Chapter 10: Tayloe Wins a Race
Sir Archy, an engraving of Tayloe's most famous horse O n April 19, 1797, Commissioner Gustavus Scott sold Lot 8 in Square 170 to John Tayloe III for $1868.25, $1,000 in down payment. It was on Scott's own account, not the board's. Fellow Commissioner William Thornton witnessed the deed of sale. Perhaps he did that officially. Sometime shortly after moving to the city from Georgetown in February, Thornton accepted appointment as a county magistrate which gave him authority to notarize deeds. In his book, Building the Octagon , Orlando Ridout V suggests that because Thornton was there, he influenced Tayloe. Back in October 1796, Thornton had proposed that Square 170 and neighboring squares accommodate foreign embassies. Ridout points out that Tayloe was investing in potentially "the most exclusive residential company in the city...." 94. Thornton wanted embassies facing Square 169, 170, 171, 224, 225 and 226 Ridout also suggest that the choice of Lot 8 had an a