University of Virginia Library

John Neilson to John Hartwell Cocke

According to your advice I went to Mr Jefferson and told him how I was situated as to mony
matters, he was good enough to tell me he would attend to it, I have found the benefit of his
interference as I yesterday got a check from the Proctor for $500 though far below what I in
justice ought to have recd my wants made it very aceptable.

Mr Jefferson seems in high spirits in consequence of the mony granted by the Asembly, he
said he should write to the Visitors for them to sanction his measures, and fall to work
imediately. I beleive he would be anxious that Dinsmore and my self would undertake the
carpenter work but I avoided the subject being resolved to be guided entirely by your
judgement.

He is full of brickmaking ideas at present, he said they had or would engage Mr Thorn (a
brick-layer who came here in partnership with Mr Ware) as superintendent of the brick-yard
Mr. Jefferson being better pleased with the colour of his brick in No 2 and 4 than he is with
other that was made here, he does not know that Thorn was not the maker he that made
them left this at the very time I came up herewith Fittz Thorn has since been in the employ
of J Perry so that I think Mr Jefferson ought to look at No 8 Hotel C. and the Proctors
House, as it was with those jobs only he was engaged in the making of the brick.

I fear it will be an unprofitable job but of this you are a much better Judge than me, from a
great deal of experience you have had in the brick laying business, my opinion is you should
let the work out to one or more, causing them to give security for the faithfull performance
of the same, to the full amount of the mony they are to receive. the same rule to apply to all
that may be engaged of the Library, when work is imperfectly done it is but small
consolation that the price may be lowered. I have heard the proctor say he means to dispute
a good part of Antrims plaistering, had the precaution of taking security been used more
care would have been taken in the execution of the work. as I have formerly told you the
brick work can be done for $9 a 1,000 and I am not of the opinion nor is Mr Dinsmore that
you will be able to do them for a less sum, besides the want of responsibility in men
working in that manner.

I hope you will not impute it to vanity or impertenance my thus intruding my opinion on
you, it arises from a sincere desire that the work may be executed in a manner that will
reflect credit on all who are concerned in it, in short I would wish it equal to the grandeur of
the design, which I have never seen equaled.

Mr Jefferson thinks the funds will barely enable to close in the building and complete the
exterior part of it, there might be a large portion of the expence avoided in the work for
instance the stone work the whole of the steps might be dispensed with untill a future day.
the[y] could be built with brick with scantling in front, by keeping them one step short of the
design they would answer all the purposes required; and prepared for the stone ones when
the[y] could be obtained and requiring no alteration. by finishing the basement story which
may be in a very plain manner, that would afford ample convenience for lecture rooms
omitting to finish the next story and the Library room I had intended to have entered into a
detail of the expence but I beleive I shall omit it untill I see or hear from you I should deem
it would require but little time for the Proctor to furnish an acurrate statement of the debts of
the University and then you would be enabled to know what you could undertake he told me
he would join to my account as soon as he had done checking. Dinsmore managed to get
$300 at this time $200 at the January court, they manage matters much better than I can
whatever is the reason of it.

I had when I went down an elevation of the Pantheon with the flank veiw of Pavillions No 9
and 10 for Mrs Cocke I was ashamed to tell of it as it fell so far below my intentions,
however bad I may think of it I must have it conveyed down, the painting of the frame not
being done prevented me of bringing it allong with me I deem'd it the last ebullition of the
Rotunda in my brain, as soon as the laquor cools a little I Shall examine it, and see if I
cannot find a collage for Mrs Cocke in it.[861]

The Proctor sent a draught by me for $500 to Oldham so that his wants are suplied in part,
when I take a veiw of the place and the way things has been conducted the more I get
disgusted with it. our workmen are nearly all Africans Peck employs four of the Proctors
carpenters his Old man Sam is an apendage to the university being a master of all Arts at
one time a carpenter then tin man next printer

Henry is in the smith shop the waiting man Jack and Simon the Cook Ocasionaly at work
with the hands on levelling you may posibly think this has nothing to do with me or I with it
so I would think had I not felt it, Last June had the mony been paid that was due according
to contract to those who had then done the work their would have been little left for peck &
Crawfords Jobs

I scarce trust my self with a though of the future work being resolved whilst I remain in
Virginia to be wholly guided by your counsel. I have nearly finished all the drawings I
intended and then I may take Holiday. I remain with the most sincere respect Your most
Obedient Servant

John Neilson

ALS, ViU:JHC, 3p, with address "General J H Cocke Bremo Fluvanna" and JHC docket "J
Neilson recd. Febry 24"; printed (extract), in Lasala, "Thomas Jefferson's Designs for the
University of Virginia," #00-21.