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Chapter 11
The Final Years: 1826-1828
Documentary History of the Construction of the Buildings at the University
of Virginia, 1817-1828 |  |
Workmen Unruly
Immediately upon Jefferson's death the construction workers at the university began to exert
their independence in ways that they would not have dared as long as Jefferson lived. A few
days after Jefferson's death John Hartwell Cocke sent one of his slaves, Jesse, to deliver a
message to 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."[759] Unfortunately Cocke, now the sole member of the committee of
superintendence, at the same time felt constrained to include an ultimatum in the letter
concerning another favorite of Jefferson, stonemason John Gorman: "If Gorman does not
keep sober & otherwise deport himself well, discharge him promptly—for I am sure, You &
Zeigler will do better without than with him while drunk or refractory."[760] Unruly behavior
among other workmen seemed to intensify with the summer's heat and at the end of August
John Patton Emmet, now the secretary of the faculty, sent John Hartwell Cocke a faculty
"Preamble and Resolution" respecting Jefferson's long-pampered master craftsmen, James
Dinsmore and John Neilson:
having, on several occasions, behaved in an extremely offensive manner to
them; and, in as much as Whenever it has been necessary for the Faculty, or any
of the Professors, to request particular portions of the work to be forwarded,
they have met with an opposition from the Individuals in question, and, usually
in the most disrespectful manner:—that, on the 28th. of August, Mr. Dinsmore,
having been Civilly directed to remove one of the Workmen from the
immediate neighbourhood of a Lecture room, where the noise of working
prevented the Lecture from being heard, most grossly insulted one of the
Professors in the presence of his Class, threatening, with an Oath, to turn the
benches out of the room, and, asserting that the Faculty had no business within
the Building.—It was therefore Resolved, That it be expressed to the Executive
Committee, that the Faculty, whilst they are aware that the Workmen are in no
way under their Charge, feel that their authority in the Institution will be greatly
lowered if those Workmen are permitted to insult them in this manner, with
impunity:—That the Committee be requested to take such steps as may prevent
the recurrence of Similar Offences; and, particularly, that the persons in
question, may not be employed farther than the nature of their Contracts renders
necessary, of which Contracts, in Consequence of the absence of the Proctor,
the Faculty have no Knowledge.[761]
A few days later professor Robley Dunglison complained to the proctor about Neilson's
"want of all spirit of Accommodation" in finishing the upper lecture room at the Anatomical
Hall.[762] Cocke diplomatically reconciled the faculty members to the more crass ways of
the workmen, and the more rapid progress of the latter throughout the rest of the summer
helped placate the professors' wounded feelings.
759. Cocke to Brockenbrough, 17 July 1826, ViU:PP. Edmund Bacon said in 1862 that
Jefferson's slave Burwell "was a fine painter. He painted the carriage and always kept the
house painted. He painted a good deal at the University" (Bear, Jefferson at Monticello,
102).
762. Dunglison to Brockenbrough, 8 September 1826, ViU:PP. A news report in the 25
August 1826 issue of the Washington, D.C., Daily National Intelligencer, reprinted from the
Richmond Enquirer, says: The University of Virginia has at present about 170 students
within its walls . . . The architects are going on with the Anatomical Hall and Rotundo. Of
the latter, the Library and the Portico are rapidly advancing. The Italian capitals to the
columns of the Portico are of the purest marble and of the most beautiful workmanship."
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Chapter 11
The Final Years: 1826-1828
Documentary History of the Construction of the Buildings at the University
of Virginia, 1817-1828 | |