William Thornton Re-examined by Bob Arnebeck

The Doctor Examined, or Why William Thornton Did Not Design the Octagon House or the Capitol by Bob Arnebeck   Table of Contents Sir Archy, an engraving of Tayloe's most famous horse In mid-March 1797, the General left Philadelphia. By the way, once out of office the former president was universally called the General. He made his slow way home to Mount Vernon receiving the heartfelt plaudits of his countrymen. After acknowledging a volley from Captain Hoban's artillery militia at the unfinished Capitol, he dined at the Laws. There he gave the commissioners the signed orders transferring ownership of the streets and public lots to the government. They noticed that the documents did not have the seal of the United States, and the General sent them back to Philadelphia. Then he rode on past the President's house, where he received another volley, and spent the night along Rock Creek with Patsy and Robert Peter. The next day, he ducked out of public dinners in Geo...

  The Doctor Examined, or Why William Thornton Did Not Design the Octagon House or the Capitol by Bob Arnebeck Table of Contents Chapter Eight: Thornton v. Hadfield 84. Hadfield's simplification of the 1793 Conference Plan Hadfield's reputation for being soft spoken extended to his pen. He wrote very little. When he had to defend his reputation against Thornton's attacks, he compressed his rage and what barbs he returned were ineffectual. The profane language he used when dealing with the men who worked for him may have reflected his discomfort dealing with so many Celts. Hoban was known by all as a friendly man, good to his friends, who fashioned an empire limited only by his faith. Then again half the city's building lots were originally owned by fellow Catholics. Because of his reticence, Hadfield was no match for Thornton. Because of his friends, Hoban was the one rival that Thornton could not thwart. He out lived Thornton. Unfortunately his personal papers burned...