University of Virginia Library

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."