Thomas Worthington

Washington, September 2. 1805

Dear Sir,

I regret that I cannot see you before I go. Your plan is ready, and Mr. DeMun will give it you. To save trouble I have paid him 10 Dollars, and have given Mr. Stele an order for 8$ on you, which with 2$ change lent me makes up 10.

Your interior Walls should be 1 ft. 10 i. Thick. They will then contain your flues without projections. As you cannot begin to build this Year, you must let me give you working plans whenever you have fixed and Mrs. Worthington approves. I mean to alter your South front in appearance a little.

Your joists in the 3 South rooms must run from East to West in all the stories. They should b[e] 3 ft. x 14 ft. and not lie asunder more than 15 inches from center to center. They your ceilings will not crack nor your floors tremble as in most other houses. In the North rooms they may lie North and South.

In getting your stuff for your doors, I advise you, not to have a door in your house thinner than 1-3/4 inches, that is get your Stiles and rails out of 2 in. plank. It is impossible at present to go into detail, but if you have a good Carpenter you will find no difficulty as to your bill of scantlings. Only get plenty-You will find use for it.

I am just going to set off for the Northward. Please to write to me to Wilmington Delaware. I shall there have leisure, and find great pleasure to give you any useful information.

Believe me &c.

B.H.L.