Beschreibung:

MONROE, James. Autograph letter signed ("James Monroe") as President to an unnamed correspondent, Washington, 16 July 1822. Two pages, 248 x 195mm (partial separations along some mailing folds, hinged to a mat, minor loss at upper left not affecting text). Framed with a portrait and a window in the back to reveal verso of letter. James Monroe navigates a billing dispute concerning design drawings for the U.S. Capitol. Monroe writes, somewhat defensively, that "It is not my practice to dispute accounts, & much less, what encouragement I may have given Mr Jay to make the drawing, he has done, I admit anything that he may say on the subject. But you will recollect, that I could have had no object, in a labor'd drawing, other than to exhibit it here, as an object worthy the attention of our artists, & to do credit to the author. For myself, a sketch would have been as useful. I have shown it to Mr Bulfinch who has made a report on it, criticizing it with some severity, & I would now send the work to you, to be submitted to Mr. Bolton, were I not prevented by a motive of delicacy to Mr. Jay. Mr Bulfinch, says that 75 dolrs. would be a liberal compensation. Nevertheless I wish you to settle the affair for me, allowing one hundred dolrs. If he still asks that sum." Charles Bulfinch (1763-1844) served as Architect of the Capitol from 1818 to 1829 where he supervised the completion of the building including the legislative wings and the original low, wooden dome. Please note this lot is the property of a private individual.