From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 26 May 1807

Since my letter of the 22d. mr King has shewn me the alterations of your original design of the Contour of the grounds around this house, & I find they are precisely what I proposed in my letter except as to the extent of ground to be allowed to the offices, which may be a subject of consideration hereafter. this is but the 2d. day of the Labourers working on the S.E. quarter, & it begins already to shew sensibly. Six carts & about 20. men are at work.

Being about to build some little temples in my grounds at Monticello I must pray the return of the Plans des maisons de Paris between this & July, as I expect to find some good designs in that.

Seeing that nothing but the want of glass for the sky lights can prevent the readiness of the representatives chamber, my inquietude on that subject is so great that I must ask your information what are the measures now in operation on which you depend for glass, and what is the degree of certainty that they will not fail? the censure on us will be as extreme as just if, with the whole world before us, and two years time, we fail to procure the glass requisite. Accept my salutations & respects.