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Pres JAMES MONROE - Frank on WM THORNTON ALS

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James Monroe (1758-1831) 5th President. Franking signature as Secretary of State, "Dept of State Jas Monroe," on a 5 ½" x 3" (folded) 8" x 13", two page autograph letter signed by William Thornton (1759-1838), Washington, January 20, 1812, to John W. Godfrey. "…I received your two letters… when confined by sickness to my bed… I went to the Treasury for information there-in requested, found on record the certificate which you described, and made at the time the following minutes for your further satisfaction. –'his embraced amongst the claims submitted to Congress of the 12th Febr. 1793' - I am in hopes from what I have heard of the present disposition of Congress, that this claim will be paid… If I can serve you in any respect I shall do so with great pleasure. I advise you to write a few lines to your representative in Congress & I will urge him to demand payment of your claim…" William Thornton was an early American inventor, painter and architect who designed the United States Capitol. He also served as the first Architect of the Capitol and first Superintendent of the United States Patent Office. When Washington was burned by the British in 1814, Thornton convinced them not to burn the Patent Office because of its importance to mankind. The letter has numerous breaks in the folds, many of which are repaired with archival tape.

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