William Thornton Re-examined by Bob Arnebeck

  Table of Contents   Chapter 11: The Case of the Ingenious A - Lovering Designs the Octagon 117. The Octagon in the 20th century, and below its floor plan   In a  January 23, 1799, letter, t he General notified John Tayloe that the Senate confirmed his nomination to be one of two majors in the dragoons in the Provisional Army that President Adams asked the General to raise to deter French aggression. He also recalled that in late 1797, Tayloe had expressed interest in buying "Jack Asses when I shd be disposed to part with any." The General offered him "three for $800, and one for $300." He added that "Ready money would be very convenient to me, as my buildings in the City call for it...."  In his reply sent on February 10, Tayloe worried that becoming an officer would force him to vacate his seat in the Virginia senate. He added that "respecting the Jack," his father-in-law gave him "a very fine one—consequently my wants on tha...

Some of the illustrations appear in two or more chapters if they are relevant to the text. Links open the web page used as sources for and/or information about the illustration. Links to chapters can be found in the Table of Contents .   1. "William Thornton in 1804" By his friend Gilbert Stuart in National Gallery of Art Wikipedia (intro p. 7) 2. "The Old Capitol in 1846" photograph, Library of Congress : (intro p. 7) 3."The Octagon in the 20th century" photograph, Library of Congress: (intro p.8) 4. "Adolph Cluss Strikes a pose" cropped photo of the National Museum Building Committee 1880, Smithsonian : (intro, p. 10) 5. "Glenn Brown" photographed at office in Octagon, ca. 1900, by Francis Benjamin Johnson, Library of Congress:(intro p. 11) 6. "Tortola in 1798: divided into sugar plantations" Wikimedia Commons: (Chapter One p. 14) 7.  "Old Customs House in Lancaster built as Thornton grew up in and around the ci...