University of Virginia Library

List of Appendices

• Note: The following appendices are provided as supplements to the historical narrative, and
  nearly all are examples of the kinds of documents that can be accessed in the full
  electronic database.


• Appendix A: Thomas Jefferson, List of Classical Models for the Pavilions at the University
  of Virginia


• Appendix B: A Note on Prices


• Appendix C: List and Description of Carpenter's Tools


• Appendix D: Extracts from David Watson's Miscellaneous Memoranda


• Appendix E: Proposed Design Changes


• Appendix F: Selected Agreements and Contracts


• Appendix G: Selected Land Documents


• Appendix H: Selected Loan Documents


• Appendix I: Sully, Cosway, Peale, and Mills


• Appendix J: Oldham's Lawsuit Documents


• Appendix K: Selected Rotunda Documents


• Appendix L: Selected Documents Concerning the Raggi Brothers


• Appendix M: John Van Lew & Company to Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough


• Appendix N: A. H. Brooks Dispute


• Appendix O: The Maverick Engravings


• Appendix P: Selected Letters of Recommendation


• Appendix Q: Selected Clock and Bell Documents


• Appendix R: Selected Documents Concerning the Stables


• Appendix S: Charles Bonnycastle, Plan for Curing Smoking Chimneys


• Appendix T: Selected Documents Related to the Water Works and Fire Apparatus


• Appendix U: William Wertenbaker, Faculty Resolutions


• Appendix V: Selected Brockenbrough Correspondence


• Appendix W: Interview with Edmund Bacon


• Appendix X: Chronology of Slaves' Involvement, 1817-1846

Appendix A:
Thomas Jefferson: List of Classical Models for the
Pavilions at the University of Virginia

• Pavilions [post-1817]


• No. I. Doric of Diocletian's baths from Chambray


• II. Ionic, with dentils from the temple of Fortuna Virilis. Palladio


• III. Corinthian. Palldio.


• IV. Doric of Albans. from Chambray.


• V. Ionic with modillions. Palladio's.


• VI. Ionic of the Theatre of Marcellus. dentils. Chambray


• VII. Doric of Palladio. with mutules.


• VIII. Corinthian of Diocletian's Baths. from Chambray.


• IX. Ionic with dentils. Temple of Fortuna Virilis. Palladio.


• X. Doric of the Theatre of Marcellus. Chambray.


• Rotunda. Corinthian of the Pantheon. from Palladio.

AD, ViU:TJ, 1p. The dating is taken from that of the microfilm edition of ViU:TJ.

Appendix B: A Note on Prices

Note: The prices in the following material is taken from the Waverly Thomas Ledgers,
1814-1824 (2 volumes), located in ViU:Perkins Papers. The ledgers contain extensive
accounts with numerous patrons for whiskey, brandy, and other merchandise, farm and mill
products, lumber, and blacksmithing.

Prices for goods and services varied considerably in central Virginia during the second and
third decades of the nineteenth century. In 1818 a pine tree could be bought for $1, seven for
$5, and twenty trees for $10, and a thousand feet of sawing cost from $7.50 to $9. Plank,
usually ranging from 8 to 22 feet in length, could be commonly purchased in varying
degrees of thicknesses of one, two, three, four inches and etc., and in varying widths from
six to twenty-six inches. Two sills 28 feet long and 8 by 10 inches thick and wide cost $3.36.
Firewood could be purchased for $2 a cord.

In 1820 a slave could be rented for 3 months to make brick at $8 per month. At $4.50 per
thousand, 6,000 bricks cost $27; 10,000 bricks $45. Hauling 4 loads of brick cost a buck; 16
loads cost $3; 24 loads $4.50. The brick work for a small creek mill cost $40 and the pulling
down of a brick chimney cost $2.

A day-laborer working in 1821 could expect to earn 50 cents a day for carting plank and
working about a building site, or 75 cents a day for dressing a mill; 13½ days work in 1823
could gross $3.37. Two slaves could take two weeks to saw 1,000 feet of lumber, for which
their master could collect $9 from the buyer. An overseer working on a road could make $8
in as many days in 1819; trimming trees for a whole day could earn a laborer 75 cents. In
the spring of 1820, when the effects of the Panic of 1819 were in full force, 3 days work on
a cedar press could earn its maker $1.87; 12 days labor lathing a house, $7.50; 4½ days
labor building and repairing gates, $2.87; and 4 days working on a log house at a new mill,
$2.50. To haul a load of fish from Broadwater to Charlottesville would earn the wagoner 75
cents.

One thousand five-eights-inch-thick shingles cost $3.50 in 1821; 2 pounds of spike nails
could be had for 33 cents; 50 pounds of 6 or 9 penny common nails cost 32 cents in 1820; 2
pair of hinges using 5 pounds of iron cost $1.22. Throughout the period a blacksmith would
charge for laying a carpenter adze 87 cents; a carpenter's axe $1.25. A 2 pound broad axe
cost $1.12 and a narrow axe anywhere from 87 cents to $1.64. A hatchet cost 84 cents;
puting a shank to a drawing knife cost 26½ cents and a shank in an auger half that much;
making a turning-lay was only $1. It cost 12½ cents to rivet a saw, 18¾ cents to put a
handle to a cross cut saw; and $1.12 to replace the upper handle of a pit saw. A old
well-worn axe sold for 48 cents; one old whit saw for $1.93.

By contrast a fully-made adult coffin for a man or a woman in late 1818 and early 1819 cost
only $5 each; an infant's coffin cost only a dollar. In 1820 and 1821 the price of coffins had
fallen to between $4 and $4.50, and the cost of a coffin and the digging of the grave was $6.
In 1820 an entire bridge could be built for $30, and a quart of whiskey cost 20 cents.

Appendix C:
List and Description of Carpenter's Tools
James Dinsmore's Tool List

Memdm of Carpenters tools belonging to Mr. Jefferson April 15th 1809

• 15 pair hollows & rounds & 1 plane for making spouts


• 1 pair hollows & quarter rounds, 1 Do Snipe Bills


• 1 Do Side rabbit planes--dorabbit planes & astragal


• 3 philasters & one Spring plane--


• 4 pair groveing planes & 1 Cut & thrust--


• 2 Plow planes & 9 plow bits


• 5 bead planes 9, ogees & 2 quarter rounds--


• 2 Sash ovolos, 2 astragal Do--


• 1 Scotia & ovolo & 1 ogee & ovolo


• 1 raising plane 2 pair Base & Surbase planes--


• 1 architrave Do--14 Cornice planes of different kinds


• 3 Straight & 3 Circular Smoothing planes--1 toothing Do


• 4 Sets of Bench planes--5 in each set & 1 double Iron Jointer--


• 3 try planes for Circular work 3 steel blade Squares--


• 1 bench vise 2 plated gages * *1 mitre Do--brace & 15 bits--


• 2 pair pincers & 1 pair cutting plyers--


• 2 drawing knives 2 pair compasses--


• 4 Sockett chishels 4 mortise Do & 13 firmer Do--


• 19 gouges, 2 rasps 4 files, 15 gimblets & 45 Do


• 3 pair hand screws, 3 iron Screws for joining up work


• 6 augars 3 hand Saws 1 pannel Do 1 table Do 1 tenon Do--


• 1 Sash Do 1 dove tail Do 1 frame Do & 2 lock Saws 9 new plane irons


• 3 Saw files 1 axe 1 adz a bevel 1 mitre one turkey wet Stone--

James Dinsmore

planes borrowed by Jas. Dinsmore Dinsmore James

• 1 Tuscan Cornice plane--


• 1 Sash astragal--


• 1 ogee & quarter round--


• Bit


• 1 screw worth 9/. by J. Dinsmore £0.9


• 2 flooring __ worth 4/______ by J Nelson _________

Memdm of Carpenters tools

ADS, DLC:TJ, 1p.

Tool Descriptions

• Frame saw, or two-man pit saw: rip or cut plank out of a log


• Back saw: for precise miters, dovetails, mortise shoulders and butt joints


• Tenon saw, and dovetail saw: for cabinet makers


• Adze: shaping joists and timber


• Gimlet: for small holes for a screw


• Auger: for boring


• Scriber, or marking gauge: for marking boards


• Squares and plumb lines: for squaring


• Drawing tools: drawknife and spokeshave, to rough out shapes


• Lathe: pole lathe, operated by foot, or wheel lathe, two-man operation


• Chisels: for lathe work or cutting groves


• Gouges: to carve, or reach in hard to get places


• Planes: for preparing lumber, smoothing edges and faces, creating mouldings


• Jack, or fore planes: ridding of thick shaving


• Try, or trying plane: smooth away tracks or furrows of fore plane


• Jointer: used on long boards, 26-36 inches long


• Block or smoothing plane: for small areas or irregular grain, like knots, short
  and wide


• Moulding planes: produce intricate decorative strips of wood


• Shaping planes: hollows and rounds, named after outlines of their soles;
  hollow is concave; round is convex. 16 to 24 graduated sizes in a progression by quarters of
  inch


• Rabbet plane: for cutting rabbets


• Banding plane: for cutting dado


• Grooving plane: cut grooves


• Match planes: tongue and groove


• Sash Planes: make window and door sashes

Note: Because hand tools from the period generally were of high quality and very efficient,
surprisingly little expenditure of energy was required on the worker's part when the right
tool was selected, provided that the tool had been properly maintained and its blades
sharpened. The worker's technique of use also should be considered as an integral part of the
character of a tool.

Appendix D
Extracts from David Watson's Miscellaneous Memoranda

1819 Mar: 18th. About the 1st inst: I was at the site of the University of Virga. The hands
(negros) were then engaged in leveling the ground. Two pavillions (as Mr. Jefferson calls
them) are raised & covered in, with an extensive range of dormitories between them,
intended to be covered with flat roofs--The site is beautiful; but the buildings appear to me
to too small. The pavillions, two stories high, are not sufficiently roomy for the convenient
accommodation of a genteel family, & no plan yet of attaching gardens or back grounds to
them. The dormitories are to small for convenience, & being on a level with the street in
front, & a fine footway, under the projection of the terrace or flat roof of dormitories, will be
too publick for study. I saw no convenient place for keeping wood, & the plan of erecting
boardinghouses was not decided on, & appeared to me to attended with many difficulties.
The lod[g]ings for the students being all on the ground, will require the buildings to be
spread over too extensive a Surfice, & so much roof in proportion to the room, will be very
expensive--The lowness of the windows in the dormitories, will re[n]der the rooms both
publick & unsafe--

Our assembly broke up the 13th. inst: Satur: after a Sessn. of 98 days having gone thro' the
revision of our laws.

29th. Mar: This the day for visitors of the University to meet; Virg: Mr. Jefferson--Mr.
Brackenridge--Genl. Taylor, Mr. Madison J. C. Cabell & Genl. Cocke--Bank Stock, U.S. got
up to 118 after having been below par. It is supposed by many that the report of the Comee.
of Cong: was more unfavorable to the directors than was just--

AD (extract), ViU:Watson Family Papers, Miscelleanous Memoranda, 17.

David Watson

Miscellaneous Memoranda

1821. An Act was passed, by our Assembly with much difficulty, authorising the rector &
visitors of the University of Virga. to borrow $60 thousand dollars to finish the buildings, &
put the University into operation.

In Jan: 1819 the law past establishing the University at the site of the centl. College, in
Albemarle, near Charlottesville, with an endowment from the literary fund of 15 thousand $
Annum--At the last session of our Assemby, the University was suthoris'd to borrow $60
thousand; estimated then to be sufficient to finish the buildings; & upon the application for
more money, at this session, much discontent was manifested by the Members--the bill was
rejected by one vote; & passed, on reconsideration, next day.

AD (extract), ViU:Watson Family Papers, Miscelleanous Memoranda, 32).

David Watson

Miscellaneous Memoranda

An Act was passed by our Assembly, with much difficulty, authorising the rector & visitors
of the University of Virga. to borrow $60 thousand dollars to finish the buildings, & put the
University into operation.

In Jan: 1819 the law past establishing the Univeristy at the site of the centl. College, in
Albemarle, near Charlottesville, with an endowment from the literary fund of 15 thousand $
Annum--At the last session of our Assemby., the University was authoris'd to borrow $60
thousand; estimated then to be sufficient to finish the buildings; & upon the application for
more money, at this session, much discontent was manifested by the Members--the bill was
rejected by one Vote; & passed, on reconsideration, next day.

AD (extract), ViU:Watson Family Papers, Miscelleanous Memoranda, 32.

Appendix E
Proposed Design Changes

John Hartwell Cocke to Thomas Jefferson

Conversations with Mr. Brockenbrough and other practical Mechanicks: together with
estimates made by Mr. B. & myself have induced me to suggest some changes in the Hotels
& Dormitories designed to be connected with them, which are about to be erected at the
University. In the Dormitories upon the upper level, connecting the Pavilions, I wou'd
propose no change. [832] The beauty & convenience of this part of the plan more than
counterbalances some objections which present themselves to my mind. Indeed here, it does
not appear to me, that any change cou'd be made for the better unless the low pitched roofs
concealed by a railing (upon the plan I once suggested) shou'd be found to be better & more
œconomical coverings & to render the rooms more comfortable by keeping the Sun at a
greater distance from the ceilings.

Perhaps upon examination of the inclosed scheme (if I succeed in making you comprehend
my imperfect sketch) you may deem it worthy of consideration, how far its cheapness, the
more retired situation of the Students apartments, and being less exposes to the influence of
the Sun, may recommend it for adoption--notwithstanding the sacrifice it demands in
Architectural beauty.[833]

You will perceive by the graduated paper upon which the plan is laid down that the area of
the building proposed is 56 by 36 feet--and that the divisions of the first floor are the same
proposed in your plan for Hotel No. 1--with the exception of the passage between the two
small rooms. This is a necessary change to embrace all the objects designd to be
comprehend'd I shoud propose that this building present its gable toward the pavilions and
that the Door represented thereon be its principal entrance--& into a large Street running
parallel with the back inclosures of the professors gardens. By this arrangement & making
the kitchen under the opposite end of the House, the natural fall in the land, (intended to be
represented by the diagonal line on the basement story of the side view) will releave this
apartment from the evil of being under ground and place the kitchen floor upon a level with
the back yard. And woud not the gardens as now designed to be divided between the Hotels
& Pavilions be too small--at any rate for the purposes of the former? To obviate this, upon
the plan here proposed, we might give extensive gardens to the Hotels adjoining their
kitchen yards & running back from the street on which they front. Shou'd this leave the
Professors gardens too long we may curtail them & move up the Hotels nearer to the line of
Pavilions--as smaller gardens will certainly do for the professors than will be required for
the Hotels.

This plan gives sixteen rooms for Students besides those designed for the keeper of the
Hotel & the large public room. The Students rooms will be about 12 ft. by 14. ft. 6 in. a fire
place in each, 8 in the 2d Story 9 ft. pitch & 8 in the Attic 8 ft pitch. It is presumed that these
rooms will be much more private from being in upper stories than the Dormitories opening
as they do into the public walk, & that they will be more cool and comfortable in
Summer--The comparative cost of the two plans will be seen by calculating the expence of
the Single building at 239,700 bricks and the Dormitory plan to afford the same number of
Rooms at 389,100

Your greater facility & accuracy in such calculations will readily detect any error in which I
may have fallen in making the estimates of the number of bricks required, in the respective
plans--I therefore add the following data upon which I have gone. The ground plan of the
Single building as stated above 56 ft. by 36--Cellar story,* if of brick 2½ thick & 10 ft. high
including foundation & depth of joist.

First Story 2. bricks thick 12 ft. high including depth of joists leaving 11 ft.

between floor & ceiling

Second Story including Attic 16 ft. high 1½ thick

2 gable parapets rising to the ridge of the roof which at 2/9's of the span

will be 8 ft. 1½--

1 Basemt. partition wall 2½ thick--First Story Do. 2. brick Second Story

& Attic Do. 1½.

4 Chimney breasts & Shafts containing 36,640.

The dimensions of the Hotel No. 1. I have put down from Memory & also the dimensions of
the Dormitories, it is therefore highly probable I have misstated some of them.

the ground plan of Hotel No. 1--50. by 34. Cellar Story 10 ft. high 2½ bricks thick. First
Floor 18 ft. high 2 bricks thick--Basement partition walls 2 bricks--First Floor Do. 1½

3 Chimney hearts 16,650 Arcade 15,000--

Dormitories 14 ft. sqr. in the clear

Foundations

Upper Walls

Chimney hearts

44

3

44

11

4.6

14

2 brick

1½

2

The Dormitory dimensions, adding 168 bricks for Chimney Shaft, give 13,500 for each. In all these calculations I
have made no allowance for openings excepted in the Arcade of Hotel No. 1. but the openings being nearly the
same in each plan wou'd not materially vary the comparative result.

By adopting the Single building we get over the difficulty of flat roofs. I find it to be the
universal opinion of all the mechanicks to whom I have mentioned the subject (and in this
opinion Mr. Brockenbrough fully accords) that the most durable timber we have will last but
a few years in any situation where it is liable to be wet & dry alternately.--but especially
when the timber is in huge peices & is placed in a horizontal position. The best heart pine
Shingling will last about 30 years. But this may be accounts for from the small size of each
peice--the nature of Shingling admitting the access of air & Sun to a surface which bears so
large a proportion to the whole mass of each peice--And the angle which it makes with the
horizontal lan throwing off the water quickly from its surface--These causes all combining
to dry it rapidly after rain.--As to shingle roofs, it is a maxim confirmed by all experience
that the higher the pitch the more lasting the Covering--This is manifestly the effect of less
water being absorped, from its going off more rapidly--and seems to show; that as timber
approaches a horizontal position, where it is exposed to be wit & dry its liability to decay
increases. I think you informed me your experiment had as yet stood the test of but 7
years--Will it not be hazarding too much to adopt it upon so large a scale as is proposed in
the Dormitories now to be built? And if any other mode of flat covering be adopted, the
result of a comparative estimate with the plan here offer'd, must be still more against it upon
the score of œconomy. I am aware, that the elevation of the plan now suggested, the
appearance of the Chimneys and the roof will be offensive to your cultivated taste but
perhaps you may think of some stile of finishing with parapet walls at the ends &
balustrades between the Chimneys (as are awkwardly represented in the sketch) that will so
far cover its deformity as to render it admissible upon the score of œconomy & comfort.

I am induced to write upon this subject knowing that Mr. Brockenbrough will be with you
this week and being now very unwell--which makes it quite uncertain whether it will be in
my power to be up at the Circuit Court, as I intended.

I have also to inform you, that the difficulties which seem to stand in the way of carrying the
design of Genl. Koscioscos will into execution--in the first place from the scarcity of
Schools about me & 2dly. from the prejudices to be encountered in obtaining admission for
negroes--to say nothing of the effect which might be produced on the minds of my own
people--must induce me to decline the undertaking. I presume the terms of the Will give you
no discretion that wou'd admit of your directing the fund to the accomplishment of the
object in the way set forth in the inclosed paper. I send you the paper, as I shou'd be glad to
know your opinion as to the practicality of the scheme of the Colonization Society--I
suppose you are in possession of the late information collated by Messrs. Mills & Burgess
on the Coast of Africa with a view to this object.--I am Sir Yours respectfully

J.H. Cocke

*If this part of the design is executed in Masonry--Walls 2 ft. 6 & less wou'd hardly do--at
$3.50 pr perch which is as low as we shall get it, it will cost only 6$ less than brick.

ALS, 4p, ViU:TJ [1690], with TJ docket "Cocke John H. Bremo May 3. 19. recd May 9."
and docket "J. H. Cocke to T.J. 3 May 19."; ADft, dated 2 May, ViU:JHC.

Thomas Jefferson to James Breckenridge,
Robert B. Taylor, James Madison, & Chapman Johnson

Proposing within a few days to set out for Bedford, I think it a duty previously to state to
you the progress and prospect of things at the University. You may perhaps remember that
almost in the moment of our separation at the last meeting one of our colleagues proposed a
change of a part of the plan of the grounds,[834] so as to place the gardens of the Professors
adjacent to the rear of their pavilions. the first aspect of the proposition presented to me a
difficulty, which I then thought insuperable to wit, that of the approach of carriages,
wood-carts Etc. to the back of the buildings. mr Cabell's desire however appeared so strong,
and the object of it so proper, that, after separation, I undertook to examine & try whether it
could not be accomplished; and was happy to find it practicable, by a change which was
approved by Genl. Cocke, and since by mr Cabell who has been lately with me.[835] I think
it a real improvement, and the greater, as by throwing the Hotels and additional dormitories
on a back street, it forms in fact the commencement of a regular town, capable of being
enlarged to any extent which future circumstances may call for.

My colleague of the Committee of superintendance proposed another change, to wit, that the
Hotels and dormitories should be united in massive buildings of 2. or 3. stories high, on the
back street. had my judgment concurred in this alteration, I should not have thought
ourselves competent to it, as a committee of superintendance. the separation of the students
in different and unconnected rooms, by two's and two's, seems a fundamental of the plan. it
was adopted by the first visitors of the Central college, stated by them in their original report
to the Governor as their patron, and by him laid before the legislature; it was approved and
reported by the Commissioners of Rockfish gap to the legislature; of their opinion indeed we
have no other evidence than their acting on it without directing a change. not thinking
therefore that the committee was competent to this change, I concurred in suspending the
building of any Hotel until the visitors should have an opportunity of considering the
subject, and, instead of building one or two Hotels, as they had directed, we concluded to
begin the Eastern range of pavilions, all agreeing that the ranges on each side of the lawn
should be finished as begun. we thought too that the Visitors would not disapprove of this
departure from their instructions, as these pavilions can be used for Hotels until wanting for
the Professors.

We have adopted another measure however, without their sanction, because it is in fact a
fuller execution of the principles expressed and acted on at their meeting: and we are
confident they would have adopted it had it then occurred. their idea was to push the
buildings to the extent of all the funds we could command. altho' we had recieved the
opinion of the Treasurer and literary board that we might command at any moment the
whole donation for this year, yet it seems not to have occurred to any of us at the time, that
we might do the same the next year, and consequently draw it's 15,000. D. on the 1st. day of
January next. the thought occurring afterwards, we have not hesitated to act on it; & we are
proceeding to have 3. pavilions erected on the Eastern range, with their appurtenant
dormitories, in addition to the 4. built, or to be built on the Western range; so that we may
have 7. pavilions, with their dormitories, in progress this year, to be finished the next.

Our principle being to employ the whole of our funds on the buildings, I thought it so
important to be preparing subjects for the University, by the time that should open, that I
invited a mr Stack, a teacher of Latin & Greek of high recommendations, to come and set up
a school in Charlottesville on his own account. he has done so, and answers my best
expectations, by a style of instruction, critical and solid, beyond any example I have ever
known in this state, or indeed in the US. he recieved his education at Trinity college, Dublin,
& appears to be a correct, modest and estimable man. he teaches French also: and to give an
opportunity to the students of acquiring the habit of speaking that language, we have got
Laporte and his family from the Calfpasture to establish a boarding house where, nothing
but French being permitted to be spoken, his boarders begin already to ask for all their
wants in that language, and to learn the ordinary phrases of familiar conversation. Mr. Stack
has as yet but 14. or 15. pupils and Laporte 9. boarders; but as soon as the present sessions
in the schools of the state generally are ended and the youths liberated from their present
engagements, we have reason to believe more will be offered than can be recieved; and in
this way I think we may have from 50. to 100. subjects fully prepared to attend the scientific
professors the moment the University opens. I have recieved from London the offer of a
Professor of modern languages, of qualifications literary and moral, so high as to merit our
suffrage, if we can get over the difficulty that, French being the most important of the
modern languages, mr Blatterman is not a native of France. mr Ticknor declines coming to
us, I shall again try mr Bowditch, with some additional, but with not much final hope. we
have the offer of a botanist of distinguished science, a mr Nuttal, but whether a native or not
is not said. Dr. Cooper, his wife and family have certainly, and strongly set their minds
towards us. the minerals of his collection have been selected, valued and packed to come on
at the time prescribed.[836]

I had begun to despair of our two Italian sculptors, and enquired therefore of a mr Cardelli
from Washington whether such as could carve an Ionic or Corinthian capitel could be had
from that place. he informed me that they could, at 3. D. a day. luckily the two Italians
arrived some days ago after a sea-passage of 90. days. they will cost us, passage and board
included, about 2. D. a day, and are men of quite superior character. I was just setting off for
Bedford to stay there 2. months; but have deferred my departure till mr Brockenbrough can
arrive here, in order to see them fixed and put under way, that the stone might be quarried,
and roughed out for them, so that they should be employed on difficult work only.[837]

Our works have gone on miserably slow. not a brick is yet laid. they are now however
prepared to begin laying the Western pavilion No. 1. our advertisement for workmen could
not be put into the papers until after the meeting of the visitors at the close of March. the
offers from the Undertakers of our own state were from 25. to 40. p.c. on the Philadelphia
printed prices. we at length got an offer from Philadelphia at 15. p.c. below the printed
prices, & learnt the fact that when work abounds there the workmen are able to raise prices
10. or 15. p.c. above these, and when work is scarce the employers are able to beat them
down to 10. or 15. below the printed prices; which however, if continued, soon breaks them.
we did not think it either our duty or interest to break our workmen, and considering the
printed as the fair living prices, we agreed to give them. an undertaker came on to see the
extent of the work we had to do. this brought our own people down to the same prices; so
we assigned to them the completion of the Western range, and to the Philadelphians the
Eastern.[838] these, 20 in number arrived at Richmond some days ago and are expected here
this day. we shall now have about 100. hands at work.[839] I am in hopes the convenience of
talking over, and settling our business here at our leisure, will be an inducement to you to
make this your head quarters at our next meeting in addition to the gratification it will be to
me to have you here, and I salute you with great friendship & respect.

Th: Jefferson

ALS, addressed to James Breckenridge, ViU:TJ, 4p [1715]; ALS, addressed to James
Madison, DLC:JM; polygraph copy, addressed to Breckenridge, Robert B. Taylor, and
Champman Johnson, DLC:TJ; polygraph copy, addressed to Madison, DLC:TJ; printed
(extract), O'Neal, "Michele and Giacomo Raggi at the University of Virginia," Magazine of
Albemarle County History, 18:16-17; transcript (extract), #00-15 in Lasala, "Thomas
Jefferson's Designs for the University of Virginia." The word in angle brackets is mutilated
on the ALS addressed to Breckenridge, but clear on the polygraph copy addressed to Taylor,
Breckenridge, and Johnson. On that copy the second postscript was inserted within square
brackets by TJ after the copy was finished with the notation "P.S. added to Genl.
Breckenridge only." The second polygraph copy does not contain either postcript. See the
notes below for other major variations between the texts.

Appendix F
Selected Agreements and Contracts

John M. Perry

Agreement with Central College

Articles of Agreement made and concluded this twenty third day of June one thousand eight
hundred and seventeen between Alexander Garrett as Proctor of the Central College in
Albemarle on the one part and John M. Perry on the other part Witness, First, that of a
Pavilion or Schoolhouse wing to be built for the said College on one of the lots of land
purchased for the sd. College of the said John M Perry, the body of which pavilion is to be
built of brick and to contain one room below and two above stairs with cellars & offices
below. the said John undertakes and hereby covenants to and with the said Proctor and his
successors in office, to do all the Carpenter's and House joiner's work of the said pavilion as
shall be prescribed to him, that he will provide all the meterials of wood and iron mongery
which shall be required, that the meterials shall be of sound and durable quality, the
Carpenters work shall be done solidly, neatly and well fitted, and the house joinery in the
best manner, and strictly according to such forms and orders of Architecture as the said
Proctor or his successors shall prescribe; that all the work necessary to be put up or in as the
brick layer proceeds, shall allways be ready by the time the brick layer is ready for it, and all
the residue to be done by him shall be compleated and put up within five months after the
brick layer shall have so far and the walls as that they shall be capable of recieveing it; and
the said John M Perry doth further agree and covenant, that if any part of the Carpenters
work or house joinery shall not be done in the most perfect good manner or not strictly
according to the forms and orders of Architecture which shall be prescribed to him as
aforesaid, the said Proctor or his successors shall have a right to have the same altered or
taken down and rebuilt according to the forms prescribed, by any person he shall employ at
the expence of the said John, and the parties to these presents further agree, that if any part
of the work shall be objected to as insufficient or incomformable to what is herein before
stipulated that its sufficiency or non conformity shall be finally decided on by three
competent persons one chosen by each party and the two persons chosen are hereby
empower'd to choose a third equally competent And the said John doth further agree that if
the work shall not be done at the respective times stipulated that the said Proctor or his
successors shall be free to have it done by such person as he shall employ at the expence of
the said John and be entitled to damages for all wrongful delay to be paid by the said John--

And the said Alexander, covenants in the name of the said College and on its behalf, that for
all meterials furnished by the said John the reasonable price they shall have cost him, or
which they shall be worth if furnished by himself, shall be paid him, and for all Carpenter's
work or house-joinery done, he shall be paid the prices which were paid by James Madison
late President of the United States to James Dinsmore for similar work done at Montplier,
which payments shall be made to him as follows towit Five hundred dollars in hand, five
hundred dollars more when the roof shall be raised, and the ballance when it shall be
compleated, In Witness whereof the parties hereto subscribe their names the day & year first
within written

In presence of Alex Garrett Proctor to Central College (seal)

Wm Wertenbaker John M. Perry (seal)

approved Th. Jefferson

DS, in Garrett's writing, ViU:TJ, 2p [1458] with Garrett note on the coversheet "No. 3
Agreement Perry with Central College." The document also contains Perry's first receipt for
payment: "Charlottesville 16th: September 1817 Recieved of Alexander Garrett late Proctor
to the Central College five hundred dollars it being the sum mentioned in this agreement as
the first payment for the building therein before named John M. Perry."

John Gorman

Agreement for Stonecutting

John Gorman Does agree to Work all the tuscan Basses and Caps and all the other Moulded
Sircular Or Straight Work or plain work for the University of Va.

all Such Work to be measured as agreed on by the Proctor that is to take the Dementions at
the Largest part of the mouldings and to pay for them at 75 Sents pr. foot Superficial all
Such Blocks as will require help the Proctor will lend or Cause to be Lent Such assistance as
may Be required all tool Sharping to Be paid for or Done by Order of the Proctor at the
Shop Now at the University of Va. the Said Work is to be Measured at the End of Every
three Months Beginning from first of January 1820 the one half of the money to be paid then
the other half in Six months after Each Measurement

AD, ViU:PP, 1p, with ASB docket "Gorman Stone cutter." This document is in the undated
material for 1821 in ViU:PP. The agreement was to go in force in January 1820, and
Gorman worked extensively in stonecutting throughout 1820, indicating that the agreement
probably was made in late 1819.

Giacomo Raggi & Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough

Agreement

Articles of agreement entered into by Arthur S Brockenbrough Proctor of the University of
Virginia and on behalf of the said University on the one part and Giacomo Raggi of Italy
Sculptor on the other part.

The said Giacomo Raggi agrees and covenants that he will furnish the said University with
ten Corinthian bases of Marble of Carrara of quality equal to that of the capitels lately
received from Thomas Appleton, and two Pilaster bases shewing each a front & flank with
returns of ten minutes at each angle where they are to ajoin the wall and in addition to the
said bases shall be the listel and cavetto, which are generally considered as part of the shaft
of the column, but here to be made solid with the base, that the said bases shall be
proportioned to a column of three English feet in diameter, to be modeled with the utmost
exactness according to the Bases of the Pantheon of Rome as drawn by Palladio in his book
of Architecture, to be dress, polished and finished in the best manner, each base to be of a
single and sound piece of Marble that they shall be packed singly in strong and sufficient
cases of wood, and delivered before the first day of June of the ensuing year on board of
some ship in the harbour of Leghorn bound to some port of the United States of North
America, or if there be none such at that time, then on the first which shall be there after that
date, clear of all cost & charges, save only the sums herein after Stipulated, the
transportation after being on ship board in the said harbour to be at the expence and risk of
the said University and the said Giacomo agrees that in the execution of the said agreement
he will be under the superintendance and direction of Thomas Appleton esquire of Leghorn
as acting for the University with all the rights and authority of the said Arthur S. were he
there in person.

And the said Arthur S Brockenbrough on behalf of the said University agrees & covenants,
that there shall be paid to the said Giacomo the sum of Sixty five dollars for each of the said
column bases and the sum of thirty two & one half dollars for each of the said pilaster bases
as follows, to wit one half of their prices from time to time during the progress of the work
in partial sums at the discretion of the said Thomas Appleton and the other half on their
delivery on ship board--or to Thomas Appleton if there by no ship in port on their arrival at
Leghorn bound as aforesaid deducting the transportation on ship board after the delivery to
said Appleton--

In witness whereof the said parties have here to subscribed their names at the said
University of Va. this eighth day of September One thousand eight hundred & twenty three.

Arthur S Brockenbrough (Seal)

Giacomo Raggi (Seal)

The words 'or to Thomas Appleton if there be no ship in port on their arrival at Leghorn
bound as aforesaind deducting the transportation on ship board after the delivery to said
Appleton' interlined before signed--

Witness--John Neilson

DS, in ASB's writing, ViU:PP, 2p, with docket "Contract G Raggi"; ADft, in TJ's writing,
ViU:PP, 1p [2028] with address and ASB docket "Copy of a contract by Mr Jefferson with
Raggi--"; printed, O'Neal, "Michele and Giacomo Raggi at the University of Virginia,"
Magazine of Albemarle County History, 18:29-30. The ADft is on the verso of a coversheet
addressed to Jefferson from James Madison that reads "Orange C H July 14. Mr. Jefferson
Monticello near Charlottesville, Va." Jefferson apparently saw the draft again along with
the copy of the agreement to be signed and other documents relating to Raggi, as indicated
by a separate note addressed to "Mr Brockenbrough" by Jefferson pertaining to the contract,
"Th: J. to mr Brockenbrough at the end of the 2d. paragraph, after the words 'the other half
at their delivery on ship board' interline 'but if on their arrival at Leghorn, there be no ship
in port bound as aforesd, the last half is to be paid on their delivery to the sd T. Appleton,
deducting the transportation on ship-board.'" At the bottom of this note Brockenbrough
added: "or to Thos Appleton if on their arrival at Leghorn there be no ship in port bound as
aforesaid deducting the transportation on ship board after the delivery to said Appleton."

Jefferson's one-page memorandum of this date about this agreement in DLC:TJ reads:
"heads of Raggis agreemt. for corinthian bases. Date Sep. 8. 23. he will furnish 10. Corinthn
bases, for columns of 3. f. of Carra marble of quality equal to that of the Capitels lately
furnd by Appleton. also 2. piaster half bases with front & flank. with listell & Cavetto, all
model of Pantheon of a single piece packed delivd. before June 1. on ship board. to be pd
65. D. for each whole, & 32.50 for each half base one half to be pd from time to time during
the progress of the work the other half on their delivy. on ship board."

Charles I. Meriwether & Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough

Agreement for Sand

We the subscribers have agreed to the following articls Viz: Charles Meriwether is to deliver
at any place required at the University two thousand bushels of good clean sand, for which
A. S. Brocknbrough Proctor has agreed to pay him seventy five dollars on the delivery of it
& if the University should require a larger quantity it is to be furnished on the same terms
delivered as aforesaid or at half a cent a bushel if taken from the sand bank Witness our
hand this 13th day of February 1824

A. S. Brockenbrough Proctor

Chas. I Meriwether

DS, in ASB's writing, 1p, with ASB docket "Brockenbro' & Meriwether Contract Feb: 13th.
24."

John M. Perry & Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough

Agreement for Brickwork

We the Subscribers do enter into the following articles of agreement--Viz John M Perry is to
make for the University of Va three hundred thousand hard well shaped bricks such a
portion of which shall be Column bricks as many as may be required for the Rotunda shaped
agreeable to a mould to be furnished and such a portion of paving bricks as may be wanting
for the Rotunda & Gymnasia, and which shall be smoth well shaped bricks--The afore said
Perry is to take the wood purchased of Jesse Lewis & what ever other wood the proctor may
have on hand for the burning of Bricks at One Dollar per cord on the ground where cut or
two Dollars delivered at the Kiln near the University; the said Perry is to pay at the rate
of           cents per thousand for the clay that was dug by the labourers of the University,[840]
to pay Child Brand his wages from the 17th May & to employ him & Patrick Quin for two
months to come from this date at the same rate I contracted with them--at that is to say, to
give them the same wages per month payable monthly that Capt Perry gave them the last
year--A. S. Brockenbrough--Proctor & acting for the University agrees to let Capt J. M.
Perry have the use of the yard, shelters, clamps &c attached to the Brick yard for the making
of the Said bricks but no other bricks are to be made or carried from said yard or grounds for
any other purposed.[841] the Said Shelters, yards, clamps &c to be returned in good order,
for the aforesaid 300,000 Bricks the said Proctor agrees to pay to said Perry at the rate of
four dollars & fifty cents per thousand on or before the 1st day of February next witness our
hands & Seals this 25th Day of May 1824.

AD (copy), in ASB's writing, ViU:PP, 1p, with ASB docket "Perry with Proctor Contract for
making Bricks"; Dft, in ASB's writing, ViU:PP, 2p. The draft is not dated.

Appendix G
Selected Land Documents

John M. & Frances T. Perry

Deed of Land to the University

This Indenture made on the twenty fifth day of January one thousand eight hundred and
twenty between John M Perry and Frances his wife of the county of Albemarle on the one
part, and Arthur S Brockenbrough Proctor of the University of Virginia acting in trust for
the said University, on the other part Witnesseth, that the said John & Frances in
consideration of the sum of Seven thousand two hundred and thirty one Dollars eighty cents
to them in hand paid the reciept whereof is hereby acknowledged, do hereby bargain and
sell, to the said Arthur, one parcel of land in the said county of Albemarle, containing by a
survey made by William Woods, surveyor of Albemarle county forty eight and three fourths
acres, and bounded as follows, towit, begining at a stake corner to the tract of forty three and
three quarters acres heretofore conveyed by the said John & Frances to the late Central
College thence up and along Wheelers road as it meanders sixty eight poles to a stake,
thence north five degrees West forty four poles to a stake, thence north thirteen degrees East
one hundred and thirty seven poles to a stake on the three notched road thence down said
road, as it meanders sixty and one half poles to a pine & stake, another corner of said tract
of forty three & three quarter acres, thence South ten and a half degrees West twenty two
poles to a stone pile and persimmontree, thence South three degrees east thirty six poles to a
stake, thence South nineteen degrees West twenty nine poles to a stone pile, thence South
thirty degrees East thirty five poles to the begining, To have and to hold the said parcel of
Land with its appurtenancies to him the said Arthur and his Successors Proctors of the said
University of Virginia to and for the use of the said University for ever, and the said John M
Perry and Frances his wife for themselves, their heirs executors and administrators, the said
forty eight and three fourths acres with its appurtenancies, to the said Arthur, and his
successors proctors of the said University of Virginia and for the use of the said University
do covenant that they will warrant and do warrant and will forever defend Witness the hands
and names of the said John, and Frances, and their seals hereto set on the day and year,
within named.

Signed, Sealed, and delivered John M. Perry (seal)

In presence of

Matthew W Maury Frances T Perry (seal)

Charles Stewart

Hugh Chisholm

Albemarle County towit We Wm. Woods and Charles Brown Justices of the peace in the
county aforesaid in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that Frances Perry the wife of
John M Perry, parties to a certain deed for the conveyance of real estate to Arthur S
Brockenbrough Proctor of the University of Virginia bearing date the twenty fifth day of
January 1820 and hereto annexed, personally appeared before us in our county, aforesaid,
and being examined by us privily and apart from her husband, and haveing the deed
aforesaid fully explained to her she the said Frances Perry acknowledged the same to be her
act and deed, and declared that she had willingly signed, sealed and delivered the same, and
that she wished not to retract it Given under our hands and seals this 28th. day of March
1820.

Wm. Woods (seal)

Charles Brown (seal)

AD, in Alexander Garrett's writing, ViU:PP, 2p, with docket in the writing of Alexander and
Ira Garrett, "Deed Perry & wife to University of Virginia 10 June 1820 ackd. relinqd dower
rcd. & admitted to record in my office I Garrett DC Recorded Page 170." A statement of
Albemarle County Court Deputy Clerk Ira Garrett on the coversheet reads: "In the Office of
the County Court of Albemarle the 10th day of June 1820 This Indenture was produced to
me in said Office and acknowledged by John M Perry party thereto and thereupon the same
together with the Certificate of the relinquishment of Dower of Mrs. Frances Perry Wife of
said John M Perry was admitted to record. Teste Ira Garrett D.C." Brockenbrough added this
note to the document in 1824: "Memorandum, At the request of Capt John M Perry, A. S.
Brockenbrough Proctor consented that Wheelers road mentioned in the first part of this
deed, should be changed from below to above the spring accordingly in the year 1821 or
1822 commissioners were appointed to view and report upon it, they accordingly did so &
the road was changed runing in now upon the University land & cutting off small triangular
slips which said proctor intended exchanging with said Perry for other land of same value,
but finding there is difficulty in making a conveyance, it (the slips cut off) is still the
property of the University of Va. the old road being the Line A. S Brockenbrough P. U.Va.
June 7th 1824."

Mary Garner & Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough

Articles of Agreement

articles of agreement made & entered into between Mary garner of the one part & Arthur S.
Brockenbrough proctor of the university of virginia of the other part. witnesseth,

that the Said Mary Garner hath this day Sold to the Said Brockenbrough proctor of the
university or his Successor in office all her right & title & Interest which she Now holds in a
Certain parcel of land lying on the three Chopted road opposite the university of Virginia &
bounded as followeth to wit begining at John Gormans house from thence a straight line
four feet north of a small white oak Sapling opposite the plank Kiln at the university untill it
intersetes with the three Choped road a little beyond the western street of the university
thence down the three Choped road to the Corner of sd. Gormans house to the begining. for
& in Consideration of the land aforesaid the sd. Brockenbrough proctor of the university
binds himself & his successor in office to pay the sd. Mary Garner the Sum of fifty dollars.
Given under our hands & Seals this 9th. of april 1824

Teste Mary Garner (Seal)

John M. Perry A S Brockenbrough (Seal)

Approved Proctor of UVa

Th: Jefferson

DS, in John M. Perry's writing, ViU:PP, 1p [2068] with ASB docket "Contract Mary Garner
with Proctor of the U.Va April 9 1824."

Daniel A. & Mary A. Frances Piper

& Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough

Articles of Agreement

articles of agreement between Daniel Piper & Frances his wife of the one part & Arthur S.
Brockenbrough proctor of the university of virginia--witnesseth, that the Said Daniel &
frances his wife hath this day Sold to the sd. proctor of the university of virginia & his
successor in office--a Certain peace of land lying on the three notched road opposite the sd.
university--in the County of Albemarle--bounded as followeth to wit beging at John
Gormans & runing a straight line from sd. Gormans four feet north of a small white oak
Sapling opposite the plank Kiln at the university untill it intersects or emtys into the thre
Chopt road a litle beyond the western Street of the university & there down the road to the
begining at sd. Gormans for & in consideration of the lot of land aforesaid the sd.
Brockenbrough proctor of the university binds himself & his Successor in office to pay the
sd. Daniel Piper & frances his wife the Sum of one hundred and fifty dollars Current money
of virginia when the sd. Daniel Piper & Frances his wife bind themselves their heirs &Ca to
Convey to the sd. Brockenbrough & his Successor in office all the right & title to the land
aforesaid which they possess--given under our hands & Seals this 9th. of april 1824--

attest-- Daniel A Piper (Seal)

John M Perry Mary A. F. Piper (Seal)

Approved (Seal)

Th: Jefferson

DS, in John M. Perry's writing, ViU:PP, 1p [2069] with ASB docket "Contract D. A. Piper
& Wife with Proct: of the UVa April 9. 1824."

Daniel A. Piper & Mary A. Frances Piper

& Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough

Agreement

Articles of agreement made & entered into this 22d. of September 1824 between Arthur S.
Brockenbrough proctor of the university of the one part & Daniel A. Piper & Frances his
wife of the other part witnesseth--that the Said Daniel & Frances his Wife hath contracted
with the Said Brockenbrough for the Sale of a parcel of land lying & being in the County of
Albemarle Near the university of virginia & bounded as followeth beginning at the west
Corner between the university & the said Piper thence a straight line untill it gets opisite the
estern street of the university. to a corner and at the distance of fifty five yards from the
present line between the university and the said Piper. thence a straight line to John
Gorman's thence runing with the line between the university & the said piper to the
beginning upon the following terms & Conditions to wit. the said Brockenbrough for & in
be half of the university of Virginia agrees to pay the Said Daniel A. Piper & Frances his
wife the sum of one hundred & five dollars per acre for all the land Contained in the above
boundry, when the Daniel & Frances bind them selves their heirs & assigns to Convey to the
sd. Brockenbrough proctor of the university of virginia or his successor in office a good &
sufficent deed to the land aforesaid--it is understood betwen the Contracting parties that the
public road is to run on the line next to the remaing part of the land belonging to the sd.
Piper & Frances his wife so that the front lots belonging to them shall be on the public road
given under our hands & seals the date above written

Witness D A Piper (Seal)

John M Perry Mary A. F. Piper (Seal)

DS, in John M. Perry's writing, ViU:PP, 1p, with ASB docket "Contract D. A. Piper with
Proctor of the U.Va 1824 22 Sept." For the consummation of this agreement, see the Pipers'
contract and deed of 8 October.

Daniel A. Piper & Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough

Contract

Arthur S Brockenbrough Proctor acting for and in behalf of the University of Va on the one
part and Daniel A Piper & Mary A. F. his Wife on the other part, Witnesseth--that Daniel A.
& Mary A. F. his wife having made a deed on this 8th day of October 1824 to the said
Arthur S as proctor of the University of Va for a small parcel of Land adjacent to the lands
of the University of Va containing four acres & four hundredth parts of an acre, for which
the said Daniel A & Mary his Wife is to be paid the sum of four hundred & twenty four
dollars & twenty cents and by covenant in the said deed the said proctor is to consent (if the
legal Authorities shall so determine & order) that the present road shall be discontinued, and
shall be established along the line now described as the future boundary between the lands
of the University & the remaining lands of Daniel A & Mary his Wife & that the said
proctor will admit a breadth of thirty feet within and adjacent to the said lines on the south
side thereof to be occupied & established as the bed of the public road--the aforesaid parties
farther agree if the legal Authorities will not agree to the aforesaid alteration in the road,
then the deed for the aforesaid parcel of Land shall be void provided the said Daniel A &
Mary A. F. his Wife will repay to the said Arthur S, or his successor the aforesaid four
hundred & twenty four dollars 20/100 cents with interest from the above date untill paid--
Witness our hands & seals this day & year before written

Witness Arthur S Brockenbrough (Seal)

Ira Garrett Daniel A Piper (Seal)

DS, in ASB's writing, ViU:PP, 1p, with ASB docket "Contract A. S Brockenbro' Proct: & D.
A. Piper 8 Oct 1824."

Daniel A. and Mary A. Frances Piper Deed

This indenture made on the 8th day of October One thousand eight hundred & twenty four
between Daniel A Piper and Mary A. F. his wife on the one part and Arthur S
Brockenbrough, Proctor of the University of Virginia and acting on behalf of the said
University on the other part all the County of Albemarle Witnesseth that the said Daniel A
& Mary A. F. his Wife in consideration of the sum of four hundred and twenty four dollars
twenty cents to them paid and secured, have given, granted, bargained & sold to the said
Arthur S as Proctor of the said University and in trust and for the use thereof a certain parcel
of land in the same county adjacent to the lands of the said University and particularly to the
parcel thereof lately sold and conveyed by a nother deed to the said proctor for the use of the
University by the said Daniel A and Mary A. F. his wife, which parcel now conveyed is
bounded as follows to wit, Begining at a stake on the North side of the Public road leading
from Charlottesville to Rockfish gap and in a right line with the West side of West street
four hundred & sixty two feet from a stake in a line with the north front of Hotel AA on said
West Street thence runing S 68½ E 54 poles and 8 links to a stake in the field opposite the
Eastern street and exactly in a line with the east fronts of the Hotels on the said East street
and four hundred & Sixty two feet from the Hotel A on said street, thence S 35 E 42 poles &
5 links to the said public road, and thence in a direct line to the begining, which parcel of
land so now bargained, sold and conveyed contains by estimate four Acres and four
hundredth parts of an acre be the same more or less to have and to hold the said parcel of
land to him the said Arthur S and his successors in office, Proctors of the said University, for
the use of the said University for ever. And the said Daniel A and Mary A. F. his wife and
their heirs the said parcel of land to the said Arthur S. and his successors as proctors of the
said University will forever warrant and defend. But it is covenanted by the said Arthur S
for himself and his successors, proctors of the said University that he the said Arthur S and
his successors for an in the name of the said University will consent (if the legal authorities
shall so determine and order) that the said public road shall be discontinued in it's present
location and shall be established along the line now described as to be the future line
between the lands of the University and the remaining lands of the said Daniel A and Mary
A. F his Wife and that he the said proctor will admit a breadth of 30 feet within and adjacent
to the said lines on the south side thereof and along their whole length, to be occupied and
established as the bed of the public road; which said covenant is expressly declared to be a
part of the consideration (and in addition to that of the money paid) for the grant of this
parcel of land, by the said Daniel A and Mary his wife and that it is that special part of the
consideration without which this grant would never have been made. In witness whereof the
said Daniel A & Mary A. F. his wife have hereto severally set their hands & seals on the day
& year before written

Signed & sealed & Daniel A. Piper (Seal)

delivered in the presence of Mary A. F. Piper (Seal)

We Opie Norris and Allen Dawson, Justices of the peace in the County aforesaid, in the
State of Virginia, do hereby certify that Mary A. F. Piper, the wife of Daniel A Piper, parties
to the annexed Deed, personally appeared before us in our said County and being by us
examined privily and apart from her husband, and having the said Deed fully explained to
her, she the said Mary A. F. Piper acknowledged the same to be her act and deed, and
declared she had willingly Signed Sealed & delivered the same, and that she wished not to
retract it. Given under our hands and Seals the eighth day of October, eighteen hundred &
twentyfour.

O: Norris ( )

Allen Dawson ( )

In Albemarle County Court Office the 9th. day of October 1824

This Indenture was acknowledged before me in the Office aforesaid by Daniel A Piper party
thereto & thereupon the same (together with the relinquishment of Dower of Mrs. Piper)
was admitted to record

Teste Ira Garrett D.C

DS, in the writing of ASB, Allen Dawson, and Ira Garrett, ViU:PP, 4p, with ASB docket
"Piper & wife To Proctor of University of Virginia Deed." Beneath Brockenbrough's docket
the clerk wrote: "9th. Octo 1824 ackd before me in the Clerks office by Danl. A Piper
relinqh recd & admitted to record I Garrett DC. Recorded Page 420."

John M. & Frances T. Perry

Indenture

This Indenture made and entered into this ninth day of May in the year One thousand eight
hundred and twenty five. Between John M Perry and Frances T his wife of the County of
Albemarle of the one part and Arthur S Brockenbrough Proctor of the University of Virginia
of the other part: Witnesseth that the said John M Perry and Frances T his wife for and in
Consideration of the sum of Six thousand six hundred[842] dollars ninety three Cents Current
money of Virginia to them in hand paid before the Sealing and delivery of these presents,
the receipt whereof is hereby Acknowledged, they the said John M Perry and Frances T his
wife have given, granted, bargained & Sold and by these presents do give grant bargain and
sell unto the said Arthur S Brockenbrough acting for and in behalf of the University of
Virginia and to his successor's in office of Proctor for the benefit of the said University of
Virginia, One Certain tract or parcel of Land lying and being in the said County of
Albemarle, and adjoining the Lands of the said University, the Lands of John M Perry and
Thomas W Maury, and Containing by Survey One hundred and thirty two Acres and three
poles and bounded as towit: Begining at a Stone on Wheelers road thence North 3¾° West
31½ poles to a Stone thence North 15° East 48 poles to a stone thence North 75° West 95
poles to a white oak thence South 73° West 29 poles to pointers thence West 14 poles to a
rock on a branch thence North 69° West 109 poles to a white oak thence South 50° West
20 poles to a chesnut oak on a mountain thence South 22° East 7½ poles to pointers
thence South 5° West 26 poles to pointers thence South 30° West 24 poles to a red oak
thence South 10° West 24 poles to pointers on a mountain thence North 75° East 92 poles
to pointers thence South 31° East 32 poles to a spannish oak thence South 17° East 52
poles to a pine on the mountain road thence North 87½° East 135 poles to the
Begining:--To Have and to Hold the said tract of Land with its appurtinances unto him the
said Arthur S. Brockenbrough and his successors in office of Proctor of the University of
Virginia, forever free from the Claim or Claims of all and every person or persons
whatsoever. And the said John M Perry and Frances T his wife for themselves their heirs
executors and administrators do hereby Covenant and agree to and with the said Arthur S
Brockenbrough Proctor as aforesaid and his successors in Office to forever warrant and
defend a good & Sufficient right and title in fee simple to the said Tract of Land and its
Appurtinances against the claim of themselves, and all and every person or persons
whatsoever, shall, will, and do warrant and forever defend by these presents.--In Testimony
whereof the said John M Perry and Frances T his wife have hereunto set their hands and
affixed their seals the day and year first Within written.

Th J Randolph John M Perry (seal)

Lewis Randolph Frances T Perry (seal)

Nicho. P W: Trist

Albemarle County Court towit

We John R Jones & Opie Norris Justices of the peace in the County aforesaid in the State of
Virginia do hereby Certify that Frances T Perry the wife of John M Perry parties to a Certain
deed bearing date the Ninth day of May in the year 1825 and hereunto annexed personally
appeared before us in our County aforesaid, and being examined by us privily and apart
from her husband, and haveing the deed aforesaid fully explained to her she the said Frances
T acknowledged the same to be her Act and deed, and declared that she had willingly signed
sealed and delivered the same, and that she wished not to retract it. Given under our hands
and seals this 12th day of May 1825

Jno. R. Jones (seal)

O Norris (Seal)

DS, in Ira Garrett's writing, ViU:PP, 3p, with heading "Deed Perry & wife to Proctor.
University Va." and docket "17 June 1825 ackd before me in cks office by Jno M Perry
relinqt recd. & admitted to record I Garrett DC Recorded Page 257." Garrett also wrote on
the deed: "In Albermarle County Court Office the 17th June 1825 This Indenture was
presented to me in said Office & acknowledged by John M Perry Party thereto & thereupon
the same together with the Relingt of Dower of Mrs Frances T Perry was admitted to record
Teste Ira Garrett DC." The names of Jones and Norris and the date "12th" were inserted in
the text by Jones or Norris.

Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough

Deed

This indenture made on the first day of December One thousand eight hundred and twenty
five, between Arthur S Brockenbrough, Proctor of the University of Virginia in the county
of Albemarle on the one part and Thomas Jefferson, Rector and James Madison, James
Breckenridge Chapman Johnson, Joseph C Cabell, John Hartwell Cocke and George Loyall
Visitors of the Said University on the other part witnesseth that

Whereas John M Perry and Frances T. his wife of the same county of Albemarle, by deed of
bargain and sale bearing date the 25th. day of January 1820. duly proved and recorded, did
convey to the said Arthur S and his successors, Proctors of the said University, in trust for
the University, and in consideration of the sum of 7231. Dollars 80 cents of the Money of
the University to them in hand paid, a certain parcel of land in the same county contaning 48
acres 120 poles, and the dwelling houses and appertenances thereon, extending from the
public road which leads from Charlottesville to Staunton, on the one side to Wheelers road
on the other, and adjacent to a parcel of 50 Acres conveyed before that date by the Proctor
of the Central college, to the President and Directors of the literary fund, and accepted by
the legislature for the use of the said University.

And the sd John M Perry and Frances T. his wife, by one other deed of bargain and sale,
bearing date the 9th. day of May 1825 duly proved and recorded did also convey to the said
Arthur S. and his successors Proctors of the said University and in trust for the said
University in consideration of the sum of 6,600 Dollars 93 cents of the money of the said
University, to them in hand paid, one other parcel of land in the same county, containing 132
acres 3 poles adjacent to the parcel of 48 acres 120 poles last mentioned on the one side, and
to another parcel of 153 acres on the other side, conveyed in the same deed with the said 48
acres 120 poles, by the Proctor of the sd central college to the President & directors of the
Literary fund and accepted by the Legislature for the use of the said University.[843]

And a certain Daniel A Piper and Mary A. F. his wife of the same county, by a deed of
bargain & sale, bearing date April 9th 1824 duly proved & recorded did convey to the sd
Arthur S and his Successors, Proctors of the said University in trust for the sd University,
and in consideration of the sum of 150 Dollars, of the money of the University to them in
hand paid, a certain parcel of land containing four acres 80 poles in the same county and
adjacent to the parcel of 50 acres before mentioned on the North side.

And the same Daniel A Piper and Mary A F. his wife by one other deed of Bargain & sale,
bearing date the 8th of October of the same year 1824 duly proved & recorded, did convey
to the said Arthur S and his successors Proctors of the University and in trust for the sd
University, and in consideration of the sum of 424 Dollars 20 cents of the money of the
University to them in hand paid, one other parcel of Land containing 4 acres 6 and 4/10 poles
in the same county and adjacent to the 4 acres 80 poles before conveyed by them as
aforesaid on the north side, both of which said parcels of land last mentioned, corners on an
acre lot of Lewis or Garners lying above Gormans corner and is connected with the 50 acre
parcel conveyed before that date by the Proctor of central college, to the President &
Directors of the literary fund and ac[c]epted by the legislature for the use of the
University.[844]

Which four parcels of land so conveyed by these premisses and containing 189 Acres 494/10
poles, together with the three other parcels adjacent derived as aforesaid from the central
college and containing 203 acres, constitute an entire parcel of three hundred and ninety two
acres forty nine poles the property of the University and are comprehended in the following
contour of Metes & bounds, to wit

Beginning at the fork of the Staunton and Wheelers roads, and running up & with the said
Staunton road to Dinsmores now Gormans corner 42 poles thence up and along the said
Staunton road as it now runs to the upper corner of Lewiss or Garners acre lot, therein N. 35
W. 422/10 poles, N. 68½ W 54. 32 poles and further up and along the said Staunton road to
a stone marked U.V. on the line between J. M Perry & the University, thence South 15. W
137 Poles to a stone N 75. W 95 po: S 73 W 29 Po: W. 14. Po: to a rock in a branch, N 69.
W. 109. po: S. 50 W 20. po. to a chesnut oak, S 48 W. 37 Po: to a chesnut oak, N. 58 W 20.
po: S. 29 W. 38 poles. S 14. E. 66. po. S 29 E. 41. po. to a White oak. S. 18. W. 45 po. S. 20
W. 20. po: S. 25 W. 10. Po: S 35 W. 54 po: to a White oak on Wheelers road aforesaid,
thence down the sd road 118 poles to pointers near a branch N 8. E 17 Po. to a maple N 19
E. 44½ po. to a chesnut oak N 75 E. 48 Poles to pointers on the Mountain road, thence
along said road 48 poles N 87½ E 135 po: to a stone Marked U.V. on Wheelers road, thence
S 33/4 E 10. 84 po. to a stone in a branch below Perrys spring and in the old road S. 87½ E
12. Poles N 77. E 33½ po along the old road, thnce down and along Wheelers road to the
beginning.

Now therefore be it known that the said Arthur S Brockenbrough Proctor and trustee of the
sd University as aforesaid, in consideration of his duty in executing the said several trusts in
him so reposed, and of the sum of one Dollar to him in hand paid by the Sd Rector and
Visitors of the Sd University of Virginia, hath given, granted, bargained and sold to them
and their successors Rectors & Visitors of the University, all the said several parcels of land
so conveyed to him as aforesd by the sd John M Perry and Frances his wife and Daniel A
Piper & Mary A F. his wife, to have & to hold the said several parcels of land with their
appertenances to them the said Rector & Visitors and their successors to & for the use of the
said University for ever, in witness whereof the said Arthur S. hath hereto set his hand &
seal on the day & year first above written.

signed, sealed & delivered

in Presence of Arthur S Brockenbrough

In Albemarle County Court Office the 14th December 1825

This Indenture was presented to me in said Office & acknowledge by Arthur S
Brockenbrough Party thereto & admitted to record

Teste Ira Garrett DC

ADS, Albemarle County Court House: Virginia Land Title Papers, with ASB docket "Deed
A. S. Brockenbrough, Proctor to Rector & Visitors of the U. Va."; Dft, in TJ's writing,
ViU:PP, 3p [2270]; Dft (fragment), in TJ's writing, ViU:TJ [Acc. 7254-b]. Both drafts are
undated. The Albermarle County deputy clerk docketed the deed "14. Decr 1825 ackd
before Me & admitted to record I Garrett DC Recorded Page 376."

Appendix H
Selected Loan Documents

Joseph Carrington Cabell to Thomas Jefferson

The enclosed bill has this moment passed into a law.[845] The House of Delegates having
first rejected the amendment of the Senate for $80,000; and then that for $40,000--and
having postponed the whole bill on 22d.; Genl. Breckenridge, Mr. Johnson & myself, had a
consultation and agreed that the interests of the Institution would be promoted by the Bill
now enclosed. Our friend Mr. Gordon had already moved for leave to bring in a bill, and
was in the midst of an animated discussion, when Mr. Johnson & myself got to the House.
We prevailed on him to withdraw his motion, to make way for the introduction of the
subject by Genl. Breckenridge, who we supposed, not being from the local district, would
have more influence with the House. The bill went thro' this morning with but little
opposition. We hope we have taken the course which yourself & the other Visitors will
approve, considering the circumstances in which we were placed. The University is popular
in the Senate, and unpopular in the House of Delegates. I hope the President & Directors of
the Lit: Fund, or the Board of public Works will be able to lend us the money, but upon this
point I cannot speak positively.[846] An immediate meeting of the Visitors is necessary. On
29th. new Visitors are to be appointed. I shall ask the Governor to bring on the appointments
speedily, and if the old Visitors should be reappointed, I shall propose to Genl. B. & Mr.
Johnson to proceed directly to Monticello; & I would take Genl. Cocke along with me from
Bremo.[847]

I am Dr. Sir, faithfully yours,
Joseph C. Cabell.

ALS, ViU:TJ, 1p [1774] with TJ docket "Cabell Joseph C. Richmd. Feb. 24. 20 recd Feb.
27."; printed, Cabell, Early History of the University of Virginia, 182-83.

An Act Authorizing the Visitors

to Borrow Money to Finish the Buildings

An Act authorizing the Visitors of the University of Virginia to borrow money for finishing
the buildings thereof.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly, that the Visitors of the University of Virginia shall
be and they are hereby authorized, for the purpose of finishing the buildings thereof, to
borrow from any of the Banks of this Commonwealth, or from any other person, body
politic or corporate any sum of money not exceeding sixty thousand dollars, at a rate of
interest not exceeding six per centum per annum, and to pledge for the payment of the
interest, and redemption of the principal, of the money so borrowed, any part of the annual
appropriation of fifteen thousand dollars heretofore made by law to the said University.
Provided that the aforesaid pledge shall not extend to the Commonwealth or beyond the
aforesaid annual appropriation of fifteen thousand dollars.

This act shall commence and be in force from and after the passing thereof.

Passed the House of Delegates & the Senate Feb: 24. 1820.

AD, in JCC's writing, ViU:TJ, 1p [1775] with TJ docket "Act for loan of 60,000. D." Joseph
Carrington Cabell enclosed this document in his letter to Jefferson of this date.

The President & Directors of the Literary Fund
Extract from the Minutes

At a Meeting of the President & Directors of the Literary Fund, on Monday the 28th. of
Feby. 1820.

A Letter having been laid before the Board from James Breckenridge, Joseph C. Cabell and
Chapman Johnson, requesting a loan of sixty thousand dollars, on behalf of the Visitors of
the University of Virginia, for the purpose of finishing the buildings;--[848]

Resolved, that the President be authorized to state, on behalf of this Board, their willingness
to make the loan required, should their funds enable them so to do;--upon condition that the
Visitors of the University shall repay the principal sum lent, in five years, in equal annual
instalments, the interest to be also annually paid, and shall pledge in legal and proper form
the annual appropriation made by law to the said University, for the payment of the Interest
and the redemption of the principal so lent.--The Board will engage positively to advance
the sum of ten thousand dollars on the first day of April next; and such farther sum on that
day, not exceeding in the whole twenty thousand dollars, as the state of their funds will
admit:--the residue to be advanced during the year in convenient instalments, provided their
resources to be derived from claims on the General Government, or from other sources, be
adequate.

(A true extract from the proceedings of the Board--)

Wm: Munford, Clerk of the Literary Fund.

ADS (extract), ViU:TJ, 2p [1775] with address "Thomas Jefferson" and TJ docket "Literary
board. Feb. 28. 20. Loan."

The President & Directors of the Literary Fund
Extract from the Minutes

At a Meeting of the President & Directors of the Literary Fund, on Thursday, March 23d.
1820.

A Letter was laid before the Board, from Thomas Jefferson Rector of the University of
Virginia, dated March 10th. 1820, which was ordered to be filed: and the Board being
informed that the whole sum of sixty thousand dollars, for the loan whereof application has
been made to this Board by James Breckenridge, Joseph C. Cabell and Chapman Johnson,
on behalf of the Visitors of the University of Virginia, will not be wanting during the present
year;--[849]

Resolved, That the sum of forty thousand dollars be lent to the Visitors of the University of
Virginia, for the purpose of completing the buildings, to be drawn for between the 1st. and
20th. days of next month (April); the interest to be annually paid, and the principal to be
redeemed in five equal annual payments; the first instalment of said principal to be paid at
the expiration of three years from the date of the loan: Provided, that the annual
appropriation, made by law to the said University, be legally pledged to this Board for the
punctual payment of the annual interest, and the redemption of the principal in the manner
above stated.

The foregoing is a true extract from the proceedings of the Board--

Wm: Munford, Clerk of the Literary Fund--

ADS (extract), ViU:TJ, 2p [1775] with TJ docket "Loan. Literary board."

The President & Directors of the Literary Fund
Resolutions

At a Meeting of the President & Directors of the Literary fund, on Saturday, the 25th. March
1820--

Resolved, that the following be adopted, as the form of the security to be given by the
Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia, for payment of the interest and principal of
the loan directed to be made to the said Rector and Visitors, by the Resolution of this Board,
bearing date the 23d. instant; viz,

Know all men by these presents, that we Thomas Jefferson, Rector, and James
Breckenridge, James Madison, Joseph C. Cabell, John H. Cocke, Chapman Johnson, and
Robert B. Taylor, Visitors, of the University of Virginia, are held and firmly bound to the
President and Directors of the Literary fund, in the sum of eighty thousand dollars, to the
payment whereof, well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves and our successors, to the
said President and Directors and their successors, firmly by these presents, sealed with the
common Seal of the said Rector and Visitors, & dated this       day of April, in the year one
thousand eight hundred and twenty.--

The Condition of the above Obligation is such, that, whereas the President & Directors of
the Literary fund have this day loaned to the Rector and Visitors of the University of
Virginia, the sum of forty thousand dollars, for the purpose of completing the buildings
thereof; upon the following terms, covenants and agreements;--viz, that the lawful interest
on the said sum shall be annually paid, and the principal be redeemed in five equal annual
payments;--that the first instalment of said principal shall be paid at the expiration of three
years from the date of the loan; and that the annual appropriation, made by law to the said
University, be legally pledged to the said President & Directors, for the punctual payment of
the annual interest, and redemption of the principal in manner aforesaid;--now, therefore, if
the said Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia, and their successors, shall
faithfully pay to the President and Directors of the Literary fund, and their Successors,
annually on the       day of April, the lawful interest on the said sum of forty thousand
dollars, for three years from this date, and, annually thereafter, the lawful interest on so
much of the said sum as shall then be bearing interest, until the whole of the principal shall
have been paid; and also shall faithfully pay the said principal sum of forty thousand dollars,
in five equal annual payments commencing as aforesaid;--applying, to the purpose of
making the said payments of interest and principal, in manner aforesaid, the sums of money
appropriated annually by law to the use, or for the benefit, of the University of Virginia, or
so much thereof as may be requisite; which sums of money, so appropriated in each year, so
far as requisite for the purpose, are hereby pledged and set apart by the said Rector and
Visitors, to be applied, by the President & Directors of the Literary fund, to the payments of
the said interest, and principal sum of forty thousand dollars, borrowed as aforesaid, and to
no other uses, or objects, until the said payments shall have been made;--then the above
Obligation shall be void, otherwise shall remain in full force and virtue.

(seal)

D, in William Munford's writing, ViU:TJ, 3p [1783] with TJ docket "Literary board Mar. 25.
20." and TJ note "University to Literary fund bond for 40,000. D 1820 Oct. 17. signed a
similar bond for 20,000. D. instalments to begin 4 years from Oct. 1. and interest from same
date."

Thomas Jefferson to Robert B. Taylor

We regretted much your absence at the late meeting of the board of Visitors, but did not
doubt it was occasioned by uncontroulable circumstances. as the matters which came before
us were of great importance to the institution, I think it a duty to inform you of them.

You know the sanction of the legislature to our borrowing 60,000. D on the pledge of our
annuity of 15,000. D. the Literary board offered us 40,000. D on that pledge, to be repaid at
five instalments, commencing at the end of the 3d. year from the date of the loan, and
interest to be regularly paid in the mean time. we endeavored to obtain permission to draw
for only 15,000. D. at first, and for 2,000. D. monthly afterwards, to avoid the payment of
dead interest. this they declined, as bound themselves to keep the whole of their capital
always in a course of fructification. we then requested a postponement of instalments to the
4th. instead of the 3d. year, with an additional loan of the further sum of 20,000. D
authorised by the law. to the postponement they acceded and we are assured they will to the
further loan. to explain to them the urgency of this additional year's postponement, a paper
was laid before them of which I inclose you a copy, and on which we are now acting. should
the legislature not help us to the 93,600 D therenoted, the result will be that at the end of the
next year all the buildings will be compleated (the Library excepted) and will then remain
unoccupied 5. years longer,[850] until our funds shall be free for the engagement of
Professors. should they, on the other hand, give this aid, our funds will be free, at the
beginning of the next year and will enable us to take measures for procuring professors in
the course of that summer; and to open the University. we were all of oppinion that we
ought to compleat the buildings for the 10. Professors contemplated, as well as
accomodations for the students, before opening the institution. for were we to stop at any
point short of the full establishment, and open partially, as our funds would thenceforward
be absorbed by the Professors' salaries, we should never be able to advance a step further,
nor to cover the whole field of science contemplated by the law and made the object of our
care and duty. we thought it better therefore to risk a delay of 8. years for a perfect
establishment, than to begin earlier and go on forever with a defective one: and we suppose
it impossible that either the legislature, or their constituents, should not consider an
immediate commencement as worth the sum necessary to procure it. you will observe that in
the estimate inclosed, no account is taken of our subscription monies. they are in fact too
uncertain in their collection to found any necessary contracts; and we thought it better
therefore to reserve them as a contingent fund, and a resource to cover miscalculations and
accidents.

Another subject on this, as on former occasions, gave us embarrasment. you may have heard
of the hue and cry raised from the different pulpits on our appointment of Dr. Cooper, whom
they charge with unitarianism as boldly as if they knew the fact, and as presumptuously as if
it were a crime and one for which, like Servetus, he should be burned: and perhaps you may
have seen the particular attack made on him in the Evangelical magazine. for myself I was
not disposed to regard the denunciations of these satellites of religious inquisition; but our
colleagues, better judges of popular feeling thought that they were not to be altogether
neglected; and that it might be better to relieve Dr. Cooper, ourselves and the institution
from this crusade. I had recieved a letter from him expressing his uneasiness, not only for
himself, but lest this persecution should become embarrassing to the visitors, and injurious
to the institution; with an offer to resign, if we had the same apprehensions. the Visitors
therefore desired the Commee of Superintendance to place him at freedom on this subject,
and to arrange with him a suitable indemnification. I wrote accordingly in answer to his
letter, and a meeting of trustees of the College at Columbia happening to take place soon
after his reciept of my letter, they resolved unanimously that it should be proposed to, and
urged on their legislature to establish a professorship of geology and mineralogy, or a
professorship of law, with a salary of 1,000. D. a year to be given him, in addition to that of
chemistry, which is 2,000. D. a year, and to purchase his collection of minerals; & they have
no doubt of the legislature's compliance. on the subject of indemnification, he is contented
with the balance of the 1,500. D. we had before agreed to give him, and which he says will
not more than cover his actual losses of time and expences. he adds `it is right I should
acknolege the liberality of your board with thanks. I regret the storm that has been raised on
my account; for it has separated me from many fond hopes and wishes. whatever my
religious creed may be, and perhaps I do not exactly know it myself, it is pleasure to reflect
that my conduct has not brought, and is not likely to bring, discredit to my friends. wherever
I have been, it has been my good fortune to meet with or to make ardent and affectionate
friends. I feel persuaded I should have met with the same lot in Virginia had it been my
chance to have settled there, as I had hoped and expected. for I think my course of conduct
is sufficiently habitual to count on it's effects.' I do sincerely lament that untoward
circumstances have brought on the inseparable loss of this professor, whom I have looked to
as the corner stone of our edifice. I know no one who could have aided us so much in
forming the future regulations for our infant institutions: and altho we may perhaps obtain
from Europe equivalent in science, they can never replace the advantages of his experience,
his knolege of the character, habits & manners of our country, his identification with it's
sentiments & principles and the high reputation he has obtained in it generally. In the hope
of meeting you at our fall visitation, and that you will do me the favor of making this your
head quarters, and of coming the day before, at least, that we may prepare our business at
ease, I tender you the assurance of my great esteem & respect.

Th: Jefferson

ALS (polygraph copy), DLC:TJ, 4p, with TJ docket "Taylor Genl. Robert. May 16. 20." At
the bottom of page one TJ wrote "Genl. Taylor Mr. Johnson," and on 17 May TJ wrote
James Madison concerning this letter: "As the measures which were adopted at the last
meeting of our visitors were of a very leading character I have thought it proper to inform
our absent colleagues of them; and have delayed the communication only until I could add
what has been done under the resolutions of the board. as this latter information has not
been received by you, I inclose you my letter to General Taylor for perusal and pray you,
when read, to stick a wafer in it and put it into the post office. you will excuse this economy
of labor, as from the stiffening of my wrist, writing is become slow & painful. I have
moreover such another letter to write to mr. Johnson, and a good part of it to Genl.
Breckenridge. My general health is mended, altho' I do not gain strength. I am obliged to
continue bandages, altho' under their pressure the swelling is kept down, yet it returns on
omitting them" (DLC:JM).

Literary Fund
Resolution Authorizing Loan

The President laid before the Board a Letter from Thomas Jefferson Rector of the University
of Va., dated the 1st. instant, requesting to be informed of the determination of the Board
concerning a loan from the Literary Fund to the Rector & Visitors of the said University of
the remaining sum of twenty thousand dollars which they were authorized by law to borrow;
which letter being considered, Resolved, that the President inform the said Rector &
Visitors, that the said sum of twenty thousand dollars will be loaned to them from the
Literary fund, provided the same be applied for on or before the first day of June next, upon
the same terms upon which the loan of forty thousand dollars has already been made to the
said Rector & Visitors from the Literary fund; and that a Warrant will be directed to be
issued on the Treasurer, for the said sum of twenty thousand dollars, in favour of the Bursar
of the said University, as soon as a Bond, for payment of the interest & principal thereof,
shall have been executed, in the same manner & form as the Bond for forty thousand dollars
as aforesaid was executed, and approved by the Board.--

D, in William Munford's writing, ViU:TJ, 1p, with ASB docket "Copy Resolution of the
Literary Board last installment of Loan to the University." and TJ docket "recd. July 30. 20.
with information that it will be more conven[ien]t for the Treasury not to call for the money
till November." Jefferson later wrote beneath his docket "This resoln it seems was never
passed." After receiving this proposed resolution Jefferson wrote William Munford on 13
August, saying, "On the 30th. Ult. I recieved from the President of the board of the Literary
fund the copy, which altho not authenticated, he assured me was correct, of a resolution of
the board in answer to my letter of May 1. agreeing to lend to the Visitors of the University
of Virginia the further sum of 20,000. D. provided it be applied for on or before the 1st. day
of June then next ensuing. the date of my reciept of the notice of this resolution will answer
the cause of our not having made the application before the day it required: but this I trust
will be deemed of less importance as the President of the board assures me the treasurer
informed him the sum would be more conveniently paid if not called for till October. as that
will be in time for us I will only say that it shall be called for then, or at any earlier day at
which the board shall require it" (ViU:TJ).

Appendix I
Sully, Cosway, Peale, and Mills

Thomas Jefferson to Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough

The bearer mr Sully, a celebrated Portrait painter of Philadelphia calls to see the University,
and as he is a judge, and will be questioned about it on his return I will request you to shew
it to him advantageously.

I am endeavoring to make as exact an estimate as possible of our past and future expences,
beginning with April last when our previous funds had been used, we were in debt 10,000.
D. & had not yet entered on the 60,000. for this I wish to know what a Tuscan base and cap
costs you?

What the Doric bases & capitels cost? and what the Ionic & Corinthian bases cost? as nearly
as you can estimate them.

I should be glad too to know what your exact estimate of the Library is as nearly as you can
come, I mean the exact sum, not a round one; because we had better add a round allowance
for errors on the whole, than for each article by itself. if you can note these things readily
while mr Sully walks about to amuse himself I would be glad to recieve them by him. if not,
I will send for it tomorrow. I shall be with you the first quite warm day. friendly salutations

Th: Jefferson

ALS, ViU:PP, 1p [1852] with address "Mr. Brockenbrough University" and ASB dockets
"Mr Jef: Mar: 28. '21" and "Cost Caps bases &c sent to Mr Jefferson" and "Perry Ware
Dinsmore Spooner." ASB's estimate of stonework on the verso of TJ's letter reads:

An Estimate of the cost of Stone work--

                                                         

cost of Tuscan base--Quarrying	$1.60
Waggonage	.42
Cuting It	6.44
	8.46
Tuscan Cap Quarrying	.84
Waggonage	.32
Cuting	5.17
	6.23
	$14.79
Ionic Base Quarryig	$10.75
Wag:	1.67
Work	29.00
	$41.48
Doric Base Quar:	12.80
Wag:	1.67
Work	31.50
	45:97
Doric cap Quar	11.20
Wag	1.67
Work	26.50
	39.37
Corinthian Base Quarry	10.50
Wag:	1.67
Work	27.50
	39.67
11 Front doorsills
23 back do
268 steps
22 cellar window Sills

Thomas Jefferson to Maria Hadfield Cosway

I duly recieved, my dear friend, your favor of July 10. and made it my first duty to forward
the letter you inclosed to your brother and to request him to make me the channel of your
hearing from him. I now inclose you his letter, and with it the assurance that he is much
respected in Washington, and, since the death of Latrobe, our first Architect. I consider him
as standing foremost in the correct principles of that art. I believe he is doing well, but
would he push himself more, he would do better.

I learn with great pleasure that however short of expectation mr Cosway's affairs left you,
they are still sufficient to place you in comfort. and this will be much improved by the
change of your residence from the eternal clouds and rains of England, to the genial sun &
bright skies of Lodi. I was in that place in 1786. with a good friend, the Count del Verme of
Milan, and past a whole day, from sunrise to sunset, in a dairy there, to see the process of
making the Parmesan cheese. it's situation is truly mutilated of your choice.

The sympathies of our earlier days harmonise, it seems in age also. you retire to your
College of Lodi, and nourish the natural benevolence of your excellent heart by
communicating your own virtues to the young of your sex who may hereafter load with
blessings the memory of her to whom they will owe so much. I am laying the foundation of
an University in my native state, which I hope will repay the liberalities of it's legislature by
improving the virtue and science of their country, already blest with a soil and climate
emulating those of your favorite Lodi. I have been myself the Architect of the plan of it's
buildings, and of it's system of instruction. four years have been employed in the former,
and I assure you it would be thought a handsome & Classical thing in Italy. I have preferred
the plan of an Academical village rather than that of a single, massive structure. the
diversified forms which this admitted in the different Pavilions, and varieties of the finest
samples of architecture, has made of it a model of beauty original and unique. it is within
view too of Monticello, So it's most splendid object, and a constant gratification to my sight.
we have still one building to erect, which will be on the principle of your Pantheon a
Rotunda like that, but of half it's diameter and height only. I wish indeed you could recall
some of your by-past years, and seal it with your approbation. you have two friends here,
still living, Trumbull & myself to whom such a visit would be real beatitude.

I enjoy good health, altho now octogenary; but am too weak to walk further than my garden;
yet I ride daily and without fatigue. my elder daughter, mrs Randolph, is well and greets you
kindly. she has given me 11. grand-children, of whom 4. live with me, and all make me
contented in the prospect of their worth and good qualifications. my happiness is greatly
increased too by the prosperity of our country, and it's exemption from the oppressions &
eternal wars of Europe. that you days may pass in peace, in health and comfort, are the
fervent prayers of your sincere & constant friend.

Th: Jefferson

ALS (polygraph copy), DLC:TJ, 2p, with TJ docket "Cosway Maria. Oct. 24. 22." Jefferson
made this copy on a coversheet addressed to "Thomas Jefferson esqr Monticello."

Jefferson wrote Albert Gallatin on 29 October, asking him to forward this letter to Lodi,
Italy, and informing Gallatin of the status of the university buildings: "Our University of
Virginia my present hobby, has been at a stand for a twelve month past, for want of funds.
our last legislature refused every thing. the late elections give better hopes of the next. the
institution is so far advanced that it will force itself through. so little is now wanting that the
first liberal legislature will give it it's last lift. the buildings are in a style of purely classical
architecture, and, altho' not yet finished, are become an object of visit to all strangers. our
intention is that it's professors shall be of the first order in their respective lines which can be
procured on either side of the Atlantic. sameness of language will probably direct our
applications chiefly to Edinburgh. I place some letters under the protection of your cover.
you will be so good as to judge whether that addressed to Lodi will go more safely thro' the
public mail, or by any of the diplomatic couriers, liable to the curiosity & carelessness of
public offices" (DLC:TJ). This letter to Gallatin itself was sent to Daniel Brent of the state
department on 31 October to be transmitted to Paris "by the first safe conveyance, with your
official dispatches to him" (DLC:TJ), and Brent informed Jefferson on 7 November that he
would "take great Pleasure in forwarding" the letters to Gallatin (DLC:TJ).

Concerning the university, Jefferson wrote similarly to Henry A. S. Dearborne on 31
October, saying that "Our Virginia University is now my sole occupation. it is within sight
of Monticello, and the buildings nearly finished; and we shall endeavor, by the best
Professors either side of the Atlantic can furnish to make it worthy of the public notice"
(DLC:TJ).

Thomas Jefferson to Rembrandt Peale

I recd yesterday your favor of Jan. 8. on the subject of the portrait of Gen. Washn. on which
you are engaged. from the circumstances of the corrections needed by all those which have
been heretofore taken, and the views you give of them, I have no doubt you will produce
one peculiarly worthy of the original. the visit you flatter me with would indeed be a most
welcome one. I should hope to shew you in turn something in the fine arts not unworthy of
being seen. I mean our University, under view from this place, which exhibits some very
chaste models of Grecian architecture, and an arrangement exhibiting them to good
advantage, but that you should take the trouble of bringing the portrait with you, is scarcely
admissible; and the less as it could answer no useful purpose to yourself.[851] in the case of
historical paintings which few in this country have had oppties of being familiar with, their
judgment may be influenced by that of others. but in that of portraits, every one judges for
himself, is positive in his judgment and yields nothing to that of another. my opinion of it
therefore were I to presume to offer it, could be of no weight with others. I believe you are
right in proposing to go to Europe for the exercise of your art. this is certainly not a country
for a fine artist. we have genius among us but no unemployed wealth to reward it. the
numerous families of our country prevent accumulation,[852] and turn whatever we can get
into the channel of provision for them. be so good as to present me affectionately to your
father & to accept my best wishes for your success and welfare.

Th: J.

ADftS, DLC:TJ, 1p, with TJ docket "Peale Rembrandt. Jan. 19. 24." Jefferson made this
draft on a coverhseet addressed to "Mr. Jefferson Monticello Charlottesville" and
postmarked in March in Richmond.

Thomas Jefferson to Robert Mills

I have duly recd. your favor of Feb. 15. and with it your beautiful map of S.C. which I place
among the many other testimonies of your frdshp and with the acceptableness they ever
ensure. your general plan will constitute a valble work. even indpdtly of the Statistic adjunct
you propose.--[853]your idea of the Obelisk monument is a very fine one.[854] I think small
temples would also furnish good monumental designs, and would admit of great variety. and
on a particular occn I recommended for Genl. Washington's that commonly called the
Lanthern of Demosthenes of which you once sent me a drawing handsomely done by
yourself. I wish your travels should some day lead you this way, where from Monto. as your
head quarters, you could visit and revisit our Univty. 4. miles distant only the plan has the
two advantages of exhibiting a specimen of every fine model of every order of Architecture
purely correct, and yet presenting a whole entirely new and unique. I hear with particular
pleasure that your family enjoys health in a climate not generally believed to be friendly to it
and that mrs Mills and your bror do me the favor of thinking kindly of me.[855] my own
health is quite broken down. for the last 10. mo. I have been mostly confined to the house,
and now nearly ending my 83d. years, my faculties, sight excepted are very much impaired.
the dislocn of both my wrists has so far injured the use of my hands that I can write but
slowly & laboriously. the less so however when I have occn to assure you of my great
esteem & respect

Th: J.

ADftS, DLC:TJ, 1p, with TJ docket "Mills Robert. Mar. 3. 26."; printed, Washington, D.C.,
Daily National Intelligencer, Wednesday, 25 October 1826. The printed copy is headed
"Extracts of a letter from Mr. Jefferson to Mr. Robert Mills, of South Carolina," and is
accompanied by a letter to the editor that reads: "Gentlemen: As the following letter from
Mr. Jefferson to one of his confidential friends, accepting of a splendid work of the State of
South Carolina, may, at this time, be acceptable to the friends of that great man, it is
perfectly at your service for publication. M."

Appendix J
Oldham's Lawsuit Documents

Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Carstairs

After a separation of near 20. years I avail myself of the occasion of recalling myself to your
recollection which is furnished by the necessity of asking information from you in the line
of your business, and which I trust you will have the goodness to give me. we are here
engaged in the erection of a college called the Central college. we have agreed to give our
Carpenters & housejoiners the prices stated in the last Philadelphia Builder's Price book
with whatever percent on them is habitually now allowed there as the advance of prices
since the date of that book. will you be so good as to inform me what is the advance now
habitually allowed there [on] those printed prices? and will you moreover be so good as to
indicate to mr Matthew Carey the genuine edition of that book (for I am told there is a
spurious one) who on your shewing him this letter, will I am sure be so kind as to procure
and send me the book by mail: the cost of which shall be remitted to him separately or await
on account for a considerable supply of books for which I shall apply to him within 2. or 3.
weeks. I take this occasion with pleasure of assuring you of my continued esteem & respect.

Th: Jefferson

ALS (polygraph copy), DLC:TJ, 1p, with TJ docket "Carstairs Thos. Nov. 1. 17." TJ made
this copy on a coversheet addressed to "Thomas Jefferson Esqr Monticello near Milton."
TJ's copying machine failed to make the letters in square brackets. Thomas Carstairs was a
"practical contractor" who worked with TJ, William Thornton, Stephen Hallet, and James
Hoban on the Capitol building in Washington in the 1790s (see John Dos Passos, "Builders
for a Golden Age," American Heritage, 76). TJ wrote to Carstairs again on 16 January and
Carstairs replied to TJ on 26 January 1818.

Nelson Barksdale
Advertisement for Workmen

1819 A part of the Proctors Advertisment to Undertakers House Carpenters and Joiners--As
the items of house carpenters and Joiners and there several Prices are too nu[m]erous to be
specifyed, some Standard of refference for Prices must be proposed. The Philadelphia
House Carpenters book of prices printed by M. Carey in 1812, is adopted for the rule of
prices and every undertaker is to say whither he will undertake, at the Prices printed in that
book or at what pr Cent more or less. Lumber is excepted from this refference to be settled
at its actual cost, the uncertainty of which might be hazardous for the undertaker, but
unseasoned boards must be sufficiently Kiln dryed by him. Where an item of work and
prices are not to be found directly in the price Book it is to be deduced from the elements
furnished by other articles in the book. As the buildings are distributed in portions of a little
more or less than a 100 thousand Bricks, each undertaker is to say for How much of these
portions he will contract to finish the wooden work by the first day of February next--

Whenever work is not finished by the stipulated day the party failing is to pay as an
indemnification as rent of 10 pr Cent on the cost of the building from the day stipulated until
his part of the work is finished--Advances of money will be made from time to time to the
amount of Materials brought into place and of half the workmanship actually done, the
balance within six months from the completition of each portion--

Letters containing proposials are to be addressed to the Subscriber--as Proctor of the
University near Charlottesville with as Little delay as possible, and an answer will be
promptly returned--

Signed Nelson Barksdale

Copy (extract), in "Memoriall to the bord of Visitors of the U.Va. Octobr 3. 1823," ViU:PP;
copy, part of document U in Oldham vs University of Virginia, ViU:UVA Chronological
File. See James Oldham, Lawsuit against the University of Virginia, 20 November 1823.
Oldham's extract presumably was copied from a local newspaper. The advertisement was
placed in newspapers in several other localities, including Staunton, Winchester, Richmond,
Baltimore, and Philadelphia (see TJ to Thomas Cooper, 3 March, TJ to Joseph Carrington
Cabell, 6 March, and JCC's reply of 12 March, TJ to Dabney Carr, 11 March, Israel Collett's
Account for Advertising, 18 March, and Thomas Cooper to TJ, 11 April 1819 as well as the
letters cited below). This advertisement appeared in the Richmond Enquirer on 12 March
(see Richard M. Burke to Barksdale, 6 April 1819). For proposals of undertakers which
make direct mention of this advertisment, see Levi Taylor to Barksdale, 16 March, James C.
Fisher, et all to Barksdale, 17 March, Christopher Branch to TJ, 20 March, Jacob H. Walker
to Barksdale, 20 March, John Parham to Barksdale, 23 March, Chilion Ashmead to
Barksdale, 24 March, William Hawley, Jr., to Barksdale, 24 March, E. W. Hudnall to TJ, 26
March, Richard Ware to Barksdale, 26 March, James Oldham to Barksdale, 27 March, John
Percival to TJ, 29 March, Abraham Woglome to Barksdale, 30 March, Richard M. Burke to
Barksdale, 6 April, Daniel Flournoy to TJ, 8 April.

James Oldham to Nelson Barksdale

The standard adopted in your advertisment for the rule of Prices, for the Carpenters and
Joiners worke of the Buildings to be erected at the university of virginia, I tender to you my
Servises to undertake one or two of the Buildings at 25 cent advance on the adopted rule, the
worke to be performed agreeable to the Turms specifyed in the Advertisment, but the
kilndrying of Plank and bordes will be charged for, With Grate Respect I have the Honor to
be Sir Your Obt. Sevt.

J; Oldham

ALS, ViU:TJ, 1p [1659] with TJ docket "Carpenter. Oldham James." Oldham's initially
wrote "20 cent advance on the adopted rule" but changed it to "25 cent advance." Before the
closing Oldham struck out "and a cent on all Iron mongery equal to that of the retail
merchant."

Oldham modified this offer in a letter to TJ of 3 April. For the university's response to his
proposals, see TJ's two notes to Oldham of 8 April.

Thomas Jefferson to James Oldham

The terms offered by James Oldham are accepted for the Pavilion No 1 with an allowance to
him of the Philadelphia printed prices without any discount Pavilion No 1 is 44. f front &
48. f. flank, the interval between N 11 & 1 is 54. f. from wall to wall--

Ths Jefferson

Copy, document A in Oldham vs University of Virginia, ViU:UVA Chronological File; copy,
document A in document U in Oldham vs University of Virginia, ViU:UVA Chronological
File; copy (extract), in "Memoriall to the bord of Visitors of the U.Va. Octobr 3. 1823,"
ViU:PP. This letter covered a second note of this date from TJ to Oldham (see below). See
James Oldham, Lawsuit against the University of Virginia, 20 November 1823.

Thomas Jefferson to James Oldham

Th Jefferson sends to Mr Oldham an acceptance of his offer to undertake a pavilion, at the
printed Philadelphia prices without the discount offered by him--he Sends him a drawing of
the pavilion No 1 allotted to him, and wishes him to take a copy for his own use so that Th.
J. may receive back his own on his return from Bedford, Say at the next Court--the master
work men may lodge in the Dormitories themselves and the under workmen in the cellars of
the Dormitories--

Copy, document B in Oldham vs University of Virginia, ViU:UVA Chronological File. TJ
enclosed this note with his letter to Oldham of this date. See James Oldham, Lawsuit against
the University of Virginia, 20 November 1823.

Jonathan Michie
Account with James Oldham

Jas Oldham in Act. with Jonathan Michie July 17 1819

           

To Three Thousand nine hundred & forty eighty feet of 1¼ I boards at $2 pr hundred	78.97
do Three Thousand six hundred & forty Six feet of 1 I bords at $1.50 pr hundred	54.66
do One hundred & thirty five feet of 2 I bords at $2.50 pr Hundred	3.37½
do four hundred & thirty three feet of ½ I bords at $1.16¼	5.07
do One Pine Stock--300 feet 1.50	4.50
	$146.57½

Jonathan Michie

ADS, ViU:PP, 1p, with docket "James Oldham to Janan. Michie paid 29th. Sepr. 1819
$146.57." Michie's signed receipt for partial payment on the day of the lumber's delivery
reads: "Recd. of Jas Oldham One hundred dollars in part of within act. this Seventeenth day
of July 1819 Jonathan Michie." Two months later Oldham signed a receipt beneath the
account that reads: "Sept 29th 1819 Recd a Dft on Bursar for the above Bill of $146.57.
146.57½ [-] 32 [=] $178.57½ J; Oldham."

James Oldham to Thomas Jefferson

Since the 2 of November last I have repetedly solicited a Settlement of my worke with the
Proctor, of this fact, their is evidence--on yesterday I renewed the subject again when he
positively refused to do any thing with it--and declared that I should not recieve one cent of
pay until it Suted him to give it--I am advised to make an appeale to Mr Jefferson and to
give a Statement of the Condition of my worke which will be seen in the following
memorandum--Pavilion 1--finished inside, except the hand rail which is redy and will be
finished in one day when I receive the Locks and Hinges to complete the doors--

The 4 dormitories ajoining finished and have been occupied during the Summer--the Closet
doors are unhung--Hotel A east finished complete one week before the meteing of the bord
of visitors--locks & hinges wanting and have been repeetedly asked for--

The 9 Dormitories, the floors are all finished and the inside worke mearely all prepared--all
the Sashes for these ware made in June last and those for the Hotel made in the month of
may, not one of them Glaized--

Hotel A, West, all the sashes glaized and fited compleet, the cornice all prepared and the
Architraves for the windows and door insid nearly done and the Shingling bords Suffitient to
compleet the roofs of 2 Dormitories & Piaza of Hotel prepared: the Scantling for the
rasining floore and roof of this house is not yet received, but has been pressed for with all
the force I posses I am redy to pledge myself that the finished work will exceed the Sum of
six thousand dollars by the Proctors own measurement--

         

admit the lowest Sum of--	$6000.11
ad to this Sum an account due to me Since the years 19 & 20, for Lumber waggonage horse hire, Kiln drying, Plank and Cash	221.37
advanced the sum of	$6221.37
Total sum received	2309.94
	$3911.43

From 2½ to 3 days would be Suffitient time to measure and estimate all my worke that is
finished & unfinished the working draughts being redy at hand--as it would require some
time for the Arbitrators to meete I perposed theare appointment first to be done, then to
prepare the estimate of worke and lay that which may be in dispute before them--that you
Sir will direct the course to be pursued in this business and in the mean time permit me to
have a little money as I am in grate neede Sincearely hoped for--

J. Oldham

Copy, document H in Oldham vs University of Virginia, ViU:UVA Chronological File. See
James Oldham, Lawsuit against the University of Virginia, 20 November 1823.

Thomas Jefferson to James Oldham

I sincerely regret that any difficulties should arise between Mr Brockenbrough and yourself
on the Subject of your contracts, but it is totally foreign to my office to intermeddle with
them--I cannot entangle myself in the labyrinth of questions between the proctor and
undertakers as the contracts are made with him, with him they must be settled as they would
be with any other employer in any private case--I should think both of you would prefer
arbitration to law, but in this you must chuse for yourselves--with respect to money a Sum
of 15,000 D. became due at the Treasury the day before yesterday out of which I presume a
payment can be made you as soon as the Bursar has made arrangements to draw for it--I
hope you will find it reasonable that I should be excused from interferences which are not
within my province and I assure you of my best wishes and friendly respects--

Th Jefferson

Copy, document I in Oldham vs University of Virginia, ViU:UVA Chronological File;
polygraph copy, ViU:TJ [1917]. See James Oldham, Lawsuit against the University of
Virginia, 20 November 1823.

Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough to James Oldham

I have your communication of this date to Mr Jefferson, written no doubt to injure me in the
estimation of Mr J. and wherein you State "Since the 2nd Novr last I have repeatedly
solicited a Settlement of my work with the proctor["] of this fact there is evidence I admit
you have frequently mentioned the Subject of a settlement by arbitration--and I as often
have proposed going on with the measurement and fixing the prices of the work and such
articles as we could not agree on to be Settled by Arbitration hereafter--Your course I did
not think proper to take--my proposition you rejected again you say "on this day I renewed
the Subject again when he posatively refused to do any thing with it and declared that I
should not receive one cent of pay until it suited him to give it"--as well as my memory
Serves me (but perhaps it may not be as good as Capt Oldhams) our conversation on
Tuesday turned principally on the acct for Scaffolding, timber &c--when I Stated
particularly there were Items in that acct which I would Settle for at any time--but I could
not pitch on any particular day for an arbitration of the acct, I made no such declaration
relative to your pay as you Stated in your letter--I have called on you frequently for a
memorandum of such locks hinges &c. as you wanted for the buildings you were working
on--I have never received a memorandum of the articles, as for Hinges I sent to
Charlotesville to get them for the Hotel if Mr Vowles word is to be taken in evidence, it is
your fault that the Hotel windows are not glazed--Sir, I will lay down explicitly the course I
mean to pursue in this business--it is so Simply this, as fast as the buildings are finished, I
shall with the undertakers measure the work and make out the bills agreeable to the
Philadelphia price book, if the undertakers and myself can agree on all Settled Bills, I shall
give drafts for the balances that may be due as fast as funds can be obtained to take them up
all unsettled bills will be layed over untill the entire completion of the buildings, to be then
left to reference, Sooner than that unless expressly ordered--I will not arbitrate any acct--I
am Sir your Obt Servt

A. S. Brockenbrough P. U.Va.

Copy, document J in Oldham vs University of Virginia, ViU:UVA Chronological File (see
James Oldham, Lawsuit against the University of Virginia, 20 November 1823); copy, part
of document U in Oldham vs University of Virginia, ViU:UVA Chronological File, dated 5
January 1822; copy, document no. 1 in "Memoriall to the bord of Visitors of the U.Va.
Octobr 3. 1823," ViU:PP.

Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough to James Oldham

In reply to your note of yesterday morning Stating you have no objection to a settlement of
your accts in Richmond thereby lessing the expence--I have to inform you--cannot agree
that the business Should be done in Richmond for there I cannot attend to it--and again the
Kind of work charged in the bill can be better understood by seeing it again the bills as
made out by you must not be layed before the arbitrators, but new bills including the Items
not Settled by us in quantity and price put down, so that the Arbitrators themselves may
settle the quantity where we disagree and the price--as you have a desire to lessen the
expence, I will meet your proposition thus far--If the two persons Selected to Settle the bills
disagree--I will in all cases where that is the case Split the difference with you, at the same
time--let this agreement between us be Kept a perfect Secret from the arbitrators and give
them to understand where they disagree, they must each give the price were it so happens--I
expect to make an appointment in Richmond when ever I can get down--I am Sir
respectfully yours

A. S. Brockenbrough--P

Copy, document S in Oldham vs University of Virginia, ViU:UVA Chronological File; Copy,
document no. 3 of document U in Oldham vs University of Virginia, ViU:UVA
Chronological File; copy, document no. 3 in "Memoriall to the bord of Visitors of the U.Va.
Octobr 3. 1823," ViU:PP. See James Oldham, Lawsuit against the University of Virginia, 20
November 1823.

Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Carrington Cabell

Mr Brockenbrough has shewn me a letter, written anonimously, charging him with the
grossest frauds and malversation in the office of Proctor of the University, and addressed to
Mr Griffin a member of the legislature. I know the hand writing of the letter as well as I do
my own, and possess many samples from the same pen. it is from James Oldham one of our
undertakers. I have known him 15. or 20. years. he worked on my house some years, is as
faithful a workman as I have ever known, and I have ever believed him an honest man. but
his temper is unhappy. disagreements with his brother-workmen occasioned his leaving my
service, without any displeasure between him and myself; and knowing his skill and fidelity
as a workman I got him employed at the University. he soon got into misunderstandings
there with the Proctor, he refused to settle his accounts on the principles on which I am
informed the other undertakers have settled, and has not yet closed with the propositions of
arbitration which have been offered. this has prevented his receiving payments for his work
in proportion with others, and has engendered the dispositions of mind manifested in that
letter. I did not suppose however that his self-respect would have permitted him to have
attacked an adversary from behind the mask of an anonymous information; or that instead of
laying his charges before the board of Visitors whose duty it is to inquire into any
malversations of their officers, he would have sent them enquiry at such a distance, to a
gentleman under no particular relations with the matter and who, I am sure must have felt
his justice offended by the presumption of the writer that he would become the instrument of
any one who would not risk his own name on his charges. with respect to the charges
themselves, I shall say nothing now; because I hold it to be the duty of the board, if the
informer will undertake to maintain them, to go into that inquiry at our next meeting, and to
go into it uncommitted and unbiased by former opinions. it is surely our duty to see that
those whom we employ act faithfully to their trust, and that the money of the public
confided to our care be honestly and economically administered. in justification of myself
however so far, I may say that so much of the conduct of Mr Brockenbrough as has come
under my observation has had the stamp of the most perfect integrity and diligence; that it
has kept me in a state of entire satisfaction, and that I have deemed it one of the happinesses
of our undertaking to have found two officers so capable and so trust-worthy as our Bursar
and Proctor: and yet that had any of these anonymous charges been ever suggested to me on
grounds worthy notice, no personal confidence or consideration on earth would have
prevented my instituting a proper investigation of them. and I still deem that it would be
injustice to suffer the confidence I have had, and still have in Mr Brockenbrough to be
impaired by any thing contained in this anonymous letter. I shall devise Mr Oldham to put
his charges into distinct and issuable forms, to give a copy of them to Mr Brockenbrough,
and both to be prepared for their investigation at our meeting in April. on this subject I shall
await your information, and the advice of our colleagues with you, and that this should be
given me as early as the proceedings with you shall enable you, saluting you with
affectionate friendship and respect

Copy, ViU:TJ, 2p [1974] with TJ docket "Cabell Joseph C. Feb. 4. 23." Brockenbrough
apparently conveyed this letter to Cabell (see Cabell to TJ, 11 February).

Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough to James Oldham

In consequence of some abominable Slanderous charges, and insinuations thrown out
against me in a letter directed to Thos Griffin Esqr member of the General assembly, Signed
a farmer in which I recognize you to be the author, I must withdraw my proposition made
some 8 or 10 days past to appoint arbitrators in Richmond to Settle your accts with the
University of Va.--after such conduct you certainly cant expect me to have any thing to do
with you or your accts untill after a complete investigation of my official conduct takes
place which I am well assured will be at the next meeting of the visitors of the University of
Va. this therefore is the last communication you will receive from me, until after that time--I
am Sir

A. S. Brockenbrough

Copy, document T in Oldham vs University of Virginia, ViU:UVA Chronological File. See
James Oldham, Lawsuit against the University of Virginia, 20 November 1823.

Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough
to the Rector & Board of Visitors

I beg leave to lay before you my contract with Mr Wm. J. Coffee for Composition & Leaden
ornaments for the buildings, I do this because Mr Coffee is dissatisfied and complains
heavily of his bargain, and I am not willing to take upon myself the responsibility of
advancing more than the contract calls for--he has sent on an acct. amounting to
$487.46--the cost agreeable to my estimate on the back of the contract amts to $382.39
which I have authorized him to draw for--since doing so I find he has not completed his
contract--[856]

It will be necessary to make some provision for the debts of the University of Va. three or
four of the accts. are unsettled therefore I can't say to a certainty the amt of them but as near
as I can come I suppose them to be a little over $20,000--including the completion of the
garden Walls & Privies--

I must beg permission to call your attention to what materially concerns myself--my
character has been furiously attacked by an anonymous writer under the name of a
"Farmer"--I must ask an investigation of my official conduct as proctor of the University of
Va. if my conduct has been as represented by that writer you will no doubt act as you should
do in that case by dismising Me your service if on the contrary the charges alledged against
be found with out foundation, I hope you will do me the justice to make some public
declaration to that effect.[857] my feelings have been much wounded by those calumnious
charges--I ask a public declaration of your sentiments for the satisfaction of my distant
friends and my posterity, the most fervent wish of My heart is to leave an untarnished
reputation as an inheritance to my children--I am Gentlemen most respectfully your obt sert

A. S. Brockenbrough

ALS, ViU:PP, 2p. with address "To the Rector & Visitors of the University Va" and TJ
docket "Brockenbrough. A. S. Apr. 7. 23. recd Apr. 7." For the enclosed contract between
William J. Coffee and Brockenbrough, see their Agreement for Ornamentation, 18 March
1822.

Rice W. Wood
Certificate

At the Solicitation of Capt Oldham I accompanied him to the office of the Proctor U.Va. for
the purpose of ascertaining his course with respect to the settlement of Capt. Oldhams bills
for work done at the university--upon enquiring of him what course he wished to pursue on
this Subject, after hesitating he replyed that he wished Capt Oldham to leave the bills with
him, that he might run over them, for the purpose of ascertaining what would be the
difference of the estimates made by Capt Oldham and that made by himself--Capt Oldham
then observed that there could be no utility in that as he, the Proctor had already examined
the bills and had made his objections--that he would not be willing to take the prices
according to the Proctors estimate and he Supposed that no utility could be found in the
course Suggested by the Proctor as to leaving the accounts with him, But Mr Oldham
observed that he was willing to let Mr Dawson Copy the accounts at the expence of the
University--Mr Proctor did not Say whether he wished Mr Dawson to take a Copy of the
bills or not--It was then observed by myself that Capt Oldhams object was to ascertain
whether the proctor was willing to have an arbitration of the accounts in pusuance of an
agreement which exhisted between himself and the proctor previous to or on the 25th Jany
last as appears by letter--Mr Brockenbrough remarked that it was understood between
himself and Mr Jefferson that there Should be no arbitration, the question was Several times
repeated as to the arbitration, and he as often confirmed what he first said about the
aribtration--Immediately previous to our leaving the office I was requested by Capt Oldham
to be more explicit in my enquiry with regard to the arbitration and request Capt
Brockenbrough to be more explicit in his answer to my enterrogatory--I think Capt.
Brockenbrough said he was directed not to agree to an arbitration of these differences with
Capt Oldham (not saying who had directed him) but at the same time remarked that Mr
Jefferson had told him to do as he pleased about it--Capt Oldham in the mean time baving
observed that he had not understood from Mr Jefferson that he was opposed to an arbitration
as to a portion of his Bills but that he was willing to a refference of part of his account--

The substance of a Conversation in my presence between Capt Oldham myself and the
Proctor as at present recollected by me

Signed Rice Wood

Copy, document no. 4 of document U in Oldham vs University of Virginia, ViU:UVA
Chronological File; copy, document no. 4 in "Memoriall to the bord of Visitors of the U.Va.
Octobr 3. 1823," ViU:PP; another copy, signed by Wood, Oldham vs University of Virginia,
ViU:PP. The second copy in ViU:PP apparently was made before Brockenbrough filed his
Bill of Exception, 3 January 1831. Wood made a related certificate on 19 November 1823.
See James Oldham, Lawsuit against the University of Virginia, 20 November 1823.

James Oldham
Memorial to the Rector & Board of Visitors

You[r] memorialist James Oldham very respectfully represents--That he was induced by the
propositions made by the Proctor of U.V. to apply for some of the work that was proposed to
be let out to undertakers in the spring of the year 1819--He accordingly made his proposals
to the former Proctor U.V. and the Proctor laid them before the board of visitors at their
spring meeting in 1819. After the dissolution of the meeting--He was informed by the
Rector that his proposals were approved, and entered into a written contract with the
Rector--a Copy of which contract is herewith exhibited marked (A)--

By which contract he bound himself to execute certain houses which were then to be erected
at the U--and by which it was agreed that the price of the work should be regulated by a
Price-book which was published in Philadelphia in the year 1812 by Matthew Carey--so far
as the Items of work to be done was specified in the price book--But in the event of a
difficulty in consequence of work done for which no price was specified in the price book
the proposals above alluded to--as published by the Proctor provided that the price of such
work as had not been fixed by the price book should be deduced from the elements of which
sd. work was composed--A Copy of which proposals is herewith exhibited and referred to
for the Correctness of this Statement--Your memorialist proceeded with deligence and
fidelity to the performance of the work allotted to him by the Proctor and Rector, until the
Autumn of the year 1822--at which time he completed this undertakings except as to some
unimportant particulars which he could not execute for want of materials which the Proctor
had undertaken to furnish, in the capasity of Agent for the purchase of materials--Allthough
the Proctor as your memorialist humbly conceives, acting out of his duty--had interfered
with him by employing other artists to execute work which had been let to him by contract,
and which he had, had no oppertunity to perform, for the want of materials--Your
memorialist continued labouring for the institution over which you preside upon different
buildings then erected for the period of nearly four years--at great expence, having many
hands in his employment during the time, and persevered until his Contracts with the Rector
were fulfilled on the part of himself--During the progress of his work your memorialist had
frequent interviews with the Proctor upon the Subject of the Settlement of his bills for work
which had been either wholly or in part completed by him--And as it appeared to your
memorialist that there might be a variance of opinion between himself and the Proctor upon
the Subject of charges he became solicitous to Know before he proceeded further with his
work, what method the Proctor would approve as a means of removing such
difficulties--And from repeated communication both personally and by letter it was agreed
between the parties that all difficulties with regard to the charges of your memorialist was to
be removed by arbitrators one chosen by each of them as evidence of which understanding
and agreement he begs leave to refer the board to letters written by the Proctor to your
memorialist, copies of which are herewith exhibited marked 1. 2 & 3. one dated Nov. 5th
1821 a second dated Jany 3d 1822--and a third dated Jany 25th 1823. This understanding
was satisfactory to your memorialist as he considered it as forming a part of the contract
which he was executing deligently on his part--and he was advised its execution could be
enforced on the part of the Rector and visitors of the institution--These considerations
quieted his fears and Soothed the anxiety of his mind, and he proceeded with his labour--
Whenever he pressed a referaence against the institution for work which was so far
completed as to entitle him to receive considerable sums of money from the Institution, the
Proctor would state objections and urged your memorialist to complete the buildings and
then was the time that he intended to refer the accounts as to all items about which they
could not agree--Your memorialist finished the buildings he undertook in the fall of the year
1822--and since that period--he has been constantly urging the Proctor to Settle his accounts
in the way agreed upon--He has not only made personal application to him on this behalf but
has employed Counsel to press his claims before him and he is now informed by him, that
he will not consent to an arbitration at all, that if your memorialist will not take what he
offers him, that he must resort to a Court of Justice for a remedy--As evidence of which
determination on the part of the Proctor, the board is referred to the certificate of Rice W.
Wood, who was employed by your memorialist to act as counsel for him in the Settlement of
his bills against the institution with the Proctor and is herewith exhibited marked (4)--[858]

But your memorialist has waited twelve months already since the completion of his work,
rather than incur the Costs of a law suit himself and embroil your institution in
litigation--He has thought it better to wait and appeal to your board--being advised that you
are clothed with a controuling power, persuaded as he is of your disposition to do him
complete Justice--Your memorialist considers that he is not only entitled to an arbitration of
his accounts by virtue of his agreement with the Proctor--But he is also persuaded that in the
absence of all agreement that your honourable body will agree with him in the opinion, that
the submission of disputes of this Character to arbitration is not only the most equitable but
the most eligible method of deciding them--The board must be familiar with many
illustrious instances in which this method has been adopted not only for the decision of
differences between individuals, but also in the Case of national disputes--The experience of
your memorialist furnishes him with an instance of Similar character to this to which he
wishes to call the attention of the board--He alludes to the case in the which the executive of
Virginia thought proper to Submit claims for work between the State and the Artists who
repaired the Capitol in 1817. to the Arbitration of men, one chosen by each as will apear by
referaence of the Copy of the order of Council hereto annexed marked (6)--Your board will
the more readily grant this request, when you are informed that your memorialist is not only
Kept here in a State of Suspence with regard to his accounts, and reduced to the necessity of
resorting to his own funds for the purpose of defraying the expences he has incurred on act
of the University, and which he is daily incurring for the means of support--As evidence of
which as to a part he refers to a bill for lumber herewith produced (5)--Your memorialist has
chosen to make an appeal to the board from the Proctors decision, because he has the most
perfect confidence in their Justice and thinks it would be idle to go else where to procure
that Justice which he confidently expects from them Influenced by the solicitude he feels for
a Speedy and amicable Settlement of his disputes with the Proctor--He thought proper to
trouble the Rector with his Complaints--But he was Sorry to find that his opinions varied
some what from your memorialists ideas of Justice and equity--He appeared to be willing to
Submit a portion of your memorialists bills to arbitration, But thought that he ought to
consent that those Arbitrators should be farmers and not Carpenters--As to the other Items
of account he Seemed to think that your memorialist ought to abide by the prices fixed in
bills Settled with other undertakers--Your memorialist thinks that the Settlements of others
is not obligatory upon him, even if they had been conclusive Settlements--But in two cases
he is informed that the undertakers were induced to acquiesce in the proctors terms, not
because, they thought them correct, but because they were desirous to get the money for
their work and avoid controversies--In a third instance the undertaker States that he was
compelled to make Sacrifices to get his accounts Settled--as to the proposition to Submit to
farmers--it was objected to because it was believed they were not so well qualified as artist,
to decide correctly--Your memorialist would be willing to Submit his disputes to any men
whose experience and Knowledge qualify them to decide correctly--But he is not Singular
in the Idea that the more Knowledge a man has upon a given Subject the more capable he is
of forming a correct Idea upon that Subject--If Farmers could be procured much
experienced in house Joining he would be willing to Submit to their award--But it does
appear to him that no one can form so correct an Idea of the value of a piece of work as the
man who has been in the habit of executing that worke--Your memorialist does not wish it to
be understood that it is his prayer that the whole of his work Should be submitted to
arbitration--he only craves an execution of the proctors agreement--Your memorialist prays
for the health and prosperity of the Board individually and collectively--

James Oldham

Copy, part of document U in Oldham vs University of Virginia, ViU:UVA Chronological
File. Copies of some of Oldham's supporting documents for his lawsuit against the
university are in ViU:PP, marked "Memoriall to the bord of Visitors of the U.Va. Octobr 3.
1823," and includes William Robertson's Order, 2 June 1818, Nelson Barksdale's
Advertisement for Workmen, ca 1 March 1819, Jefferson to Oldham, 8 April 1819,
Brockenbrough to Oldham, 5 November 1821, 3 January 1822, and 25 January 1823, and
Rice W. Wood's Certificate, 14 July 1823. See James Oldham, Lawsuit against the
University of Virginia, 20 November 1823.

Rice W. Wood
Certificate

I do heareby certify that at the solicitation of Capt. Oldham I did as his friend and advisor
call upon the proctor of the university for the perpose of ascertaining from him whether he
had decided upon the course he intended to persue with regard to Capt. Oldham's accounts
and also to endevour if possible to procoure an arbitration of the same.--This I did on the
first of November. in consequence of the pressing business then on hand the proctor
declined entering into conversation upon the subject.--I saw him again in the corse of the
succeeding week when we had some conversation upon the subject, and I pressed upon him
the subject of a decition upon the mater, he replied that he wished to take further time for
deliberation, but stated that he would give me a reply in the course of two or three days.--

About a week elapsed, and Capt Oldham being urgent upon me I again called to see the
proctor at his office, and enquired of him his intentions, he then stated that he had not yet
decided, that he had expected that Mr. Jefferson would have been at the University before
that time and that he was desireous of having a consultation with him; That he expected to
have an opportunity of doing so in some short Time, and again repeated that he would rite to
me as soon as he did so, I waited four or five days and haveing received no reply, I was
again urged by Capt. Oldham to write him a note, which I did on last monday, but receiving
no reply, I at the instance of Capt. Oldham wrote a second note on the next wednesday, to
which a reply was given by the proctor that he had not received a reply to a letter written by
him to Mr. Jefferson upon that Subject.

This day Rice W. Wood Made Oath before me that the forgoing statement Contains the
Substance of two Conversations held in his presence, between Jam[e]s Oldam and A S
Brockenbrough the first On the 14th. July 1823 the 2d. on the 19 Nov 1823 as appears by
Written memorandums Made at the time of which the forgoing are true Copies

Jno. R. Jones

Question by the defendt. A S Brockenbrough--Did I not in a short time after the foregoing
conversations took place address a letter to you, with such articles of agreement there in as I
was willing to go into an arbitration of Capt oldhams accounts with the University

Answer. Some time after the 19th Nov 1823 I did receive a letter from the defendant
Brokenbrough in which he stated that he was willing to submit to an arbitration of the
matters of account between himself as Proctor of the U.Va and the plaintiff. That proposition
was accompanied with several conditions some of which I do not at present recollect but the
condition most objected to by Capt Oldham the plaintiff was, that the arbitrators in making
the admeasurements and estimates should go over the whole work again, while it was
insisted by pltff that they should only reprice and remeasure such portions as had not been
certified by the Proctor as correct but such only as he objected to as unreasonable

Question by A S Brockenbrough--Does not the accompanying paper show the substance of
my propositions to you as the agent of Capt Oldham for the settlement of his accounts?

Answer I have inspected the paper alluded to above, enclosed "Articles proposed to james
Oldham for settlement of accounts 28th Nov 1823" and beleive it to be a true copy of the
one communicated to me as Attorney for the plaintiff.

Question by A S Brockenbrough, do you recollect in our subsequent conversations, the
reasons assigned by me for not going into a partial arbitration with Capt Oldham if you do
what were they?

Answer One of the reasons assigned I beleive was that some of the prices certified were too
high and if one portion should be submitted you wished them to have the whole subject
before them that they might do the University justice

Copy, in Oldham vs University of Virginia, ViU:PP. This copy apparently was made before
Brockenbrough filed his Bill of Exception, 3 January 1831. Wood made a related certificate
on 14 July 1823.

Thomas Jefferson to Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough

I inclose you Oldham's letter.[859] the settlement of his and Nielson's accts. I leave to
yourself entirely, you are so much a better judge than myself. I always fear settlements left
to workmen however honest; because on that subject they have a special code of morality of
thier own: however I do not say this of all, and leave that to your judgment, recommending
that you have a settlement in some way. I am engaged in making an estimate of the number
of Professors we may venture to engage, which renders it necessary for me first to know
how much we must set apart for the maintenance of the institution viz. salaries, hire,
laborers, taxes, store accts. Etc. as the surplus only can be applied to Professors. this renders
the estimate I asked for necessary. friendly salutations.

Th: Jefferson

ALS, ViU:PP, 1p [2033] with address "Mr. Brockenbrough University" and ASB docket "T.
Jefferson Nov 20. 1823 respecting O. & N: Accts."

James Oldham
Lawsuit Against the University of Virginia

To the Honourable John Brown Judge of the Superior Court of Chancery holden of
Staunton--Humbly Complaining Sheweth unto your Honour your orator--James Oldham
That in January 1819, the General assembly of Virginia passed an act for establishing an
University by which it was enacted that on the Siete provided for the erection of the Central
College in the County of Albemarle, there should be established a University to be placed
under the Government of seven Visitors who should appoint a Rector of their own body, and
who should be a body Corporate under the Style and title of "The Rector & Visitors of the
University of Virginia"--The said Rector and Visitors were charged by the said act, "with the
erection preservation and repair of the buildings, the care of the ground and appurtenances
and of the Interests of the university Generally" They were authorised "to appoint a Bursar
employ a proctor and all other necessary Agents"--Soon after the passage of said act the
Governor and Council proceeded to the appointment of Seven visitors, a majority of whom
appointed Thomas Jefferson one of the members of their body, the Rector of the University
The said Rector and visitors employed a certain Nelson Barksdale as the proctor and made
arrangements for the erection of the necessary buildings at the Siete before mentioned--All
the visitors residing at some distance, and most of them being engaged in active
employments, they confided the superindence of the concerns of the University almost
entirely to the said Thomas Jefferson, who besides having devoted himself to that object
possessed extensive Knowledge and experience--Your orator being a house Joiner and
Carpenter and having seen an advertisement of the said Proctor in the news paper inviting
persons of that description to become undertakers at the said university addressed written
proposals to the Proctor who delivered them either to the board of visitors or to Mr Jefferson
in answer to which your orator on the 8th of April 1819 received a note from the latter
herewith exhibited marked A enclosing that marked B --The "Philadelphia printed prices"
mentioned in the said Papers which were constituted the rule of compensateors were
contained in a book published in 1812, by Matthew Cary, a Copy of which your orator will
exhibit if necessary-In the advertisement before mentioned the said Nelson Barksdale
referred to that Book as furnishing a rule of compensation and where the prices were not
directly applicable in terms, the Said advertisement Stated that the price was to be deduced
from the elements furnished by other articles in the book--This was the understanding of the
Contract as evidenced by the paper marked B --This contract comprehended the work
necessary to be done in your orators line to Pavilion No 1, and four dormitories which
occupied the interval between that Pavilion and Pavilion No 2--At a Subsequent period your
orator undertook to do the work at Hotel A--and nine Dormitories on the Eastern range on
the same Terms, And at a period Still later your orator undertook the work at Hotel AA--and
two dormitores also on the same terms--Your orator proceeded in the execution of his
Contracts according to their true tenor--He performed work to a large amount which is
enumerated in an account herewith exhibited as part of this bill marked ( C ) The
measurement of the work as stated in the said account does not depend on your orators
Knowledge, but he has taken it from the report made to your orator by the present Proctor
Arthur S. Brockenbrough, except a very small part which was measured and reported by
James Dinsmore who acted by the Authority of the said Proctor--The first work that was
measured was that done to Hotel A--The measurement was made by the said
Brockenbrough in your orators presence in October 1821--He made out a bill of the work
and certified it correct, with the prices annexed, which bill marked ( D ) your orator
herewith exhibits--When the said Brockenbrough commenced making out the said Bill he
asked your orator to be present--In conversing on the Subject it appeared that there was a
difference of opinion between him and your orator as to the application of the rule furnished
by the Book containing the Philadelphia prices as to part of the work. It led to a proposal
which your orator made, that in the adjustment of the accounts between him and the
University for the work which he had performed and was to perform except that embraced
by the said bill ( D ) all the Items relative to which Such difference of opinion Should exist
Should be Submitted to capable persons, one chosen by your orator and the other by the
Proctor--The said Brockenbrough objected alledging that Mr Jefferson to whose Judgment
deference was paid in all such cases was opposed to having the matter adjusted in that
way--In consequence of this remark your orator addressed a note to him on the Subject and
received his answer herewith exhibited marked ( E ) Mr Jefferson at the same time sent a
note to the said Brockenbrough in consequence of which the latter in a few days afterwards
Sent a note to your orator which your orator also herewith exhibits marked F --After the
receipt of the note of the 5th of November your orator repeatedly requested the said
Brockenbrough to measure your orators finished work, so that he might receive payment
according to his Said Brockenbroughs own advertisement of the 25 August 1821, which
your orator herewith exhibits marked ( G ) your orator was also desirous that an adjustment
by arbitrators as agreed on should take place as speedily as possible which could not be
done until the work was measured--But he was not able to effect any thing--on the 2 January
1822 your orator renewed his application and expressed his desire to have his work
measured his account adjusted and the money which might be due paid him--The said
Brockenbroughs answer was, that he would not do any thing with it--that your orator should
not have one sent untill it suited him--Your orator thus driven by necessity addressed a letter
to Mr Jefferson a Copy of which your orator herewith exhibits marked H In answer to which
your orator received the note marked I --Your orator also on the same day received a letter
from the said Brockenbrough herewith exhibited marked J --In this letter the said
Brockenbrough accuses your orator of remissness in not furnising a memorandum of locks
&c--which he however retracts in the endorsement on the back of the letter--It seems that
the said Brockenbrough considered your orators application to Mr Jefferson as insulting to
his dignity Such was not your orators intention--Though moving in humble life he
considered himself as a Citizen of the Republic entitled to Justice and when that was with
held from him by the "Agent" he supposed it to be his right to address him self to those who
"employed" him, He did not then, nor does he now, recognize in the proctor (who is wholly
irresponsable to the community) a Supreme power over his rights--Under these impressions
your orator wrote to Mr Jefferson the letter of the 3d of January 1822;--and his only object
was to obtain redress for grievance which he sincerely believed he Suffered--Soon after the
date of the letter before mentioned your orator was taken Seriously ill and remained
confined for about three months; this caused a Suspension in your orators efforts to have his
work measured and his accounts adjusted--*During your orators illness the said
Brockenbrough measured the work done by your orator on Hotel A--and nine Dormitories,
and made out two distinct bills which are contained in paper ( K ) herewith exhibited as part
of this bill--as soon as your orator was able to examine the said bills he discovered that the
said Brockenbrough had omitted a number of Items for which your orator was entitled to
compensation and on being stated by your orator the said Brockenbrough annexed them in
his own hand writing with out however affixing any price--These Items are contained on the
3 & 4th page of said paper ( K ) and are marked "Omitted" About the same time the said
Brockenbrough also measured other work done on the nine dormitories before mentioned by
John Harrow whom your orator employed and on that account a Separate bill was
necessary--The measurement and pieces were made out by the said Brockenbrough in an
account which is herewith exhibited marked ( L ) In June following the said Harrow having
done other work for your orator, it was also measured and a separate bill made out by the
said Brockenbrough, which your Orator also exbibits marked ( M )--In August 1822 the said
Brockenbrough measured certain other work done by the said John Harrow for your orator
on hotel AA--and two Dormitories on the West Street and made out a bill thereof herewith
exhibited marked ( N ) The said Brockenbrough afterwards proceeded with the
measurement of the remainder of the work done by your orator under his Contracts Your
orator having been Sufficiently recovered attended him and took notes, and at his request
made out the bills herewith exhibited as part of this bill marked [(] O. P. Q. ) In these bills
your orator at the instance of the said Brockenbrough annexed the prices according to the
agreement--that is, he added such prices as he believed were fixed in the Book referred to in
the Contracts--These three last bills were Submitted to the Said Brockenbrough for
examination who annexed a certificate to each imparting that they had been severally
examined--that the measurement had been found correct except in a few items marked X
and that the prices of the items marked thus--were correctly stated--By comparing the
account certified to be correct by the said Brockenbrough marked ( D ) with some of the
other Bills, it will be found that he affixed different prices to the same Kind of work. Thus in
that account he allows 1/6 per foot for 706 feet of Tuscan entablature--In the bill marked ( N
) he allows only 1/3 per foot for exactly the same Kind of work--In the same account D he
allows 45/ per square for "Secret nailed floors" and in the Bill L he allows 37/6 only for the
same sort of flooring--In the said account D there is allowed 2/9. per pair for 24 pair of
Architr[a]ve blocks in the bill marked O the same price is one of those objected to--There
are many other discrepanc[i]es in the acts of the said Brockenbrough--For instance, in the
bill made out in his own hand writing for work done at hotel A--he allows 6d per foot linear
of framing for putting up cornice--In the account made out by your orator marked Q the sme
charge is objected to by him, or rather it is among the Items not admitted--your orator will
not Swell his Statement with other instances of the discrepancies which exist He has
enumerated a few to Shew that he ought not to be bound by the determination of the said
Brockenbrough in the cases where he objects to your orators prices, When his own acts
proved Capricious disposition or a want of Judgment--Independant of the work before stated
your orator had some claims against the university for many expended &c--About the time
the bills for his other claims were under discussion he made out an account thereof and
submitted it to the said Brockenbrough--He made an endorsement thereon which together
with the said account your orator herewith exhibits marked R , After the controversy had
been narrowed by the said Brockenbroughs admissions in his certificates to the bills D. O, P
Q & R making out the other bills--and your orator believing that the remaining Subjects
could be settled by competent Judges at any place, your orator proposed to the said
Brockenbrough that as they both contemplated going to Richmond to Submit it to proper
persons, believing that very competent and disinterested persons could be got in that place
In answer to your orators note on that Subject he received one bearing date the 25 January
1823, herewith exhibited marked ( S ) in which the said Brockenbrough declined that
proposition, but still adheard Substantially to the agreement entered into in November 1821
to leave the contested Items to arbitrators. I proposed making the appointment of Arbitrators
while in Richmond In expectation that such would be the fact your orator made preparations
to meet him in that place--But about the 5th of February he received aletter from the said
Brockenbrough herewith exhibited marked T --in which he positively refused his assent
repeatedly given to appoint arbitrators--Thus after your orator had used every effort in his
power to have his accounts adjusted for more than a year he found himself defeated by the
said Brockenbrough rendering his power as a public Agent Subservent to his private
vengeance your orator is to have the means actually agreed on to have Justice done denied
him "in consequence of Some charges thrown out against him" by some person which he
believed to be your orator--Your orator being addressed thus rudely, did not think proper
then to obtrude any explanation upon the said Brockenbrough or to press a settlement of his
accounts--It is true he did not intend to Submit to "the fantastic tricks of those clothed with a
little brief authority" but he thought it better to permit the effervesence of anger to pass over
and then to pursue his amiable efforts to obtain his rights--In the month of March following
the said Brockenbrough forced the doors of Pavilion No. 1, to which your orator had the
Keys, and which he retained in order to compleat the Work, by fixing the ornaments in the
possession of the said Brockenbrough and which your orator could not obtain--The said
Brockenbrough employed an other work man M. F. Crawford, to do it and gave him the
ornaments The said Brockenbrough also employed his own hands being both Proctor and
Undertaker, to finish some work at Hotel A & hotel AA--which it was the right of your
orator to finish and which he would have finished had he not been prevented--In the summer
of 1823 your orator believing that the said Brockenbrough had personal hostility to him and
Supposing that through the instrumetality of another person he could effect an adjustment of
his accounts, procured Rice W. Wood Esqr. to assist him in his efforts--He went to the Office
of the said Proctor accompanied by the said Wood for the purpose of ascertaining what
course the said Brockenbrough intended to pursue in relation to your orators accounts--The
said Wood stated to him that it was your orators wish to carry into effect the agreement for
an arbitration as to the contested items in the account The said Brockenbrough answered,
that it was understood between him and Mr Jefferson that there Should be no
arbitration--This was repeated by him Several times--An[d] the said Wood renewing the
Subject and wishing a more explicit answer--the said Brockenbrough said that he was
directed not to arbitrate the business at the same time remarking that Mr Jefferson had told
him to do as he pleased, and your orator departed without being able to effect anything-Your
orator thus failed in his efforts, turned his attention for redress to the board of visitors--He
was advised that they constituted the Corporation who was responsible alone as a corporate
body to those who had contributed their labour or expended their money in the erection of
the buildings of the University, He believed that it was not only their right but their duty to
investigate the Conduct of their agents and to see that they did not employ the power which
they bestowed upon them to the purposes of injustice and oppression--under these
impressions your orator at the meeting of the board of visitors in October 1823 respectfully
addressed to them a memorial a Copy of which marked U --your orator herewith
exhibits--On the following day your orator received a letter from Mr Jefferson containing as
imparts the decision of the board of visitors on your orators memorial This letter marked V
--your orator herewith exhibits as part of this bill--When your orator received this letter he
was overwhelmed with astonishment He saw himself without the hopes of redress--He was
told that he must depend on the Justice of the exasperated man `who if he failed to do right
was amenable to the Courts of Justice' That he must depend on the individual responsibility
of him who when he came to the employment which he held was without property and
without credit--Though your Orator did not believe his case as hopeless as the answer of the
board of visitors represented it, yet wishing if possible to avoid a legal controversy he again
solicited Mr Wood to make application to the Proctor for an adjustment of his accounts--He
made several fruitless applications receiving nothing but equivocal answers--on the 20th &
23d of November 1823, the said Brockenbrough wrote the notes herewith exhibited marked
W. X. This closed the efforts of Mr Wood, though your orator afterwards made another
himself proposing again an adjustment by men mutually chosen which was again refused by
the said Brockenbrough--Thus your orator is compelled to resort to this Honorable Court for
redress, He believes that if a fair adjustment of the accounts takes place he will be found the
creditor of the University to the amount of about four thousand dollars out of which he has
been unjustly Kept for years--He contends that the Corporation composed of the Rector and
visitors of the University are responsible to him and not an individual in whose
responsibility he never confided and who by law has no contract of the funds of that
Institution--Your orator has in Vain endeavoured to ascertain by what law the Proctor is
made the "Executive Agent" and solely responsible for his acts--He is advised that by law
the visitors have power to employ a Proctor as their Agent--That the principals in all other
cases are liable for the acts of the Agents if within the Scope of their authority and that the
agents in such cases are not liable individually at law--He is moreover advised that the
Rector and Visitors being charged with the "erection" of the buildings are bound to do
Justice to those who erect them--by paying them what may be Justly due out of the means
confided to them for that purpose--your orator at various times received partial payments of
which he presumes an account has been Kept by the burser and which he is willing Shall be
credited on a settlement of the accounts--

In tender consideration of the premises and in as much as your orator can have no adequate
remedy at law--but is only relievable in this Honorable Court where complex and contested
accounts can be best adjusted and agreements Specifically executed To the end therefore that
Thomas Jefferson, Chapman Johnson, James Breckenridge, James Madison, Joseph Cabell,
John H. Cocke and Geoge Loyal, the Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia and
Arthur S. Brockenbrough the Proctor be made defendants hereunto and that they may
Severally answer the premises as fully and truly as if the whole was again repeated &
interrogated--That the Items in your orators accounts not adjusted as herein before
mentioned may be settled as agreed upon by the parties in November 1821 by the
appointment of Arbitrators, and if that can not be done in the manner usual in this
Honorable Court--That the amount found due to your orator may be decreed to him with
Interest, and that such other and further relief may be granted to your orator as may be Just
May it please your Honour to grant your Orator the Commonwealths writ of Subpoena
directed &c--The following are Copies of the Exhibits referred to in the foregoing bill, to
wit,

Copy, ViU:UVA Chonological File, 13p, part of Oldham vs University of Virginia, with
docket "The Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia &c James Oldham acct Bill &
exhibits (A Copy)".

Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough to Rice W. Wood

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your two notes of Monday and Wednesday relative to
the Settlement of Mr Oldhams accounts--I told you I wished to hear from Mr Jefferson
before I came to any determination on the Subject--not having Seen him I have written on
the Subject and expect an answer to day or to morrow, as soon as its received I will let you
Know, and the proposition that will be made on the part of the U. Va for the final Settlement
of the accounts--I am Sir respectfully your Obt Servt

A S Brockenbrough P UVa

Copy, document W in Oldham vs University of Virginia, ViU:UVA Chronological File. See
James Oldham, Lawsuit against the University of Virginia, 20 November 1823.

Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough to Rice W. Wood

I am unwilling to run the University of Va to any great expence about Settling the matters of
Controversity between James Oldham and it--I should be glad to Know how far your client
is willing to go in defraying the expences if I will consent to the appointment of persons to
settle the accounts--I am Sir respectfully Your Obt Servt

A. S, Brockenbrough

A Copy Teste William S. Eskridge C.C.C

Copy, document X in Oldham vs University of Virginia, ViU:UVA Chronological File. See
James Oldham, Lawsuit against the University of Virginia, 20 November 1823. William S.
Eskridge, the second and last clerk of the chancery court at Staunton, was married to
Margaret Brown, the daughter of the courts judge, John Brown (see Waddell, Annals
of Augusta County, 375, 388).

Thomas Jefferson to C. P. McKennie

The case of Capt. Oldham is this, he charges the Proctor of the University with malpractices
in his office. the board of Visitors, who employ the Proctor, is the tribunal having authority
to enquire into this. they authorised their Exve commee (Genl. Cocke & myself) to do this. I
gave notice in a lre to Capt Oldham in April last that we would proceed to the enquiry
whenever he should be ready with his testimony. he has never signified his readiness, and
the enquiry waits only for him to do so. instead of this he proposes to transfer the discussion
into your paper. the suitors in every cause on the docket of Albemarle court might as sell
spread their cases before the public in the same way, and thus turn your paper into a vehicle
of personal squabbles and vituperns, set the nbhood together by the ears, and break up it's
peace and happiness. whether you will make this change in the character and object of your
paper is a question for your own discretion, whether the paper so changed would continue to
be taken would become a question with the subscribers.

I return you the Rockfish Report. it consists of 2. sheets making 16. leaves. the parts to be
left out of the new impression amount to 7. leaves, so that the remaining 9. with 1. for the
act of ass. would make 10. leaves or 1¼ sheets. and as 2 sheets on like paper were for 400
copies to cost 50. D. 1¼ should of course be furnished for 31¼ D. to the 400. copies for the
University I would request you to add 25. more for myself which would make the whole
425 copies cost 33¼ D. you are perfectly welcome to print the Report in your paper; but the
only part interesting to the publick is that which I note for the new impression. Accept
assurances of my esteem and respect

Th: J.

ADftS, DLC:TJ, 1p, with TJ docket "McKinnie C. P. Nov. 25. 23." Jefferson made this draft
on a coversheet with a mutilated address.

Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Carstairs

When we began our buildings at our University, we adopted it as a rule that we would be
governed in all our prices by those established by long experience & due competn in Phila,
and you were so kind as to procure & send me the printed book of Carpenter's prices. in the
other branches of work we have been able in different ways to learn your prices, except
those of plaisterer's work. of those we have never been able to get satisfy. informn, and the
acct being a very large on[e] (12, or 14,000. D) our Proctor Mr Brockenbr. bearer of this
thinks it worth while to go on to Philada with our plaisterer to ascertain them. the question
between them is What was those prices, in 1820, the date of their agreemt as he is a perfect
stranger there I take the liberty of putting him into your hands in perfect confidence that you
will be so kind as to advise him in his proceedings so that he may be assured of obtaining
fair & full informn on his enquiries, and to obtain a just settlement entirely impartial
between employer & undertaker. he is the person who in the office of Proctor to the Univty.
has superintended the whole of our works from the begg. is a skilful house carpenter and
eminent Undertaker himself, and a person of the most perfect integrity & worth, & in whom
no confidence can be misplaced. he will shew you the plan of our establmt, the last building
of which is now in hand. when this shall be done, the whole will have cost about 300.M D.
will be a perfect model of classical architecture, and on the whole will vie in taste &
appearance with any thing in the US. I take very sincere interest in your health happiness &
prosperity and shall be very happy to learn that all these have been continued to you, and
report to you the assurances of my constant esteem & respect.

ADftS, DLC:TJ, 1p, with TJ docket "Carstairs Tho. Jan. 13. 24." Jefferson made this draft
on a coversheet addressed "Quincy Ms, March 12th. Thomas Jefferson Late President of the
US Monticello Virginia."

Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough
Bill of Exception

The separate Bill of exceptions of Arthur S Brockenbrough to the report of the
Commissioners Yeamans Smith and Otis Manson in the case depending in the Superior
court of Chancery holden in Staunton in which James Oldham is plaintiff and the Rector &
Visitors of the University of Virginia and A S Brockenbrough are defendents--

The said Smith & Manson commissioners appointed to View, Measure & affix the proper
prices to the work done at the University of Virginia by said Oldham met at the University
of Virginia agreeable to notice on Saturday the 10th of April in the after noon, and
adjourned over to the 12th to meet at the same place, met agreeable to adjournment and
entered on the business, Viewed a portion of the work but did not measure any--they
adjourned over to the next morning (the 13th) to meet at the same place after breakfast, the
said commissioners did not meet at the University agreeable to adjournment on the morning
of the 13th. where this defendent was in waiting all that day--On their adjournment on the
12th they went from the University to Fitches Tavern in Charlottesvill[e] and that night
entered on the business, and continued all the next day (the 13th) at the same place engaged
in the business, without giving this defendent any notice of their intention to do so, this
defendent considered it important to attend the commissioners and intended doing so if they
had not received him by changing their place of meeting without giving him notice there
of--In confirmation of the aforesaid change of the place of business by the commissioners I
beg leave to call the attention of his Court to the Subjoined affidavits on that subject--This
defendent considering the Commissioners, bound by the order of Court to remeasure the
whole or such parts of the work as either party required rested satisfied by noting on a copy
of Oldhams bill such part as he deemed necessary to remeasure, they did not remeasure the
work required of them by this defendent--But proceeded to settle the accounts, by the papers
then before them--

The commissioners in their report, State they "did not deem if necessary to measure all the
work as will be Seen by refering to their explanations in the account in different parts,
having been measured & sanctioned by the defendent Brockenbrough, but such as was not
measured & sanctioned previous to the institution of this suit, they have affixed the prices of
all the items not allowed by the said defendent in the bill certified by him"--This defendent
enters his most solemn protest against the mode in which the Commissioners adopted in the
settlement of the acounts--they "did not deem it necessary to measure all" or any part of the
work altho' particularly requested so to do by this defendent--they have taken copies of the
plaintifs original Bills, and consider parts thereof as measured & sanctioned by this
defendent and other parts settled agreeable to their ideas of the prices given in the price
Book--in consequences of their changing their place of Meeting without giving notice this
defendent had no opportunity of objecting to their mode of settlement they should have
measured as far as was required and priced every item agreeable to the price book. This it
will be seen by their own report they did not do--This defendent agreed to many
measurements & prices in the first instance, with the view & hope of getting the accounts of
james Oldham settled, not withstanding this defendents belief that they were over the prices
given in the price book, if one item is to be settled by the commissioners agreeable to the
price book let all be examined and settled by the same guide. This defendent has been at all
times willing to give to the plaintif such prices as other undertakers received as
satisfactory--

This defendent not only objects to the report but to the commissioners themselves, not as
deficient in integrity, but for the want of a thorough Knowledge of the complicated
Philadelphia Price Book by which they were to be governed, neither of them as they
informed this defendent had ever seen that price book before--and consequently from the
hurried manner in which the business was transacted might have put wrong constructions on
many of the prices layed down in that book--those different constructions may be so put on
the prices of work in the aforesaid book,--I must call your attention to the fact, that this
defendent has settled with all the other undertakers of similar work to that of the plaintifs &
he alone is contending for higher prices--The commissioners state in their report they
consider the plaintiff entitled to the same compensation for the work executed under the
third contract that he was under the first--The first contract was made between the Rector &
the Plaintif specifying the work to be executed by the said plaintif (See Thomas Jeffersons
letter to the plaintif in his first Bill dated April 8 1819) The second arrangement for doing
work at the University was made by this defendent & the plaintif there was no written
contract but this defendent agreed to continue to give the plaintif the same prices for the
work on the East Street one Hotel & nine dormitories that he had under the contract with the
Rector--When the Buildings on the West street of the University was ordered to be erected,
this defendent gave notice to most of the Undertakers at the University that a deduction of
ten per cent would be made from the former prices for said building on the west street, The
Undertakers had a meeting on the subject, the plaintif Oldham was with them consequently
was made acquainted with the terms on which the work was offered (see the subjoined
affidavits on that subject) This defendent moreover informed the plaintif in a very short time
after the work was undertaken by him that such deduction would be made from the former
prices for the work undertaken by him on the west street which was the third & last
arrangement with the plaintif for work--

Your commissioners in this case, in the place of Measureing and pricing the work have
taken the plaintiffs accounts and have made their report from them, setting forth that this
defendent had sanctioned them, altho not present at their meeting--They have not even made
out bills for the work showing the prices they allowed for the work thereby puting it entirely
out of my power to detect any error that may have been made by them they have deducted
the sum of one hundred & seven dollars thirteen cents from the sums pd. the plaintiff
alleging it to be entered on a due Bill and at the close of their report say "Interest to be
added"--

For the aforesaid assigned reasons this defendent pray the Court to set aside the report of the
aforesaid Commissioners in this case

Arthur S Brockenbrough

DS, ViU:PP, 6p. See Oldham's Lawsuit against the University, 20 November 1823. The
enclosed affidavits have not been identified.

Dabney Cosby to Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough

Yours of 5 Decr. last reached me at this my present residence some short time since,

In answer to your first Quest. I answer I recollect Capt oldham telling me that Mr. Jefferson
had told him he was to have a portion of work on the western range, and I am well satisfied
he considerd the work as coming from Mr Jefferson and not you. It was for my own
satisfaction I made the enquiry of you to Know if you understood the thing in the same way
in order that there might be no misunderstanding on the subject, Oldham being the only
Carpenter with whom I had a personal acquaintance I wished him to be employed on the
same Building

2 Quest. I do recollect hearing of the terms proposed to let the Carpenters work at namely 10
Cent under former prices whether before or after my Conversation with you on the subject
of Oldhams employment I do not recollect but I do well recollect Oldham Considerd he had
nothing to with them having been employed and his work designated by Mr Jeffrson

The Questn. and answers I have forwarded to Capt Oldham, I shall be here during the spring
and am ready at any time you may think best to answer Respy Yours

Dabney Cosby

ALS, ViU:PP, 1p, with address " P. Edward C. H. Feb 12th A. S. Brockenbrough Esqr P. U.
of Virginia" and ASB docket "D. Coxby--8 Feb '31." The postmark is dated 21 February and
the coversheet is stamped "missent."

Appendix K
Selected Rotunda Documents

Chapman Johnson & James Breckenridge
to John Hartwell Cocke

We returned yesterday from the University, where we regreted your absence very much,
And were the more concerned to hear that indisposition had prevented your attendance--

We had a bare quorum, Mr. Cabell and Genl. Taylor being also absent--the letter had not
been heard from,--the former like yourself was prevented from attending, by sickness--

Want of information of the state of our finances, left us very much at a loss how to proceed,
in relation to our buildings--The first thing to be attained, in relation to them, was the
completion of the buildings commenced, and the erection of the Western range of hotels and
dormitories,--the next the erection of the large rotunda for the library &c--We considered it
an object of primary importance not to contract engagements, which our present resources,
without further legislative aid, would not certainly meet;--for we believed it to be very
clearly the expectation of the Legislature that no further application was to be made to them,
for aid, in erecting the buildings,--and we thought it more than doubtful, whether any
application for material and for that object, would be successful--We therefore wished
estimates to enable us to ascertain how far we could safely go--They were laid before us,
and they indicated our ability to do all we wished--But we were by no means satisfied with
these estimates--They dealt in generals, acceding all the details necessary to give confidence
in their accuracy--The accounts of the proctor never having been settled, and the accounts of
the undertakers never having been liquidated, and not a single building being entirely
finished, it was found wholly impracticable to give us those details which would have been
necessary to satisfy us, of the true state of our funds--

In this state of things, the question occurred, whether we should postpone all contracts for
the library till our next meeting, and, in the mean time, require the settlements and details
necessary to correct information,--or, relying on the correctness of the estimates submitted
to us, authorise contracts immediately,--or, taking the middle course, devolve the duty of
procuring the settlements and details, upon the committee of superintendance, and refer the
contracts to their discretion under certain limitations--Mr. Jefferson felt great confidence in
the correctness of the estimates, and he and Mr. Madison were willing to act immediately
upon their faith--We were unwilling to act upon their faith and differred only as to the
prudence of deferring the contracts till the next meeting or referring the subject to the
committee--The majority of the board, acting under the old prudential maxim ibis in medio
tutissimus,[860] concurred in a resolution, by which it is made the duty of the committee of
superintendance to ascertain, as accurately as may be, the true state of our resources, and by
which, they are authorised, to enter into contracts for the building of the library on the plan
submitted, provided they are fully satisfied, that the funds of the University are adequate, to
the completion of the buildings already begun, to the building of the Western range, and to
the building of the library, so far at least, as to put up the walls cover it in, & render it secure
and fit for use--in which security and fitness for use, are contemplated at least doors,
windows, floors, and stair cases--

On leaving Monticello, we at the suggestion of Mr. Jefferson called at the University to
converse with the proctor, and to stimulate him to prepare for a settlement of the accounts
and for the immediate exhibition of such statements and estimates in detail, as will be a safe
guide, in ascertaining our resources, & the demands upon us, and in deciding on the
propriety of entering into the proposed contracts--

We saw the proctor, and endeavoured to impress him with the necessity of making the
preparations above indicated as spedily and accurately as possible--we suggested to him
particularly the propriety of, at once, settling all his accounts with the workmen, for the
work already done, of ascertaining as accurately as possible, what would yet become due for
the work contracted for, and of receiving propositions for the work to be undertaken,
especially for the work, on the library, so as to enable him with some degree of accuracy to
estimate the costs of the building not yet contracted for--We hope that nothing will be
wanting on his part to prepare such information, as will enable you to survey accurately the
ground on which we are--But our conversations with him lead us to fear, that he had not
been very particular in that department of his duty which relates to the accounts, and that his
information in relation to the actual cost of the work done and contracted for is too
imperfect, to justify much reliance on the estimates, which have been submitted, to us--Our
enquiries too, and some rough calculations made by ourselves induce to fear, that after
completing the four ranges of buildings, making the garden walls, privies &c. necessary to
the plan exclusive of the library, there will be scarcely a dollar left, for the library--

We sincerely hope that the result of your investigations will prove these fears to be
groundless;--but we think them so well founded, and we think it so vitally important that no
material error should be made in the estimates, & that we should not again be brought
before the legislature, with contracts unfulfilled, with foundations not built upon, with naked
walls or useless walls, demanding to be protected or threatening to perish, or be a monument
of our want of foresight and our unprofitable expenditure of public money,--that we have
considered it our duty to communicate to you, what we have done, and what we think most
desirable to be done on the occasion--We are sure you will excuse us the liberty--

We know Mr. Jefferson's great zeal in the prosecution of the interesting plan which has been
committed to our care--We have heard him already express his confidence in our ability to
do what we wish upon this Subject--and we fear he will be too easily satisfied of this ability,
too difficult to persaude that there is any danger in proceeding--Having been ourselves
members of several past Legislatures, and having seen much of the temper manifested
towards the university in that body, we wish you to be fully persauded of the ill effect it is
likely to have upon our interests, if we commit any material blunder, in the work now to be
engaged in--and we cannot hesitate to say that we think it much better to lose a season, in
the building of the Library, than to encounter any Serious risk, of entering into contracts for
it, which we may be unable to fulfil--

We think it of very great importance, that the proctor should be required immediately to
settle all accounts with the undertakers, and that too before any new engagements are
entered into, even for the western range--The undertakers will be more easily brought to
settlements while they are expecting new contracts, than after they have been made--These
settlements will not only guide you in judging of the estimates of work to be done hereafter,
but will enable us probably, at the fall meeting, or at the end of the end of the year to make
such an exhibit,--as will show accurately, the whole extent of what will be required for the
completion of the buildings--and we think that the proctors department should hereafter be
conducted, as it should indeed have been herefore conducted, with a view to such exhibit
whenever it should be required--

These suggestions will probably suffice to explain the reasons which induce a wish on our
part to impress you with the necessity, of requiring full and clear evidence of our ability to
meet our engagements before you suffer contracts to be entered into for other buildings--and
of enjoining it on the proctor so to keep his accounts in future, as to render them at all times,
easy of settlement--

We would suggest an enquiry, how far, it is prudent for the proctor to supply the lumber for
the buildings, and whether it would not be better that the undertakers should themselves
supply it, and be, therefore, entrusted in its careful preservation and use, and in its judicious
purchase--

There is one other subject only we will trouble you with--We are decidedly of opinion that
the hotels ought to be two storied buildings, instead of one--Single stories will furnish very
inadequate accomodation for genteel families, who would be desirous of occuping these
buildings as boarding houses, often for the convenience of educating their children--And
whenever families occupied them who could spare any of the rooms they would furnish very
desirable accomodations to such students, as might desire to be alone, and retired--If the
institution flourishes there must be many rooms of this kind wanting--and they surely cannot
be built so œconomically, any where else, as in the second story of these hotels--As to
symmetry of plan and beauty of appearance, we think nothing will be lost by making the
hotels in the Western range two storied buildings--For ourselves we prefer them not only for
œconomy and convenience but for beauty--We therefore strongly recommend that they
should be so built--with great respect & regard--Yours Truly--

James Breckenridge
C Johnson

LS, in Johnson's writing, ViU:JHC, 7p, with address "Genl John H: Cocke" and JHC docket
"Chapn, Johnson & Js Breckenridge Esqrs. April 1821." A pencil drawing appears on the
coversheet.

Thomas Jefferson to James Madison

Your favor of Mar. 29. did not come to hand until the 4th. instant. only mr Cabell, Genl.
Cocke and myself attended. messrs. Johnson and Taylor were retained in Richmond on
Lithgow's case, and Genl. Breckenridge hindered by business. it was not material as there
was not a single thing requisite to act on. we have to finish the 4. rows and appendages this
summer which will be done and then to rest on our oars. the question of the removal of the
seat of government has unhappily come athwart us, and is the real thing now entangling us.
Staunton & Richmond are both friendly to us as an University, but the latter fears that our
Rotunda will induce the legislature to quit them, & Staunton fears it will stop them here. you
will recollect that our brother Johnson has opposed constantly every proposition in the board
to begin that building, and moved himself in the late session to suspend interest with an
express Proviso that no money should be applied to that building; and mr Harvie one of he
zealous friends to the University, in a Philijyric against the Rotunda declared he would
never vote another Dollar to the University but on condition that it should not be applied to
that building. our opinion, and a very sound one has been from the beginning never to open
the institution until the buildings shall be compleat; because as soon as opened, all the funds
will be absorbed by salaries Etc. and the buildings remain for ever incompleat. we have
thought it better to open it fully, altho' a few years later, than let it go on for ever in an
imperfect state. I learn from those who were present at the last proceedings of the legislature
that there was a general regret even with the opposition itself, when they found that they had
done absolutely nothing at all for the institution. our course is a plain one, to pursue what is
best, and the public will come right and approve us in the end. this bugbear of the seat of
government will be understood at the next session, and we shall be enabled to proceed. the
establishment is now at that stage at which it will force itself on. we must manage our
dissenting brother softly; he is of too much weight to be given up. I inclose you his letter
and two from mr Cabell which will inform you more particularly of the state of things. be so
good as to return them when perused. ever & affectionately yours

Th: Jefferson

ALS, DLC:JM, 2p, with JM docket "Jefferson Ths."; polygraph copy, DLC:TJ. Jefferson
made the copy on a coversheet addressed to "Thomas Jefferson esqr. Monticello Virginia"
and postmarked at Boston on 8 November. Jefferson wrote James Breckenridge a similar
letter on 9 April, omitting the references to Chapman Johnson, and urging Breckenrige to
"give us the benefit of your firm and enlarged views" and declaring that "our motto should
be `be not wearied with well-doing'" (DLC:TJ).

John Neilson to John Hartwell Cocke

According to your advice I went to Mr Jefferson and told him how I was situated as to mony
matters, he was good enough to tell me he would attend to it, I have found the benefit of his
interference as I yesterday got a check from the Proctor for $500 though far below what I in
justice ought to have recd my wants made it very aceptable.

Mr Jefferson seems in high spirits in consequence of the mony granted by the Asembly, he
said he should write to the Visitors for them to sanction his measures, and fall to work
imediately. I beleive he would be anxious that Dinsmore and my self would undertake the
carpenter work but I avoided the subject being resolved to be guided entirely by your
judgement.

He is full of brickmaking ideas at present, he said they had or would engage Mr Thorn (a
brick-layer who came here in partnership with Mr Ware) as superintendent of the brick-yard
Mr. Jefferson being better pleased with the colour of his brick in No 2 and 4 than he is with
other that was made here, he does not know that Thorn was not the maker he that made
them left this at the very time I came up herewith Fittz Thorn has since been in the employ
of J Perry so that I think Mr Jefferson ought to look at No 8 Hotel C. and the Proctors
House, as it was with those jobs only he was engaged in the making of the brick.

I fear it will be an unprofitable job but of this you are a much better Judge than me, from a
great deal of experience you have had in the brick laying business, my opinion is you should
let the work out to one or more, causing them to give security for the faithfull performance
of the same, to the full amount of the mony they are to receive. the same rule to apply to all
that may be engaged of the Library, when work is imperfectly done it is but small
consolation that the price may be lowered. I have heard the proctor say he means to dispute
a good part of Antrims plaistering, had the precaution of taking security been used more
care would have been taken in the execution of the work. as I have formerly told you the
brick work can be done for $9 a 1,000 and I am not of the opinion nor is Mr Dinsmore that
you will be able to do them for a less sum, besides the want of responsibility in men
working in that manner.

I hope you will not impute it to vanity or impertenance my thus intruding my opinion on
you, it arises from a sincere desire that the work may be executed in a manner that will
reflect credit on all who are concerned in it, in short I would wish it equal to the grandeur of
the design, which I have never seen equaled.

Mr Jefferson thinks the funds will barely enable to close in the building and complete the
exterior part of it, there might be a large portion of the expence avoided in the work for
instance the stone work the whole of the steps might be dispensed with untill a future day.
the[y] could be built with brick with scantling in front, by keeping them one step short of the
design they would answer all the purposes required; and prepared for the stone ones when
the[y] could be obtained and requiring no alteration. by finishing the basement story which
may be in a very plain manner, that would afford ample convenience for lecture rooms
omitting to finish the next story and the Library room I had intended to have entered into a
detail of the expence but I beleive I shall omit it untill I see or hear from you I should deem
it would require but little time for the Proctor to furnish an acurrate statement of the debts of
the University and then you would be enabled to know what you could undertake he told me
he would join to my account as soon as he had done checking. Dinsmore managed to get
$300 at this time $200 at the January court, they manage matters much better than I can
whatever is the reason of it.

I had when I went down an elevation of the Pantheon with the flank veiw of Pavillions No 9
and 10 for Mrs Cocke I was ashamed to tell of it as it fell so far below my intentions,
however bad I may think of it I must have it conveyed down, the painting of the frame not
being done prevented me of bringing it allong with me I deem'd it the last ebullition of the
Rotunda in my brain, as soon as the laquor cools a little I Shall examine it, and see if I
cannot find a collage for Mrs Cocke in it.[861]

The Proctor sent a draught by me for $500 to Oldham so that his wants are suplied in part,
when I take a veiw of the place and the way things has been conducted the more I get
disgusted with it. our workmen are nearly all Africans Peck employs four of the Proctors
carpenters his Old man Sam is an apendage to the university being a master of all Arts at
one time a carpenter then tin man next printer

Henry is in the smith shop the waiting man Jack and Simon the Cook Ocasionaly at work
with the hands on levelling you may posibly think this has nothing to do with me or I with it
so I would think had I not felt it, Last June had the mony been paid that was due according
to contract to those who had then done the work their would have been little left for peck &
Crawfords Jobs

I scarce trust my self with a though of the future work being resolved whilst I remain in
Virginia to be wholly guided by your counsel. I have nearly finished all the drawings I
intended and then I may take Holiday. I remain with the most sincere respect Your most
Obedient Servant

John Neilson

ALS, ViU:JHC, 3p, with address "General J H Cocke Bremo Fluvanna" and JHC docket "J
Neilson recd. Febry 24"; printed (extract), in Lasala, "Thomas Jefferson's Designs for the
University of Virginia," #00-21.

Joseph Carrington Cabell to Thomas Jefferson

The Legislature being on the eve of adjournment, & all the business of my district, & indeed
of the State in general, being compleated, or so nearly so, as to admit of my departure, I left
town on the 23d. inst. & arrived here on the evening of the same day.

During the latter part of the session we provided by law that visitors of the University
should not lose their Seats by the mere fact of being absent from two successive meetings,
but only after a notification of that fact to the Executive by the Board of Visitors. I do not
recollect whether the provision had a retrospective bearing so as to embrace Mr. Johnson's
case. Perhaps it did not. I think Mr. Johnson seemed to wait for you to state to the Governor
whether you would wish him reappointed. I would take the liberty to recommend that you
should do so. Then you would certainly have from him in approbation of the loan.[862]

Genl. Cocke, in a letter lately received from him, expresses the strongest wish that in
contracting for the building of the Library the undertakers should be bound down to
compleat it for a definite amount. This wish is general among our friends. Nothing, in my
opinion, would be more advantageous or grateful to them. Great fears are entertained that
the workmen will be left too much at large. A strong & general wish prevails that we should
finish the buildings with the third loan. If we do this, I think, all will ultimately succeed. The
opposition in this quarter is broken. I think the enemy is ready to strike his colors. My friend
Doctr. Smith confesses that the public sentiment is decidedly with us; & if he admits it, it
must be so. Thro' the Senators & Delegates, I have, in conjunction with the delegates from
Albemarle, dispersed the circulars respecting the Professorship of agriculture over the whole
state.[863] I remain, Dr. Sir, faithfully yours

Jospeh C. Cabell

ALS, ViU:Cabell Papers, 2p [1980] with TJ docket "Cabell Joseph C Wmsbg Feb. 26. 23.
recd Mar 6"; printed, Cabell, Early History of the University of Virginia, 277-78.

Abiah B. Thorn & Nathaniel Chamberlain
Contract for Laying Brick for the Rotunda

We Arthur S Brockenbrough Proctor of the University of Virginia on the one part and Abiah
B Thorn and Nathaniel Chamberlain on the other part, do hereby enter into the following
articles of agreement--Witnesseth, that the said Brockenbrough as Proctor of the University
of Va, doth agree to let the said Thorn and Chamberlain have the laying of the bricks of the
Rotunda, the said Brockenbrough doth further agree to furnish the bricks, lime, Sand and
scaffolding at the expence of the University of Va all of which is to be delivered at
convenient distances from the building--

The said Thorn and Chamberlain doth agree on their part to have the work done on the
following manner, viz they are not to put in the wall any samel bricks, nor to use more than
one bat to five whole bricks, the bricks to be layed in what is called flemish bond that is
header & Strecher alternately, the walls to be solidly grouted from bottom to Top and in
every course if deemed necessary by the Proctor with cement of a fourth lime and three
fourth good pure sand, for the out side work the mortar to be made of a third lime and two
thirds good sharp sand--The out side bricks to be of the best rubed stretchers and equal in
quality and regular colour to the fronts of the Pavilions No 2 and 4 the Walls in all cases are
to be run perfectly plum and true, under the penalty of being taken down and put up
correctly by other persons at the expence of the said Thorn and Chamberlain if they object
to doing it themselves and the waist of materials by said alteration to be charged to
them--the carpenters to have the right to examine into the correctness of the work as it goes
on and to notify the Proctor if any thing be going on wrong in time for correction--but if any
alteration is deemed necessary in any part of the brick work executed agreeable to the
instructions of the carpenter or Proctor, then the said Thorn & Chamberlain is to be paid the
full value of such alteration agreeable the prices of the other work--the said Thorn &
Chamberlain is to put up all the necessary scaffolding for their work in a good & substancial
manner which is to remain for the use of the Carpenters--they are to find the labourers to
make up the mortar and attend the brick layers--for the brick-work executed faithfully and
agreeable to the foregoing Memoranda, the aforesaid A. S Brockenbrough Proctor will pay
unto the said Thorn & Chamberlain as the work progresses two dollars and seventy five
cents for every thousand bricks in the said building measured as heretofore at this place that
is with one half of the openings deducted from the solid contents--it is understood by the
contracting parties that none but experienced and compitent workmen are to be employed in
laying the bricks of this building--Witness our hands & seals this 8th day of March One
thousand eight hundred & twenty three--
A. S. Brockenbrough Proctor (seal)

of the University of Va--

A B Thorn (seal)

Nathl Chamberlain

A. S. Brockenbrough Proctor of the University of Va and A. B Thorn do hereby agree to the
following articles Viz. The said Thorn is to superintend the making and burning the bricks
for the Rotunda from the commencment of the making to the end at the rate of fifty dollars
per month to see them properly Killed & burned and before hand give the necessary
instructions for the preparation of the yard witness our hands this 8th day of March--1823

A. S. Brockenbrough Proctor
A B Thorn

ADS, in ASB's writing, ViU:PP, 3p, with ASB docket "Contract of A. S. Brockenbrough
Proctor wth Thorn & Chamberlain for Laying Brick of the Rotunda." Brockenbrough
apparently sent this contract to Jefferson for approval, and Jefferson returned it to him on 12
March.

Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough to Thomas Jefferson

I enclose you a contract entered into between myself as Proctor of the U. Va and Dinsmore
& Neilson subject to your approval--I have adopted this plan for several reasons, I found
great difficulty in fixing the prices of a great portion of the work, to fix the prices of a few
items only, would be almost giving them their own prices for the balance, for a great part
could not be correctly settled at this time, and again giving them that part would prevent any
competition hereafter, and contracts should be made for lumber without delay for the roof
&c--this plan has advantages over any other in my opinion, for it ensures the faithful
performances of the work, by Men competent to the task, where as if it had have been
undertaken even by the same persons by the job they must have made very large
calculations or hazarded too much for their safety, any alterations that might have be
hereafter made would be attended with considerable loss to the institution, and again I
believe that Carpenters work executed in Philadelphia at 10 or 15 per cent below the book of
Prices--The work perhaps might have been let for less money than it will cost agreeable--to
this contract, but sir it would not have been done as faithfuly as I now think it will be--there
will an expence of some few hundred dollars in the measuring charges but no equal to the
saving in the per centage below the book of prices and there will be no difficulty in settling
the Bill--I Shall be happy to hear you are satisfied with the arrangement entered into with
Messrs Dinsmore & Neilson--

I have made one other contract, with Wm B Phillips for 400,000 hard bricks to be taken
from the Kiln at $4.50 per thousand--One hundred & twenty thousand of which will be
ready by the time the weather will permit their being layed, so that I think we shall make an
early start at the work--I am Sir most respectfully your obt sert

A. S. Brockenbrough

ALS, ViU:PP, 2p, with TJ docket "Brockenbrough A. S. Mar. 12. 23." This document is
badly stained and mildewed. Jefferson sent the contract of this date with Dinsmore &
Neilson back to Brockenbrough on 12 March.

James Dinsmore & John Neilson
& Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough
Contract for Work on the Rotunda

We, Arthur S Brockenbrough Proctor acting for and in behalf of the University of Virginia
on the one part, and James Dinsmore and John Neilson for themselves on the other part, do
hereby enter into the following articles of agreement--Viz 1st A. S. Brockenbrough Proctor
agrees that the said Dinsmore & Neilson may do the following parts of the Carpenters and
Joiners work of the Rotunda Viz. All the Window frames & sashes, the two principal floors,
the out side doors including the outside finishing, the staircases, all the centers for the brick
work, the framing of the roof and sheeting, The portico framing and sheeting the Corinthian
entablature all round complete--the Base & Cornice of the Attic, the steping on the roof, the
wood bricks and bond timbers &c that may be required hereafter for the finishing of the
inside work, all to be executed in the best and most substantial manner--2nd The materials
for the above named work to be furnished at the expence of the University--3rd The bills of
Lumber to be made out by Dinsmore & Neilson and they to contract for the same on the best
possible terms, to have the same well seasoned before it's used, to take care of the same and
see that there is no unnecessary waste--the Proctor to be furnished with a copy of all the
bills of lumber contracted for, as well as for bills of other articles that will be required for
the said work, 4th the brick-work to be layed off at the commencement by the Said
Dinsmore & Neilson and they are to examine the correctness of it as it progresses, and if not
done agreeable to their directions to notify the Proctor in time for correction, but if any part
of the brick work done agreeable to the directions of the said Dinsmore & Neilson or either
of them, should be found wrong, they the said Dinsmore & Neilson must pay for the
necessary alteration of the brick work, including the loss of materials & labour--5th The
prices of the aforesaid Carpenters work to be governed by the average prices of work in
Philadelphia undertaken between the time of signing this contract and the completion of the
work to be ascertained in the following manner We are mutually to agree on two
Philadelphia Measurers to come on and Measure the work, the prices for which shall be
fixed agreeable to the present prices of work in Philadelphia that is at the percentages above
or below their price Books, for all work not embraced in the said Books, they shall be
guided by what they shall deem justice to both parties--6th Money to be paid from time to
time as the work progresses say Dollars per Month for each good hand employed on the said
building including the undertakers--the Balance of the Bill at the completi[o]n of the
work--each party to pay an equal proportion of the measuring charges--this contract to be
null & void untill approved by the Rector of the University of Virginia. Witness our hands
and seals this 11th day of March One thousand eight hundred & twenty three

Test A. S. Brockenbrough Proctor (Seal)

John M Perry acting for the University Va

Jas. Dinsmore (Seal)

John Neilson (Seal)

DS, in ASB's writing, ViU:PP, 3p [1983] with ASB docket "Brockenbrough A. S. Proctor
with Dinsmore & Neilson for the work of the Rotunda"; printed, O'Neal, Jefferson's
Buildings at the University of Virginia: The Rotunda, 24-25. Brockenbrough sent this
contract to Jefferson for approval on 11 March, and Jefferson returned it with his reply the
following day.

Thomas Jefferson to Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough

I return you the contract with Dinsmore & Nelson which I approve of for the strong reasons
assigned in your letter. I think my Colleagues, as well as myself are very desirous of being
able at certain stages of the work to ascertain the exact state of our funds, that we may stop
where they fail. The having to bring measurers from Philadelphia may be some obstruction
to that. but I presume we may hereafter find means of effecting that

I return you also the contract with Thorn & Chamberlain and salute you with friendship and
respect

Th: Jefferson

ALS, ViU:PP, 1p [1983] with ASB docket "T. Jefferson to A S B----h Mar 12. 23"; ADft,
ViU:PP, 1p [1983]; printed, O'Neal, Jefferson's Buildings at the University of Virginia: The
Rotunda, 25. Dinsmore & Neilson's contract with Brockenbrough of 11 March for work on
the Rotunda is attached to the ALS. For the contract of Thorn & Chamberlain of 8 March
for brickwork on the Rotunda, see above.

Thomas Jefferson to James Madison,
James Breckenridge, Joseph Carrington Cabell,
Chapman Johnson, & John Hartwell Cocke

Having received from all our brethren approbations of the loan, I authorised Mr.
Brockenbrough to engage the work of the Rotunda and have it commenced immediately. We
had only two bricklayers and two carpenters capable of executing it with solidity and
correctness, these had not capital sufficient for so great an undertaking, nor would they have
risked their little all but for a great advance on the estimated cost, probably 50. per cent. for
this reason and others very decisive Mr. Brockenbrough declined that mode of engagement,
and on consideration of his reasons I approved of them. he has engaged Thorn &
Chamberlain for the brickwork, and Dinsmore & Nelson for the roof and carpenter's work
on terms which I think will make our money go the farthest possible, for good work; and his
engagement is only for the hull compleat. that done, we can pay for it, see the state of our
funds and engage a portion of the inside work so as to stop where our funds may fail, should
they fail before it's entire completion. there it may rest ever so long, be used, and not delay
the opening of the institution, the work will occupy three years. all this will be more fully
explained at our meeting and will I hope recieve your approbation.[864] I shall hope to see
you at Monticello the day before at least. accept the assurance of my friendly esteem &
respect.

Th: Jefferson

LS, addressed to Cocke, ViU:Cocke Family Papers, 1p [1984], with address "General John
H. Cocke Bremo. Fluvanna to the care of W. M. Cary esq. near Wilmington Fluvanna" and
JHC docket "Mr. Jefferson recd. 25. Mar."; LS, addressed to Cabell, ViU:Cabell Papers
[1984] with address "Joseph C. Cabell esq. Williamsburg" and JCC docket "Mr. Jefferson
March 12. 1823. Ansd. 24th."; LS, addressed to Madison, DLC:JM; ADft, DLC:TJ; extract,
in "Extracts of Letters from TJ to JHC," ViU:Cocke Family Papers; printed, O'Neal,
Jefferson's Buildings at the University of Virginia: The Rotunda, 25-26; printed, Cabell,
Early History of the University of Virginia, 278-79. The addresses and signatures are in
Jefferson's writing, and the ADft contains Jefferson's docket "Madison James. Breckenridge
James. Cabell Jos. C. Johnson Chapman Cocke J. H. Mar. 12. 23.

Chapman Johnson to John Hartwell Cocke

I received your letter, by Mr. Dyer, day before yesterday, and avail myself of the first mail to
answer it--

I expect, pretty certainly, to be at Monticello at the meeting of the visitors on monday
next,--and hope I shall meet you there--My purpose is to set out in the State from this place,
friday morning, and get to Charlottesville, saturday evening--and next day go to Mr.
Jeffersons--This mode of conveyance, the only one left for me, will deprive me of the
pleasure of calling on you as I go up--and I regret it very much, not only because of the real
gratification I should have, in going to see you, but because I should wish an oppertunity of
conversing with you, on the subject of the University before we meet in conclave--

I have much satisfaction in reflecting that our opinions have generally concurred, on the
subject of this institution; and I am glad to find, that on; the Subject of the rotunda, they are
likely again to concur--I fear, however, that the old chief has us bound beyond our power of
extrication--But we should not suffer this apprension to prevent us from doing our duty;
which requires, I think, that we should so, enquire what is done, how far it is prudent to
proceed, how far practicable to retreat--

I am very desirous to build the rotunda, if we can do it with prudence--Though I believe the
public disapproves the building, yet they expect it, and consider it a part of the system which
they have authorised--The Legislature, however, have, no doubt, for the most part, acted
under the belief, that the appropriation made, was adequate or nearly adequate to its
completion--and I fear with you, that they would ill bear an application for another $60,000
dollars, to complete the buildings--My conjectures lead me most strongly to anticipate that,
if the rotunda is built under the system here before pursued, an additional $60,000, is the
least sum, that would probably suffice to finish the buildings--

I think therefore that we ought both to attend, if we can, and do what we are able,--first to
ascertain our real condition, and next, to prevent an engagement in any work of undefined
expence--I will certainly attend, unless prevented, by something, which I do not now
anticipate--with very great respect your sincere friend

C Johnston

ALS, ViU:JHC, 2p, with address "Genl. John H: Cocke near New Canton" and JHC docket
"Chapman Johnson 30. Mar. recd. 12 April."

Joseph Carrington Cabell
to Louisa Maxwell Holmes Cocke

This will be handed you by my servant Archer who at the same time will bring home the
Horse the Genl. was kind enough to lend me. I was at home only two days busier than any
bee in your hives. My trouble of mind was greatly encreased by letters from my friends in
Albemarle calling on me in the most urgent manner to come out as a candidate for Congress.
Doctr. Cocke had been up to my House to see me on the occasion. Be good enough to tell
the General I have shewn myself firmer than he thought me--& therefore I suppose there is
some hope of me. Mr. Johnson was at our meeting & seemed ass if he wished the Genl. was
there. However we had a pleasant meeting, and the Rotunda goes on, and Mr. Jefferson is
delighted. The buildings appear more & more beautiful every time I see them. I hope to find
your husband in Richmond on tomorrow evening. Mr. Loyall is in the stage & will be here
this evening. Be pleased to give my love to the children. I am Dr. Madam, your friend
sincerely

Joseph C. Cabell

ALS, ViU:JHC, 1p, with JHC docket "Mr. Jos. Cabell--Ap. 8. 1823."

Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull

I always hear from you, and of you with great pleasure, and shall recieve the visit you
promise with distinguished welcome and gratification. the copies of your engraving of the
Declaration of Independance I shall be glad to recieve glazed and framed, not overloaded
with gilt, the glare of which is too much of a foil to the print.[865] a narrow slip of gilt on the
inner & outer edge of the frame, and black between them abstracts less of our attention from
it's principal, if packed in a tight box, and addressed to me, to the care of Colo. Bernard
Peyton my correspondent in Richmond, and sent thither by the Steamboat or other vessel, it
will probably come safe. of the Resignation of Genl. Washington I shall be glad to subscribe
for one copy, to be framed, glazed & forwarded in like manner. perhaps you could bring
them on with you in the stage which would be safer.[866]

Independant of the motives of friendship to which we shall owe your kind visit, I can
promise you a gratification well worth the trouble of your journey, in a visit to our
University. I can assure you that, as a specimen of architecture strictly classical, you will
find it unrivalled in this country, and possessing the merit of pure originality in the design. it
is by such as yourself therefore that I wish it to be seen and judged. the building however
which is to be it's greatest ornament, and in fact the key-stone which is to give Unity to all
that is already done, will only have it's walls compleated the present year, and will not
recieve it's roof until the next: but this your experienced eye will supply. it's Perspective
would furnish a subject worthy of your pencil and of the burin of Mr. Durand. it would be a
very popular print.[867]

My daughter joins me in the welcome of which we give you the assurance, with that of our
unchanged affections and respect

Th: Jefferson

ALS, Marietta College, Ohio: Charles Goddard Slack Collection, until sold on 16 December
1992 by Sotheby's, and now privately owned, 1p, with address and Trumbull docket; ADftS,
DLC:TJ; facsimile, Sotheby's Auction Catalog, 16 December 1992, no. 73.

Thomas Jefferson to William Short

Your favor of July 28. from Avon came to hand on the 10th. of August and I have delayed
answering it on the presumption of your continued absence. but the approach of the season
of frost in that region has probably, before this time, turned you about to the South. I readily
concieve that, by the time of your return to Philadelphia, you will have had travelling
enough for the present, and therefore acquiesce in your proposition to give us the next
season. your own convenience is a sufficient reason, and an auxiliary one is that we shall
then have more for you to see and approve. by that time our Rotunda (the walls of which
will be finished this month) will have recieved it's roof, and will shew itself externally to
some advantage. it's columns only will be wanting, as they must await their Capitels from
Italy. we have just recieved from thence, and are now putting up the marble capitels of the
buildings we have already erected, which compleats our whole system, except the Rotunda
and it's adjacent Gymnasia. all are now ready to recieve their occupants; and should the
legislature, at their next session, liberate our funds, as is hoped, we shall ask but one year
more to procure our Professors, for most of whom we must go to Europe. in your
substitution of Monticello instead of your annual visit to Black rock, I will engage you equal
health, and a more genial and pleasant climate. but instead of the flitting, flurting and gay
assemblage of that place, you must be contented with plain and sober family and neighborly
society, with the assurance that you shall hear no wrangling about the next President, altho'
the excitement on that subject will then beat it's achme numerous have been the attempts to
entangle me in that imbroglio. but, at the age of 80, I seek quiet and abjure contention. I read
but a single newspaper, Ritchie's Enquirer, the best that is published or ever has been
published in America. you should read it also to keep yourself aufait of your own state; for
we still claim you as belonging to us. a city life offers you indeed more means of dissipating
time, but more frequent also, and more painful objects of vice and wretchedness. New York,
for example, like London, seems to be a Cloacina of all the depravities of human nature.
Philadelphia doubtless has it's share. here on the contrary crime is scarcely heard of,
breaches of order rare, and our societies, if not refined, are rational moral and affectionate at
least. our only blot is becoming less offensive by the great improvement in the condition and
civilization of that race, who can now more advantageously compare their situation with that
of the laborers of Europe. still it is a hideous blot, as well form the heteromorph peculiarities
of the race, as that, with them, physical compulsion to action must be substituted for the
moral necessity which constrains the free laborer to work equally hard. we feel & deplore it
morally and politically, and we look without entire despair to some redeeming means not yet
specifically foreseen. I am happy in believing that the conviction of the necessity of
removing this evil gains ground with time. their emigration to the Westward lightens the
difficulty by dividing it and renders it more practical on the whole. and the neighborhood of
a government of their colour promises a more accessible asylum than that from whence they
came. ever and affectionately yours.

Th: Jefferson

ALS (polygraph copy), DLC:TJ.

Thomas Jefferson's Instructions
for Bricklaying & Carpentry for the Rotunda

Not a single Samel brick to be used nor more than 2 bats in ten bricks the bond to be header
& Stretcher through the whole thickness and in every course of bricks to be solidly grouted
the cement sand & lime sand[868] the Wall to be ½ a brick thicker than in the drawings to be
added inside--the outer bricks uniform in colour and of the colour of Pavilions 2 and 4--the
brickwork to be contracted for to the top of the Corinthian cornice only at first--the
carpenters to have a right to examine the correctness of the work as it goes on and to notify
the Proctor in time for correction if anything be going on wrong

The plank used by the Carpenters to be completely seasoned--the ribs of the roof to be
completely semicircular of 4 thicknesses breaking joints--

the curved plate of 4 thicknesses also of 3 Inch thick breaking joints and iron bolted

The first undertaking to be only of the walls, roof Corinthian entablature, windows, doors,
floors & staircases the carpenters work at the Printed prices and Where not specified among
them to be settled before hand

AD (copy), in ASB's writing, ViU:PP, 1p [2044] with ASB docket "Copy Mr Jefferson
instructns for Brick Laying & Carpenters W."; ADft, in TJ's writing, ViU:TJ [2042]; printed,
O'Neal, Jefferson's Buildings at the University of Virginia: The Rotunda, 22. The date is
taken from the Thurlow-Berkeley Calendar and the document's placement in ViU:PP.
O'Neal labels these instructions as a "fragment of a copy" of the advertisement that Jefferson
sent to Brockenbrough on 11 October 1822 (see above, and ibid.). Brockenbrough's docket
indicates otherwise, however.

Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough
Estimate of the Cost of the Rotunda

An Estimate of the cost of the Rotunda as far as the contracts that have been made towards
the completion of it go--

                             

Amt. Paid for Materials for the brick work	$6,905.47
Amt. pd to Thorn & Chamberlain for the work	2,856.25
	9,761.72
Amt. To complete the brick work of the Lbrary & Terras say	1,000.00
Amt. Contract with G. Raggi for 10 Bases & 2 Pilaster bases[869]	715.00
Cost of Capitels in Italy say	7,000.00
Transportation, duty &c on the Same & bases	2,450.00
	10,165.00
pd for Stone Window & doorsills	255.00
to complete the stone steps on the back & Terras Stonework	1,200.00
	1,455.00
paid for Materials principally Lumber & iron which nearly pays for all the Lumber	6,165.00
For Tin & Copper for the roof of Dome & Portico	2,000.00
Glass & Glazing including the sky light	500.00
	$31,046.72

Nails, hard ware, painting & Workmans bills will not
I presume exceed the balance of the $41,000

respectfully submited by your obt sert A. S Brockenbrough P.

ADS, ViU:PP, 1p [2066] with TJ docket "Rotunda. A. S. Brockenbro's estimate"; printed,
O'Neal, Jefferson's Buildings at the University of Virginia: The Rotunda, 30. This document
is badly stained.

Philip Sturtevant to Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough

I Recd. yours of the 7th yesterday and in answer there to I will Carve the Composit Capitals
in Cluding the Neck Moulding in Every respect Out of the Best of Timber and in the Best
Manner after the Plan of Palladio in his first Book Plate xxx for 75 Seventy five Cents Per
inch Measured By Girting the Collum or Capital at the Neck I Realy am So anxsious to Cut
them that I must Beg of you Not to dispose of the work with Out Leting Me Know and I
must Honestly Say that I Could furnice them Something Lower Rather than Miss of the Job
But thay are So Extremly Low that I Think you will Not Hesitate to Give me the work as I
Must again assure you Thay Shall be Done in the Very Best Manner Carfully Boxt up and
forwarded on Respectfully Yours

Philip Sturtevant

ALS, ViU:PP, 1p, with ASB docket "P. Sturtevant 17 June 24 Composit Capitals."
Brockenbrough calculated a column of figures totaling 1,290 on the coversheet.

Thomas Jefferson to William J. Coffee

When shall we get our roses for the Rotunda? the whole scaffolding of the building is
obliged to be kept standing only to enable the workmen to put up these small ornaments. I
am sure you have been using due diligence, yet our necessity obliges me to make this
enquiry. our instn will certainly be opened on the 1st. of Feb, and the Rotunda will be then
in a condn for use. I have been expecting also our plates from mr Maverick. accept the
assurance of my frdshp and respect.

Th: J.

ADftS, DLC:TJ, 1p, with TJ docket "Coffee Wm. J. Dec. 9. 24."; printed (extract), O'Neal,
Jefferson's Buildings at the University of Virginia: The Rotunda, 32. TJ made this draft on a
coversheet addressed to "Thomas Jefferson Esqr. Monticello." Coffee wrote TJ about these
ornaments on 11 September and 20 December.

Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough to Thomas Jefferson

In finishing the Library room of the Rotunda in what way do you propose securing it at the
head of The stairs? whether by a partition around the well hole of the Stairs and a door in
the front of landing or a lobby extending to the rear of the columns next the stairs? I should
be glad to have your opinion on the subject.--Dr Emmet I find is much dissatisfied with the
proposed arrangement for his laboratory--He thinks the small room in the basement of the
Rotunda will not answer the purpose for the want of room & light--he wishes to have the
use of both of the large oval rooms in the basement one for his lecture room the other for a
laboratory, if this be granted him where then shall the room for a Museum be fited up?--Will
the dining room of the Pavilion No 1 answer that purpose for the present?--or the rooms on
the 2nd floor of the same pavilion?--In a letter of 4th ulto: Dr Brockenbrough informs me he
has remited $18,000--to the Bank of the U.S. in Philadelphia to be placed to the Credit of
Wm Hilliard, a reciept for the same to be forwarded to me from that Bank--With the hope,
that your disease is so far abated as to permit us to have the pleasure of your company here
before long I have the honor to be with great respect your Obt sevt

A. S Brockenbrough

ALS, ViU:PP, 2p [2192] with TJ docket "Brockenbro' A. S. Unvy. June 6. 25. recd June 7.";
printed (extract), O'Neal, Jefferson's Buildings at the University of Virginia: The Rotunda,
35-36.

Philip Sturtevant to Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough

I Recd. yours of the 14th and I will take 4 dollars Per window for the 11 windows I sent you
that is the 11 Sets of Blinds as the Money will Be of Servis to me at this time and if You will
Enclose it to Me in a Letter this Shall Be Youre Rect. for the Same at My Risque I Have Ben
More fortunate in Getting timber than I Expected that Is White Pine from the State of Main
for the Most important Part of My work that is the Capitals it would Be a Satisfaction to Me
to Get from your or Mr Neilsons Hand the Size of the Composit Capital which I understand
to Be 14¾ inches at the Smallest Part of the Collum as I took the Measure my Self I am
Certain I am right unless you Say to the Contrary I Have Drawn the Capital and Shall
Commence Cutting up my Stuff tomorow I am yours with Respect

Philip Sturtevant

ALS, ViU:PP, 1p, with address "Mr A S Brockenbrough University of Via" and ASB docket
"P. Sturtevant." The Richmond postmark is dated 19 June. On the verso ASB wrote this
note: "July 14th '25 Diameter of the Comp: Capitels 17 inches[;] dim: Dia: '52 = 14. 2/10th[;]
Height of Capitel exclusive of Astragal 1.10 = 19.8/10 agreeabe to J. Neilsons
Memorandum--"

Joseph Antrim to Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough

The subscriber is willing to put stucco cornices and do the plastering that remains undone
inside of the rotunda and give such a credit on the amount of the same as may in the
judgment of the Visitors or Proctor suit thear conveniance, provided it does not exceed two
years they paying intrest on the same anually--and executing to subscriber thear bond or
bonds in order that said subscriber may if nessary procure money on the same,--Said
subscriber will also Plaster the Anatomical hall on same terms except the materials which
must be acertained, say one half of the amount of Plastering & materials

Joseph Antrim

ALS, ViU:PP, 1p, with address "Mr. A S Brockenbrough P U.Va." and ASB docket
"Cornices Antrims Proposals repairs to Proctors house."

Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough
Memorandum

Stairs 3.6 wide $2.621/2 per rise including Hand rail (of Mahogany or walnut) & balusters,
String & brackets--

Quarter pace $1.60--Half Pace $2.33--Ramps in rail $2.67 each

The above is agreeable to the Phila Price book which governed us in pricing the work at the
University--

Memn. The Iron railing on the terrace near the Rotunda

Where to be placed--

Doors on the Stairs of the Rotunda, whether to be removed altogether or others put up--

We are much in want of a Man to Work with the labourers it's impossible to get along
without one--do you Know where such a man can be had? he would be otherwise usefull
here, we could establish a patrole or guard to Keep off stragling negroes &c of nights & on
sundays--The above is submitted for the consideration of Genl. Cocke

A S Brockenbrough P. UVa

ADS, ViU:JHC, 1p, with address "Genl. J. H. Cocke" and John Cocke, Jr. docket "Letter A.
S. Brockenbrough 9 Nov. 1827." It is possible that part of this memorandum or an attached
letter has been separated from the document.

Appendix L: Selected Documents Concerning the Raggi
Brothers

Memorandum on the Raggi Brothers

1819. Feb. 17. their wages began @ 526. D. a year. each

same day. they recd 200. D. each on account.

         

	D
1820. Feb. 17. a year's wages	1,052
by cash recd on the day of agreemt	400
by do now to be remitted	400.
payments by mr Brockenb.

we are entitled by the contract always to keep in our hands a quarter of a year's salary, which
is to be paid at the end of their term. say 131.50 D

AD, ViU:TJ, 1p [1763] with ASB docket "Mr Js calculation of Raggis Wages"; printed,
O'Neal, "Michele and Giacomo Raggi at the University of Virginia," Magazine of Albemarle
County History, 18:20. ASB wrote "2 years 7 mo:" on the document's recto and "195 [-]
189.23 [=] 6" on its verso. See TJ's Memorandum on the Raggi Brothers, 4 November 1819.

Michele & Giacomo Raggi
Account with George W. Kinsolving

1819 Dr.

             

July 17th To Brandy Lemonade & porter at Sundry times	$7.51
To 1 Supper & 2 lodgings on arriving	1.00
To 2 Breakfts on departure	1.00
To 2 weeks & 4 days board & lodging for 2 persons @ $5	25.68
	$35.19
Oct: 12th 1819 By G. W. Kinsolving 2nd Inst: to C. College	12.50
	$22.69

AD, ViU:PP, 1p, with ASB docket "Oct 13. '19 Account Messrs Raggi With G W
Kinsolving $35.19--" and Martin Dawson docket "Acco M & G Raggi To George W
Kinsolving pd. 13th. October 1819 $35.19 Expences in Tavern." The 12 October entry is in
ASB's writing. Kinsolving's signed receipt on the verso, also in ASB's writing, reads "Oct:
13th 1819 Recd on Dft. on Alexander Garret Bursar for the within balance of twenty two
Dollars 69 cents Geo. W. Kinsolving."

Thomas Jefferson
Memorandum on the Raggi Brothers

               

I agreed to advance, to be pd his wife in Leghorn	150
also for her passage viâ Bordeaux	150
	300
to advance to his bror (to attend his wife) for his passage	150
	450
The brother, who is an Ornalist, to be allowed 526. D. a year, repayin the passage money and to be engaged to the end of Michel's term. nothing was said about his board, or lodging.
I agreed to have remitted to the wife of Giacomo	150 D
	600

• desire mr Appleton to propose 600. D. a year to the brother; he boarding & lodging himself


• to count from his arrival at Charlottesville.


• to repay his passage out of his wages.


• to be engaged to the end of Michel's term. viz. Feb. 17. 1822.

AD, ViU:TJ, 2p [1748] with docket "1819. Feb. 17. @ 526. D. a year each. 43.83 pr month
800 drs each recd 200. D. in part"; printed (extract), O'Neal, "Michele and Giacomo Raggi
at the University of Virginia," Magazine of Albemarle County History, 18:19. See TJ's
Memorandum on the Raggi Brothers, 17 February 1819-17 February 1820.

Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough
Memorandum Michele Raggi

                     

	D. Cts
For his wages from 17th Feb: '19 to this date	819.68
For his loss in exchange on money advanced him in Leghorn	22.20
For his expences in Leghorn $30--Sea Stores $24	54.00
For his Passage Money	140.00
For his Expences in Baltimore $9.00	9.00
For his do from Baltimore to the University	26.50
For his Boarding charges here 193.53. Washing 11.54	205.07
For his Extra: Expences for Spirits, candles, sugar bed clothing & other necessaries	102.11
For his tolls furnished by him	12.00
Total expences of M. R	$1,390.56

A. S. Brockenbrough P. U.Va.

ADS, ViU:PP, 1p [1763] with ASB docket "M. Raggis expences--" and TJ docket "Raggi
Michael. bill of his wages Etc."; printed, O'Neal, "Michele and Giacomo Raggi at the
University of Virginia," Magazine of Albemarle County History, 18:23. See Jefferson's
Memorandum on Michele and Giacomo Raggi, c. 8 September 1820.

Thomas Jefferson
Memorandum on Michele & Giacomo Raggi

1819.

Feb. 17. their wages began @ 526. D. a year. each same day.
they recd 200. D. each on account,

         

1820.	D
Feb. 17. a year's wages	1,052
by cash recd on the day of agreemt	400
by do now to be remitted	400.
payments by mr Brockenb.[870]

we are entitled by the contract always to keep in our hands a quarter of a year's salary, which
is to be paid at the end of their term. say 131.50 D

AD, ViU:TJ, 1p [1763] with ASB docket "Mr Js calculation of Raggi's Wages 195 [-]
189.23 [=] 4." See Brockenbrough's Memorandum on Michele Raggi, 8 September 1820.

Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Garrett

Mr. Appleton's account stands thus.

         

Proceeds of former remittance	1,239
to be paid of it to Giacomo Raggi	200
applicable to capitels	1,039
whole cost of Capitels	1,900
balce. to be remitted clear of exchange	861

yours affectionately Th: Jefferson

ALS, ViU:TJ, 1p [1935] with address "Alexr Garrett esq. Charlottesville" and Martin
Dawson docket "Bernard Peyton to Proctor 13 May 1822 $161--"; printed (extract), O'Neal,
"Michele and Giacomo Raggi at the University of Virginia," Magazine of Albemarle County
History, 18:27. Beneath the letter Garrett wrote "13 May 1822 check to B. Peyton for
$161--on Farmers bank Va. sent by mail to Richmond." On the letter's verso Garrett wrote
"1822 May 13th. Received of A S Brockenbrough Proctor University of Virginia a draft on
the Bursar in favour of Bernard Peyton for One hundred and sixty one dollars. Alex: Garrett
B UVa."

Appendix M: John Van Lew & Company

to Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough

Received of john van-lew & co. in good order and condition, One Barrell Nails and One
Mahogany Plank which I promise to deliver in like good order, to A S Brockenbrough at
Charlottesville paying me four Shillings & Sixpence per Hundred for mahony & fifty cents
for nails

Philip Coiner

Above we hand you a receipt for 1 Barrell nails & mahogny which was left by the waggon
brought to us by Mr. Speck which Loaded this morning and has the following articles

• 9 Kegs white Lead


• 1 Cask Oil


• 1 Keg Paints


• 1 Keg Hardware & 2 paper Bundles

with 6 Casks Nails and for which he gave no receipt. we Shall send all the eight 8 In locks
& Bolts written for by the next conveyance, there is no Bar Copper to be had in this place,
we have sent no Bill of the mahogony Mr. Poore being absent and the young man did not
Know the Price Your obt Sts

John Van Lew & C
E James

ADS/ALS, ViU:PP, 2p, with docket "Waggonage to P. Coiner pd. Augt 20 '21 7.66½ &
2.36."

Appendix N
A. H. Brooks Dispute

Thomas Jefferson to Charles Yancey

I duly recieved your favor of the 12th. and chearfully undertook a compliance with your
request. I now inclose the drawings you desired. every thing proposed in them is in the
plainest style, and will be cheap altho' requiring skill in the workmanship. without that it
will be rendered barbarous in the execution. of one truth I have had great experience that
ignorant workmen are always dearest. I cannot therefore but recommend to you to get the
work undertaken by some of the workmen of our University. better work, or more faithful,
in brick or wood, was never seen any where and our prices are reduced as low as they can
live by. considering the Philadelphia printed price-book as the result of long competitions
between workmen and employers, we notified, after the 1st. year of our work that these were
the prices we should be governed by. our own workmen refused at first to undertake for less
than from 15. to 40. percent on the Philadelphia prices, because they had always had that
extravagant set of prices. we therefor procured workmen from Philadelphia, who undertook
readily at the printed prices: and all our work, since the 1st. year has been executed
according to them, by which we have certainly saved 25. percent. for brickwork of the very
best kind we give 10. D. the M out and out, not allowing a sammel brick or a bad but where
necessary, to be used, and grouting every course. these people will do your work
understandingly, faithfully and quickly, and give you no trouble. indeed I would wish you to
take a ride here; and I will with pleasure go with you to the University, and have every thing
laid open to your information. there you may see and judge for yourself of these workmen &
their work, and get valuable insight as to the work you are to contract for, and make your
contract in a word by reference to the book for all prices, without higling or ? cation either
at the time of bargaining or settling. you will see an establishment than which no country
can shew a more beautiful one, nor one more economically executed. its whole expence
when compleat may go to 200. or 220. M D. I have heard that the Richmond court house has
cost that sum. theirs as a single house, ours is a town.

You will see that my plan of your Courthouse goes a little beyond the dimensions you
proposed, but that not a single foot can be taken from it without injuring the convenience. if
a good foundation can be got at the depth of 2. f. then the height from the bottom of that to
the watertable will be 5. f. and making it so far 2. bricks thick, and a brick and a half
upwards, the whole building, columns & all, will take 140,212. bricks accurately calculated
and deducting openings. the walls then will cost 1,402. D. and the rest of the work finished
in the best manner, will according to the common rule of estimating cost the double of that,
making a whole cost of 4,206. D. out and out, or 42. cents a tythe, mutilated ninty levy,
supposing you have 10. M tythes.

You will need 4. pr of stone caps & bases for your columns. if you have good stone
convenient you can get a stone cutter here. if no stone convenient they can be cut here and
sent round by water to your nearest landing. the whole 4. pair will weigh about 7,230, or one
boat load. I would advise you to cover with tin instead of shingles. it is the lightest, & most
durable cover inthe world, we know that it will last 100. years, & how much more we do not
know. the tin & putting on costs 15. D. a square, and we were asked here 10. D. a square for
heart pine shingling. all our buildings except one are covered with tin. your roof will be
about 37. or 38. squares.

I shall go to Bedford about the 6th. of August, and wish you could come before that. if a
later visit will be more convenient, my absence will be of a fortnight only, but my return
will be to stay but a few days at home. I could write you notice from Lynchburg of my
return and stay, but the surest would be for you to come before my departure. it is but a
morning's ride from Warminster to Monticello, where I will hope to see you. I salute you
with great esteem and respect.

Th: Jefferson

ALS (polygraph copy), DLC:TJ, 2p, with TJ docket "Yancey Charles July 23. 21." Owing to
the mutilated nature of the coversheet that TJ used in making this copy, the material in angle
brackets is missing from the manuscript. The coversheet was addressed to "Thos Jefferson
Esquire Monticello."

Charles Yancey to Thomas Jefferson

your highly esteemed favor of July last enclosing a draft for our Court house was duly
received, and I owe an apology for not answering it earlier, which is As follows--upon the
Submission of your plan to the board of Commissioners, it was disapproved, much to my
mortification, and a plan adopted Similar to the Albemarle Court house, I still indulged the
hope that before the work progressed too far to Make a Change of the plan, that the Strong
objections to the plan would be manifested, and fortunately two of our Commissioners were
Called over to Charlotteville last month, while there they saw & heard from the Members of
the Court & bar the Strong objections to the plan of your Court house, that they have
Changed their op[in]ion, & on Saturday last I obtained A board, when your plan was
adopted entire with one dissentient only,--we have directed a wing on each Side, of 16 feet
Sqr. attached to the Main building by an entry of eight feet with an Arch on each Side, flat
roof & Colums to the Wings, the propriety of which I doubt as they will not finish well to
the porticoe of the main building, & being So Much lower will obstruct Air &C--their being
no partion wall to Support the outer walls we have thought it but to make the latter two
bricks thick--Mr. Brookes a tinner at the university has offered to do our roof, but having
heard you had dismissed him for extravagance in price although A good tiner; we returned
him for Answer that, we would employ him to do our Court house if he would Submit the
price of the Work to you, in his proposals I think he offers to do the work for About $6.30 A
Sqr. the roof--guttering piping &C Another Charge but I do not recollect the prices--we have
determined to Cover with Tin, As you advised, & any information you May Choose to
Afford us, either in relation to Mr. Brookes, the price of Such work, & whether other
persons than Mr. Brooks, equally Skilled in Tining Cannot be had; will be thankfully
receved by Me who has already tresspased too Much on your Valuable time, patience &
goodness with real & Sincere regard, yr. H Servt.

Charles Yancey--

ALS, DLC:TJ, 3p, with address "The honorable Thomas Jefferson Monticello" and TJ
docket "Yancey Charles Buckinghm. July 4. 22." The word in angle brackets is mutilated.

Thomas Jefferson to Charles Yancey

Your favor of the 4th. is just recieved. mr Brooke's price of 6. D 30 the square for laying on
the tin of a roof, is exorbitant. it may be done, as well as he can do it for 1. Dollar the
square. we went on at the University giving him that price until ¾ of the houses were
covered. we were led to it from a belief that it could not be done without the very expensive
& complicated machine which he used to bend the tin, which he told us was a patent
machine, costing 40. D. and not to be had in the US. at that stage of our business I got him
to come and cover a small house for me. seeing his machine at work, and how simple the
object was, I saw that the same effect could be produced by two boards hinged together. I
had this done accordingly, and it did the work as neatly & something quicker than his 40. D.
machine, while this could be made for 50. cents. we then ceased employing mr Brokes, and
set a common negro man to work with our board machine, & he has covered all the
remaining houses as neatly and securely as those done before. any person will learn to do it
in a day as well as in a year, and when you are ready, mr Brockenbrough will spare you this
man for a week or so, to shew any body you please how to do it: you will have to get your
tin from Richmond at 13. D. a box. a box does a square & a half, and a handy man will lay a
square a day. your building exclusive of the wings will require nearly 30. boxes.[871] the tin
for a square, costs 8. D 67 C & the putting it on about 1. D. say 10. D. a square, instead of
15. D. mr Brooke's price. this is exactly what is asked here for heart-pine shingling. the tin
requires that the sheeting be jointed, and the surface entirely smooth & even.

You should take care that the roofs of your wings do not rise so high as the bottom of your
entablature. indeed this cannot be necessary, for if the rooms be 16. f. square and 12 f. pitch,
the roof, if of pediment pitch, will be only 4. f. high, making 16. f from the floor, whereas
the bottom of the entablature of the main building is 20. f. from the floor. but if you put flat
& guttured roofs on them (as our dormitories have) they are but 2 f high. I recommend this
strongly, because they will be vastly handsomer & much cheaper than the common roof.
they need no rafters, no tin covering, and the gutturs are better of wood than of tin or any
other metal. the manner of making them may be seen at the University or a[t] this place. I
heard you were at our last court, and should have been much gratified had you taken your
quarters here. I would have gone to the University with you, & pointed out the particulars
which you should attend to in your building. should you pay another visit to the
neighborhood I shall hope you will do me the favor to call. Accept the assurance of my
sincere esteem and respect

Th: Jefferson

ALS (polygraph copy), DLC:TJ, 2p, with TJ docket "Yancey Charles. July 12. 22." The
copying machine failed to copy the material in angle brackets.

A. H. Brooks to Thomas Jefferson

you will please to Excuse me for wrighing to you also Excuse the many faults that will be in
this letter as I have had only about three quarters Scooling. I was informed last fall that you
Said that a tin roofe Could be put on for the Same price that a Joint Shingle roofe was done
for. that a Joint Shingle roofe was done for. which is $2.50 for Squair. I find it is likeley to
keep me from geting the Covering of the buckenham Court house which enduceses me to
make so free as to lay down a rule by which you will be the better able to make up youre
mind 1 Joint Shingle will make 4 Inches by 6 the Carpenter has to take up one Shingle and
lay it down and take up 1. nails and drive it and then done. but the tinner has to take up one
pece and slip it under the Edge of the other and then hammer it Smooth the length of ten
Inches and then take up the punch and make three holes lay back the punch and get three
nails drive them turne the tin over the heads and hammer Severel time over to get it Smooth
and to lye Cleate the tin will make 5½ by 8 Inchs I think when you take it into
Consideration you will think quite diffirentley also when I informe you that I beleave that
myself and apprentice Can put on more tin than any three me[n] in the Same time and I also
beleve that a man well acquainted with working tin will Save a box in every 8 Square.
owing to the wet weather while I worked at youre office I had to work verry hard when the
weather would admit So that I think it would not be fair to Judge from my work while under
youre inspection persons are frequentley rong in making up thare minds as Mr
Brockenbrough was about Cuting tin he brought me from two a box to one Shortley I hired
a Journeman his wages board and washing Cost me a bout $27 pr month and he Could not
Cut and machine 1 box a day you will See thare was a little loss to me. but my apprentice
Could Cut nearley a box and half and machine it

as to the Covering Thare Should be a good price for it it is ingeorious to the eyes and very
disagreable work espesseley in hot weather yourse Respetfully

A H Brooks

ALS, DLC:TJ, 2p, with TJ docket "Brooks A. H. Staunton July 25. 22. recd. July 27."

Thomas Jefferson to A. H. Brooks

I recieved yesterday your favor of the 25th. it is certainly my opinion that you charge too
high for your work in covering with tin, and this opinion is founded mainly on information
from yourself. I learnt from you that a man can do a square a day of that covering. for this
your charge was 5. D 75 which I consider as too much for the earnings of a day. a box of tin
costing 13. D. does a square & a half. consequently the tin for a square is 8. D 67 and adding
your 5.75 brings it nearly to 15. D. the work is so simple that any person of common
understanding can perform it. we made a simple machine of two boards hinged together
which bends the tin as quick and as perfectly as the expensive machine you used. the last
row of houses has been covered very perfectly by a common negro man whose labor is not
worth more than half a dollar a day; so that these covers have cost but about 10. D. a square,
and our workmen asked that for heart-pine shingling. I have therefore (in belief I should do
a public good) recommended to my neighbors the substitution of tin-covering to shingling; I
have recommended the same to a gentleman having superintendance of the public buildings
in Washington, and being written to on the subject by one of the Commissioners of
Buckingham C. H. I gave him the opinion which truth and candour required, that your price
was much too high, and that I thought he could have it well done for 10. D. at this price I
hope the practice will become general, while I really think that your price will discourage
it's extension. my motive has been purely public good, & not at all to injure you, to whom I
assure you I wish prosperity & success, & that you possess my esteem and respect

Th: Jefferson

ALS (polygraph copy), DLC:TJ, 1p, with TJ docket "Brooks A. H. July 28. 22." Jefferson
made this copy on a coversheet addressed to "The Honble Thomas Jefferson Monticello"
and postmarked at Staunton on 19 March.

A. H. Brooks to Thomas Jefferson

I received your favor this day Stating that I informed you that `I Can put on a Squaire a day.
my Self and apprentice never did put on but verry little more than a Squaire in a day nor do I
beleave any man Can do it. So I must have Said we Could insted of my Self as to the price it
was 5 d not 5d 75 as to the Simplisity of the work I beleve a Carefull tinplateworker will
Save as mutch tin as will pay any negros wages and a greate deale over if you will put youre
Self to the troble to Examin the Seames of work don on the west range you will find that
thare is a Considerable more tin put on that building then I put on buildings of the Same
Size. the machine Comes next I have Seene it and I would venter all that I posess if disposed
to bet that I Can twine more tin in three hours than Can be twi[n]d with it in a day as to the
Cost of the Covering that the negro don I think from the time he was Covering the building
next the roads thare Could be no Calculation made for it was a long time and I think was in
that nebourhood twiste and it was not half done when I was thare last and I think it Seven or
Eight weeks from the first to the last time I heard Severel Say from the want of tin and the
lenght of time Spent it would be Cheaper to give me my prise than otherwise in my other
letter I laid down a rule by whitch you Could assertain the difference in time betweene
putting tin and wood but you have over looked it Sopose I was to go from home forty or
fifty miles to put on 20 Square at 2. d 50 what would I make it would take my Self and a
nother hand a bout a month frome the time wee left home till wee returned I Could not get
any Jorneman to work out for less than twenty dollars and his board and washing which
would Cost me nearley twelve dollars which would be 32 d then I would have 18. d for my
months work and traveling Expence which would be if I went in the Stage about Seven
dollars and the weare and tarre of Close would bring it down to but a trifle. yess to less than
ten dollars besides I must always give one dollar for the carriage of the machine it would
bring it down to five dollars in the month than I Earent Every weeke when I worked peace
worke in baltimore I would heare mention that five dollars is the least that I have heard of it
Should be a good price because it is ingeanous to the Eyes no person Can work at it unless
thare Eys are verry good it has worsted mine Some I would not accuse you with aiming at
doing me an injurey no Sir I bleave you would not harme any man if you new it but I must
insist upon it that you have not had an oppertunity of Judging what it is worth to Cover with
tin because it allways took us both a about as many days as thare was Squares and I am
Convinced that wee could put more on than any three men.

I am thankfull for your attention and esteem to me and sorry that I have to troble you so
mutch as to ask the Same favour a Second time[872] I am Sincerely youre friend and well
wisher

A. H. Brooks

ALS, DLC:TJ, 2p, with TJ docket "Brooks. A. H. Staunton Aug. 1. 22. recd. Aug. 3."

Appendix O
The Maverick Engravings

Peter Maverick to Thomas Jefferson

I have this day as pr. direction forwarded by water to Richmond to Col Peyton a Box cont
250 impressions of the Plan of the University

hope the whole execution will meet your entire satisfaction. The Plate I have retained as pr.
yr. advice--subject to future order. & am Dear Sir your oblign & humbl. Servt

Peter Maverick

         

To Engraving a Plan of the University of Virginia	112.--
To Printing 250 do. @ $10	25.
To Paper for do.	12.
To Box & Cartage	1.
	$150.--

ALS, ViU:TJ, 1p [1954] with TJ docket "Maverick Peter N.Y. Dec. 7. 22. recd Dec. 11." and
ASB docket "Bill Plan U.Va Maverick Peter N. York Dec 7. '22 $150--"

Peter Maverick to Thomas Jefferson

I hearby acknowledge the receipt of One hundred and fifty Dollars from Col. Peyton by
Draft (which was pd at sight) in full for engraving and Printing the Plan of the University of
Virginia for which you will please accept my thanks I am with much esteem your obliged
Servant

Peter Maverick

ALS, ViU:PP, 1p [3015-a] with TJ docket "Maverick Peter. N. York. Dec. 23. 22. recd Dec.
30." and ASB docket "Maverick P. N. York Dec 30th 1822 $150."

Thomas Jefferson to Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough

Be so good as to send me 4. of the ground plats of the University, on account of the
University as they are to go to Europe with my letters written to procure professors.

Can you lend me a box of tin? I lack that much to finish the part of my house I have been
covering with tin. if you can I will send the little cart for it, as the bearer cannot bring it
before him on his mule.

AL, ViU:PP, 1p [2076] with address "Mr. Brockenbrough" and ASB docket "T Jefferson
Apr 27. '24."

Appendix P
Selected Letters of Recommendation

Thomas Jefferson
Recommendation for Richard Ware

The bearer mr Richd. Ware Carpenter & House-joiner has been an Undertaker of the
Carpentry & Housejoinery of some of the best buildings at the University. he has executed
his work faithfully, skilfully and to our entire satisfaction. his conduct while here has been
entirely correct, and I can recommend him to employment as an honest man and excellent
workman.

Th: Jefferson

ADftS, DLC:TJ, 1p, with TJ docket "Ware Richd. Aug. 13. 23." Jefferson made this draft on
a coversheet addressed to "Thomas Jefferson Monticello Charlottesville" and postmarked at
Richmond on 1 November.

Thomas Jefferson
Recommendation for William B. Phillips

The bearer mr Philips has executed much of the bricklaying at the University, and of the best
work done there. I can truly recommend him for the excellence of his work and correctness
of his conduct.

Th: Jefferson

ALS (polygraph copy), ViU:TJ, 1p.

Thomas Jefferson
Recommendation for Joseph Antrim

The bearer hereof, Joseph Antrim has been employed, as plaisterer, to do the whole
plaistering of all the buildings of the University of Virginia, which he has executed with
fidelity and a skill of the first order. he is moreover of perfectly correct habits and conduct,
sober, industrious, faithful, and worthy of any degree of trust which may be reposed in him.
Given under my hand this 25th day of September 1824. at Monticello

Th: Jefferson

ADS, ViU:TJ, 1p [3044] with address "Mr. Joseph Antrim University'; ADftS, DLC:TJ.

Thomas Jefferson
Recommendation for Abiah B. Thorn

The bearer Abia Thorn, of Phila a bricklayer by trade has done much of the brickwork of the
University of Virginia, and besides some of the other buildings of the best workmanship
himself and partner executed the walls of the principal edifice the Rotunda, than which I
believe more beautiful and faithful work has never been done in any country. he is moreover
sober, industrious perfectly correct in his habits and conduct of entire probity & worth, and
as such I recommend him for any employ he may sollicit.

Th: J.

ADftS, DLC:TJ, 1p, with TJ docket "Thorn Abia." Jefferson made this draft on a coversheet
with a mutilated address in the writing of James Madison, postmarked "Orange C. H. Mar
30th."

Appendix Q: Selected Clock and Bell Documents

Benjamin Waterhouse to Thomas Jefferson

I rejoice, and so will you, that I am enabled to inform you that our aged friend Mr Adams
has recovered, remarkably, from that sunken state of debility which appeared to indicate his
dissolution last November, & the following winter. He cannot, besure, walk without help,
nor see objects distinctly, neither can he feed himself; but he sleeps well & wakes refreshed,
& eats very hearty. From a mere whisper, he has regained a firm voice & a good flow of
spirits, and his functions are again obedient to the will. His sense of smelling is so good, that
about then days ago, he told me he had not a good night's rest, owing to his being disturbed,
soon after he got into bed, by the smell of tar, or something burning, which he was fearful
was within his own house, and which proved to be burning of the woods in the State of
Maine, & in Nova Scotia, & which the papers say was perceptible at Washington.

Mr Adams was able, about 3 weeks ago, to accompany his son, in a carriage, on the field of
review, not far from his own house, where a brigade of infantry & artillry were display'd.
Althô he could not see distinctly, he could hear the acclamations of the camp, & surrounding
multitude, at the sight of himself and his son. In my system of therapeuticks, at the head of
cordials, I place popular acclamations, for those whose constituion they may suit, which are
by far the greatest part of mankind. But all this, however pleasing, is not to be the burden of
my letter.

Yesterday Mr Simon Willard called on me, and Said that he had received a proposition, or
some inquiries for "Mr Jefferson's University"; but that he heard that the price for it of eight
hundred dollrs. was thought too high; that therefore he had called on me to explain all about
it, [for Willard is a man who cannot express himself to his own satisfaction to strangers.]
and to request my friendship in the business, & which I readily promised him.

I have Known Mr Simon Willard between 30 & 40 years, and have ample reason to esteem
him for his ingenuity as an artist, and integrity as a man. It is very seldom, if ever, that he
comes into Cambridge without calling on me; and it is not often that I pass by his door in
Roxbury without stopping to look at some speciman of his skill; so that I Know as much of
him, & more perhaps, than any one in Cambridge, and have a respectable opinion of the
fairness of his character, & particularly of his disinterestedness; for he is a man who loves
reputation more than money, and he has, accordingly, more of the first than the last.

He has business enough; but is desirious, I should say, very ambitious to make your clock;
and I see clearly that he would be mortified if any other one made it. He says he can make a
clock of the dimensions required, for 600 dolrs. which shall go well perhpas 20 years, after
which it is commonly a plague, and a bill of expense. He made such an one for this
University, and they have repented ever since that they did not proceed by his advice.
Several younger clockmakers have underworked him in Boston, & those who employed
them have also repented. He told the President there that an 800 dolrs. clock would be, in a
long run, cheapest. A church in Boston, where our great merchant Mr. Gray had a voice,
took his advice, and he made them a clock that is looked up to as the standard time piece of
the city. It is said, that it does not vary a minute in three months. He made another for a large
& splendid church in New York, with three dials, for which he asked 1,100 dolrs. and
received 1,200, considered the best specimen of American horology. In this sum was
included his labour & attention in putting it up.--

The striking of the University clock in this place is not heard commonly more than a mile. It
is about ¼ of a mile from my house, & its bell & dial full in sight from the table whre I am
writing, yet, were the wind from my house towards it, it might strike every hour through the
24 without my noticing it; nevertheless the bell, is I conjecture, 400 pounds weight. The
bell, I take it, and the clock, are seperate articles, as no clock maker is called on here to
make a time piece, but for a tower already provided with a bell. I have been thinking since
my conversation with Willard, that you might substitute for a bell, the Chinese Goonge,
which I suppose, unless the novelty of the thing deceived me, might be heard two miles, or
at least 1½--or in other words, from Charlott's ville to Montecello. The only one I ever saw
in this country, was in a Museum in Baltimore Kept by one of the Peale's, who is a painter.
It is one peice of sonorous metal, in shape & size not unlike a alrge tamboureen. The
Chinese use it instead of a bell, and so might we. But should you have a bell, I should advize
you to import it from England. Of the numerous bells in Boston, the English ones are
decidedly the best. At Newport R. Island, there is one large Danish-bell, cast in
Copenhagen; but it does not speak English. I have so much of the obtuse nerve of John Bull,
my mother being an Englishwoman, that I take pleasure in loud sounds, such as drums, bells
& cannon, hence my attention to the "iron tongue & brazen-mouth" of Shakesp. for when
the wind sets fromthe city of Boston, & in a peculiar state of the atmosphere, I stand at my
door to enjoy the music of her bells, and I have thought I could discover the predominancy
of the London bells. I used to tell my children that one of the earliest-cast American bells in
Boston was a classical-bell, or Virgil's-bell--"bella, harida, bella!"--

I observed in one of our news papers, within a week past, the death of the "Rev" Dr Parish,
at or near Andover; but no other notice of him, as usual, when clergymen die. I have
understood he lived poor and neglected. Dr Osgood shared a better fate, he died in pretty
good circumstances, and left behind him a tolerable volume of sermons, but not one of a
marked political cast. Even Timothy Pickering has testified some compunction for his
railings, and at a late large publick meeting at Salem, he was the first man that came forward
to greet the President of the U.S. and to follow him in a long procession through the
principle streets of that most ancient town of New England.

Excuse this long and meddlesome epistle, and allow the motive to compensated its
tediousness, and believe me to be, with an high degree of respect, your steady friend

Benjn. Waterhouse

ALS, DLC:TJ, 4p, with TJ docket "Waterhouse Dr. Benj. Cambridge. Oct. 22. 25."

Thomas Jefferson to Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough

The temporary bell should be placed on the ridge of the roof of the Pavilion in which the
books now are, on a small gallows exactly as the tavern bells are. you will contrive how the
cord may be protected from the trickish ringings of the students. when the clock comes from
Richmond, it should be placed before a window of the book room of the same house, the
face so near the window as that it's time may be read thro' the window from the outside.

I pray you to have our last advertisement printed in letter sheets. I have letters waiting till I
can get these, so that I pray dispatch with them. a couple of dozen for myself would
probably carry me through the year. it will be indispensable to have them every year.

it is high time to have our bookcases in hand, and to be pressed as the books cannot be
opened until the shelves are ready to recieve them. the boxes from France, lately shipped
from N. York must be now arrived at Richmond. affectionately yours

Th: Jefferson

ALS, ViU:PP, 1p [2273] with address "Mr. Brockenbrough University" and ASB docket
"Mr J. Jan: 3. '26"; polygraph copy, DLC:TJ; printed (extract), O'Neal, Jefferson's Buildings
at the University of Virginia: The Rotunda, 45.

H. Tyler
Directions for Hanging the Cast Steel Bell

Directions for hanging the C. S. Bell--

The frame should be fastened down at the bottom and well braced at the top to keep it firm
& steady--The strap in which the bell hangs is drawn through the bar or girt double and held
by a pin passing through the loop so as to bring the top of the bell within about an inch and a
half of the underside of said bar or girt--The Springs are to keep the hammer from resting on
the bell after it has Struck--the wheel is put on at the end of the roller and handle of the
hammer into the middle of the same, and the rope (size of a strong bed cord) is attached to
the wheel so as to give a reversed motion to the hammer, which rings the bell by Stricking it
on either Side--The rope should not be pulled or jerked with violence--it may be carried
down obliquely or horizontally over pullies or rollers, but is much better to have a straight
or perpendicular direction--It will be proper to employ a Mechanic to put the whole into
opperation

The C S. Bell has uniformly been found to improve in Sound by using a few months--Let
this have a fair trial--if not thought heavy enough, another will be furnished as much larger
as desired--

Shall be glad to hear from it-- H. Tyler Patentee

ADS, ViU:PP, 1p, with ASB docket "Directions for hanging the cast Steel Bell."

Appendix R
Selected Documents Concerning the Stables

Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough to Thomas Jefferson

We are about to commence the brick work of the Stables, the situation for the eastern range
pointed out by you is rather unfavorable in consequence of the ground falling two ways, (to
the east & south) about fifty or sixty yards from the place designated by you and on the
same side of the eastern street there is a beautiful situation for them, if agreeable to you, I
will place them there--If you have any written contract with Capt Perry about the last
purchase of land I should be glad to see it, there is a barn on it, that I wish to put the Rye we
have made in, but he objects to it untill he gets his grain that stands in the same field secured
the taking or using the barn, would not be attended with any inconvenience to him--let me
hear from you by the return of the boy--I am Dr Sir most respectfully your Obt sert

A. S Brockenbrough

ALS, ViU:PP, 1p [2205] with address "Mr Jefferson Monticello John" and TJ docket
"Brockenbro. A.S. June 27. 25."

Thomas Jefferson to Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough

I approve of the position for the stables which you propose, provided it be exactly in the line
designated, that is to say, provided their front is exactly in the range of the line of the future
Hotels &c. on the opposite sides of East & West streets. Perry's deed is not in my possession
I think he took it to have it recorded, and I suppose you will find it in the clerk's office.
friendly salutations.

AL, ViU:PP, 1p [2204] with address "Mr. Brockenbrough University" and ASB docket "T.J.
June 27. 25."

Appendix S
Charles Bonnycastle Plan for Curing Smoking Chimneys
[ca 5 October 1828]

The imperfect action of Chimneys in carrying off smoke appears to arise from two distinct
causes, the want of sufficient permanent draught, & the liability to be affected by currents of
air; the first can only be effectually removed by increasing the height of the chimney, but
where this is not practicable the evil may still be lessened; the second may I beleive be
wholly cured.

The effect of the wind on the action of a chimney is not produced by the wind entering the
chimney & driving the smoke before it, but results chiefly from its blowing irregularly, or
being heaped over the chimney by the resistance experienced from some neighbouring
object that rises higher than the chimney itself. I will consider these cases seperately.

All fluids are found by experiment to have a very powerful lateral action upon their own
particles--a stream of water passing over a pipe which communicates with a vessel of water
below, will raise the latter in the pipe; & a similar effect is found to take place with a current
of air. Hanksber caused a stream of air ab to pass through a vessel into which introduced a
barometer cd,[873] with the open end plunged into a cup of mercury, as at c:

[drawing]

The current instead of compressing the air in the vessel, & that causing the mercury to rise
in the tube, rarified it by carrying, or rather drawing by its lateral attraction, part of the air in
the vessel along with it, & the mercury descended in the tube below the height of the
barometer at the time of the experiment.

From this cause when a gust of air passes by a house it acts as an air pump in attenuating the
air within; upon the side on which the wind blows of course the effect will be the reverse,
but from every other part of the house, & especially from the chimney, the air will be
rushing out to join the current which is passing. When therefore the gust ceases the air
within the house is less condensed than that without, for if a partial vacuum existed without
it will be filled instantly from the surrounding medium, but the deficiency within can only be
supplied through the passages by which the air escaped, & chiefly by the chimney; down
which the air from without rushes, carrying the smoke before it, until there is an equilibrium
within & without the house. This action is repeated with every gust of wind, & as only a
small part of the smoke which is driven down into the room when the gust has passed, is
drawn to the chimney to be carried up again whilst a new gust is passing, the house must
after a short time be filled with smoke.

The remedy which immediately suggests itself is to place a light valve on the top of the
chimney which will freely allow the air to ascend, but will close immediately it attempts to
descend. It is true that whilst the valve is closed the smoke must be accumulating in the
Chimney, but this will only continue until the vacuum below has been supplied through the
crevices of the doors & windows. But if instead of trusting to these channels of ventilation,
we close them as completely as possible, & supply their places by pipes containing light
valves opening inward, the supply will be readily obtained from within, whilst there will be
no draught by which the room can be exhausted but that up the chimney.

In the figure on the right I have drawn

[two drawings]

a room with a valve of this kind at B, & another in the chimney at A. The construction of the
valves is shewn in fig 3; where AB is a circular box of tin, which for the chimney may be 10
inches diameter, but for a lateral valve, as at B, need not exceed 3 or 4. This box is pierced
completely through by an opening pqrs, more than half its diameter. At i & k a wire about
1/8 dia, passes through a small collar worked in a wire which passes over the opening; this
axis ik carries a circular plate mn, of the lightest tin, whose diameter is greater than the
opening, but less than the box. A small stop at r prevents the valve when it is driven upward
from closing the opening pq; but when driven downward it falls on vs, & closes the opening
there. The lateral valve is of the same construction but smaller, & worked in the thickness of
the wall, it is chiefly intending for small rooms with low chimneys, where were such a valve
placed in each of the four walls they would probably much assist the action of that in the
chimney.

The second case, where there is an obstacle that causes the air to be heaped over the
chimney when the wind blows, differs from the first in this, that even when the wind does
not act by gusts, the increased density of the air above the chimney, to which is pressed
against the neighbouring obstacle by the current, faster than it can escape, will have a
tendency to drive the smoke down the chimney; & might render the valve less efficacious by
keeping it closed for a considerable time, In such cases an other outlet on the opposite side
of the obstacle against which the air was heaped would always afford a remedy; & in the
Rotunda we have this remedy within reach; a pipe of tin or sheet iron a few inches in
diameter carried round the parapet wall from one chimney to the other, would enable the
smoke of one chimney, when the valve was closed there, to flow into the other, & it is
obvious that when the air is heaped by the wind on one side of the roof it is attenuated by
the same current on the other, so that both valves cannot be closed at once.

[drawing]

AD, ViU:PP, 4p, with ASB docket "Prof Bonnycastles plan for curing smoking Chimneys."
This plan was enclosed in John Hartwell Cocke's letter to ASB of 5 October. It is separated
from that letter and can be found in the undated material for 1828.

Appendix T
Selected Documents Related to the Water Works and Fire
Apparatus

James Dinsmore & John M. Perry
to the Board of Visitors

The Subscribers haveing leveled from the doric pavillion to the Springs on the
mountain--find the two first to be 6. feet above the water table--at the distance of 1,100
yards--one hundred yards further is another Spring 26. feet above the water table of
pavillion--and Still further--Say abut 60 yards there is another 75 feet above the sd. level--all
of these are bold good Springs--the furtherest Spring--1,260. yards from the pavillion--as
near as we Could tell by Steping it of[f]

Jas. Dinsmore

John M. Perry

DS, in Perry's writing, ViU:TJ, 1p [1658] with address "The Visitors of the University
present" and TJ docket "Dinsmore & Perry levelling."

William J. Coffee to Thomas Jefferson

After having promised to see you in person and to undertake the management of One of
Your Cisterns in Nov. last, I Can Scarcely tell what to Say in extenuation unless it is to beg
pardon if I have given any disappointment; the fact is time was so Slipped thro' my fingers
in a manner I Cannot well Account for, and untill the presnt moment, I have not had the
Satisfaction of informing you that I have at last finishd my Labours, with regard to those
models in terra Cotta which your taste in the fine Arts has done me the Honour to patronize,
they are Shipped on the 23. Dec on board The Schooner Rising States, & Consigned to
Captain Peyton to whom I must beg your goodness to write that they may be carefully
conveyed to Monticello I must also take the liberty of requesting you to Inform Mr
Randolph and Mrs Bankhead as to the tenor of this letter; & untill I have the Pleasure of
Seeing you which I hope will be very Soon, Sir pleased to Accept my best Wishes, Sr. I am
Respectfully Yours

William J: Coffee

ALS, DLC:TJ, 2p, with TJ docket "Coffee Wm. J. New York Jan. 5. 20. recd Jan. 16."

James Wade to Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough

Having farther considered the subject relative to the Water works since my return, I take the
liberty of suggesting for your consideration, the propriety of having the Reservoir on the
Mountain, placed in such a Situation, as to take the water of all the springs in at the top, and
the pipes leading to the university to run from the bottom, on that plan you would have the
command of all the water of the reservoir without the trouble of pumping, and in case of
Fire the Water would flow in the greatest abundance, a handsome Jet d'eau might be formd
with the overplus water if it was thought proper--if this plan would meet your approbation a
circular Reservoir made of Oak Plank 2½ or 3 Inches thick, to hold 30 or 40 thousand
Gallons, would answer it might be sunk sufficiently deep to have a Brick arch to cover it, tis
my opinion a Vessel properly made and well bound with Iron would last 30 Years or much
longer. with much respect, I remain Sir Your Obedt. Servant

James Wade

ALS, ViU:PP, 1p, with ASB docket "James Wade Oct 7th '19 Postg 11 Cts."

Andrew Smith to Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough

Received of Andrew Smith five Casks of Roman Cement in good Order, which I promise to
deliver in like good Order to A. S. Brockenbrough Esqr or Order at Jeffersons Mill on being
paid the Customary freight

Witness Peter x Henderson

Chs D Gardner Captn of Wm. Johnstons Boat

Enclosed I hand you Peter Hendersons Receipt for the five Barrels of Roman Cement--and a
printed instruction for using the Same--in haste Dr Sir Yours

Andw Smith

ALS, ViU:PP, 1p, with ASB docket "A. Smith 1st June 1821." Smith sent Brockenbrough a
second copy of Henderson's receipt on 2 June. In the loose receipts for 1821 in ViU:PP is
William Fitch's receipt accepting delivery of the cement: "Milton 7 June 1821 William
Johnson has deliverd five Bls Cement on a/c the university (weighed one bbl. 366. lbs) W D
Fitch." Another receipt in the same location for the wagonage from Milton to the university
reads: "June 8 1821 Recd of the Proctor a draft on the Bursar of the University of Va two
Dollars 75 cents for the Waggonage of 5 casks of cement from Milton and 1 Hhd of Plaster
for Joseph Antrim." A third receipt in the loose receipts for 1822 reads: "Richmond 10th.
Novr. 1822 A. S. Brockenbrough Esqr Bot.of Andw Smith 4 Barrels Roman Cement @
9$--36-- [+] pd. Dragage & toll .76 [=] $36.76 Received payment Andw Smith."

For the one-page printed instructions for making roman cement that Smith sent
Brockenbrough, see Directions for Making Roman Cement, 1 June 1821, in ViU:PP.

Directions for Making Roman Cement

Roman Cement,

NO. 55 SMITH'S WHARF, BALTIMORE.

Directions for using the Roman Cement, in making Tanks, Cisterns, Drains, Ponds, Docks,
the Fronts of Wharves, Vaults, Sewers, and every kind of Brick and Stone Work, in which
Strength is required, or where Wet or Damp are to be excluded.

AFTER the bricks or stones upon which the Cement is to be applied, have been well soaked
with water, (which is necessary to make it adhere firmly,) mix the Cement as quickly as
possible, with as much water as will make it of the consistency of mortar; much water spoils
it. Mix no more at once than can be used in a few minutes, otherwise it will set, and become
unfit for use. Lay it on with as little handling as possible, and leave it the instant it begins to
set.

STUCCO,

For facing Brick Fronts, equal in appearance and durability to stone-work, and which
effectually preserves the walls from damp, is made by mixing equal quantities of Cement
and sharp sand that has been washed clean, and thoroughly dried; use it with water in the
manner above directed, making it into a thick paste, keeping the wall as wet as possible all
the time--Be careful not to use lime with it. If the sand is not perfectly dry, it must not be
added to the Cement until mixed for immediate use. Lay the Stucco on in one coat, not less
than three quarters of an inch thick; to give it a good key, the joints of brick work must
previously be raked. The effect of stone-work may be given by drawing joints on the Stucco,
and by coloring it when dry with a wash composed of one gallon of water, four ounces of
copperas, and as much fresh lime and Cement, or umber, or ochre, as will produce the
colour required, and may at any future time be repeated; giving the building a new
appearance at a very trifling expense.

This Stucco forms an excellent flooring and facing for the inside of walls in the basements
of buildings, and secures them from damp. If a very wet situation, lay it on the outside.

A yard square of plain surface, in plastering, takes about half a bushel of Cement, mixed
with an equal proportion of Sand. Be careful that the building is settled before the Cement is
applied. It is often used in pointing tiles, chimney stacks, filleting, &c. for setting ridge tyles
and chimney pots. It must be kept quite dry, and as free as possible from the air, to preserve
its hardening quality.

For Stuccoing either old or new buildings, to produce the effect of Stone.--As this Cement
will set under water as well as above, and stand even the action of the sea, it is used with the
greatest success in every species of Water Works, for pointing fronts of Wharves, Docks or
Bridges, and in making Reservoirs, Baths, Vats, Cisterns, &c. or in any situation where wet
or damp is required to be kept out. Flat Roofs and Gutters may be made to answer all the
purposes of Lead, at one fourth the expense.

Directions for using the Cement for Stuccoing.

Mix an equal quantity of Cement and sharp river Sand, with clean water, to the consistency
of a thick Paste--apply it immediately on the Walls, hand-floating it in the usual way of
plastering.

Rake out the Joints, cleanse the Walls from any former Stucco, and make them as wet as
possible, all the time it is being laid on.

Particular attention is required to use a clean, sharp Sand, not to make the Stucco too thin
with Water, nor to mix more than can be used in ten minutes. After it has once set, it will not
be fit for use again.

No Lime must be used with the Cement.

For every purpose of plastering, the Cement or Stucco should not be laid on less than three
quarters of an inch thick.

It may be coloured when finished, with a wash to produce the effect of Portland or any other
Stone desired.

A cask will Stucco about 12 yards.

When the Cement is used for BRICK WORK UNDER WATER, or to keep out Damp, no Sand
is to be mixed with it, but worked genuine instead of common Mortar.

To make a pail-full of Wash, for colouring Cement.

Take 1-4 lb. Russian Tallow, (or Tallow without Salt,)

• 2 oz. Green Copperas,


• 3 oz. Alum,


• 2 oz. Oil of Vitriol,


• 1 quart of Milk,

To which add about a quart of Beer Grounds, and the remainder of Water, with a sufficiency
of Lime to bring it to the consistency of common White-wash; if thicker, it is liable to peel
off. It is usual to lay on a first coat of this wash, afterwards bringing it to any shade of color
required, according to the Stone, or the fancy of the country, by the addition of Umber, Red
or Yellow Ochre, Blue, Black, &c.; and after a second coat is laid on, (the first being dry,)
the work may be finished by tinting or shading with the above colors, to give as much as
possible the various shades of Stone, imitating either New or Old Portland, Granite,
Yorkshire, Purbeck, &c.

This CASK must be kept quite dry, and not opened till the contents are to be used, as
exposure to the Air will totally destroy the hardening quality of the Cement.

D (printed), 1p, ViU:PP. Andrew Smith sent this circular to Brockenbrough on 1 June 1821.
At the top of the page Smith wrote "For Sale by Andw Smith, Richmond, Virga." and
Brockenbrough's docket on the verso reads "Roman cement Directions for using."

Andrew Smith to Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough

I yesterday forwarded, agreeably to your instructions, five Casks of Roman Cement, to
Jeffersons Mill, per Mr. Wm. Johnstons Boat, which I hope may arrive safe--I enclosed you
printed Instructions for making and using it, which I hope may be acceptable--you'l observe
that great care is necessary in preventing exposure to air or damp--

Annexed is Captn Hendersons Receipt for the 5 Casks, and a Bill of the Same--
amot--$48--45--being as low, if not more so, than you can procure the genuine Cement
elsewhere I am Dr Sir Your Mo Obt

Andw Smith

ALS, ViU:PP, 1p, with address "Arthur S. Brockenbrough Esqr Charlottesville Virginia" and
ASB docket "A Smith Richd. 1st June 1821 Bill Roman cement." The copy of Henderson's
receipt, nearly identical with the one Smith sent Brockenbrough on 1 June, is in the loose
receipts for 1821 in ViU:PP. The bill for $48.45 has not been identified; Brockenbrough
apparently paid it in July (see Charles Gardner to Brockenbrough, 6 September).

Thomas Jefferson to Board of Visitors

I have received a proposition from Mr. Perry, the owner of the lands which separate the two
tracts of the University which I think of so much importance to that institution as to
communicate to the visitors by letter in their separate situations. the University tract of 100.
acres is ¾ of a mile distant from that of the Observatory of 153 acres. the water which
supplies the cisterns of the University by pipes arises in the mountain a little without this
last tract, and the pipes pass on Perry's side of the line and thro' his interjacent lands till they
enter the University tract. on his side of the line also is a very bold spring, which might be
brought by a small ditch so near the buildings of the University as to be of common use. it is
in his power at any time to cut off our pipes and deprive us of that indispensable supply of
water. we have always been anxious to purchase this interjacent parcel not only to
consolidate our two tracts but to secure the supply of water; but we have never more than
intimated a willingness to purchase without pressing him, lest it might induce him to ask an
unreasonable price. he is under (as I believe) some pressure which obliges him now to sell
it. he gives us the refusal, which if we do not accept, he will sell in lots as he can readily do.
we gave him about four years ago 45. D. an acre for the 50. acres adjacent to it. since that,
lands around the University have got to 100. & 130. D. the acre. he offered the parcel in
question to the University for 60. D. I refused to treat with him at that, and told him that at
50. D. I would lay it before the Visitors for consideration. he at length agreed, stipulating for
3,000. D. in hand, one half of the balance at the end of one year, and the other half at the end
of the second, with interest from the date. on these terms I cannot but strongly recommend
it's purchase. if once it is sold out in lots we shall never be able to buy again but at
exorbitant rates if at all, and our supply of water will assuredly be cut off from us. what
passes thro' our present pipes with the additional spring will give us the most abundant
supply of that element for ever. that you may judge of our means of paying for it, I send you
a statement of our income and expenditure for the present and the two next years, drawn up
on consultation with mr Brockenbrough.[874] you will perceive that I propose to borrow the
1st. payment of 3,000. D. from the library fund, which can be repaid from our general funds
the next year, in addition to our 2nd payment of 2,067. D. to Perry, and still leaving a
surplus of 2,679. D. for contingencies that year; and that the same funds will make our 3d
and last payment of 2,184. D. in 1827, leaving a contingent surplus for that year of 3,094. D.
the library fund can well spare the money for a while, as we need not use of it for a year or
two more than 40,000. D. leaving 10,000. for mineralogical and geological collections
which may be deferred without inconvenience. my own opinion therefore is that we can
make the purchase without any danger of embarrassment, and that if not made now it will be
for ever lost. the part which I think indispensable contains about 100. acres but it would be
better to take in also the 37. acres as it squares our lines, and the timber on it is worth the
price.

Although the subject is of great and permanent interest to the University, I have not thought
of proposing a meeting on it, of the great inconvenience of which to the gentlemen I am
sensible, and the rather as the sketch of the grounds which I send you, and the prospect of
payment can be considered as well separately as together. the only article in the statement of
our finances which does not rest on certainty is the number of students calculated on for the
next year. for this year I have calculated only on the number now entered 68. and they are
coming in nearly every day, and at the summer vacation of the other schools, when they will
be disengaged we know that a large number will come, and that in the course of the year we
shall be over 100. that we shall have as many the next year as our Dormitories will lodge all
information assures us, and probably as many additional to that as Charlottesville can
accommodate, which is expected to be about 100. and would add 1,500. D. to our income.
as far as we can judge not one will go to Charlottesville as long as a dormitory is to be had.
as yet there has not been a single application to that place altho' several housekeepers there
had prepared themselves to take in boarders. if this purchase is approved by your separate
letters, I will undertake to act on them as if regularly ordered by the board, as you can pass a
vote of confirmation at our first meeting. Perry is pressing (as I believe he is pressed) for an
immediate answer.[875]

All our professors are in place except Mr Tucker, daily expected, and the Professor of law
whom we have yet to name. we await Mr Tucker's arrival to form a board of faculty that the
Professors may enter on their functions of order and discipline which some incipient
irregularities of the students begin to call for. from a view which I took of their ages when
the whole number was 61. I found 6. of 21. and upwards, 9. of 20--23. of 19--10. of 18--10.
of 17--and 3. of 16. two thirds therefore being 19. and upwards we may hope are of
sufficient discretion to govern themselves, and that the younger 3d. by their example as well
as by moderate coercion will not be very difficult to keep in order.

I enclose you a printed copy of our regulations which appear to give satisfaction to both
Professors and Students. Accept the assurance of my great esteem & respect[876]

Th: Jefferson

LS, ViU:Cocke Papers, 3p [2171] with JHC docket "Mr. Jefferson recd. Apl. 29. 25"; LS,
ViU:Cabell Papers [2171] with JCC docket "Thos. Jefferson Apl. 15. 1825."; LS, DLC:JM;
ADftS, DLC:TJ, dated 16 April; printed, Cabell, The Early History of the University of
Virginia, 348-50; extract, in Cocke's "Extracts from TJ's Letters to JHC," ViU:Cocke Papers.
The closings and signatures of the two recipient copies are in TJ's writing, as is the
postscript of the LS sent to Cocke; the ADftS and the LS sent to Cabell lacks the postscript.
TJ apparently sent each Board of Visitors member a copy of this letter with a two-page
estimate of expenditures for the university. A map of the land, in TJ's hand, is in DLC:JM,
as well as Madison's draft of his reply to TJ of 21 April.

Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough
to John Hartwell Cocke

I informed you some little time ago that my health required some relaxation from business
and that for the improvement of it I wished to take a trip for a few days to Striblings Springs
in augusta--I find at this time I can go with greater convenience to the business of the
institution than at a later period--As you will probably be up in a few days, I beg leave to
draw your attention to two or three things here--The Faculty wish to be arranging the books
in the Library--I find D & Neilson will not be able to get up the hand rail & Balasters to the
Stairs so as to secure the room in a fortnight from this agreeable to their own acct.--if we are
to be governed by their former promises and engagements, it will probably be double that
time--there are a sufficiency of Book cases made to begin with and as it will take some four
or five weeks to get them in place, perhaps it would be better that a temporary partition be
put up at the head of the Stairs, if you approve of this plan, you can direct D & N. to have it
done, I fear unless some plan of this sort is adopted the Library will not be in place before
the meeting of the Visitors--The next thing to call your attention to is to the expence of the
anatomical hall, I do not recollect how the roof is finished agreeable to Mr Js: design, but I
find D & Neilson is geting timber for an expencive chines raling around the top, this, if left
me whether the original design or not, I think I should stop, a plain plinth like Pavilion No 8
over the Cornice is quite sufficient. this matter you will please direct as You think proper,
the McAdamizing of the cross streets will be finished in a day or two--I have instructed the
overseer then to put the Labourer in the Botanical garden (after doing a few small jobs)
under the direction of Dr Emmet. I should be glad to know of you as soon as convenient
what number of labourers we had better employ another year, so that arrangements may be
made for the employment of an overseer for the next year--on my return I intend to have
another coat of Metal put over such parts of streets as require it--I am Sir respectfully Your
Obt Sevt

A. S. Brockenbrough

ALS, ViU:JHC, 3p, with address "Genl John H. Cocke Bremo Fluvanna Co" and JHC
docket "Brockenbrough A. S. recd. Aug. 19."

Sellers & Pennock to Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough

Your Esteemed favour of the 4th. inst. Relative to Fire Apparatus most suitable for the Use
of your University, claims our best attention, Under all the circumstances of the Case, we
are induced to Recommend the Hydraulion of 16 Man Power as preferable to any other form
of Engine within our knowledge it being the most simple Eficient and Economical
Araingment of the forcing pump now in use, having a Reel capable of carrying from 800 to
1,000 feet of hose, and costing but 450 Dollars . It will deliver as much water with as good
an efect as the Double Chamber Engine which Costs 650 to 700 Dollars, we beg leave to
Refer you to the annexed list of prices and Circular, as also the plate which is a description
or plain of that Class Hyraulion, with the manner of opperation.--We are building, One large
Hyraulion for the City of Richmond, and two do. for Alexandria in Virginia with 3 to 4,000.
feet of hose &c &c--also One 16 man power Hyl. for Washington City[877]--Respectfully
and Sincerely, Your friends

Sellers & Pennock

LS, ViU:PP, 1p, with address "Arthur S. Brockenbrough University Virginia" and ASB
docket "Sellers & Pennock Augt. 11. 1827--" The Philadelphia postmark is dated 12 August.
Above the letter Brockenbrough wrote an estimate of the cost of the hydraulion, $450 for
the engine, $120 for 200 feet of hose, for a total of $570. The LS and its cover is written on
the back of the two-page printed circular and list of prices for the hydraulion. Sellers &
Pennock's separate one-page printed circular for preserving the hose follows the list of
prices for the hydraulion.

Sellers & Pennock
Water Works Circulars

CIRCULAR.

THE Subscribers, encouraged by the favourable reception given to their improved method
of manufacturing Hose, by connecting with metallic rivets the edges of the leather of which
that article is fabricated; and having been successful in the introduction of other important
improvements in the method of extinguishing fires, suggested by their long experience as
firemen, have formed an establishment for furnishing all kinds of Fire Apparatus on
improved plans of construction.

The Patent Rivetted Hose is confidently offered to the attention of the citizens of the United
States, as possessing advantages which could never be obtained from the sewed hose, the
perishable quality of the thread seam rendering the latter a very imperfect conduit for water
on any occasion, and totally inadequate to a high pressure. The disuse of the sewed hose in
this city, and its complete substitution by the Rivetted Hose, of which upwards of 20,000
feet are now used by our firemen, are ample testimonals of its superiority.

By employing hose for conveying hose for conveying water to fires, the formation of lanes,
always attended with delay, from the difficulty of immediately procuring a sufficient number
of men and buckets, and organizing the former, is avoided. A hose of 100 feet in length will
supercede the services of sixty persons, and will cost much less than the number of buckets
requisite for keeping up a supply through the extent; and, though the use of hose, in this
respect, is particularly adapted to such towns or villages, as are supplied with water from an
elevated reservoir, the same object is advantageously obtained by departing from the usual
custom of placing the engine near the fire, stationing it wherever the water can be most
conveniently obtained, and thence propelling the water to the fire, through hose, by the
power of the engine. Should the water to be obtained, proceed from a common pump, it may
be conveyed through hose, to a considerable distance horizontally, the hose being attached
to the pump, by a screw inserted in the side of the latter, or by a short tube or piece of hose,
having at one end a lap or flange, by which it may be girded to the nose of the pump.

In the transmission of water from the engine to the fire, the use of hose is conspicuously
beneficial. It is presumed that not more than one fourth of the stream, projected from a fire
engine, without hose to confine and conduct it, is usefully applied. Most of the water never
reaches the matter in combustion, and is therefore wasted. Beside, it is all important, that
the water thrown on the burning material, should be in a compact form; for, when it is
thrown into an intense flame, in the form of spray, it is decomposed, and its component
gases, instead of diminishing, increase the vigour of the destroying element.

At a time when water is of so much consequence, the loss of three-fourths of the quantity is
a serious evil, the only remedy for which, is to be found in attaching hose to the engine, and
conveying its water through this flexible conductor, to the spot where it is discovered to be
most wanted. All the water is then applied in the best way, and, in the early stages of fire,
the most beneficial result may be anticipated.

The Hydraulion is designed to carry the above views into effect, in the most convenient and
economical manner. It combines all the purposes of a fire engine with a carriage for
conveying the hose, at a price considerably less than the cost of an engine of similar power,
on the old construction: thus, by reducing this part of the expense of a complete fire
establishment, the means are reserved for providing a greater quantity of hose. The method
of operating with the Hydraulion is, to proceed directly to the fire, and thence to the nearest
supply of water; the hose being discharged from the reel, as the carriage proceeds to the
place where the water is to be obtained. The end of the hose near the fire, having the branch
pipe attached to it, is immediately conveyed into that part of the building where the water
may be applied to the most advantage, while the other end of the hose, or so much of it as
has been discharged from the reel, is attached to the screw of the Hydraulion; the reservoir is
then filled, if from a pump, by the means before designated, or if from a pond, by a few
buckets, carried with the machine. Twenty men are sufficient to put into complete operation
the Hydraulion and hose, and to perform the services which, by the old method, the number
employed in lanes being taken into view, required hundreds to execute.

The importance of immediate action, on the discovery of fire, is obvious. A few men,
sufficient to manage the Hydraulion, may be readily convened; but when numerous hands,
and their organization into lanes, are requisite, delay is inevitable; and such delay may
occasion a total destruction of property.

The above method of operating with the Hydraulion, is exhibited in the plate prefixed to this
Circular. When required, the machine, at an extra charge, is so constructed as to draw its
water from a pond, or other source, by Suction. In lieu of the common suction hose, the plan
of a metallic pipe, consisting of several tubes connected by swivel joints, has been devised,
and is much preferred. The addition of a suction apparatus ought not however to be made,
when the expense would interfere with the more important provision of an ample supply of
hose.

A Hydraulion for the security of mills and factories, is also constructed. It consists of the
pump part of the Fire Hydraulion placed in a substantial Box or Reservoir, which is usually
attached to the Forebay, from which it draws its water, and is worked by the power of the
mill. By means of Hose, or of stationary iron pipes connected with the Hydraulion, and
communicating with the several apartments of the Building, a copious supply of water, may,
by the agency of one person, be almost instantaneously conveyed into any room where it
may be desired.

Swivel screws for the hose, on a much improved construction; rivetted fire buckets, more
neat, substantial and durable than the sewed; and all varieties of apparatus, subordinate to
the above plans, for the extinguishment of fires, are furnished by the Subscribers. They
make also Fire Engines, on the old construction, when ordered.

Directions will accompany the Hose and Hydraulion for keeping them in proper condition,
and for applying the instruments used in repairing the former.

Prompt attention will be given to all commands, and the articles furnished will be executed
in the most substantial manner. Payment to be made in Philadelphia, upon completion of the
order.

SELLERS & PENNOCK, No. 231 Market Street, Philadelphia.

[engraving]

Fire apparatus of all descriptions, furnished on the most approved plan.

LIST OF PRICES.

• Dolls. Cts.


• Leading Hose, single rivetted, formed of leather, 9 inches wide, of prime quality, and
  of substance adequate to 100 feet pressure. Diameter 2½ inches Per foot .60


• Same quality and substance of leather, 8 inches wide. Diameter 2½ inches .55


• Engine Hose, single rivetted, of leather 8 inches wide, of extra substance, sustaining a
  pressure of upwards of 200 feet. Diameter 2 3-8 inches .60


• Double rivetted, leather 9 inches wide, of substance and fabric to sustain the highest
  pressure. Diameter 2 5-8 inches .70


• The above prices are predicated upon the use of tinned iron rivets and burrs, which are the
  best where the water is fresh. The tutanag composition, or copper rivets and burrs,
  used for salt water, form an additional charge per foot, of .5


• Connecting Swivel Screws, per sett 4.25


• Connecting Boxes, in lieu of swivel screws, per sett 3.00


• Anvil and Compressor for repairing the hose 2.00


• Fire Buckets, unpainted, per pair 4.00


• painted and lettered in a plain style 5.00


• do. do. ornamental 6.00


• Hydraulion, of 16 men power, with a branch pipe and 10 feet double rivetted hose,
  projecting water from the end of the hose the usual distance of fire engines,
  and calculated to carry from 600 to 1000 feet of hose 450.00


• Of 8 men power, calculated to carry 500 feet of hose; with fixtures 325.00


• Other powers and capacities in proportion.
  Suction Apparatus, including 20 feet jointed metallic suction pipe, with provision for
  carrying it, forms an additional charge to the Hydraulion of 125.00


• Mill Hydraulion, with branch pipe and 10 feet of hose as above; having a 7 inch
  chamber and 9 inch stroke, equal to Hydraulion of 16 men power 175.00


• Ditto 8½ inch chamber, and 12 inch stroke 210.00


• Cast Iron, instead of plank reservoirs, are furnished at an additional charge of 20.00


• Hose one inch in diameter, for garden and domestic purposes, is made at 30 cents per foot; 1¼ inch at 37 cents
  per foot; screws and pipes suitable for the same are applied.


• Rivetted Mill Bands, Elevator Straps and Buckets, Stage Braces, &c. are prepared in the best manner. These, with
  other articles not above enumerated, are offered at reasonable prices.

DIRECTIONS

FOR PRESERVING THE HOSE.

After the Hose has been used, it should be well washed to remove any dirt from it. Each section should then be
separately suspended by the middle, to drain it; and if the Leather requires greasing, it should be taken down
when about half dry, then dubbed and again suspended, until it becomes quite dry; when it should be placed on
the Reel for service.

It is important that the Hose should be kept clean, flexible by occasional dubbing, and free from dampness; and
that after use it should not be dried by a hot sun, or any great heat; but a small Stove may be advantageously used
to impart a moderate warmth to facilitate the drying.

FOR REPAIRING THE HOSE.

Should a Rivet fail when the Hose is in service, a string lashed tight round the place will prevent its leaking. To
replace it, the repairing Anvil is attached to a wooden Rod of sufficient length to reach the place. The Rivet is
then put between the prongs on the face of the Anvil, and conveyed, in this way, to the hole where it is to be
inserted. When the Rivet is brought into its birth, a burr is placed upon its projecting end and partially driven by
the application of the hollow end of the Compressor, so as to hold the Rivet in its place, while it is disengaged
from the Spring. A fair bearing on the Anvil being now given to the Rivet, the Burr is forcibly driven down, and
being there firmly held by the flat end of the Compressor, is secured by spreading, with a hammer, the projecting
part of the Rivet.

Should it be necessary on any occasion to remove any of the rivets, it may be readily done, by severing the
projecting ends of the rivets with a pair of strong cutting Nippers, or a Cutler's Saw.

SELLERS & PENNOCK,

Patentees and Manufacturers of Rivetted Hose, philadelphia.

Coleman Sellers to Samuel Sellers, Sr.

I have just Returned from Saml. Parsons at the Pennitentiary and find the Post will close in
½ an hour, I just thought I would state what a difficulty I have got into, the Naomi has not
yet been heard of--Merchants having goods on board her are offering from 10 to 15 pr. Ct.
Insurance and great fears are entertained for her safety, the Steam boat has just left here for
Norfolk that came up last night, the Captain says he made particular enquiry after her but
she has not been seen or heard of on the Coast I am certainly placed on a Very Awkward
predicament I know not what to do, the Corporation are not willing for me to leave here
until her fate is desided, time hangs very heavy on my hands, I shall propose to them to go
to Norfolk next first day, in the next steam boat--and if the Naomi should be there to take the
Hydraulion on board so as to get here as early as possible, as the Schooner might be 10 days
getting up the James River from Norfolk, Genl. Cock has just arrived and says he is Very
glad the small Hydraulion for the University has been Insured--so that it was well we had it
done--I still think the Naomi will come in as I attribute her detention intirely to the heavy
fogs that prevail--I hope Charles may not commit an error in getting up the Assistance
Engine[878] tell him to be Very particular to the directions left him--And Write me by Return
Mail of What I had better do, I thought if I was at Norfolk I should have a better chance of
hearing the fate of the Vessel and if she was lost would be that far on my way home the
Committee will meet on 7th. day next to consider my proposition I have just got well of a
Very severe Cold, which had I staid at home would have been a job for the Doctor, I did
nothing but Cough for 3 days until I was sore all over, with much fever, all of which the
Southern Climate has gradually carried off--my spirits have been good until now, when I
began to feel my staying here a week of time, I never saw so much anxiety to have a good
fire Apparatus as the Citizens of this place display--(they have had some bad fires,) and will
be greatly benefited by the Hose & Hydraulion it will add greatly to the security of all the
lower town, which is as thickly built over as the closest built part of Philada. frame and
brick mixed through each other--they will be great customers to us should the Hydrauler
Arrive the hose they are delighted with--and will no doubt want as much more as soon as
they see the effect [of] the system, Mr. Taylor is a Compleat fireman and enters fully into the
spirit of it I have not time to Read this over, shew it to Sopa. in has[t]e

CS--

ALS, PPAmP:Patterson Papers, 2p.

Coleman Sellers to John Hartwell Cocke

I have examined with much care the proposed plan for Supplying the University with water,
offered by A S. Brockenbrough Esqr. and do highly approve of the same, with the exception
of the Cisterns marked B and F not seeing the necesity for them, which probably may arise
from my not knowing other Uses he may have designed them for--I would Respectfully
submit, that the large cistern, which is intended to Receive the water from the mountain,
would be the Only One necessary--and that it be Elevated not less than 20 feet, above the
highest part of the lawn (say the bottom of the Cistern) and that the pipes have a bore of not
less than 3 inches; and, if Economy be consulted, that they be of Iron. In wooden pipes the
water is much obstructed by the offsets being at Right Angles, this is much relieved by the
form of pipe discribed at letter C. plate C. in the Report of the Watering Committee, which
will accompany this--At page 21. I have in lead pencil given the price of pipes for the Year
1828 at Philada. all other Castings at 50 Dollars pr. Tun--the termination of the fire plugs or
Cocks should be in a box just below the surface of the ground, with a suitable but so as to be
out of the Reach of Frost--we are the manufactures of a Brass Cock calculated for that
purpose, to be used either to wood or Iron pipes, made in this form [drawing -- scan it in]
with a standard screw for the Use of hose--In Relation to the Skylight, I can give you the
method taken by Mr. Haviland to obviate the same defect in the great Skylight over the
Arcade, which was to take off all the glass, and have them well cleaned, and Rubed with
whiting so as to Remove any grease that might get on by handling &c then take white lead
putty, (made with drying Oil and Tapan) and bed each Glass well into it--so as to Cement
their edges together[879]--or Rather the surfaces when they over lap each other--this has
proved effectual in the Above instance--and I have no doubt will answer your purpose--And
am Respectfully your friend

Coleman Sellers

ALS, ViU:PP, 2p, with ASB docket "C. Sellers to Genl Cocke."

Fire Engine Circular

AMERICAN HYDRAULIC COMPANY.

The AMERICAN HYDRAULIC COMPANY, recently incorporated by the Legislature of
the State of Vermont, with a capital of One Hundred Thousand Dollars, having purchased
from Messrs. Cooper, Phelps & Campbell the right of manufacturing COOPER'S PATENT
ROTATIVE

FIRE ENGINES, FORCE-PUMPS, &c.

Will receive and execute orders with promptness and fidelity, to any amount, on reasonable
notice, either for the articles aforesaid, or for the conveying and supplying of water for cities
or villages.

The principle having been fully tested and approved by the literary and scientific, as well as
the practical mechanic, it may be deemed superfluous to add, here, any remarks upon the
subject; and the following are subjoined merely for the information of those who are yet
strangers to the invention:

The simplicity of its construction, its rotary motion, its admirable compactness and
unquestioned durability, are advantages of this machine, over those on the old principle, or
no slight importance. Independent of these advantages, there are others of still greater
magnitude. It will raise and discharge double the quantity of water, in a given time; or, in
other words, it requires the application of one half the power, only, to produce the same
effect. It discharges a more dense column. It is as little affected by the frosts of a northern
winter as by the heat of summer: and it can be made for one half the expence.

IT WILL RAISE DOUBLE THE QUANTITY OF WATER.

The fact is self-evident, that in operating the old Engines, to discharge the chamber or
cylinder once, the piston must pass twice through it; an ascending stroke to create a vacuum,
and a descending one to force the water. Half the time is consequently lost. In the rotative,
on the contrary, it is equally evident, that a continued vacuum is created, and a continued
discharge effected, by one and the same operation. As a further illustration of the point in
question, it may be observed,

IT CAN BE OPERATED WITH ONE HALF THE POWER.

The air vessel is totally dispensed with, and the power is applied directly upon the water. It
operates on no more than it discharges. On the other hand, as a consequence of the
alternating motion of the piston Engines, twice the surface is acted upon, and the friction, of
course, is comparatively two-fold. This is not all. The power necessary to overcome the
inertia of the water is both exerted and suspended at every stroke of the piston. But in the
rotative the current flows instantly, continuous, and uninterrupted.

Connected with this part of the subject is a fact of the first importance. The extreme
necessity of prompt and efficient action in case of fire, is beyond controversy. A sufficient
number of men to operate the rotative with effect, may be readily and easily convened,
either in cities or villages, while a delay, waiting the arrival of the number necessary to work
the old engines, might result in a total destruction of property.

IT IS COMPARATIVELY PROOF AGAINST FROST.

Those acquainted with the old engines, know,by sad experience, the evils of frozen valves
and obstructed pistons, and the necessity of resorting to means of thawing out the machine,
or suffer it to remain useless, even at times of fire. But a single revolution of the rotative,
discharges the ice that may have collected on the surface exposed, and an effective operation
is not retarded for a moment.

IT DISCHARGES A MORE CONDENSED COLUMN.

It is apparent to the man of chemical science, if not to the common observer, that water, in
the form of spray, thrown into an intense flame, is instantly decomposed, and, instead of
diminishing, increases its fury. The advantage of the Rotative herein, as before observed,
consists in dispensing with the air-vessel. In the old machine it is indispensable. Yet,
notwithstanding its use and importance to them, it constantly imparts a portion of air to the
water discharged, and thus far produces the evil complained of.

Hence it is evident, that the following are among the most material advantages of Cooper's
Rotative Fire Engine, over all others hitherto invented, viz:

They are more simple in their construction, more durable, and less liable to get out of order.

The number of hands necessary to work them does not exceed one half.

They are proof, with proper care, against the effects of frost.

The column of water is more condensed, and consequently strikes with more effect.

And last, though not least in the estimation of the wise and prudent, they can be furnished
for half the expence.

PRICES.

No. 1. Discharging one barrel per minute, 50 feet high, 80 feet distant; or through the hose,
each 100 revolutions, two barrels: plain, and plain mounting, 4 men, $150--with extra finish,
$175.

No. 2. Discharging from two to three barrels per minute, 60 feet high, 90 feet distant, or
through the hose, each 100 revolutions, about 4 barrels; 8 men; plain, and plain mounting,
$225.

No. 3. Discharging about 100 gallons per minute, 60 feet high, 90 feet distant; or through
the hose, each 100 revolutions, about 150 gallons--8 men, plain, and plain mounting, $250.

No. 4. With arms of the size of No. 3, but with increased diameter, and suction throats,
throwing more water; 12 men; plain, and plain mounting, $275.

No. 7. Equal in power to the Engines used by the Corporation of the city of New York, and
discharging the same quantity, $400.

No. 11. Discharging double the quantity of the best Engines in the city of New York, $600.

No. 20. Discharging three times the quantity of the best Engines now in use in the United
States, $1000.

Intermediate numbers, not named, in the same proportion. Force-pumps, for the supply of
cities, villages and manufactories, will be charged at about one half the prices named above.
Suctions for Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4, will be charged at $100 extra--for No. 7, $125--for No. 11,
$150--No. 20, $200.

By order of the President and Directors, LUTHER FOOTE, Secretary.

D (printed), ViU:PP, 1p, with ASB docket "Fire Engine." ASB calculated some figures on
the verso.

Appendix U
William Wertenbaker: Faculty Resolutions

At a Meeting of the Faculty on the 20th of May 1828

Resolved, that the Proctor be directed to enquire and ascertain whether the house occupied
by Phil a man of Colour at the foot of the hill below the University is not reputed to be a
house of Evil fame, and if he shall ascertain upon information to be relied upon, that it is a
house of bad fame, and may be injurious to the morals of the University, that the Proctor do
lay such information before the Counsel for the University, and consult him to any legal
means which ought to be pursued to get rid of such disorderly neighbours--

Resolved that the Proctor also report to the Faculty the information which he may be able to
procure--and the proceedings which may be taken in compliance with the foregoing resolution

A Copy

Wm Wertenbaker Secy

DS, in Wertenbaker's writing, ViU:PP, 1p, with ASB docket "Resolutions of the Faculty 20
May '28."

Appendix V
Selected Brockenbrough Correspondence

Thomas Jefferson to Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough

In answer to your letter proposing to permit the lecturing room of the Pavilion No. 1. to be
used regularly for prayers and preachings on Sundays, I have to observe that some 3. or 4.
years ago, an application was made to permit a sermon to be preached in one of the
pavilions on a particular occasion, not now recollected, it brought the subject into
consideration with the Visitors, and altho' they entered into no formal and written resolution
on the occasion, the concurrent sentiment was that the buildings of the University belong to
the state that they were erected for the purposes of an University, and that the Visitors, to
whose care they are committed for those purposes have no right to permit their application
to any other. and accordingly, when applied to, on the visit of General Lafayette, I declined
at first the request of the use of the Rotunda for his entertainment, until it occurred on
reflection that the room, in the unfinished state in which it then was, was as open and
uninclosed, and as insusceptible of injury, as the field in which it stood. In the Rockfish
report it was stated as probable that a building larger than the Pavilions might be called for
in time, in which might be rooms for a library, for public examinations, and for religious
worship under such impartial regulations as the Visitors should prescribe, the legislature
neither sanctioned nor rejected this proposition; and afterwards, in the Report of Oct 1822.
the board suggested, as a substitute, that the different religious sects should be invited to
establish their separate theological schools in the vicinity of the University, in which the
Students might attend religious worship, each in the form of his respective sect, and thus
avoid all jealousy of attempts on his religious tenets. among the enactments of the board is
one looking to this object, and superseding the first idea of permitting a room in the Rotunda
to be used for religious worship, and of undertaking to frame a set of regulations of equality
and impartiality among the multiplied sects. I state these things as manifesting the caution
which the board of Visitors thinks it a duty to observe on this delicate and jealous subject.
your proposition therefore leading to an application of the University buildings to other than
University purposes, and to a partial regulation in favor of two particular sects, would be a
deviation from the course which they think it their duty to observe. nor indeed is it
immediately percieved what effect the repeated and habitual assemblages of a great number
of strangers at the University might have on it's order and tranquility.

All this however in the present case is the less important, inasmuch as it is not farther for the
inhabitants of the University to go to Charlottesville for religious worship, than for those of
Charlottesville to come to the University. that place has been in long possession of the seat
of public worship, a right always deemed strongest until a better can be produced. there too
they are building, or about to build, proper churches and meeting houses, much better
adapted to the accomodation of a congregation than a scanty lecturing room. are these to be
abandoned, and the private room to be preferred? if not, then the congregations, already too
small, would by your proposition be split into halves incompetent to the employment and
support of a double set of officiating ministers. each of course would break up the other, and
both fall to the ground. I think therefore that, independant of our declining to sanction this
application, it will not, on further reflexion, be thought as advantageous to religious interests
as their joint assembly at a single place. with these considerations, be pleased to accept the
assurance of my great esteem and respect.

Th: Jefferson

ALS, ViU:PP, 2p [2173] with address "Mr. A. S. Brockenbrough Proctor of the University
of Va." and ASB docket "T.J. Apr 21. 25 respg preaching in the Pavilion No 7"; ADftS,
DLC:TJ. ASB calculated three columns of figures on the coversheet.

In mid-June Brockenbrough drafted a reply to this letter on the verso of TJ's letter to him of
13 June: "With your permission I will publish in the Cent Gaz: your letter of the 21 April
last seting forth your objections to permiting the lecture rooms of the Pav: to be used for
prayer & reading on sundays your objections I have no doubt are perfectly satisfactory to all
but the Bigoted part of the community and to correct any false statements that they may
make, I wish it to go to the public." On 20 June Jefferson commended Brockenbrough for
not publishing Jefferson's letter.

Lucy Gray Brockenbrough
to Joseph Carrington Cabell

When I last saw and conversed with you, how little did I think that I should so soon have to
address you on a subject so painful and so mortifying to my feelings and those of my
husband Alas the uncertainty of every thing over which men have the control; when you as a
gentleman (voluntarily) assured me that our situation was to be made better I was delighted,
because coming from the source it did, I believed it true, but Oh: how little did I think that
under such fair promises, so much injustice, such outrage against every feeling, of propriety
and gratitud was contemplate[d] yes such ingratitude towards one of the most faithful and
conciencious (public servants) Mind I do not complain of the weight of burthen you have
relieved him from, far from it, I am delightd but the unfeeling manner in which it was done,
was it two much to expect at the hands of virgini[an]s (for it is not the custom of Virginians
to dismiss men from Office without at, least, assigning a reason for it,) was it I say too much
to expect that the visitors would at least have acquainted Mr B with their intentions fully,
and at least have made his situation equal by the exchange moreover is it not strange,
passing strange, that 1,500 dollars for eleven years was thought quite a sufficient
compensation for my husband to perform all the duties of the place, both as Proctor and
Patron, when now in the impoverished state of the institution, Mr Carr recieves 1,000
dollars for performing part of the duties, and the only part which Mr Brockenbrough ever
omitted or refused to do, Mr Carr also refuses, and consequently the Visitors have taken it
off; is not this sufficient proof that Mr B performed double duties (and that faithfully) for
half pay--ough[t] not such labour and liberality to have been differantly rewarded,--we;
thank heaven are not so reduced yet nor is my husband so old as to ask a pension at the
hands of the public, but is it not evident that if he has been rewarded Mr Carr is doubly paid
for his services; is all this compatible with justice strange and mysterious proceedings, I
hope wiser head than mine will put it to right, where the fountain is so impure the streams
must ever be; this institution can never prosper whilst religion and justice are completely
shut out of its walls: I do not wish or expect any change in the decision of the Visitors
(although one would suppose such decisions to have been hastily made[)]--but I must ever
believe that the visitors were led to the resolution by some complainant, if so, I think justice
requires that they should come out, and at least give Mr B an opportunity of vindicating
himself As to his integrity I know that that stands unimpeachable, if the Faculty have
thought proper to complain of his want of vigilence in attending to and executing all their
numerous and troublesome little wants, let then come out, but not record on their books
(seen only by themselves and the Visitors) things which perhaps a little investigation might
correct, honesty never fears it--and he can stand it with any one of them--I very much doubt
if he were allowed to keep a book of private transactions whether he would not have been
the last Officer here, dismissed, for I do know there has been repeated efforts made by the
Professors (and I suppose this one cause of complant) to get Mr B to do work at the
University expence which they were bound to do at their own, and in every case he has
refused, and thereby become unpopular, now Mr Carr must do all these things and various
others of a similar nature or he will not suit the place; I have no wish to injure any one, far
from it, my religion teaches me to return good for evil, I hope I do, but it does not require
that we suffer injustice with impunity nor does it prevent our mortification when our
feelings have been cruelly sported with--I will not take advange of my sex and attempt to
harrow up your feelings by a detail of the pecuniary or domestick distress which your late
decision are likely to produce in a large family of helpless children like mine, but when I
reflect that the prime of his, life, whose duty it is to provide for those helpless beings, has
been solely devoted to this institution, I am overwhelmed with indignation and
mortification--Oh could its venerated, highminded liberal and noble Founder rise from his
grave how would fraud, tyranny and injustice hide their heads, and sink from his indignant
gaze.--I have addressed this letter to you sir, believeing you to be our friend as well as a
friend to justice, and that as a member of a body you could only give your vote, which I
understand was in our favour my husband knows nothing of this letter or I suppose he
would not allow me to trouble you with it, but if upon reflection you do not approve of the
facts I have stated, (to relieve an overburthened mind) you will excuse the feeling which
prompted me, and if you knew the agony of feeling which you have caused me, I am sure
you would at least give me your sympathy--in conclusion do you not think the step which
you have taken likely to injure Mr B in his attempts to get into other business, for you
cannot suppose he can support a large growing family upon the Patron Fees a thing
altogether dependent on chance--Mr Cabell you know who it was that came here when this
place was almost a wilderness, and struggled with all the difficulties attendant on rearing so
many buildings, in a country place where there are so few facilities--and who like to have
lost his hearing entirely, in 1822 by a trip to the North to benefit the institution, and who has
always doubled his own labour to save the institution expence now ( that these duties have
become) comparatively light by his exertions, to remove him (without saying why, or
wherefore,) with a large family and in his place put a young man in good circumstances,
(already in the public service,) whose qualifications have at least to be tried, and give him a
double salery--will the Legislature of Virginia submit to these things, no, I trust she will
remove the evil wherever it may exist--respectfully--

L Brockenbrough

ALS, ViU:JCC, 6p, with address "To. Mr Joseph C Cabel--Warminster Nelson County--"
and JCC docket "L. Brokenbrough. July 22. 1831. ansd. 1st. Sepr." Cabell's reply to this
letter has not been identified, but it was received, and on 12 September Brockenbrough
replied to it (ViU:JCC). Brockenbrough married Lucy Gray on 28 February 1811 (see
Wilkerson, Index to Marriages of Old Rappahannock and Essex Counties, 33). Writing to
Cabell from Bremo about Lucy Brockenbrough's complaints on 26 August 1831, Cocke
says: "I found a letter here from Brockenbrough on my return from Norfolk--so
disrespectful towards the Board--that I have determined to return it to him for
reconsideration before I will trust myself to answer it--His conduct overwhelms me with
astonishment--but I think I have a due to it, in the unaccountable course of Jefferson
Randolph upon the subject of the new arrangements at the U. by the last Board of
Visitors--It seems in consequence of the exparte Statements of Brockenbrough's wife--(for I
have very little doubt she has been the prime mover in the whole business) the sapient
Sovereigns of Albemarle called Jefferson to accot. for the appointment of the New Proctor
& consequent derangement, as they were pleased to infer, of good old Arthur--And made
such a clamor at the election that the young Candidate was obliged to defend himself--and
what will you think to be told--that he declared upon the Hustings--`that he never
recommended Carr to the Board--that he never advised him to accept, & that he never voted
for him.' I am sure you will join me in the exclamation Oh tempora, Oh Mores!" In the same
Cocke informed Cabell that "You doubtless have heard of the insurrection of Slaves in
Southampton--Two separate Accounts have reached this neighbourhood by which it is
apparent there has been much exaggeration--although I apprehend, there is no doubt blood
has been Shed" (ViU:JCC).

John Hartwell Cocke
to Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough

Yours of the 2d came duly to hand--and I avail myself of the opportunity offered by my Son
& Nephew Merit M. Robinson going up to the U. to reply to it.--[880]

In relation to your wounded feelings from the proceedings of the Board of Visitors in
making you as you are pleased to call it subordinate to the proctor; I am sure from what I
knew of my own impressions of the matter, I may venture to say, that it never entered into
the mind of one of the visitors it would be regarded by you in the light of a degradation--As
to my own part, I did not for a moment doubt that you would have found pleasure in giving
the benefit of the experience you had acquired in building the u, to your successor--in a
department of duty, now become of subordinate importance--While he was taking from your
Shoulders the burthensome parts of an office, that your natural infirmity of a want of
hearing, had long rendered you incapable of doing full justice to--And especially--as by
estimates made by the Board--it was beleived that the footing on which you were
left--would make your emoluments equal to a thousand Dollars a year besides your House &
lot

ADft, ViU:JHC, 1p.

Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough
to John Hartwell Cocke

Your son Charles handed me your letter of the 7th yesterday evening--Mr Randolph
(through delicacy), I understand has not written you as he informed me he would, on the
subject of the Bond to be given by me, making an exception to the enactments making me
an assistant to the Proctor as police officer & in settling his accounts. with undertakers &c
&c--I now enclose you the Bond for your approval with such remarks as you may think
proper to make on it--you can then enclose it to Mr Madison or Mr Randolph for their
signatures or return it to me & I will send it to one or both of them, my feelings would have
been very different and I could have given advice much more cheerfully if such enactments
had never passed the board--As to the book Store, I asked Mr Randolphs advise & wish to
know if the Visitors would grant the privilege of my Keeping one within the precincts, my
object was if I had been continued Proctor to have employed a young man to Keep it and aid
me writing & keeping up the accounts and there by enabling me to attend more to the
external affairs of the institution as I expected my misfortune of not hearing well would be
set down as an argument against me, but I must contend it has not disqualified me from
performing the most essential duties of the Proctor, true it is, it disqualified me as a spy or
eavesdropper and a surcher out of little petty offences against the laws of the institution and
as a runner for the Chairman, all of which offences he was to be informed of, to make a
show of great Vigilance on his part in the police department, such duties I am not qualified
for--The Chairman should have (in my opinion) a police officer at his command, But the
duties of Proctor Should be as seperate & distinct & as clear of his controll as the Judiciary
of the U. States is of the executive--he should be amenable to the Visitors only for his
conduct--such are my opinions and give them freely tho' perhaps I may be in error--The late
changes have changed my views of the Book Store, I have no longer any intention of
engaging in it--Capt Garrett has always been a faithful & correct officer, my astonishment
was great when it was proposed to me to make me Bursar, but Capt Garrett has been amply
compensated for the services he has performed--I believe you will find upon examination,
Capt G. did not serve the institution "a considerable part of the time without reward" for, to
my knowledge he was very soon authorised to charge 1 pr cent on the disbursements--he
served the central College gratis I believe, but in that he received his reward in another
shape--I never asked for Capt Garretts office, but I can tell you I have performed duties
properly belonging to the office in which he got the pay I The work, for instance before now
I have drawn large sums by order of the Rector from the Bursar at one time $18,000 at
another $7,000 to do which I had to go to him get his check, remit it to Richmond, make
an[d] arrange for its deposit in the Northern Cities &c upon which he received his com: of 1
pr. Ct. for simply giving his check--I name those things to show he has been well paid--I
wish to have nothing to do with the duties of Proctor if the present incumbent is better
qualified to fill it you have done a Service to the institution my only wish is To perform my
own duties faithfully and not to intermeddle with the business of others I am Sir respectfully
your Obt Sevt

A. S. Brockenbrough

ALS, ViU:JHC, 3p, with address "Genl John H. Cocke Bremo Fluvanna Winn P.O." and
JHC docket "Brockenbrough A. S. recd. Sept. 10 ansd. Do. 12th."

Appendix W
Interview with Edmund Bacon [1862]

. . . As we approached our destination, I remarked to Captain Roach that as it was so late in
the afternoon we should have but a short time to stay, and I was anxious to spend as little
time as possible in general conversation, so that we might hear as much as possible of Mr.
Jefferson from one who had been with him so many years and must have known him so
well.

"Give yourself no uneasiness about that," said he. "Captain Bacon is enthusiastic and
entirely at home on two subjects, and he never tires of talking about either. One is Thomas
Jefferson, and the other is fine horses; and he easily passes from one to the other. We shall
not be in the house many minutes before you will be certain to hear something of Mr.
Jefferson."

We entered the house and were introduced to Captain Bacon as connected with the college
at Princeton. The form of our introduction was most fortunate. It was pivotal. To Captain
Bacon's mind the mention of a college must naturally suggested the University of Virginia,
and Mr. Jefferson's labors and solicitude in its behalf. he began at once to give the early
history of the institution, and we soon found not only that he could talk about Mr. Jefferson,
but that he was an uncommonly interesting talker, as the reader shall have occasion to see,
for my pencil was soon in requisition.

"You know," said he, "that Mr. Jefferson was the founder of the University of Virginia. Let
me see if I can remember all the Commissioners. There were Mr. Jefferson, Mr. madison,
Mr. Monroe, Chapman Johnson, John H. Cocke, and some others. They are all that I now
remember. The act of the Legislature, if I mistake not, made it their duty to establish the
University within a mile of the courthouse at Charlottesville. They advertised for proposals
for a site. Three men offered sites, Nicholas Lewis, John H. Craven, and John M. Perry. The
Commissioners had a meeting at Monticello and then went and looked at all these sites.
After they had made this examination, Mr. Jefferson sent me to each of them, to request
them to send by me their price, which was to be sealed up."

"Do you remember the different prices?" said I.

"I think I do. Lewis and Craven each asked $17 per acre, and Perry $12. That was a mighty
big price in those days. I went to Craven and Lewis first. When I went to Perry, he inquired
of me if I knew what price the others had asked. I told him I did, but I did not think it would
be right for me to tell him. They had both talked the matter over with me, and told me what
they were a-going to ask. But I told Perry that if he asked about $10 or $12 per acre, I
thought he would be mighty apt to succeed. They took Perry's forty acres, at $12 per acre. It
was a poor old turned-out field, though it was finely situated. Mr. Jefferson wrote the deed
himself, and I carried it to Mr. Perry, and he signed it. Afterwards Mr. Jefferson bought a
large tract near it from a man named Avery. It had a great deal of fine timber and rock on it,
which was used in building the University.

"My next instruction was to get ten able-bodied hands to commence the work. I soon got
them, and Mr. Jefferson started from Monticello to lay off the foundation and see the work
commenced. An Irishman named Dinsmore and I went along with him. As we passed
through Charlottesville, I went to old Davy Isaacs' store and got a ball of twine, and
Dinsmore found some shingles and made some pegs, and we all went on to the old field
together. Mr. Jefferson looked over the ground some time and then stuck down a peg. He
struck the very first peg in that building, and then directed me where to carry the line, and I
stuck the second. He carried one end of the line, and I the other,in laying off the foundation
of the University. He had a little rule in his pocket that he always carried with him, and with
this he measured off the ground and laid off the entire foundation, and then set the men at
work. I have that rule now, and here it is," said Captain Bacon, taking it from a drawer in his
secretary that he unlocked, to show it to us. It was a small twelve-inch rule, so made as to be
but three inches long when folded up. "Mr. Jefferson and I were once going along the bank
of the canal," said he, "and in crawling through some bushes and vines, it fell out of his
pocket and slid down the bank into the river. Some time after that, when the water had
fallen, I went and found it and carried it to Mr. Jefferson. he told me I had had a great deal
of trouble to get it, and as he had provided himself with another, I could keep it. I intend to
keep it as long as I live; and when I die, that rule can be found locked up in that drawer.

After the foundation was nearly completed, they had a great time laying the cornerstone.
The old field was covered with carriages and people. There was an immense crowd there.
Mr. Monroe laid the cornerstone. He was President at that time. He held the instruments and
pronounced it square. He only made a few remarks, and Chapman Johnson and several
others made speeches. Mr. Jefferson--poor old man!--I can see his white head just as he
stood there and looked on.

"After this he rode there from Monticello every day while the University was building,
unless the weather was very stormy. I don't think he ever missed a day unless the weather
was very bad. Company never made any difference. When he could not go on account of the
weather, he would send me, if there was anything he wanted to know. He looked after all the
materials and would not allow any poor materials to go into the building if he could help it.
He took as much pains in seeing that everything was done right as if it had been his own
house."

After answering a great many questions in regard to Mr. Jefferson, Captain Bacon said he
had a great many of his letters and proposed to show us a specimen of his handwriting. . . .

Printed, Pierson, Rev. Hamilton Wilcox, Jefferson at Monticello: The Private Life of
Thomas Jefferson, from Entirely New Materials, 1862, 19-22.

Appendix X
Chronology of Slaves' Involvement, 1817-1846

What follows is a brief chronology concerning the involvement of slaves at the
Central College and the University of Virginia during the period 1817-1846,
based on the documents presented in my research.

July 1817 — Jefferson lays off squares for Central College with "two servants"

November 1818 — "Carpenter Sam" begins tin work at the Central College, eventually
working on Pavilions V, and VII, and Hotels, A, D, and F, as well as some dormitories

December 1818 — Proctor Nelson Barksdale and Ludlow Branham signed security bond
for the hire of slaves to work at the Central College

March 1819 — Board of Visitor David Watson writes memorandum: "About the 1st inst: I
was at the site of the University of Virga. The hands (negros) were then engaged in leveling the ground"

August 1819 — Carpenter James Oldham offers to rent (or possibly purchase) from Proctor
Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough "two of your boyes at the Price you offer them"

August 1819 — George W. Spooner, Proctor Brockenbrough's assistant, directs "the
Overseear of the Labouers to proceed with foure hands to get the logs for the conveyance of
the water"

August 1819 — "hands" begin quarrying stone for the University

August 1819 — Proctor Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough enquires about renting "twoo
Sawyers" but they "are engaged"

May 1820 — Elijah, Luther M. George's boatman, begins hauling quarried stone from
Milton to the University

June 1820 — "Negro Sam" paid for "Coal for Smiths shop"

1820 — University Proctor Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough Proctor signs agreement on behalf
of the University with with James Harrison for "the Said Harrison as an overlooker of the
laborers at the University of Va the next year The said Harrison is to execute or see executed
all the orders or instructions given by the Proctor relative to the work of the institution he is
not to absent himself unnecessarily from the negroes when at work"

January 1821 — John Nunn offers to rent "Negroes" to University for another year: "I have
had several offers for the Negroes but did not hire them out as I hourly expected to see him.
I send Nelson up to let you know that the Negroes may return to you provided you will give
the Sum of two hundred and fifty Dollars for them & clothe them as well as heretofore. the
Negroes are anxious to return, therefore I would give you the preference"

February 1821 — Proctor Brockenbrough agrees with Charles L. Bankhead to hire "of
William Green a blacksmith"; Bankhead paid $109 the following December for Green's
efforts

February 1821 — Proctor Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough agrees with Richard Price of
Milton to hire for $60 "a Negro Jim Henderson for the present year"

February 1821 — Nelson Barksdale agrees with Clifton Carpenter to hire for $60 "a negroe
boy Tom which I promise to return well clothed for this present year"

February 1821 — Proctor Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough agrees with Joseph Brand to hire
for $35 a "boy called Fleming for the use of the University Va this present year"

February 1821 — Proctor Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough agrees with "Twyman Wayt his
heirs, Executors, or assigns the just & full sum of Sixty dollars for the hire of a negro boy
called Phil for the Use of the University of Virginia"

April 1821 — Proctor Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough agrees with Rezin Wheat to hire for
$57.50 "a boy nam'd robert this present year for the Use of the University of Virginia"

June 1821 — Proctor Brockenbrough agrees with "Nathaniel Terry Executor of David
Watts or Order the sum of Sixty seven dollars fifty cents for the hire of Negro Harry this
present year for the Use of the University of Va."

September 1821 — Proctor Brockenbrough seeks to purchase a tinner for the University

December 1821 — Former farm overseer for Jefferson, Edmund Bacon, offers to rent
slaves to University

December 1822 — Sarah D. Jones signed receipt for pay for making clothes for slaves at
the University

Spring 1823 — University Proctor Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough estimates number of
slaves needed to make bricks for upcoming building campaign

November 1823 — University Proctor Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough considers cutting back
on the 15-member slave labor force hired by the university to make bricks

April 1825 — University Proctor Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough seeks to rent slaves to make
bricks for the Rotunda from Board of Visitor and Committee of Superintendence member
John Hartwell Cocke of Bremo; two slaves dismissed because of their size; eventually the
15-member slave labor force made between 800,000 and 900,000 bricks that season, in
addition to the other labor performed

May 1825 — Board of Visitor and Committee of Superintendence member John Hartwell
Cocke offers and then declines to send his slave Charles to lay bricks at the University

July 1826 — Board of Visitor John Hartwell Cocke sends slave Jesse to deliver a message
to Proctor Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough concerning Jefferson's "faithful Servant" Burwell,
"said to be a good painter—I wish you to offer him any job in his line at the University, that
he would undertake

December 1826 — Board of Visitor John Hartwell Cocke's Bremo slave, Nelson,
apparently worked as a "stable servant" and gardener for professor Dunglison following his
removal from house service in the professor's pavilion because of "his inability to do his
duties," and General Cocke seems to have rented slaves to some of the other professors as
well

Spring 1827 — Elijah, Luther M. George's boatman, works 41 days straight "inclusive
easter Monday & 2 other lost days deducted"

December 1827 — Board of Visitor John Hartwell Cocke's slave Peyton made his mark on
a receipt written by Proctor Brockenbrough and witnessed by G. W. Wood, for a $25 draft
on the Bursar "for Stone cut for the Anatomical Hall"; Peyton had been one of Cocke's gang
of six slave stonemasons engaged in the building of a "large dwelling" in Charlottesville
during the previous winter

Summer 1832 — Lewis Commodore (known as "Anatomical Lewis") purchased by the
University for $500 to serve as bell ringer and janitor

June 1846 — Board of Visitors resolution: "Lewis Commodore the faithful and valuable
servant of this University, with the exception of Drunkeness, which had well nigh ruined
him, having seen his error, & for five months last past, maintained the steady and consistent
course of a reformed man"