To Thomas Jefferson from the District of Columbia Commissioners, 10 December 1801
From the District of Columbia Commissioners
Commissioners Office 10th. December 1801
Sir
Since we had the honor of addressing to you our memorial relative to the affairs of the City, we wrote to Mr. L’Enfant, and received his answer, copies of which we take the liberty of enclosing to you, with the memorial to which his letter refers—We send the Original, not knowing whether Mr. L’Enfant has before transmitted a Duplicate to the President, and we request this may be returned after perusal, a copy of which we shall send if not already received, or if desired—We are &c
Wm. Thornton
A. White
FC (DNA: RG 42, DCLB); in a clerk’s hand; at foot of text: “President of the United States.” Enclosures: (1) Commissioners to Pierre Charles L’Enfant, 5 Dec., informing him that their recent memorial to TJ included a statement of accounts, “which necessarily brings into consideration the Claim you have on the Public for the Services rendered in planing this City,” and noting that while the board refuses to reconsider a former offer of 500 guineas in compensation, it does “acknowledge the principal & Interest due to you as also the Lot purchased by you, for which a Title will be given on Demand” (Dft in DLC; FC in DNA: RG 42, DCLB). (2) L’Enfant to commissioners, 8 Dec., encouraging them to remember his claim for compensation in their communications with the president and Congress and noting: “I avail of the opportunity you now gave me, persuading my self that you will not in this Instance dissappoint anew the expectation which you encouraged by a former offer of your aid to the adjustment of the affair” (RC in DNA: RG 42, LR). Enclosed memorial not identified, but see L’Enfant to TJ, 3 Nov. 1801.
Our memorial: Memorial from the District of Columbia Commissioners, 4 Dec.