University of Virginia Library

James Oldham to Thomas Jefferson

Since the 2 of November last I have repetedly solicited a Settlement of my worke with the
Proctor, of this fact, their is evidence--on yesterday I renewed the subject again when he
positively refused to do any thing with it--and declared that I should not recieve one cent of
pay until it Suted him to give it--I am advised to make an appeale to Mr Jefferson and to
give a Statement of the Condition of my worke which will be seen in the following
memorandum--Pavilion 1--finished inside, except the hand rail which is redy and will be
finished in one day when I receive the Locks and Hinges to complete the doors--

The 4 dormitories ajoining finished and have been occupied during the Summer--the Closet
doors are unhung--Hotel A east finished complete one week before the meteing of the bord
of visitors--locks & hinges wanting and have been repeetedly asked for--

The 9 Dormitories, the floors are all finished and the inside worke mearely all prepared--all
the Sashes for these ware made in June last and those for the Hotel made in the month of
may, not one of them Glaized--

Hotel A, West, all the sashes glaized and fited compleet, the cornice all prepared and the
Architraves for the windows and door insid nearly done and the Shingling bords Suffitient to
compleet the roofs of 2 Dormitories & Piaza of Hotel prepared: the Scantling for the
rasining floore and roof of this house is not yet received, but has been pressed for with all
the force I posses I am redy to pledge myself that the finished work will exceed the Sum of
six thousand dollars by the Proctors own measurement--

         

admit the lowest Sum of--	$6000.11
ad to this Sum an account due to me Since the years 19 & 20, for Lumber waggonage horse hire, Kiln drying, Plank and Cash	221.37
advanced the sum of	$6221.37
Total sum received	2309.94
	$3911.43

From 2½ to 3 days would be Suffitient time to measure and estimate all my worke that is
finished & unfinished the working draughts being redy at hand--as it would require some
time for the Arbitrators to meete I perposed theare appointment first to be done, then to
prepare the estimate of worke and lay that which may be in dispute before them--that you
Sir will direct the course to be pursued in this business and in the mean time permit me to
have a little money as I am in grate neede Sincearely hoped for--

J. Oldham

Copy, document H in Oldham vs University of Virginia, ViU:UVA Chronological File. See
James Oldham, Lawsuit against the University of Virginia, 20 November 1823.