The length of this letter requires an apology, first from me to you; then if you print it, from those you invite to read it.

Consider, then, the importance the Capitol has as betokening and as tending to form and train the tastes of the nation, and the fact that the wisdom of destroying the old ground, was, before it was done, much questioned and excited a good deal of feeling. Besides these two considerations, I have had in mind this also, that few people seem even to imagine that designing grounds is a natural process of adapting means to ends—to a series of well considered and carefully ordinated ends—as much so as the planning of a ship or a factory or a newspaper, and that the same methods of design are not applicable to all kinds of grounds in all sorts of places. I have therefore given some slight suggestion of the true process toward the close of the letter.

If it is too long have what you want taken out of it & made your own.

I am just starting for Washington.