University of Virginia Library

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