University of Virginia Library

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."