Your letter to Mr Jefferson of the 12—upon the subject of Mr Neilsons undertaking Pavilion No 5 was forwarded to me in consequence of the indisposition of Mr J. endorsed “T Jefferson being unable to write, begs the favor of Genl Cocke to decide upon the business of this letter himself.”

I cannot hesitate to decide that any contract you may have enterd into with Mr Spooner before your knowledge of our wishes & intentions in relation to Mr Neilson, should be faithfully complied with.—at the same time, I hope, such a modification of the agreement with Mr Spooner may be obtained as will be consistent with his expectations & interest, and will enable us to fulfil the assurance which both Mr J & myself have always given Mr N— that he shou’d find employment at the University as soon as his existing engagements wou’d admit of his undertaking.—I observe you state—that Spooner has engaged—to execute, the window frames for the cellar & first Story—1st floor of joists, & inside finishing of Doors & windows of the 1st Story—Mr Neilson is willing to give up to Mr Spooner the Sash frames, & joists, of 2d Story & the1 roof & Sheeting provided he, Neilson, can have the making the Sashes the external cornice and the whole of the inside work and the use of a part of the workshop now in the occupan[cy] of Spooner at an equitable rent.—This seems to me to be yielding to Mr Spooner as much as he will be giving up to Mr N— and I therefore hope the arrangement can be mad[e] satisfactorily to all parties.—Yours with respect & Esteem—