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 Thomas Peter. The next day, he sent his regrets to public dinners ...

  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 In his October 27 letter to the board, the young Englishman exhibited some skill as a writer: "I find the building begun but do not find the necessary Plans to carry on a work of this importance, and I think there are defects that are not warrantable, in most of the branches that constitute the profession of an Architect, Stability - Economy - Convenience - Beauty...." He also drew an attractive simplification of the East elevation. In a second letter, after seeming to have been advised not to trash the whole project, he assured the board that he would do his best to “adapt to the best of my abilitys those parts that are already executed, without alteration.” A unanimous board decided to send Hadfield to Philadelphia to talk with the presi...