your orders. The enemies of this enterprise will take
advantage of the retirement of L'Enfant, to trumpet an abortion of the
whole. This will require double exertions, to be counteracted. I enclose
you the project of a loan, which is agreed on, if you approve it. Your
answer will be immediately expected, and it is kept entirely secret,
till the subscriptions are actually opened. With this money, in aid of
your other funds, the works may be pushed with such spirit as to evince
to the world that they will not be relaxed.

The immediate employment of a superintendent, of activity and
intelligence equal to the nature of his functions and the public
expectations, becomes important. You will, doubtless, also consider
it as necessary to advertise immediately for plans of the Capitol and
President's house. The sketch of an advertisement for the plan of a
Capitol, which Mr. Johnson had sent to the President, is now returned
with some alterations, and one also for a President's house. Both of
them are subject to your pleasure, and when accommodated to that, if
you will return them, they shall be advertised here and elsewhere. The
President thinks it of primary importance to press the providing as
great quantities of brick, stone, lime, plank, timber, &c. this year as
possible. It will occur to you that the stone should be got by a skilful
hand. Knowing what will be your funds, you will be able to decide which
of the following works had better be undertaken for the present year.

The cellars of both houses.

The foundation of one, or both.

Bridge over Rock Creek, and the post-road brought over it.

Canal.

Wharves.

The affair of Mr. Carrol of Duddington's house, seems to call for
settlement. The President thinks the most just course would be, to
rebuild the house in the same degree, using the same materials as far
as they will go, and supplying what are destroyed or rendered unfit; so
that the effect will be in fact, only the removal of the house within
his lot, and in a position square with the streets. Do you not think it
would be expedient to take measures for importing a number of Germans
and Highlanders? This need not be to such an extent as to prevent
the employment of eastern laborers, which is eligible for particular
reasons. If you approve of the importation of Germans, and have a good
channel for it, you will use it, of course. If you have no channel,
I can help you to one. Though Roberdeau's conduct has been