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CO-DESIGNER OF U.S. CAPITOL BUILDING
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THORNTON, WILLIAM. Autograph Letter Signed, to William P. Elliott (“My
worthy young Friend”), requesting that he research a number of topics: the prices of statues
offered at Coade’s in London, possible markets for his artificial stone, the cost to obtain
basalt from Giant’s Causeway in Ireland, possible government markets for his coffee roast-
ing method, and, in a postscript additionally Signed with initials, requesting that the
enclosed be forwarded [not present].With an Autograph Note Signed, “A.G.,” by former
Ambassador to Great Britain Albert Gallatin, written on address leaf: “[Secretary of
LegationWilliam Beach] Lawrence is requested to send this letter, enquire first whether the
person to whom directed lives in Norfolk St.” 3 pages, 4to, written on a folded sheet; seal
tear affecting text and Gallatin’s note with loss of few words, folds. (MRS)
Washington, 28 October 1827
[800/1,200]
“
. . . I should have been highly gratified in
visiting Coade’s Manufactory of Artificial
Stone. I am sorry that you could not obtain
for me a Catalogue of the various orna-
ments & beautiful sculptured pieces that are
there fabricated & daily exhibited. . . .The
Statues were only from 25 to ab’t 30 or 35
Guineas . . . . Please to ask what they
would charge me for them in Plaister of
Paris, because by saturating them with
boiled oil & glue then painting them I could
make them stand for a lifetime. If they will
permit a cast . . . of the finest of the Vestals,
or any elegant Female Figures, sufficiently
covered to suit the Taste of the Americans, . . .
you will very much oblige me by enquiring
what they will charge for them individually
abt. 6ft. high.
“
I have, as you know, made many very
valuable discoveries in the Arts, and I should
be very glad if I could get some of them
patented in England. . . . I have invented a
mode of making Stones, Whetstones,
Grindstones, polishing wheels &c superior to any natural ones that I ever saw, but so perfectly like the
best of the kind that they have compleatly deceived the best Judges . . . .
“
I wish also that you would do me the favor of enquiring who is the Proprietor of the Giant’s
Causeway in Ireland, and be so good as to ascertain on what Terms he would permit me to have as
much of the Stone as might be wanted, without stating who wants it.The purpose for which I want it
is to cast pipes for conveying water, under ground, & for casting into various utensils. . . . It will melt
into a fine black glass . . . . I wish to cast, on a large Scale, the paving Stone [with] which the Streets
are paved. In London they are now paved with granite, which . . . costs a great deal of labour . . . .
Among other things as the Government roast all the Coffee . . . . I can put them in the way of mak-
ing one pound of Coffee into two of equally good quality, & by supplying the Navy & Army with
this, I may make more perhaps than by any other Invention . . . . It is not only a capital but new
chemical Invention. . . . I am surprised that after I proposed [Dr.Thornton] as an honorary member of
the Columbian Institute, Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Madison & himself I believe were the only honorary mem-
bers, he never wrote to me a line . . . . Please to ask him what was done with my paper on Comets; if
it was delivered to the Royal Society, or to any of its members? . . . If the learned Society disapprove of
it, I will send them another paper . . . .”