Some time since Mr Brockenborough wrote to propose to sell his stone cutter to the University or to undertake himself the steps of the rotunda at one dollar per foot the materials being furnished, payable one half in september next, the other half the september following. This I understand from him is twenty five cents per foot cheaper than was offered by a Philadelphia workman (Mr James Campbell.) and is I believe as cheap as it can be done: the steps being 18 [f] by 7 1/2: the workman I know personally to be fully competent. added to Mr Brockenborough bill will be the expence of raising and hauling the stone. It is certainly very desirable that the work should be completed. The funds of the University present the only obstacle. It will be necessary for me to inform you that in carrying into effect the 11th resolution offered by the committee of inspection and adopted by the board of visitors on the 20th of July last. The expense of the offices directed to be erected was greater than anticipated by the board. Yourself and Genl[.] Cocke not having been present at that meeting and not being acquainted with the reasons which governed the board in the adoption of that resolution and the importance attached to it. I referred the difficulty to Mr Johnson and Mr Cabell and by their advice directed the building to completed dividing their cost in three equal annual payments two of which become due in Sept 30. & 31. You may be not be apprised that the commissioners appointed in Oldhams suit against the University have brought an account in his favor of near $3,000 interests and costs added will probably should it be sustained, swell it to near $4,000. Under these circumstances I would suggest a doubt of the propriety of the executive committee entering into a contract which would involve an expense of from 800 to $1,000.

At the meeting I believe in 1828 the subject of diplomas was submitted to the consideration of the faculty. The Chairman has had an engraving for them the plate of which with a number on parchment has cost $130.