L. C., Press copy of autograph original.

TO WILLIAM THORNTON.

MOUNT VERNON

Dear Sir,

30th. Decr. 1798.

Your favor of the 25th. instant, enclosing Messrs. Blagden & Leuthals 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 to send me the original draught. -I pray you to remind him of this promise.

Presuming that it is not necessary for Mr. Blagden's convenience that I should, at this moment, decide upon the above estimate; nor whether I shall adopt the measure at all; I shall, if no disadvantage will attend the delay, suspend my determination until I can visit the City, & receive some further explanations respecting the consequent alterations which will be occasioned by this Pediment-not at present well understood by me; owing to my entire ignorance of the technical terms in which they are expressed.-At which time also, I will make arrangements for giving him further pecuniary aid.

Rules of Architecture are calculated, I presume, to give symmetry, and just proportion to all the Orders, & parts of buildings, in order to please the eye.-Small departures from strict rules are discoverable only by skilful Architects, or by the eye of criticism; while ninety-nine in a hundred-deficient of their knowledge-might be pleased with things not quite orthodox. This, more than probable, would be the case relative to a Pediment in the Roof over the doors of my houses in the City.

That a Parapet in addition (for the reasons you have assigned) would have a pleasing & useful effect, cannot be doubted. When the roof of a building is to be seen-and when it is designed for Chambers it must be seen,-something to relieve the view of a plain and dead Surface, is indispensable:

for this reason it was, I thought, and still do think that Dormars are to be preferred to Sky lights in the front;-on the other hand, if the roof is so flat as not to be seen at all, or so low as, in a manner to be hid by a Parapet, I should give a decided preference to Sky lights.—

These ideas, as you will readily perceive, proceed from a person who avows his ignorance of Architectural principles, -and who has no other guide but his eye, to direct his choice: -I never, for a moment, contemplated two Pediments, one over the door of each house, my great object was to give them the appearance of one.—But as I have observed in the former part of this letter, I will suspend coming to any decision until the consequences of the proposed alterations are better understood by me.

The freedom with which you have expressed your sentiments on this occasion, is highly pleasing to me.-Sorry indeed should I have been on this, as I shall be on any future occurrence, when your opinion may be asked, if they are not rendered with the utmost frankness and candour.—

The compliments of the season are presented to Mrs. Thornton, yourself &c. by all parts of this family,—and with great esteem & regard I remain, &c.

L. C., Press copy of autograph original.

TO ROBERT LEWIS.

MOUNT VERNON 23. Jan. 1799.

It would be a very convenient and acceptable thing, for me to receive my Rents, or even a part of them, at as early a period as you can furnish me with them. On what I supposed, at the time, a more certainty of receiving considerable payment (before Christmas) for Lands I had disposed of, I have entered into a Contract for building two houses in the Federal City (for the accommodation of Congress-the members; I mean) and am obliged by that Contract to make considerable advances of Money this Winter, and early in the Spring; which I shall not be enabled to do, under the above

disappointment, without having recourse to borrowing from the Bank (at its ruinous interest) unless I can be aided by my Rents, & other resources on which I did not calculate.-Let me know what dependence I can place on the first.

L. C., Press copy of autograph original.

TO WILLIAM THORNTON.

MOUNT VERNON

Dear Sir,

30th Jany. 1799.

Your favor of the 28th instant, enclosing Deeds for my Lots in the Federal City,-and Messrs. Blagden and Lenthal's estimate and drawing of the Windows-dressed in the manner proposed, came to my hands yesterday.

The drawings sent give a much handsomer appearance to the Windows than the original design did: and I am more disposed to encounter the difference of expense than to lessen the exterior show of the building, and therefore consent to the proposed alteration.

At the foot of the estimate sent me, (relatively to the Windows) is an application for 152, two inch sash pullies (brass wheels in iron frames) and two gross of 8th Inch Screws. Be so good as to direct Mr. Blagden to purchase these articles on the best terms and of such sorts as will suit him,and also to employ a Painter to prime the Sashes and Doors, although I know it will cost me four times what I could do it for myself. The job is too small to send a Person from hence for that purpose only.

As a Pump will ultimately, be necessary for the Well, it may as well be fixed there now as hereafter, remembering in the construction thereof, that it be calculated to serve both houses.

I do not clearly comprehend how it should come to pass, that the Specification of the Work, should be at varience with the Plan of the Buildings. I had always conceived that when a Plan was exhibited and agreed to that it gave the precise dimensions, and that the only use of the former was to ascer

tain the cost, and to explain the manner in which the work was to be executed.-Professing myself, however, to be a novice in these matters, I shall readily conform to whatever you shall think right, and I will do so if anything else of a similar nature should occur, in prosecuting the work. If a change in the Windows should affect the size of the glass, I ought to be informed of it, indeed without delay,—that no error may be committed in providing the latter.

Is my Deed for the Lot on which I am building yet in the City Office, or have I mislaid it? I do not find it among the others. Compliments and best wishes I am, &c.

L. C., Press copy of autograph original.

TO WILLIAM THORNTON.

MOUNT VERNON

Dear Sir,

15th Feby. 1799.

I have received your letter of the 12th. instant, with Mr. Blagden's estimate of the Glass required for my Houses in the Federal City, and shall take measures for providing it in time.

Presuming that Mr. Blagden is apprised of there being a check on the Bank of Alexandria, subject to his call, the neglect is his, if he does not do it. He shall not want the means necessary to push on my buildings on the one hand, and on the other, I hope his demands will not be greater than those wants.

I have not as yet, had recourse to either Bank for a loan, but have no doubt of this being the case soon; when I shall not forget what you have said respecting the proper mode to obtain it.

For your good wishes I thank you and with compliments remain, Dr. Sir, Your most Obedt. Hble. Servant, &c.

L. C., Autograph original.

DIARY, 1799.

March 5. . . . Mr. Law®. Lewis & Wife went up to the Fed'. City.

Mr. & Mrs. Lawe. Lewis33 returned from the Federal

L. C., Press copy of autograph original.

TO MAJ. GENERAL BENJAMIN LINCOLN.

My dear Sir,

MOUNT VERNON

Mar 17th 1799.

I have been induced (inconvenient as it is to my Finances) to build two houses in the Federal City-near the Capitol— to accomodate a person who means to lay himself out for the accomodation of the members of Congress; when that body shall have removed to the permanent Seat of the Government.

For these buildings I shall want Glass, in quantity, quality, and size as per enclosed list; and being informed that it may be had of the best kind, and cheap from the Manufactory of this Article, in or near Boston, I take the liberty of soliciting your aid to procure it (not knowing who has the Direction of the work.)

I should be glad to have it sent to me soon, as the buildings will, I expect, be run up this Spring.-Let the parcels of glass be accompanied with the account of cost, and the amount shall be immediately paid. If to do this to some person in Alexandria would answer, it would be convenient for me; but if this will not suit the purposes of the Manufactory, I will devise some mode of making a remittance to Boston-otherwise than hazarding Bank Notes in a letter, that distance. With great and sincere esteem and respect, I am My dear Sir, &c.

33 This was the bridal trip of Nelly Custis, she having been married at Mount Vernon Feb. 23, 1799 "Abt. Candle light. Her two sisters, Mrs. Thomas Law and Mrs. Thomas Peter lived in Washington. [Lossing.]