 | Documentary History of the Construction of the Buildings at the University
of Virginia, 1817-1828 |  |
Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Carstairs
When we began our buildings at our University, we adopted it as a rule that we would be
governed in all our prices by those established by long experience & due competn in Phila,
and you were so kind as to procure & send me the printed book of Carpenter's prices. in the
other branches of work we have been able in different ways to learn your prices, except
those of plaisterer's work. of those we have never been able to get satisfy. informn, and the
acct being a very large on[e] (12, or 14,000. D) our Proctor Mr Brockenbr. bearer of this
thinks it worth while to go on to Philada with our plaisterer to ascertain them. the question
between them is What was those prices, in 1820, the date of their agreemt as he is a perfect
stranger there I take the liberty of putting him into your hands in perfect confidence that you
will be so kind as to advise him in his proceedings so that he may be assured of obtaining
fair & full informn on his enquiries, and to obtain a just settlement entirely impartial
between employer & undertaker. he is the person who in the office of Proctor to the Univty.
has superintended the whole of our works from the begg. is a skilful house carpenter and
eminent Undertaker himself, and a person of the most perfect integrity & worth, & in whom
no confidence can be misplaced. he will shew you the plan of our establmt, the last building
of which is now in hand. when this shall be done, the whole will have cost about 300.M D.
will be a perfect model of classical architecture, and on the whole will vie in taste &
appearance with any thing in the US. I take very sincere interest in your health happiness &
prosperity and shall be very happy to learn that all these have been continued to you, and
report to you the assurances of my constant esteem & respect.
ADftS, DLC:TJ, 1p, with TJ docket "Carstairs Tho. Jan. 13. 24." Jefferson made this draft
on a coversheet addressed "Quincy Ms, March 12th. Thomas Jefferson Late President of the
US Monticello Virginia."
| Documentary History of the Construction of the Buildings at the University
of Virginia, 1817-1828 | |