Gideon Granger's request for construction proposals
Collection: National Postal Museum
Object type: Covers & Associated Letters
Date: March 19, 1812
Medium: Paper; ink
Dimensions: Height x Width: 9 3/4 × 7 3/4 in. (24.77 × 19.69 cm)
Description: Single-sheet document signed on back by Postmaster General Gideon Granger appears to be a draft with several crossed-out words and phrases. Location and dateline given are: Washington City [DC], and March 19, 1812. The author describes a request for bids for construction work: "Proposals will be received at the General Post Office until Monday the sixth of April next at noon for making the following improvements on, in, and about the building commonly called Blodgets Hotel." Ten areas are outlined for "repairs and improvements to be completed by the first of October next."
Beginning in late 1812, the General Post Office shared the Union Public Hotel, also referred to as Blodget's, with the Patent Office. The building stood at 8th and E Streets, NW. The General Post Office moved to Fuller's Hotel building after a fire at the Blodget's building on December 15, 1836.
References:
"Post Office Headquarters Sites in Washington, DC," United States Postal Service, May 19, 2020, https://about.usps.com/who-we-are/postal-history/headquarters-sites.pdf.
Proposals will be received at the General Post Office untill Monday the sixth of April next at noon for making the following improvements on, in, and about the building commonly called Blodgets Hotel
First, For completely finishing the outside of said building Second, For cleansing the basement story, making stairs to the first, & glazing the same Third, For finishing the first story, which is to be divided into ten rooms, Fourth, For finishing the west two thirds of the second story and the staircase to the said story Fifth, For finishing all the floors of the building and carrying up stairs to the garret and from thence to the roof.
The basement story is to have window shutters on the outside, and as much as is finished of the second story to have windows on the inside, a good stone hearth to be laid in each room, and a grate furnished and placed in the fire place. The builden rooms to be finished in the same stile, w th those now occupied by the members of the General Post Office excepting that no surbase is desired, and cornices will be required for three rooms only, all sap to be taken from every part of the timber used, and no room shall be used in the mortar
Sixth To graduate the earth around the building and
make an airy on around which shall be placed a painted paling - and to make a drain or sewer so as to carry off the water
Seventh, To run up two chimnies from the basement story to the top of the building with suitable fireplaces in each story
Eighth, To furnish and to fit steps, designating the difference of price for these between stone & wood
Ninth, To clear out the existing well or if found more advisable to make a new one, with pump &c
Tenth, To fence in the lot at the rear of the building, and to make at the north west corner a building like the white building back of the war office and at the north east corner, a stable fifteen feet by twenty two
All the repairs and improvements to be completed by the first of October next - The materials all to be good and merchantable and the workmanship of the first quality of plain work - The different orders of Mechanics will be allowed to bid in their several professions, and the contracts will be made either for whole or for parts as shall appear to be most for the interest of the public - The bids must be delivered in writing sealed
Washington City March 19 - 1812
67 58 G. G. G. Secretary of War
to make an airy one around which shall be placed a painted paling - and to make a drain or sewer so as to carry off the water
Seventh, To run up two chimneys from the basement story to the top of the building with suitable fireplaces in each story
Eighth, To furnish and to fit stops, designating the difference of price for these between stone & wood
Ninth, To clear out the existing well or if found more advisable to make a new one, with pumps &c
Tenth, To fence in the lot at the rear of the building, and to make at the north west corner a building like the white building back of the war office and at the north east corner, a stable fifteen feet by twenty two
All the repairs and improvements to be completed by the first of October next - The materials all to be good and merchantable and the workmanship of the first quality of plain work - The different orders of Mechanics will be allowed to bid in their several professions, and the contracts will be made either for whole or for parts as shall appear to be most for the interest of the public - The bids must be delivered in writing sealed
Washington City March 19 1812