1To George Washington from Pierre L’Enfant, 21 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
Editorial Note Pierre L’Enfant’s letter of 21 Nov. to GW is the first in a series of letters that document the controversy sparked by L’Enfant’s demolition of a house in the Federal City being constructed by Daniel Carroll of Duddington. L’Enfant ordered the house demolished before obtaining the approval of the Commissioners for the District of Columbia, thus openly challenging their authority...
2To George Washington from Pierre L’Enfant, 21 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
In pursuance of the measure first taken, and of which I took the liberty of Informing you by last post, respecting the House of Mr Carroll of duddington which will become necessary to Have destroyed; he not having acquiessed to proceed himself as requested to the demolishing in lieu of answering my last summon having set out on a Journey—I directed yester day forenoon a number of hand to the...
3To George Washington from Pierre L’Enfant, 7 December 1791 (Washington Papers)
ten day absense from this place prevented me from receiving the Honor of your letter, of the 28th of November, until last Evening I returned from a journey to richemond & to acquia were I had been called to close a bargen for a quarrie ground I have made the purchase of for the publick. I beg this may appologise for my not having answered you as immediatly as I should have done had it come...
4To George Washington from Pierre L’Enfant, 10 December 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Pierre L’Enfant, 10 Dec. 1791. In a postscript to his letter of 13 Dec. 1791 GW wrote to L’Enfant : “Since writing the foregoing letter Yours of the 10th is come to hand.”
5To George Washington from Pierre L’Enfant, 22 December 1791 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: from Pierre L’Enfant, c.22 Dec. 1791. GW wrote to the Commissioners for the District of Columbia on 27 Dec. : “I find by a letter which I have just received from Majr L’Enfant that the house of Notley Young Esqr. has (contrary to expectation) fallen into a principal Street.” No such letter to GW has been found, but Pierre L’Enfant wrote similarly to the Commissioners for the...
6To George Washington from Pierre L’Enfant, 17 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
the approching season for renewing the work at the federal city and the Importance of progressing it so as to determine the ballance of opinion on the undertaking, to that side to which it already favorably incline, require, that Exertions should be made to Engage in it from the begining with such a degree of vigor and activity, as will disappoint the hopes of those who wish ill to the...
7Enclosure, 17 January 1792 (Washington Papers)
Operations Intended for the ensuing season in the Federal City to which is added an Estimate of the Expenditure of one year proces & number of hands necessary. Number of men { 1st to continue clearing the Cellars & begin laying the foundation of the two principal buildings & bring these forward to such a stage as they will be safe from injury the next winter. the digers to continue afterward...
8To George Washington from Pierre L’Enfant, 6 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
having already Communicated to you thro’ Mr Jefferson some papers relating to the late transaction of the Commissioners in the new City, I take the liberty to address to you here Inclosed Copies of serverals others which I but lately obtained & which I conceive proper also to submit to your Consideration. the Injury done to Mr Roberdeau to the Commissary & to other people acting under him &...
9To George Washington from Pierre L’Enfant, 27 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
having in my last letter to Mr Jefferson so fully Explained the Reasons, which urge me to decline all concern in the federal City under the present System as these reasons were the result of serious, impartial Consideration upon so important a Subject, I wish it understood that it still is my resolution —By the letter of Mr Jefferson to me in answer, I perceive that all my services are at an...