Breaking Points

Chapter 5 covers Latrobe’s efforts to make money after he lost his job as surveyor of public buildings in Washington. In order to do so, he moved to Pittsburgh and, financed by Robert Fulton, he intended to build a commercial boat powered by steam. But this relationship ended when Fulton cut off his credit. After his return to Washington, Latrobe began rebuilding the Capitol, which had been largely destroyed by the British during the War of 1812. Soon, however, with his expenditures for the building receiving harsh criticism, Latrobe quarrelled with the commissioner of public buildings, resigned, and without any salary was forced to declare bankruptcy.