Thomas Jefferson Papers
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Thomas Jefferson and John H. Cocke to James Breckinridge, Joseph C. Cabell, Chapman Johnson, James Madison, and Robert Taylor, 15 August 1821

Thomas Jefferson and John H. Cocke to James Breckinridge, Joseph C. Cabell, Chapman Johnson, James Madison, and Robert Taylor

Monticello—Aug. 15. 21.

Dear Sir

In obedience to the resolution of the visitors of the university at their last session, the Proctor has been constantly employed in ‘ascertaining the state of accounts under contracts already made, and the expence of compleating the buildings begun and contemplated’:1 and we have consequently suspended, according to instructions, ‘the entering into any contracts for the Library until we see that it may be done without interfering with the finishing of all the pavilions, hotels & dormitories begun & to be begun.’ the Proctor will require yet a considerable time to compleat his settlements; in so much that it is very doubtful whether there will be any thing ready for us to act on at our stated meeting in October, should that take place. but by deferring our meeting to the approach of that of the Genl. Assembly, it is believed2 we shall be able to report to them that nearly the whole of the buildings of accomodation are finished & the sum they will have cost; that the few remaining will be finished by the spring, & what their probable cost will be, as ascertained by experience, & further to shew the balance of the funds still at our command, & how far they will be competent to the erection of the Library. On this view of the unreadiness of matter for our next stated meeting, & the prospect that a deferred one will enable us to make a clear & satisfactory report, I venture to propose the omission of our october meeting and the special call of an occasional one on the Thursday preceding the meeting of the legislature. that day is fixed on for the convenience of the gentlemen who are members of the legislature; as it brings them so far on their way to Richmond, with time to get to the 1st day of the session. Not having an opportunity of personal consultation with my colleague of the committee of advice, I pass the letters thro his hands. if he approves the proposition he will subjoin his approbation and forward them to their several addresses; otherwise not. if approved it will be proper you should subscribe the enclosed notice & return it to me to be placed among our records.

I have just received an order of the Literary board for 29,100 D. in part of the loan of 60,000 D. lately authorised; and, following the practice of the legislature, I have thought it just & safest to have the deposit made by moieties in the Virginia & Farmers banks. I salute you with great friendship & respect.

Th: Jefferson3
approved    John. H. Cocke

RC (ViU: TJP); in the hand of Francis Eppes, signed by TJ and Cocke; at head of text in Eppes’s hand: “Circular”; addressed by TJ: “Joseph C. Cabell esquire Warminster”; franked; postmarked Scottsville, 25 Aug.; endorsement by Cabell reading, in part: “Proposing to defer the regular autumnal meeting, and to call a special meeting on the wednesday preceding the meeting of the Assembly.” RC (DLC: Madison Papers); in Nicholas P. Trist’s hand, signed by TJ and Cocke; at head of text in Trist’s hand: “Circular”; at foot of text in TJ’s hand: “James Madison”; endorsed by Madison. RC (Forbes Magazine Collection, New York City, 2003); in Eppes’s hand, signed by TJ and Cocke; damaged along right margin; at head of text in Eppes’s hand: “Circular”; at foot of text in TJ’s hand: “Genl James Breckenridge”; endorsed by Breckinridge. Dft (DLC); on verso of reused address cover of Thomas M. Hall to TJ, 7 May 1821; in TJ’s hand, unsigned; at head of text: “Circular”; endorsed by TJ: “Visitors.” Recorded separately in SJL as letters to Madison, Taylor, Breckinridge, Johnson, and Cabell. Enclosure: Call for Meeting of University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 15 Aug. 1821. Enclosed in TJ to Cocke, 15 Aug. 1821.

1Here and below, quotation marks in all texts added in a different ink, possibly by TJ.

2RC to Cabell: “beleived.” All other texts: “believed.”

3Remainder in Cocke’s hand.

Index Entries

  • Bank of Virginia (Richmond); and University of Virginia search
  • Breckinridge (Breckenridge), James; as member of University of Virginia Board of Visitors search
  • Breckinridge (Breckenridge), James; letters to search
  • Brockenbrough, Arthur Spicer; as University of Virginia proctor search
  • Cabell, Joseph Carrington; as member of University of Virginia Board of Visitors search
  • Cabell, Joseph Carrington; letters to search
  • Cocke, John Hartwell (1780–1866); as member of University of Virginia Board of Visitors search
  • Cocke, John Hartwell (1780–1866); letter from, to J. Breckinridge, J. C. Cabell, C. Johnson, J. Madison, and R. B. Taylor search
  • Farmers’ Bank of Virginia (Richmond); and University of Virginia search
  • Johnson, Chapman; as member of University of Virginia Board of Visitors search
  • Johnson, Chapman; letters to search
  • Literary Fund; and loans for University of Virginia search
  • Madison, James (1751–1836); as member of University of Virginia Board of Visitors search
  • Madison, James (1751–1836); letters to search
  • Taylor, Robert Barraud; as member of University of Virginia Board of Visitors search
  • Taylor, Robert Barraud; letters to search
  • Virginia, University of; Administration and Financial Affairs; accounts of search
  • Virginia, University of; Administration and Financial Affairs; and Bank of Virginia search
  • Virginia, University of; Administration and Financial Affairs; and Farmers’ Bank of Virginia (Richmond) search
  • Virginia, University of; Administration and Financial Affairs; funding for search
  • Virginia, University of; Board of Visitors; and loans for University of Virginia search
  • Virginia, University of; Board of Visitors; committee of superintendence search
  • Virginia, University of; Board of Visitors; meetings of search
  • Virginia, University of; Construction and Grounds; progress of search
  • Virginia, University of; Construction and Grounds; Rotunda (library) search
  • Virginia; General Assembly search