From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 20 September 1807

I found your letters of the 12th. & 14th. on my return to this place on the 17th. and such was the mass of business accumulated during my absence that I have not been able sooner to answer them.   I am very happy that there is no doubt of the readiness of Congress hall for the meeting of that body.   with respect to the North wing I like well all your ideas except that of introducing a Cupola to cover the chimnies.    the eye is so habituated to the sight of chimnies & connects with them the idea of utility so intimately, that their natural ugliness loses much of it’s impression. come out of the roof in whatever way they may, I do not think they will present such a difformity as a Cupola, so much increased by their being none on the other wing. indeed it is evident that a cupola on the one wing necessarily calls for a corresponding one on the other. I need not here repeat the objections to that. I think therefore that lighting the room by a sky light in the crown of the Dome, the chimnies had better be brought out wherever they will the least affect the appearance. the dome rises so little into view that I should think the chimnies might come out before the dome shews itself, so as to appear to have no connection with it.

I think we had better give to the wall round the President’s ground all the extent which the appropriation will admit without heightening it at this time. that may be considered of under another appropriation. I propose to be in Washington on the 3d. of Octob. I salute you with great esteem & respect.