University of Virginia Library

Thomas Jefferson to James Madison,
James Breckenridge, Joseph Carrington Cabell,
Chapman Johnson, & John Hartwell Cocke

Having received from all our brethren approbations of the loan, I authorised Mr.
Brockenbrough to engage the work of the Rotunda and have it commenced immediately. We
had only two bricklayers and two carpenters capable of executing it with solidity and
correctness, these had not capital sufficient for so great an undertaking, nor would they have
risked their little all but for a great advance on the estimated cost, probably 50. per cent. for
this reason and others very decisive Mr. Brockenbrough declined that mode of engagement,
and on consideration of his reasons I approved of them. he has engaged Thorn &
Chamberlain for the brickwork, and Dinsmore & Nelson for the roof and carpenter's work
on terms which I think will make our money go the farthest possible, for good work; and his
engagement is only for the hull compleat. that done, we can pay for it, see the state of our
funds and engage a portion of the inside work so as to stop where our funds may fail, should
they fail before it's entire completion. there it may rest ever so long, be used, and not delay
the opening of the institution, the work will occupy three years. all this will be more fully
explained at our meeting and will I hope recieve your approbation.[864] I shall hope to see
you at Monticello the day before at least. accept the assurance of my friendly esteem &
respect.

Th: Jefferson

LS, addressed to Cocke, ViU:Cocke Family Papers, 1p [1984], with address "General John
H. Cocke Bremo. Fluvanna to the care of W. M. Cary esq. near Wilmington Fluvanna" and
JHC docket "Mr. Jefferson recd. 25. Mar."; LS, addressed to Cabell, ViU:Cabell Papers
[1984] with address "Joseph C. Cabell esq. Williamsburg" and JCC docket "Mr. Jefferson
March 12. 1823. Ansd. 24th."; LS, addressed to Madison, DLC:JM; ADft, DLC:TJ; extract,
in "Extracts of Letters from TJ to JHC," ViU:Cocke Family Papers; printed, O'Neal,
Jefferson's Buildings at the University of Virginia: The Rotunda, 25-26; printed, Cabell,
Early History of the University of Virginia, 278-79. The addresses and signatures are in
Jefferson's writing, and the ADft contains Jefferson's docket "Madison James. Breckenridge
James. Cabell Jos. C. Johnson Chapman Cocke J. H. Mar. 12. 23.