Thomas Jefferson Papers

Minutes of University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 7 April 1823

Minutes of University of Virginia Board of Visitors

A meeting of the Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia was held at the University on 7th April 1823, at which were present Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Chapman Johnson, George Loyall and Joseph C. Cabell.

It was resolved that the Loan of sixty thousand dollars which the President and Directors of the Literary Fund were authorized by an Act of the last General Assembly to make to the University be accepted; and that the Rector be authorized to execute the proper bonds, and to take the necessary steps for drawing the money: and that it be drawn in the following times & sums; that is to say, thirty thousand dollars immediately; and the remaining thirty thousand dollars on the first day of January next; or in such other sums, and at such other times, as the President & Directors of the Literary Fund, and the Executive Committee of the University may agree upon.

It was resolved that the charges of mr Coffee for materials, packages &c be allowed him.

An anonymous letter, supposed to be in the handwriting of James oldham, a carpenter, formerly employed at the University, which bears date 18. Jany 1822 (by error, as is supposed for 1823)1 and addressed2 to Thomas Griffin Esq. a member of the legislature of Virginia, containing various charges, of misconduct, against Arthur S. Brokenbrough, the proctor of the University, having been laid before the board, by the said Brokenbrough, and the board, thinking that if the said James Oldham will avow himself the author of this letter, and profess himself willing to afford any evidence3 of these charges, they ought to be investigated—

Therefore resolved, that the executive committee be charged with the duty of calling on the said oldham, to declare whether he is the author of the letter aforesaid, and is willing to give any information as to the charges therein mentioned, and if he avow himself the author, and willing to give the information, then that they enter into the investigation thereof, upon evidence taken in such mode as they may prescribe, and report thereupon to this board at their next meeting.

Resolved that the Executive Committee be authorized & required to employ from time to time an Accountant, to settle and state the accounts of the University and to report thereon to the Board, at each meeting; and that they allow to the said accountant a reasonable compensation for his services.

Resolved that Joseph C. Cabell and John H. Cocke or either of whom may act, be appointed a committee to settle & report to the board the accounts of the Bursar and Proctor of the University, with authority if they deem it expedient to require a statement thereof by the accountant.4

The board adjourns indefinitely

Th: Jefferson Rector
Apr. 7. 1823.

MS (ViU: TJP-VMTJ); in Joseph C. Cabell’s hand, with closing and signature in TJ’s hand as noted below. Tr (ViU: TJP-VMJCC). Tr (ViU: TJP-VMJHC). Tr (ViU: TJP-VMJB).

In a letter dated “Mrs Tinsley’s” [i.e., Tinsley Tavern, Goochland County], 8 Apr. 1823, Cabell advised General John H. Cocke’s wife, Louisa Maxwell Holmes Cocke, that “Mr Johnson was at our meeting & seemed as if he wished the Genl was there. However we had a pleasant meeting, and the Rotunda goes on, and Mr Jefferson is delighted. The buildings appear more & more beautiful every time I see them” (RC in ViU: JHC).

On 9 Apr. 1823 Dolley Madison wrote to her son John Payne Todd “We return’d yesterday from Monticello after passing three days with that family [i.e., the Randolphs] & one with Judge Nelsons—Ellen & Virginia were indisposed—all the rest—with Mr Jefferson, quite well—They hoped to have seen you with us” (RC in ViU: Miscellaneous Correspondence of Noted Virginians).

1Parenthetical phrase interlined.

2VMJCC Tr: “directed.”

3Word at right margin, possibly trimmed. Trs: “evidences.”

4Remainder in TJ’s hand.

Index Entries

  • Brockenbrough, Arthur Spicer; as University of Virginia proctor search
  • Cabell, Joseph Carrington; as member of University of Virginia Board of Visitors search
  • Cocke, John Hartwell (1780–1866); as member of University of Virginia Board of Visitors search
  • Cocke, Louisa Maxwell Holmes (John Hartwell Cocke’s second wife); letter to, from J. C. Cabell search
  • Coffee, William John; fashions ornaments for University of Virginia search
  • Coolidge, Ellen Wayles Randolph (TJ’s granddaughter); health of search
  • Griffin, Thomas; and University of Virginia search
  • Johnson, Chapman; as member of University of Virginia Board of Visitors search
  • Literary Fund; and loans for University of Virginia search
  • Loyall, George; as member of University of Virginia Board of Visitors search
  • Madison, Dolley Payne Todd (James Madison’s wife); visits Monticello search
  • Madison, James (1751–1836); as member of University of Virginia Board of Visitors search
  • Madison, James (1751–1836); visits Monticello search
  • Monticello (TJ’s Albemarle Co. estate); Visitors to; Madison, Dolley and James search
  • Nelson, Hugh; D. and J. Madison visit search
  • Oldham, James; complaint against A. S. Brockenbrough search
  • Tinsley Tavern (Goochland Co.) search
  • Todd, John Payne (James Madison’s stepson); correspondence with D. Madison search
  • Trist, Virginia Jefferson Randolph (TJ’s granddaughter); illness of search
  • Virginia, University of; Administration and Financial Affairs; bursar of search
  • Virginia, University of; Administration and Financial Affairs; inspection and settlement of accounts of search
  • Virginia, University of; Administration and Financial Affairs; proctor of search
  • Virginia, University of; Administration and Financial Affairs; rector of search
  • Virginia, University of; Board of Visitors; and funds of University of Virginia search
  • Virginia, University of; Board of Visitors; and loans for University of Virginia search
  • Virginia, University of; Board of Visitors; meetings of search
  • Virginia, University of; Board of Visitors; Minutes of search
  • Virginia, University of; Construction and Grounds; disputes with workmen search
  • Virginia, University of; Construction and Grounds; ornamental work search
  • Virginia, University of; Construction and Grounds; Rotunda (library) search
  • Virginia; General Assembly search