University of Virginia Library

Proctor Wanted

The day before the university bill was passed into law, Jefferson wrote to local magistrate
and businessman Richard Duke to offer him the opportunity to handle a part of the proctor's
work for the university. The duties of proctor, Jefferson asserted, are "of two characters so
distinct, that it is difficult to find them associated in the same person. the one part of these
duties is to make contracts with workmen, superintend their execution, see that they are
according to the plan, performed faithfully and in a workman like manner, settle their
accounts, and pay them off. the other part is to hire common laborers, overlook them,
provide subsistence, and do whatever also is necessary for the institution." Nelson
Barksdale, Jefferson observed, was fully qualified to handle the latter part; the other part,
however, amounting to two days in the week, "we have thought would be better done by a
person more accustomed to that sort of business."[162] Duke's situation did not allow for him
to serve in that capacity, however, and Barksdale, although he would remain employed at
the university, was soon replaced with a well-qualified and experienced undertaker from
Richmond, Arthur Spicer Brockenbrough.