University of Virginia Library

Lucy Gray Brockenbrough
to Joseph Carrington Cabell

When I last saw and conversed with you, how little did I think that I should so soon have to
address you on a subject so painful and so mortifying to my feelings and those of my
husband Alas the uncertainty of every thing over which men have the control; when you as a
gentleman (voluntarily) assured me that our situation was to be made better I was delighted,
because coming from the source it did, I believed it true, but Oh: how little did I think that
under such fair promises, so much injustice, such outrage against every feeling, of propriety
and gratitud was contemplate[d] yes such ingratitude towards one of the most faithful and
conciencious (public servants) Mind I do not complain of the weight of burthen you have
relieved him from, far from it, I am delightd but the unfeeling manner in which it was done,
was it two much to expect at the hands of virgini[an]s (for it is not the custom of Virginians
to dismiss men from Office without at, least, assigning a reason for it,) was it I say too much
to expect that the visitors would at least have acquainted Mr B with their intentions fully,
and at least have made his situation equal by the exchange moreover is it not strange,
passing strange, that 1,500 dollars for eleven years was thought quite a sufficient
compensation for my husband to perform all the duties of the place, both as Proctor and
Patron, when now in the impoverished state of the institution, Mr Carr recieves 1,000
dollars for performing part of the duties, and the only part which Mr Brockenbrough ever
omitted or refused to do, Mr Carr also refuses, and consequently the Visitors have taken it
off; is not this sufficient proof that Mr B performed double duties (and that faithfully) for
half pay--ough[t] not such labour and liberality to have been differantly rewarded,--we;
thank heaven are not so reduced yet nor is my husband so old as to ask a pension at the
hands of the public, but is it not evident that if he has been rewarded Mr Carr is doubly paid
for his services; is all this compatible with justice strange and mysterious proceedings, I
hope wiser head than mine will put it to right, where the fountain is so impure the streams
must ever be; this institution can never prosper whilst religion and justice are completely
shut out of its walls: I do not wish or expect any change in the decision of the Visitors
(although one would suppose such decisions to have been hastily made[)]--but I must ever
believe that the visitors were led to the resolution by some complainant, if so, I think justice
requires that they should come out, and at least give Mr B an opportunity of vindicating
himself As to his integrity I know that that stands unimpeachable, if the Faculty have
thought proper to complain of his want of vigilence in attending to and executing all their
numerous and troublesome little wants, let then come out, but not record on their books
(seen only by themselves and the Visitors) things which perhaps a little investigation might
correct, honesty never fears it--and he can stand it with any one of them--I very much doubt
if he were allowed to keep a book of private transactions whether he would not have been
the last Officer here, dismissed, for I do know there has been repeated efforts made by the
Professors (and I suppose this one cause of complant) to get Mr B to do work at the
University expence which they were bound to do at their own, and in every case he has
refused, and thereby become unpopular, now Mr Carr must do all these things and various
others of a similar nature or he will not suit the place; I have no wish to injure any one, far
from it, my religion teaches me to return good for evil, I hope I do, but it does not require
that we suffer injustice with impunity nor does it prevent our mortification when our
feelings have been cruelly sported with--I will not take advange of my sex and attempt to
harrow up your feelings by a detail of the pecuniary or domestick distress which your late
decision are likely to produce in a large family of helpless children like mine, but when I
reflect that the prime of his, life, whose duty it is to provide for those helpless beings, has
been solely devoted to this institution, I am overwhelmed with indignation and
mortification--Oh could its venerated, highminded liberal and noble Founder rise from his
grave how would fraud, tyranny and injustice hide their heads, and sink from his indignant
gaze.--I have addressed this letter to you sir, believeing you to be our friend as well as a
friend to justice, and that as a member of a body you could only give your vote, which I
understand was in our favour my husband knows nothing of this letter or I suppose he
would not allow me to trouble you with it, but if upon reflection you do not approve of the
facts I have stated, (to relieve an overburthened mind) you will excuse the feeling which
prompted me, and if you knew the agony of feeling which you have caused me, I am sure
you would at least give me your sympathy--in conclusion do you not think the step which
you have taken likely to injure Mr B in his attempts to get into other business, for you
cannot suppose he can support a large growing family upon the Patron Fees a thing
altogether dependent on chance--Mr Cabell you know who it was that came here when this
place was almost a wilderness, and struggled with all the difficulties attendant on rearing so
many buildings, in a country place where there are so few facilities--and who like to have
lost his hearing entirely, in 1822 by a trip to the North to benefit the institution, and who has
always doubled his own labour to save the institution expence now ( that these duties have
become) comparatively light by his exertions, to remove him (without saying why, or
wherefore,) with a large family and in his place put a young man in good circumstances,
(already in the public service,) whose qualifications have at least to be tried, and give him a
double salery--will the Legislature of Virginia submit to these things, no, I trust she will
remove the evil wherever it may exist--respectfully--

L Brockenbrough

ALS, ViU:JCC, 6p, with address "To. Mr Joseph C Cabel--Warminster Nelson County--"
and JCC docket "L. Brokenbrough. July 22. 1831. ansd. 1st. Sepr." Cabell's reply to this
letter has not been identified, but it was received, and on 12 September Brockenbrough
replied to it (ViU:JCC). Brockenbrough married Lucy Gray on 28 February 1811 (see
Wilkerson, Index to Marriages of Old Rappahannock and Essex Counties, 33). Writing to
Cabell from Bremo about Lucy Brockenbrough's complaints on 26 August 1831, Cocke
says: "I found a letter here from Brockenbrough on my return from Norfolk--so
disrespectful towards the Board--that I have determined to return it to him for
reconsideration before I will trust myself to answer it--His conduct overwhelms me with
astonishment--but I think I have a due to it, in the unaccountable course of Jefferson
Randolph upon the subject of the new arrangements at the U. by the last Board of
Visitors--It seems in consequence of the exparte Statements of Brockenbrough's wife--(for I
have very little doubt she has been the prime mover in the whole business) the sapient
Sovereigns of Albemarle called Jefferson to accot. for the appointment of the New Proctor
& consequent derangement, as they were pleased to infer, of good old Arthur--And made
such a clamor at the election that the young Candidate was obliged to defend himself--and
what will you think to be told--that he declared upon the Hustings--`that he never
recommended Carr to the Board--that he never advised him to accept, & that he never voted
for him.' I am sure you will join me in the exclamation Oh tempora, Oh Mores!" In the same
Cocke informed Cabell that "You doubtless have heard of the insurrection of Slaves in
Southampton--Two separate Accounts have reached this neighbourhood by which it is
apparent there has been much exaggeration--although I apprehend, there is no doubt blood
has been Shed" (ViU:JCC).