 |
Chapter 5
The Building Campaign of 1820
Documentary History of the Construction of the Buildings at the University
of Virginia, 1817-1828 |  |
Bitter Weather
Despite Jefferson's hyperbole about Virginia's "genial climate," the new year opened with a
bitter arctic blast. "On the morning of the 1st Jany (Saturday last) the Thermometer hung out
in the open air, stood at 9 below Zero, a little before Sunrise-At 9. oclock being removed
into the passage where it usually hangs, it stood at 2 degrees below 0 after breakfast, 1
degree above 0 . . . Ice 7 Inches thick on the River."[368] These winter conditions brought
work on the buildings at the university to a near standstill. Huddled by the Monticello
fireplaces trying to keep warm, Jefferson's concern during the month was focused more on
raising the money necessary to continue construction and "relieve the actual distresses of
our workmen" than on the progress those workmen were making. Private subscriptions
came in "slow & grudgingly" when at all, Jefferson complained to state Senator Joseph
Carrington Cabell.[369] He directed Alexander Garrett to draw $13,000 to distribute "among
the claiments," whose demands, the bursar informed Jefferson's partner on the committee of
superintendence, "already exceeds the second annual donation by the state."[370]
368. Wilson J. Cary, Weather Memorandum, 5 January 1820, ViU:JHC. Cary took these
temperatures at Carysbrook, his plantation in Fluvanna County not too far from General
John Hartwell Cocke's home. He also noted that at 8 o'clock on 3 and 4 January the
temperature was 14 and 12 respectively.
|
Chapter 5
The Building Campaign of 1820
Documentary History of the Construction of the Buildings at the University
of Virginia, 1817-1828 | |