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Washington, George (1732-1799) to Daniel Carroll, re: marble for building a capitol (quarries)

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00496.098 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: Philadelphia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 December 1793 Pagination: 2 p. ; 23 x 19 cm. Order a Copy

Written to Carroll as Commissioner for the City of Washington. The letter discusses the "free stone" on Washington's property, a plan of Mr. Greenleaf to sell lots and buildings (GW directs him to the Commissioners), and Greenleaf's proposal to build a city hospital. Washington's signature is repaired. Docketed on p.4.

Notes: Fitzpatrick, Writings of Washington.33: 184-185. Daniel Carroll (cousin of Charles Carroll) chosen a delegate to the Congress from Maryland. George Washington appointed him as one of the commissioners to select a site for the new federal capital - Washington D.C.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.

Philadelphia 16th Decr 1793
Dear Sir,
I have been favored with your letter of the 9th, & sample of free stone from my Quarry, sent by Mr. Hoban; for which I thank you both;
and should be obliged to him for information of the spot from whence it was taken. I always knew, that [struck: from] the River banks [strikeout] [inserted: from] my Spring house, to the Ferry formerly kept by Captn. Posey, were almost an entire bed of free stone; but I had conceived before the late sample came to hand, that it was of a very soft nature.
As the quantity, from outward appearances, is, in a manner, inexhaustable; I should have no objection to an investigation of the Banks by skilful, & orderly people; as the public as well [struck: as well] as myself might be benefitted by the discovery of a quarry of good stone, so near the Federal City.
Mr. Greenleaf is, I presume, with you, he left this City for George Town [2] on Friday last. He has a plan for the disposal of lots, & building thereon; to which he expressed a wish to receive the sanction of my opinion: I told him, my wish was, that all matters of that sort should come to me through the Commissioners; and when approved by them (after the consideration which I knew would be given to any proposition which seemed to have a tendency to advance the growth of the City) would certainly not be discountenanced by me. A similar answer I gave to a suggestion respecting the site for the Hospital in the City; which he seemed desirous of giving grounds [inserted: out] of the City in exchange for. My motive for hinting these things to you, in this manner, is [struck: to present any] that you may understand precisely what passed between us on these subjects. For some reasons which he assigned, he thought a Hospital in the bosom of the City improper & dangerous. I am inclined to that opinion, but realy, [sic] as I told him, did not recollect that it had been so intended. I remain in haste
Your Obedt. & Afft. Servt.
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Washington, George, 1732-1799

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