Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-27

1.-THE facts wish 10 ascertain are. FIRST:
Is the high part Of No. 2, in square 7sl
upon level with the ground on which the
road runs from the Capitol, to the upper ferry
over the Eastern Branch? Second Is there
any higher ground between 1t and the Eastern
Branch to obstTuet the view thereof? And
third, Is there much fall between the east
and west corner Of the front on Pennsylvania
avenue. Answers to these questions will enable
me TO choose without further delay A. I
never require much time to execute any meas
uTe after have resolved upon it, If under
taker could be engaged in the city or It's
vicinity to dig the cellar and lay the founda-
ton, and the comrs. would do me the favor
to enter into q contract, therefor to the
basement story, could wish 1t to be set about
and executed this Fall and the earlier the
better. Any agreement they shall enter into
on my behalf shall be most religiousy COM
piled with II an advance Of money to carry
on the work Is required 1t may be engaged
And as two houses Joined and carried on to-
gether will look better and come cheaper than
building them separately or at different times
i have determined to commence two. and il
can procure the means complete both in the
course OF next Summer. am not skilled in
architecture and perhaps know as little CT
p.anning-but as the houses 1 mean to build
win be plain and df placed on lot No. Is in
square 634) viii be adopted to the front of the
lot leaving allies or entries to the back build
ings inclose sketch to convey my ideas of
the size Of the houses, rooms and manner OF
building them, to enable you to enter into the
contract.
This sketch exhibits view of the ground
floor, the I'd, and Sd II the walls should be
run up three flush stories, will be the same
and the cellars may have partition in them
at the chtmnies. My plan when it comes TO
be examined may be radically wrong-if so, I
prsuade myself that Doctor Thornton (wEo
understanding these matters welD will have
the goodness to suggest alterations.
II shall make no apology for soliciting this
favor Of the Comrs. To promote buildings
Il desirable, and Is an object under present
circumstances Of the first Importance TO the
city II then they can comply with it con-
veniently, I persuade myself they will do so,
but II they cannot 1t would be unreasonable
In me to ask it. and I waive the request ac-
cordingly. With my great esteem and regard,
am, &C."
Indeed, the date of purchase is more def
nitely settled in his diary for September FL,
1913, when he records:
Examined in company with the Comrs.
some OF the lots in the vicinity of the Capitol
& fixed upon No 16 in 634 to build on Dined
& lodged at Mr.. Laws"
T HE first lot purchased had a frontage of
545 feet and an average depth of 100
1eet, which was obtained direct from the Com
missioners. Subsequently he bought of Daniel
Carroll OF Duddington parts of lots ami g.
extending his property lines by the north of
lot 16 to New Jersey avenue.
Just when these houses were begun is doubt
ful, for as late as March 81, 1899. we find
Washington writing to his secretary Tobias
Lear as follows: 49,
IF perchance you should happen to see Mr..
Blagden before you leave the city be so good
as to get from him q statement of the prena-
ratlons Tor my buildings therein. I do not
find by inquiry Of MIR. Lewis that there is
much show OF this on the ground! I advised
strongly that the foundation stone and lime
should be laid in last Autumn, when the roads
were good; had this been done the work might
have commenced without the hazard of dis
appointmenG with the opening of Spring.
NOW bad roads and multiplied excuses NAV be
a plea for the backwardness of his work.
George Blagden and John Lenthal both
employed in the construction of the Capitol.
were the builders Of the two North Capitoi
street houses, and the letter Of Washington
OF March 3b seems to have stirred them IN a
little, for in early June they were calling for
a part payment Of 81 600, which shows that
construction work at that time was progressing.
The George Blagden here referred to anne
from England and settled in this city in 1898
His son Thomas, who built Blagden row ON
1ndlane avenue, was born here. in October 1903
and died here February 2, 1870, and his de-
scendants still reside in this city
John Lenthall was also native of ENGLAND
having been born in 1862 at Chesterfield
County OF Derby. He also came here in 1893
and married Jane King, born in Yorkshire,
England October IL, 1890 In 1908, when 3. H.
Latrobe took charge Of the construction of the
Capitol, Mr.. Lenthan was selected to be the
"clerk of work and principal surveyor" His
death, which took place September 10, 1908,
was caused by the falling of one of the arches
in the Supreme Court room in the Capitol
A S every one knows, or should know, George
' washington died at Mount Vernon De-
cember H. 1893, before these buildings were
completed. However, on August IA of that
year We find him writing to John Francis, who