Documents associated with: White House, lease
Record 12 of 44
System Number: 10752
Date: 23 March 1878
Author: JW
Place: London
Recipient: George & William Webb[1]
Place: London
Repository: Library of Congress
Call Number: Manuscript Division, Pennell-Whistler Collection, PWC 3/28/2
Document Type: ALS
Saturday March 23 -
1878.
Messrs. Geo & W. Webb -
Dear Sirs -
The drawing[2] is signed and approved - and I have taken advice -
The Board of Works[3] are now forced to instantly grant me the lease upon demand - as you will see by referring to the clause 9. in the agreement - where you will see that when "the carcasses[4] of the several buildings &c &c &c. - have been completed [p. 2] in conformity with the conditions, (that is in conformity with the approved drawing) the lease will be granted -
Now the Carcass of the house is complete (in as much as the house itself is complete!) and in conformity absolutely with the approved drawing[5] - for the approved drawing is absolutely the same as the old one - with merely the addition of ornamental work applied on the outside front - So that, to sum up, the carcass[6] of the house is complete and in conformity with the conditions and we have a right to the lease before any other step -
Therefor [sic] demand it at once -
Will it be possible for you Gentlemen to call here on Monday at about 5 o'clock or so - we can discuss the whole thing and go over the house together - or will you fix a day before writing your letter to the Board -
I have beaten them as I told you I should. -
Very truly Yours
J A McN. Whistler
96. Cheyne Walk -
This document is protected by copyright.
Envelope:
Messrs. G. & W. Webb -11. Austin Friars
City
Old Broad Street
Notes:
1. George and William Webb
George Webb (b. ca 1835), of G. and W. Webb. lawyer [more], and William Webb (b. ca 1851), of G. and W. Webb, lawyer [more], JW's lawyers.
2. drawing
A new elevation of the facade of JW's new house and studio, the White House in Tite Street, designed by Edward William Godwin (1833-1886), architect and designer [more].
3. Board of Works
The Metropolitan Board of Works were slow in giving JW planning permission for his new house, the White House on Tite Street, and withheld the lease until alterations were made to the facade.
4. carcasses
Underlined three times.
5. approved drawing
Double underlined.
6. carcass
Double underlined.