University of Virginia Library

James Dinsmore & John Neilson
& Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough
Contract for Work on the Rotunda

We, Arthur S Brockenbrough Proctor acting for and in behalf of the University of Virginia
on the one part, and James Dinsmore and John Neilson for themselves on the other part, do
hereby enter into the following articles of agreement--Viz 1st A. S. Brockenbrough Proctor
agrees that the said Dinsmore & Neilson may do the following parts of the Carpenters and
Joiners work of the Rotunda Viz. All the Window frames & sashes, the two principal floors,
the out side doors including the outside finishing, the staircases, all the centers for the brick
work, the framing of the roof and sheeting, The portico framing and sheeting the Corinthian
entablature all round complete--the Base & Cornice of the Attic, the steping on the roof, the
wood bricks and bond timbers &c that may be required hereafter for the finishing of the
inside work, all to be executed in the best and most substantial manner--2nd The materials
for the above named work to be furnished at the expence of the University--3rd The bills of
Lumber to be made out by Dinsmore & Neilson and they to contract for the same on the best
possible terms, to have the same well seasoned before it's used, to take care of the same and
see that there is no unnecessary waste--the Proctor to be furnished with a copy of all the
bills of lumber contracted for, as well as for bills of other articles that will be required for
the said work, 4th the brick-work to be layed off at the commencement by the Said
Dinsmore & Neilson and they are to examine the correctness of it as it progresses, and if not
done agreeable to their directions to notify the Proctor in time for correction, but if any part
of the brick work done agreeable to the directions of the said Dinsmore & Neilson or either
of them, should be found wrong, they the said Dinsmore & Neilson must pay for the
necessary alteration of the brick work, including the loss of materials & labour--5th The
prices of the aforesaid Carpenters work to be governed by the average prices of work in
Philadelphia undertaken between the time of signing this contract and the completion of the
work to be ascertained in the following manner We are mutually to agree on two
Philadelphia Measurers to come on and Measure the work, the prices for which shall be
fixed agreeable to the present prices of work in Philadelphia that is at the percentages above
or below their price Books, for all work not embraced in the said Books, they shall be
guided by what they shall deem justice to both parties--6th Money to be paid from time to
time as the work progresses say Dollars per Month for each good hand employed on the said
building including the undertakers--the Balance of the Bill at the completi[o]n of the
work--each party to pay an equal proportion of the measuring charges--this contract to be
null & void untill approved by the Rector of the University of Virginia. Witness our hands
and seals this 11th day of March One thousand eight hundred & twenty three

Test A. S. Brockenbrough Proctor (Seal)

John M Perry acting for the University Va

Jas. Dinsmore (Seal)

John Neilson (Seal)

DS, in ASB's writing, ViU:PP, 3p [1983] with ASB docket "Brockenbrough A. S. Proctor
with Dinsmore & Neilson for the work of the Rotunda"; printed, O'Neal, Jefferson's
Buildings at the University of Virginia: The Rotunda, 24-25. Brockenbrough sent this
contract to Jefferson for approval on 11 March, and Jefferson returned it with his reply the
following day.