, & should, without delay, be planted where they are intended to remain—or put into a box with earth, otherwise they will soon get hard and worm eaten, & the vegetation be prevented. AL , DLC :...
5From George Washington to William Thornton, 10 October 1797 (Washington Papers)
Your favours of the 6th & 8th instant have both been received, and I pray you to accept my best thanks for the rare & valuable present you have made me. Being the produce of your own Estate renders it more acceptable, and nothing will add more to the go’vt of it, than your coming sometimes to parcipitate in the taste—fog, or no fog. I have no doubt but that the section of Square No. 21 is...
6From George Washington to William Thornton, 18 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
I regret, not having received your letter of the 16th until last night. Had it reached me before I wrote to the Commissioners yesterday morning by Mr Thos Peter, I should have inclined more (although my wish is to have no trouble with the buildings) towards engaging Mr Blagden’s undertaking the Masonry, agreeably to his estimate; doing as much of the wood work myself, as my people are...
7From George Washington to William Thornton, 28 October 1798 (Washington Papers)
When Mr Blagden came here on friday, I was engaged in my usual ride; from which I only returned a little before dinner, and found Mr & Mrs Law, with Govr Crawford & his lady here. These circumstances, and Mr Blagden’s return immediately after dinner, allowed me no time to acknowledge the receipt of your obliging favor of the 25th Instant. For the information you have been so kind as to give me...
8From George Washington to William Thornton, 20 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
Enclosed is a check on the Bank of Alexandria for five hundred Dollars, to enable Mr Blagden, by your draughts, to proceed in laying in Materials for carrying on my buildings in the Federal City. I saw a building in Philadelphia of about the same front & elevation that are to be given to my two houses, which pleased me. It consisted also of two houses united, Doors in the centre—a pediment in...
9From George Washington to William Thornton, 30 December 1798 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 25th instant, enclosing Messrs Blagden & Lenthals estimate of the cost of adding a Pediment, and Parapet to the roof of my buildings in the Federal City, has been duly received, but the plan, to which it refers, did not accompany it This plan, on other accounts, I ought to be possessed of, and Mr Blagden is under promise to take a copy thereof for his own use, to work by, and...
10From George Washington to William Thornton, 30 January 1799 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 28th instant, enclosing Deeds for my Lots in the Federal City—and Messrs Blagden & Lenthals estimate and drawing of the Windows—dressed in the manner proposed—came to my hands yesterday. The drawing sent, gives a much handsomer appearance to the Windows than the original design did; and I am more disposed to encounter the difference of expence, than to lessen the exterior...