Arthur S. Brockenbrough to Thomas Jefferson, 22 January 1823
From Arthur S. Brockenbrough
University of Va Jany 22n 1823
Dear Sir,
I regret exceedingly at being obliged to trouble you so offen about the affairs of this institution, but circumstances makes it necessary at this time to ask your advice—About a year ago Mr Oldham complained of my not settling his bill. his work now is all measured and the bills made out as far as we can agree, a very large portion is yet unsettled and I am inclined to believe we never shall as we differ very materially in many important articles in the bill—for instence in the price of doors, of six pannels, double or single worked he insists the book gives him double what others have recieved in settlement of their bills—in the Dormitory roofing he claims about $20 per square when others have settled at 8$ ⅌ Sqr in the framing for the Entablatures to the porticos—where others have recd about $5. ⅌ Sqr he charges nearly $30 pr Sqr and in several other cases over goes the prices as layed down (in my opinion) in the book—the question is sir what will be the proper course to take to get a settlement? if by arbitration we shall be obliged to call in Workmen for other persons will not engage in the business, and I know from experiance they are too much disposed to favor the undertaker—If however you think it best to let it be settled in that way, I must look out for some man in Richmond to act on our part—there are some parts of John Neilsons bills also unsettled and about as much difficulty as there is [in]1 the other case, he is no doubt urging on Mr Oldham in his course with the views of adopting the same mode of settlement if he gains his point, for my own part I had rather refer it to a jury than to a settlement by arbitration he is presing me constanly to appoint some one on the part of the University to settle it—I have settled the bills of Js Dinsmore, J. M Perry—of Dinsmore & Perry, of Geo: W Spooner, and Wares bills are nearly settled and all without much difficulty how then can I be much out in my ideas about the prices in the book? for surely those men would not have settled if they had not have supposed I had given them the best prices the book allows—I will thank you to advise what I had best do—for I dislike Law as much as any one and am as much disposed to do justice to an individual as the public—
We are indebted to individuals in Richmond for Nails, Hard Ware, Tin &c which I should like to pay off—if you think it adviseable to draw a part2 of the Annuity at this time—there is also about $800 due for hire of Labourers3 & some two or three hundred for Pork which I would wish to pay—
Be pleased to let me hear from you as soon as convenient as I intend seting out for Richd on Friday morning—I am Sir respectfuly your Obt sevt
A. S. Brockenbrough
RC (CSmH: JF); addressed: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr Monticello”; endorsed by TJ as received the day it was written and so recorded in SJL.
The prices as layed down in The House Carpenters’ Book of Prices, and Rules for measuring and valuing all their different kinds of work (Philadelphia, 1812; , 6 [no. 243]) were used to determine payments for the labor of workmen constructing the University of Virginia.
1. Omitted word editorially supplied.
2. Manuscript: “draw apart.”
3. Manuscript: “Laboures.”
Index Entries
- Brockenbrough, Arthur Spicer; as University of Virginia proctor search
- Brockenbrough, Arthur Spicer; letters from search
- building materials; nails search
- building materials; tin search
- Dinsmore, James; as builder for Central College–University of Virginia search
- Dinsmore & Perry (Albemarle Co. firm); as builders for University of Virginia search
- food; pork search
- Literary Fund; and annuity for University of Virginia search
- nails; for University of Virginia search
- Neilson (Nelson), John; as builder for Central College–University of Virginia search
- Oldham, James; complaint against A. S. Brockenbrough search
- Perry, John M.; as builder for Central College–University of Virginia search
- pork; for University of Virginia search
- Spooner, George Wilson; as builder for University of Virginia search
- The House Carpenters’ Book of Prices, and Rules for measuring and valuing all their different kinds of work; and wages at University of Virginia search
- tin; for University of Virginia search
- Virginia, University of; Construction and Grounds; building costs search
- Virginia, University of; Construction and Grounds; building materials for search
- Virginia, University of; Construction and Grounds; disputes with workmen search
- Virginia, University of; Construction and Grounds; doors search
- Virginia, University of; Construction and Grounds; dormitory rooms search
- Virginia, University of; Construction and Grounds; roofs search
- Virginia, University of; Construction and Grounds; wages for workmen search
- Ware, Richard; as carpenter for University of Virginia search