AN ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE OF JAMES HOBAN, ARCHITECT AND BUILDER OF THE WHITE HOUSE AND PROMINENT CITIZEN AND PUBLIC OFFICE-HOLDER IN WASHINGTON CITY,

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FOR FORTY YEARS

 

Part II

 

Though not the architect of the Capitol, Mr. Hoban superintended its construction until 1795, when “he became restive under the continual calls made upon him for additional services without extra compensation.” He informed the Commissioners they were requiring too much to have him superintend both the Capitol and the President’s House. Whereupon, on April 30, the Commissioners agreed with him to take upon himself the superintendency of the Capitol for the whole of the present building season, unless sooner discharged by the consent of the Board. They agreed to give him twenty-five guineas per quarter extra. This arrangement continued until October 15th, when George Hadfield, recommended by John Trumbull, U. S. Minister to England, was appointed superintendent of the Capitol, while Mr. Hoban ceased services at the Capitol unless called into consultation.

    Mr. Hoban then gave attention to the construction and early completion of the President’s House. A few extracts from the record will serve to show his continuous connection with the work and the varied nature of his services:

 

On December 29, I795, he was directed to report all material on hand at the President’s House, whether of brick, stone or wood; also the material which will be wanting the next year if the building be carried on with vigor.

 

On March 10, 1797, Hoban reported to the Commissioners the quantity of lead wanted for the roof of the President’s House.

 

On February 6, 1798, he reported the flooring planking needed at the House. Littleton Davis was directed to procure it and also the rafters for the Capitol roof.

 

On February 22, 1798, Hoban gave the Commissioners an estimate of the scantling and plank wanted at the President’s House.

 

On April 18, 1798, he was directed to examine as accurately as possible and report the quantity of plank of every species now on hand on the President’s Square, distinguishing particularly each species of plank.

 

On March 28, 1799, Mr. Hoban reported to the Commissioners respecting the slating of the President’s House.

 

On December I0, 1800, he sent the Commissioners an estimate of the expense of finishing the steps on the south side of the President’s House. The Board agreed that he should do the work at the price stated.

 

On March 13, 1801, he gave a further estimate of work on the President’s House. He was “desired to have the work executed according to the directions of the President of the United States (Thomas Jefferson).

 

Mr. Hadfield, in charge of the Capitol, became dissatisfied and the Commissioners were not well pleased with him, for on June 26, 1796, he notified the Commissioners that he would quit at the end of three months. They informed him he might go as soon as he pleased. He, however, continued until May 10, 1798, when he was discharged. The Commissioners resolved, on May 26, I798:

 

That James Hoban do inspect the roof of the Capitol and report to the Board the present state of the work and his opinion of the practicability of making it a good roof upon the present plan as were in execution.

 

(Ordered) that Mr. James Hoban do take upon himself the Superintendency of the Capitol and that he remove to reside there as soon as possible, and until possession can be had of the house now occupied by Mr. Hadfield that the Board will pay the rent of any house he may engage near the building.

 

On June 18, Mr. Hoban made report of the timber and scantling still wanted and of the plank and scantling on hand at the Capitol.

    The direction to Mr. Hoban to “remove to reside there” and to occupy the house of Mr. Hadfield seems not to have been complied with, owing to the retention of it by Mr. Hadfield. Instead a temporary building costing $75 was erected, which was occupied by Mr. Hoban’s messenger, but afterwards it was sold to Mr. Hoban for $50. 

    His first work at the Capitol was to tear out the rotten foundations "that private greed and official supineness had placed there, and influence, entreaty and clamor were alike powerless to stay his hand or tongue" (Benjamin)

    He had an apprentice, Henry Myrove, who, on February I, 1798, was taken into the employ of the Commissioners at three shillings and nine pence per day. He was engaged on the President’s House, but on August 3rst, he and a fellow-apprentice, William Johnson, were removed from there to the Capitol on application of Mr. Hoban, and their wages increased to five shillings a day.

    On February 1, 1798, the Commissioners ordered that “Mr. Hoban do make an accurate estimate of the expense of finishing the North wing of the Capitol and report the same to the Board, with his opinion of the time requisite for completing the work, and also the number of hands necessary to be employed in the different branches of business till the House shall be prepared for the reception of Congress.” 

    On March I2th it was ordered that Mr. Hoban be furnished with such sections of the Capitol “as are in the Commissioners’ office when he may apply for the same.” 

    On June 19, I798, proposals to build the Executive Office (the first of a series of separate buildings to house the departments of state Ed.) were opened. James Hoban’s estimate was $56,000; William Levering, $42,500 and Leonard Harbaugh, $39,511. This latter was accepted.

    Mr. Hoban was given the superintendency of the work, and on August 21, 1798, it was agreed between the Commissioners and Mr. James Hoban “that he shall from time to time inspect the materials and workmanship of the Executive Office now building by Mr. Leonard Harbaugh, and where Mr. Hoban shall judge either the workmanship or materials deficient, he shall point out the defect to Mr. Harbaugh ; if Mr. Harbaugh shall differ in opinion from Mr. Hoban, or shall neglect or refuse to correct the deficiency, Mr. Hoban shall report the same to the Board. Mr. Hoban also agrees, on the application of Mr. Harbaugh, to give his advice in any matter relative to the said Executive Office or the quality of the materials offered or purchased for the same and the Commissioners agree that the additional salary of one hundred guineas allowed him by agreement of May 28th last shall be continued till the said Executive Office shall be completed."

    On October 10, 1798, he was directed to select the proper plank from the Capitol for the making of the doors for that building and that the necessary instruction for making the doors and the materials to be immediately sent down to Mr. Middleton’s shop.

    On June 6, I799, Mr. Hoban reported to the' Commissioners an estimate of the expense of comices, entablatures, coces, etc., in the interior of the Capitol.

    On September 23, 1799, Mr. Hoban reported an estimate of the lath and nails required at the Capitol, and in November he was directed to get fifteen barrels of Northern lime for the use of the Capitol. 

    On February 6, 1800, Mr. Hoban was notified to report “the increased quantity of mahogany used in the section of the Capitol by their making of it a greater size than contracted for.” On the 10th, he was directed to furnish John Kearney with the drawings of the capitals of the columns for the Senate room of the Capitol. On the 16th, he was also directed to deliver to Mr. Harbaugh the glass imported for the Treasurer’s office. 

    On May 25, 1801, Mr. Hoban was directed to report what progress has been made and what work done toward completing the Capitol, President's House and Executive Office from 18th of last November to the 18th of the present month.

    On May 27, 1801, (it was) resolved that Mr. Hoban be requested to estimate the expense of a temporary building to be erected on the eliptic foundation in the South wing of the Capitol for the accommodation of the Representatives of the U. S., in such manner that the arcades and as much of the other work as can be done consistently with the general plan of the Capitol may remain permanently and that he, report for how much he would engage to erect such a building, that the same may be submitted to the President for his consideration.

    On June 24, 1801, James Hoban’s letter being taken into consideration, it was ordered that his salary of three hundred guineas per annum be continued from the 1st of January previous on his agreeing to perform the duties of inspector required by the agreement between the Commissioners and Messrs. Lovering and Dyer and to superintend the execution of the Public Works so long as his services shall be required. He being present, agreed thereto. On July 1st he was paid $700, one-half a year’s salary.

Glenn Brown’s History of the Capitol says:

 

Mr. Hoban was almost continuously employed in superintending work for the Government, such work extending to roadways, and bridges as well as buildings. He apparently had no ambition for architectural designing other than that shown in the Executive Mansion.

   He was a man of even temper and on friendly terms with all the architects and superintendents with whom he came in contact. Having dealings with Thornton, Hallet, Hadfield and Latrobe, he never seemed to have at any time but the most pleasant relations with them. He was a good draftsman and a refined designer as well as a most successful superintendent and his services were in demand until his death.”

 

Thomas Moore, the poet, visited Washington in 1803. Of the President’s House he wrote: “It is a very noble structure, but by no means suited to the philosophical humility of its present possessor (Jefferson), who inhabits but a corner of the mansion himself and abandons the rest to a state of uncleanly desolation. This grand edifice is encircled by a very rude paling through which a common rustic stile introduces the visitor to the first man in America.”

 

When the City of Washington was incorporated in 1802, Mr. Hoban was elected a member of the City Council. He continued there until his death'.