Jefferson "by direction of the President" George Washington Sees to Congressional Expenses Incl. Architectural Designs for U.S. Capitol - "federal town" - Superb!

A 3pp manuscript document signed and inscribed by U.S. Secretary of State (and future 3rd U.S. President) Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) as: "Examined & believed to be right / Th: Jefferson" on page 3. Ca. January 13-23, 1792. [Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.] Countersigned by Chief Clerk of the U.S. Department of State Henry Remsen, Jr. (1762-1843) above Jefferson's signature; and audited and countersigned by Edward Nixon and James Graham of the Comptroller’s Office. The document, no. 1932, "State of the Account of Thomas Jefferson Esq.," is secretarially inscribed on cream laid paper, with a file docket and registration stamp. 15.25" x 9.375." Expected wear including light even toning, flattened folds, and isolated ink bleed through. Restored at folds and two corners. Ex-Sotheby's 2001. Accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity from James Spence Authentication (Parsippany, New Jersey), certification number Z61337, dated December 20, 2017.

Secretary of State Jefferson reviewed and approved this document itemizing expenses from 1791 including plans for the future U.S. Capitol Building.

The document reads in part:

"1791… Amount brought forward… 727..62 1/3

Decem.r 13. By cash paid Mons.r Hallet for two drafts of the federal town made out by the direction of the President of the U.S. for the Senate & House of Representatives, and for having mahogany rollers fixed thereunto…102..0

By cash paid Mr. Dallas for making an Index to the Acts passed at the first, second & third Sessions of the 1st Congress…200..0

28. By cash paid for the Pittsburgh gazette for one year…2..0
…

Balance due the Department of State December 31st 1791 - Three hundred & fifty four dollars, forty six cents. -"

This itemized account from January 1792 shows what America's first administrators were investing in: future government buildings; Congressional record-keeping; and the means of staying informed about current events. The nascent government was interested in building up its prestige and legitimacy in the world, keeping track of its laws and policies, and best serving its citizens.

The first item listed from December 13, 1791 referred to "two drafts of the federal town" prepared by Étienne "Stephen" Sulpice Hallet (1755-1825), a French professional architect who immigrated to Philadelphia in the late 1780s. Hallet submitted three separate designs for the future U.S. Capitol Building to the Commissioners of the Federal District in July 1792, August 1792, and December 1792. None of his designs were chosen, but Hallet was paid a $100 stipend and tasked with overseeing construction of the successful U.S. Capitol Building design submitted by rival William Thornton. Hallet served in the supervisory role until he was fired in 1794.

The second item listed here, "cash paid Mr. Dallas for making an Index to the Acts passed at the first, second & third Sessions of the 1st Congress" could possibly refer to Alexander J. Dallas (1759-1817.) Dallas served in various clerical roles, including the first unofficial Supreme Court Reporter after 1790, and secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania after 1791. The 1st U.S. Congress convened in three sessions between March 1789 and March 1791, first in New York City and later in Philadelphia.

Then as now, information was power and politicians needed to stay informed. The third item listed here mentions the Pittsburgh Gazette, the first newspaper west of the Allegheny Mountains established in 1786. The weekly was published by John Scull and Joseph Hall.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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