ey were imprisoned and all the work on the project stopped for the winter. At this point the situation began to boil over as communication between the parties became very confused. Jefferson finally sent an ultimatum to L’Enfant on February 22, 1792. In it he stated “…the circumstances which have lately happened have produce an uncertainty whether you may be disposed to continue your services.” In conclusion he stated, under Washington’s directions, that any work that he [L’Enfant] continued with “…should be in subordination to the Commissioners.” Upon receiving this ultimatum L’Enfant resigned from his work. He did not wish to continue work on a project in which he would be robbed of all control. Pierre L’Enfant, the French architect and engineer, and faithful servant to the United States was unable to fulfill his commission. His intentions were impeded by several unfortunate circumstances. His survey was delayed because of disagreeable weather, he was unable to complete an engraving for the sale of lots, Commissioner Carroll disregarded the construction plan and L’Enfant was forced to tear down his house, and finally the Commissioners refused to continue with the plan over the winter. Several of these problems seem to stem from a generally poor system of communication between all the parties involved and it is likely that L’Enfant would have remained to work on the project until its completion if it was not for this. As it was, L’Enfant’s plan was carried out by other hands, and not to the extent of his original intentions, and he was not given due credit until well after his death. ...
