(This is a reproduction of a classic text optimised for ki...)
This is a reproduction of a classic text optimised for kindle devices. We have endeavoured to create this version as close to the original artefact as possible. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we believe they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.
https://www.amazon.com/Hon-Samuel-Blodget-progress-Merrimack-ebook/dp/B07HPY9BVW?SubscriptionId=AKIAJRRWTH346WSPOAFQ&tag=prabook-20&linkCode=sp1&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B07HPY9BVW
Samuel Blodget was born on August 28, 1757, in Goffstown, New Hampshire, the son of Samuel and Hannah (White) Blodget. The character of his father, a man of long business experience and much imagination, seems to have been reflected in that of the son.
Samuel Blodget served in the Revolution, as a captain of New Hampshire militia, resigning December 22, 1777. He then engaged in business in Exeter, New Hampshire, and, this proving unsuccessful, went into the East India trade in Boston, acquiring a fortune. In 1789 he removed to Philadelphia.
In 1792 Blodget began to be interested in the new Federal City. He commenced to buy Washington real estate in 1792 and from that date became very actively engaged in the promotion of its realty developments, the erection of public buildings, and the founding of a national university at the new capital, which he was the first to suggest. His time was completely engrossed in the interests of Washington. During a visit to Boston for the purpose of floating a loan to secure money for the erection of federal buildings Blodget prepared a competitive design for the Capitol, with a tall dome and four Corinthian porticoes modeled on those of the Maison Carrée. This was sent to the Commissioners of the Federal City in Philadelphia on July 1, 1792. Although it arrived after July 15, the date of the closing of the competition, the design was considered at the Commissioners' meeting of August 27. In presenting this plan Blodget asked that it be considered only as a study. The Commissioners invited him to submit complete drawings, sending for his use a statement of some changes in requirements. Blodget seems, however, not to have availed himself of this opportunity for there is no mention of a second design. No example of his draughtsmanship remains, his first study having doubtless been returned to him.
Another design for the city of Washington was that for a bridge over the Eastern Branch submitted to the Commissioners November 27, 1795. The record of its reception makes no comment on the features of the plan nor is there any further mention to show whether or not it was the one executed in 1804. On February 10, 1797, Blodget wrote the Commissioners of his success in executing an amphitheatre 249 feet in circumference on the scheme of the Halle aux Blés in Paris, and undertook to submit a model, with a view to the construction of the proposed dome for the Conference Room of the Capitol. His efforts in design and his endeavors to erect numerous houses and a hotel were all a part of Blodget's sustained effort toward the development of Washington.
In the year 1793 Blodget held official position as "Superintendent of the Buildings, " the active representative of the Commissioners. The office, however, was allowed to expire with the end of Blodget's term of one year. In promoting the sale of Washington real estate Blodget's resort to lotteries, though they were at first sanctioned by the authorities, finally brought him into discredit. Moreover, the failure of both lotteries brought Blodget's financial ruin, since he had put up his property as security for the payment of the prizes. It is of interest to note that the principal prize of the first lottery was to be a hotel to cost $50, 000. The plans for this building, known as Blodget's Hotel, were prepared by James Hoban, the architect of the President's House, and the structure was in part completed by Blodget. The prizes for the second lottery were houses to be erected in the city, the best one to cost $30, 000.
It was further proposed that such funds as were left after the payment of these prizes should go toward the founding of the national university. Although Blodget's schemes were economically unsound and impractical there is no evidence that he acted in bad faith, and the fact of his complete financial downfall attests the sincerity of his belief in the lotteries and other ventures. Even while imprisoned for debt he solicited funds for the national university, and upon his release after a short period this project seems to have been his principal interest. At his death he left a fund of $7, 000 collected for this purpose. A general likeness is apparent between the fate of Blodget and that of Robert Morris and other too sanguine investors of the time. So completely did he finally drop out of public affairs that his death in a Baltimore hospital in 1814 received no notice in the Washington papers.
Samuel Blodget was important in the foundation of Washington, D. C. as the national capital. He used his wealth to finance the construction of both the U. S. Capitol and the White House. Although not a professional architect, Samuel Blodget is famous for designing of the building of the first Bank of the United States in Philadelphia. It was the first important building in America to be executed in marble. The design was taken from that of the Exchange in Dublin, a work of Thomas Cooley. Blodget may have known this through Malton's engraving, which had just appeared, or he may have seen the original, since he had more than once visited Europe.
(This is a reproduction of a classic text optimised for ki...)
In 1792 Blodget married Rebecca Smith, the daughter of the Rev. William Smith, provost of the University of Pennsylvania. She was a notable beauty and wit.
