Building the Capitol... Slave ads in 1820....

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, April 14, 1820  

* President James Monroe
* Act of United States Congress
* Capitol building construction

Page 2 has: "AN ACT making further appropriations for continuing the work upon the centre building of the Capitol, and other public buildings." This and 3 other acts are each signed in type by the President: James Monroe.
The back page has: "100 Dollars Reward...for...my two negro slaves, Lewis and George..." with descriptions of both. Also: "Fifty Dollars Reward" for a runaway: "...negro man named Nat..." with a description of him.
Four pages, never bound nor trimmed, very nice condition.

AI notes: On April 11, 1820, Congress passed an act to provide additional appropriations for the continued construction and improvement of the U.S. Capitol’s center building, which had been under reconstruction following the 1814 British burning during the War of 1812. The legislation allocated funds not only for completing the central portion of the Capitol under architect Charles Bulfinch’s direction, but also for painting and finishing the north and south wings, grading and improving the surrounding grounds, and making necessary repairs and alterations to other federal structures, including the President’s House. Specific attention was given to enhancing the Senate chamber to accommodate legislative functions more effectively. The act ensured that these expenditures would be drawn from the Treasury’s funds not otherwise appropriated, reflecting the federal government’s ongoing commitment to restoring and expanding its central seat of governance while simultaneously addressing practical needs for functional and aesthetic improvements across related public buildings.