University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
  

expand section 
collapse section 
  
  
  
expand section 
Appendix D Extracts from David Watson's Miscellaneous Memoranda
expand section 
expand section 
expand section 
expand section 
expand section 
expand section 
expand section 
expand section 
  
expand section 
expand section 
expand section 
expand section 
expand section 
  
collapse section 
  
  
  
  
expand section 
  
  
  
  
collapse section 
  
  
expand section 
  
  
expand section 
  
expand section 
  
  
  
expand section 
expand section 
  
  
  
  

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.