Washington's Reply to Stuart
By the time Washington replied to Stuart's letter, the crisis with L'Enfant came to a head and L'Enfant left the city project. Because of that, the particular points raised by Stuart with their particular language no longer required discussion. The letter looks forward not backward. I have highlighted portions of the letter that I think pertain to my discussion of L'Enfant, and I discuss those portions below the letter.
Philadelphia, March 8, 1792. Dear Sir:
In a short letter which I wrote to you by the
last Post, I promised a lengthy one by the
Post of tomorrow; but such is my present situation that I must
pass by some things and be more concise on others than I
intended. That Mr. Johnsons health did not permit him to come to
this City as he proposed and was expected, is matter of exceeding
great regret, as many things relative to the Federal district,
the City, and the public buildings might have been more
satisfactorily arranged; and delays avoided; but as there is no
contending against acts of Providence we must submit, as it
becomes us so to do and endeavor to recover the time lost, in the
best manner we can. That
the Commissioners have had more than a little trouble and
vexation with Majr. L'Enfant, I can readily conceive (if your
representation of the fact had been wanting) from the specimens
he has given of his untoward temper since his arrival in this
City. And I can as easily conceive that in proportion to the
yieldings of the Commissioners his claims would extend. Such upon
a nearer view, appears to be the
nature of the Man!
Every advantage will be taken of the Majors
dereliction. A vigorous counteraction therefore is essential. If he does not come forward openly to
declare it, his friends and the enemies to themeasure, will do it
for him, that he found matters were likely to be conducted upon
so pimping a scale, that he would not hazard his character or
reputation on the event under the controul he was to be placed.
It is even said (but nothing has appeared yet) that he means to
publish this to the world. The half friends
to the New City (if this is not allowing them more than their
due) undertake to predict that, it now stands in equilibrio. that
a feather
will turn the scale either way. If say they the
matter is pushed with vigor, and upon a plan commensurate to the
design, and the publics expectation, the permanent Seat of the
Government will be fixed on the Potowmack. On the other hand, if
inactivity and contractedness should mark the steps of the
Commissioners of that district, whilst action on the part of this
State is displayed in providing commodious
buildings for Congress &ca. the Government will remain where
it now is. That exertions will be made
by this State to effect the purpose, there can be
no doubt. A late message from the Governor to the Assembly
proposing a certain grant of money for the erection of the House
designed for the President is one, among other instances which
have occurred.
It would have been very agreeable to me, that
you should have shewn the copies of the letters I had written to
Major L'Enfant, declaratory of the subordinate part he was
destined to act under the Commissioners. It does not appear to
have been so understood by the Proprietors, from the sentiments expressed by Mr.
Walker (while he was in this City) for when he was told in what
explicit language Major L'Enfant was given to understand this, he
seemed quite surprised. You did me no more than justice when you
supposed me incapable of duplicity in this business. I have had
but one idea on the subject from the beginning; nor but one
design, and that was to convince the Major of the subordinate
part he was destined to act in it. I was obliged, as you have
seen, to use stronger and stronger language as I found his
repugnance encreased 'till he was told, in evenharsh terms, that
the Commissioners stood between him and the P-- of the U. States
and that it was from them alone he was to receive directions. The doubts, and opinion of others with respect to the
permanent seat have occasioned no change in my sentiments on the
subject. They have always been, that the plan
ought to be prosecuted with all the despatch the nature of the
case will admit; and that the public buildings in size, form, and
elegance, shou'd look beyond the present day. I would not have it
understood from hence that I lean to extravagance. A chaste plan
sufficiently capacious and convenient for a period not too
remote, but one to which we may reasonably look forward, would
meet my idea in the Capitol. For the Presidents House, I would
design a building
which should also look forward, but execute no
more of it at present than might suit the circumstances of this
Country when it shall be first wanted. A plan comprehending more
may be executed at a future period when the wealth, population.
and importance of it shall stand upon much higher ground than
they do at present. How, and when you will be able to obtain
plans of such buildings is with yourselves to decide on. No aid I am persuaded is to be expected
from Major L'Enfant in the exhibition; rather, I apprehend,
opposition and a reprobation of every one designed by any other
however perfect. The part, which, Mr.
Walker, by your letter to me, and another from Mr. Johnson to Mr.
Jefferson, appears to have acted,
surprises me exceedingly; his interest in the
City, and the discernment with which he seems to have viewed the
measure, in the early stages of it, would have lead me to have
drawn a different conclusion. The calumnies which seem to have been traced to him and
the Major are more to be despised than to be regarded or
resented. More than once you will remember I have given it to you
as my opinion, that it would be by sideblows and indirect attack
that attempts would be made to defeat the Law. To sow
the
Seeds of dissension, jealousy, and distrust, are among the means
that will be practiced. There is a current
in this City which sets so strongly against every thing that
relates to the Federal district that it is next to impossible to
stem it. To this cause is to be ascribed the backwardness of the
engraving. Danger from them is to be apprehended; and, in my
opinion, from no other. The best antidote against them is
perseverance, and vigorous exertion on the part of the
Commissioners; and good temper, and mutual forbearance with one
another, on the part of the proprietors; for who are so much
interested in the success, and progress of the measure as they? I
see no necessity for diminishing the Square allotted for the
Presidents House, &ca. at this time. It is easier at all
times to retrench, than it is to enlarge a square; and a
diviation from the plan in this instance would open the door to
other applications, which might perplex, embarrass and delay
business exceedingly; and end, more than probably, in violent
discontents. Where you will find a character qualified in all
respects for a Superintendant, I know not; none present
themselves to my view; yet, one must be had. A better than Mr.
Ellicott for all matters, at present, can not be had. No one I
presume, can lay out the ground with more accuracy, lay out the
squares, and divide them into lots better. He must understand
levelling also perfectly, and has, I suppose competent skill in
the conducting of Water. Beyond these, your opportunities to form
an opinion of him must exceed mine. Whether he is a man of arrangement, is sober, and
Industrious, are matters unknown to me. I believe he is obliging,
and he would be perfectly Subordinate. What
he asks, five dollars a day (if Sundays are included) seems high,
but whether a fit character can be had for less I am unable to
say.
The Plan of the City having met
universal applause (as far as my information goes) and Major
L'Enfant having become a very discontented man, it was thought
that less than from 2500 to 3000 dollars would not be proper to
offer him for his services: instead of this, suppose five hundred
guineas and a Lot in a good part of the City was to be
substituted? I think it would be more pleasing, and less
expensive. I have never exchanged a word
with Mr. Roberdeau since he came to this place, consequently, am
unable to relate, what his expressions have been, or what his
ideas are; he lives with, and more than probably
partakes of the sentiments of
Majr. L'Enfant; unless the dismission of the latter may have
worked a change in them, which, not unlikely, is the case with
both; as I can hardly conceive that either of them contemplated
the result of their conduct. Although what
I am going to add may be a calumny, it is nevertheless necessary
that you should be apprised of the report that Colo. Deakins
applies the public money in his hands to speculative purposes;
and is unable, at times, to answer the call of the
workmen, an instance has been given. There are
doubts also of the sincerity of Mr. Frans. Cabot. Of both these
matters you are to judge from the evidence before you. I have
nothing to charge either with, myself; these hints are disclosed
in confidence, to place you on your guard. The idea of importing
Germans and Highlanders, as Artizans and labourers, has been
touched upon in the letter from Mr. Jefferson to the
Commissioners. It is, in my opinion worthyof serious
consideration in an oeconomical point of view, and
because it will contribute to the population of
the place. The enclosed extract of a letter from General Lincoln
to Mr. Lear is sent, that you may see the prospect in that
Quarter. The General is a candid undesigning man, in whose word
much confidence may be placed; and having been in this City, and
laterly returnd from it, has had opportunities of
making the remarks which are contained in the extract.
I began with telling you, that I should not write
a lengthy letter, but the result has contradicted it. It is to be
considered as a private letter, in answer to yours of the 26th
Ulto; but it may under that idea be communicated to your
associates in Office. They, and you, must receive it, blotted and
scratched as you find it, for I have not time to copy it. It is
now ten oclock at night (after my usual hour for retiring to
rest) and the mail will be closed early tomorrow morning.
Sincerely &c.