L'Enfant's plan, or square as the engraved one represents, is immaterial in the abstract, or as it concerns the Public and Mr. Davidson only; but if the gratification of that gentleman sets a principle afloat, and thereby opens a door to similar applications, it attaches an importance which may involve inextricable difficulties.

To what Mr. Davidson alludes in the scored part of the following sentence, "I can venture to assert that numberless deviations were made by Majr. Ellicott from the original plan, and I have reason to believe that many have been made since” you, much better than I, can explain.—That many alterations have been made from Majr. L'Enfants plan by Majr. Ellicott, (with the approbation of the Executive) is not denied;-that some were deemed essential is avowed;—and had it not been for the materials which he happened to possess, 'tis probable no engraving from Majr. L'Enfants draught would ever have been exhibited to the public; for after the disagreement which took place between him and the late Commissioners, his obstinacy threw every difficulty it could, in the way of its accomplishment.

To this summary may be added, that Mr. Davidson is mistaken if he supposes that the transmission of Majr. L'Enfants Plan of the City to Congress, was the completion thereof.-So far from it, it will appear by the message which accompanied the same that it was given as matter of information, to show what state the business was in, & the return of it requested. -That neither house of Congress passed any act consequent thereupon. That it remained as before, under the controul of the Executive. That afterwards, several errors were discovered & corrected,—many alterations made, and the appropriations (except as to the Capitol & Presidents house) struck out under that authority, before it was sent to the Engraver; intending that his work, & the promulgation thereof, were to give it the final, & regulating stamp.

I have been thus particular to show that Mr. Davidson is not treading on solid ground, or in other words, that he is claiming as a matter of right what can only be yielded on the principle of harmony, or for mutual benefit; and therefore, it

only remains to be repeated, that if the proposed alteration would have a tendency towards inviting applications of a similar nature I shall be decidedly against the measure. If on the other hand, the case is singular, & no consequences would be involved in the acquiescence; as it is immaterial whether the area is semicircular or square;-as contention may be avoided -and both parties, in a pecuniary point of view benefited, I leave the question, under the privisos, before mentioned, to your own decision; as you must have a more comprehensive view of circumstances than I can acquire.

The other part of Mr. Davidson's Memorial is yet more extraordinary; for if the Proprietors-in consideration of having the permanent Seat of the Government established among them, yielded a portion of their property for public usesshall, afterwards, take upon themselves to decide what shall not be done with it, they may, by the same parity of reason, direct the uses to which the squares shall be applied.-This is too absurd. With esteem & regard-I am, &c.

P. S.

I am informed that Mr. Hadfield is enquiring, in this City, for Carvers.-I earnestly recommend that all Carving not absolutely necessary to preserve consistency, may be avoided; -as well as to save time and expence, as because I believe it is not so much the taste now as formerly.

L. C., Letter Book 14, p. 284.

TO THE COMMISSIONERS.

Gentlemen,

PHILADELPHIA 27th. Feb. 1797.

As the curtain is about to close on the political scenes of my life; and consequently to terminate the agency I have had in the affairs of the Federal City; I will, as far as a very hurried situation will permit, take notice of such parts of your several letters as remain undecided on.

Having already informed you, that a Bill is pending in Congress for Incorporating the Commissioners of the City of

Washington, I shall say, or rather do nothing, relative to the Power you sent me, until the fate of that Bill is known.

I am obliged also to be silent respecting the reference of the dispute with Mr. Law; as the Attorney General, into whose hands the papers were placed for an official opinion has not made his final Report.-So soon as it is received, it shall be transmitted, and my sentimts. therewith.

With regard to the open areas in the City, occasioned by the intersection of the Streets and avenues,-explained more minutely by one of the Commissioners (Doctr. Thornton) in a letter to me, dated the 12th. instant, my opinion is, if I understand the matter rightly, that the Proprietors are entitled to no allowance for the spaces which are occasioned-simply— by the width of those Streets and avenues, but, where the areas have been enlarged by taking off the angles, in order to increase the size of these squares or to throw them into a circular form, it appears reasonable and just, that they should receive payment for the proportion secured to them by contract for all such additions, but without any encroachment thereon, or change in their form.—

The Plans for the buildings for the Executive departments are in the hands of the Officers who are at the head of them.If possible I will give some direction concerning them before I resign the Chair of Government, in order that everything which has been refered to me, may have met with a decision.— I come now Gentlemen, to the consideration of your sevl. letters relative to the representation made to me by Mr. Geo. Walker. It is not to be supposed that, my communication to you proceeded from any alteration in the good opinion weh. I have always had reason to entertain of you, but from other motives which were on a former occasion expressed; and it affords me pleasure to declare to you, before I go out of Office, my real satisfaction with your conduct as Commissioners of the City.-I think the United States are interested in the continuance of you in their service, and therefore I should regret, if either of you by resignation, should deprive them of the assistance which I believe you are able to give in the business committed to your care.

As those representations were particularly pointed against Mr. Scott, a sense of justice seems to require me to express, that according to the best of my information the charges are unfounded; and that nothing in him is wanting, except residence in the City to render him a useful & valuable member of the board of Commissioners.-the necessity of which I am persuaded he must see-and will yield to accordingly.-With very great esteem & regard I am Gentlemen, &c.

U. S. vs. M. F. Morris et al., Vol. VI, p. 152.

TO THE CITY TRUSTEES.

GEORGE WASHINGTON, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, TO THOMAS BEALL OF GEORGE, AND JOHN M. GANTT:

You are hereby requested to convey all the streets in the city of Washington, as they are laid out and delineated in the plan of the said city hereto annexed; and also the several squares, parcels, and lots of ground following, to wit:

First. The public appropriation beginning at the intersection of the south side of north H street, and at the west side of a street ninety feet in width, drawn parallel to the west side of square numbered two hundred and twenty-one, and running due south with the west side of said street until it intersects the south side of an east and west street drawn parallel to the south front of said square numbered two hundred and twentyone, being ninety feet wide; thence east with the south side of said street until it intersects the west side of Fifteenth street west; then south with the west side of Fifteenth street west until it intersects the north side of Canal street: thence westerly with the north side of Canal street until it intersects the east side of Seventeenth street west; thence north with the east side of Seventeenth street west until it intersects the south side of an east and west street of ninety feet wide, from the south side of square numbered one hundred and sixtyseven; thence east with the south side of said street until it intersects the east side of a north and south street of ninety feet wide, from the east side of square numbered one hundred and sixty-seven aforesaid; thence north with the east side of

said street until it intersects the south side of North H street; thence east with the south side of said street to the beginning.

Second. The public appropriation beginning at the intersection of the north side of an east and west street of ninety feet wide, from the north front of square numbered six hundred and eighty-eight, and the west side of First street east; thence west along the north side of said street until it intersects the west side of a north and south street drawn at the distance of ninety feet from the west front of square numbered six hundred and eighty-eight; thence south with the west side of said street until it intersects the north side of South B street; thence west with the north side of South B street until it intersects the east side of First street west; thence north with the east side of First street west until it intersects the north side of Maryland avenue; thence southwesterly with the north side of Maryland avenue until it intersects the north side of South B street; thence west with the north side of South B street until it intersects the east side of Fifteenth street west; thence north with the east side of Fifteenth street west until it intersects the south side of street drawn at a distance of eighty feet on the south side of said Canal; thence east with the south side of said street until it intersects the south side of Pennsylvania avenue; thence with the south side of Pennsylvania avenue until it intersects the east side of First street west; thence north with the east side of First street west until it intersects the south side of North B street; thence east with the south side of North B street until it intersects the west side of a north and south street of ninety feet wide, drawn parallel to the west front of square numbered six hundred and eighty-seven; thence south with the west side of said street until it intersects the south side of an east and west street ninety feet wide, from the south front of square numbered six hundred and eighty-seven; thence east with the south side of said street until it intersects the west side of First street east; thence south with the west side of said street to the beginning.

Third. The public appropriation beginning at the intersection of the south side of Canal street, drawn on the south