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ALS signed “Go: Washington,” one page, 7.25 x 9, November 2, 1798. Handwritten letter to William Thornton, in full: "Letters which I expect by this day's mail will decide whether I shall leave this place for Trenton, or not. At any rate, I would thank you for having the contract with Mr. Blagden ready for signing on Monday;—the day I shall set off;—if I take the journey; and for requesting him not to be absent on that day;—being desirous of closing all matters with him before I go. If from the advices I expect, my journey is rendered unnecessary, I will write you a few lines informing you thereof by Monday's Post;—but this, on second thoughts, I believe you will not receive before Tuesday." Mounted, matted with an engraved portrait, and framed to an overall size of 21.5 x 16.5. In fine condition, with two small mounting stains to the top corners.
William Thornton (1759–1828) was an American physician, inventor, painter, and architect who designed the United States Capitol. He was appointed by President George Washington as Architect of the Capitol in 1793, and by Thomas Jefferson as first Superintendent of the United States Patent Office in 1802. The present letter alludes to a project which involved the construction of two townhouses on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., designed by George Washington and built by George Blagden. During this period, Thornton was serving as Commissioner of the Federal City, and in that capacity offered advice and official approval for Washington's plans.
The project began in the fall of 1798 with Washington's purchase of a vacant lot on the west side of North Capitol Street. Inspired by a building he had seen in Philadelphia, Washington described his vision as 'two houses, united Doors in the center, a Pediment in the Roof and dormer windows on each side of it in front, skylight in the rear' and 'three flush stories of Brick, besides Garret room…capable of accommodating between twenty and thirty borders…not costly, but elegantly plain.' Washington's builder, George Blagden, who worked as superintendent of stonework and masons at the Capitol, broke ground in December 1798. Washington took an active role in overseeing the project, providing detailed specifications for the buildings and sourcing many materials himself in order to reduce costs.
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