George Loyall to Thomas Jefferson, 13 February 1823
From George Loyall
Richmond 13. Feb: ’23
Dear Sir
Mr Cabell has informed me that, to facilitate the operations, for the erection of the additional building to the University, it is desirable the sanction of the Visitors, to the loan just granted by the Legislature, should be had at an early day—: It pleased the Executive, some short time since, to appoint me—certainly a very unworthy Member of the board—and, in compliance with Mr Cabell’s request, my sanction is hereby given to the loan.
Allow me the occasion, Sir, to offer you my gratulations, at the prospect now opened, of completing this work, which promises a quota so large to the common weal; and which Virginia must take a just pride, in registering among the numerous claims you have secured, to her everlasting gratitude and thanksgiving. The present Legislature having, by the loan granted, redeemed the insensibility to the public interest betrayed by the last, in refusing all aid towards the completion of the buildings; affords moreover, the pleasing presage of obtaining, through the force of public opinion, at a future, and not distant day, whatever may be required to bring the Institution into active usefulness.
Geo: Loyall
RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 16 Feb. 1823 and so recorded in SJL. RC (DLC); address cover only; with Dft of TJ to Samuel Barnard, 8 Mar. 1824, on verso; addressed: “Mr Jefferson Monticello Albemarle”; franked; postmarked Richmond, 13 Feb.
George Loyall (1789–1868), public official, attended the College of William and Mary, 1807–08. He represented Norfolk Borough in the Virginia House of Delegates for ten sessions, 1817–27, and was a delegate to a state constitutional convention, 1829–30. Loyall served three terms in the United States House of Representatives, 1830–31 and 1833–37. He was an elector for Andrew Jackson in 1832. First appointed federal navy agent for Norfolk in 1837, Loyall remained in that position, with the exception of 1851–53, until 1861. He served on the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia, 1822–28, and on that of William and Mary in 1842. Loyall owned eight slaves in 1830, four in 1840 and 1850, and two in 1860. After United States forces captured Norfolk during the Civil War, Loyall remained there but did not take the oath of allegiance (, 26, 53; ; Ellen W. Randolph [Coolidge] to Nicholas P. Trist, 3 May 1823 [DLC: NPT]; ; Manual of the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia [2005]: 39; Richmond Enquirer, 4 Sept. 1832, 21 Mar. 1837; , 5:374, 376, 10:263, 266 [11, 12 Mar. 1841, 10 (i.e., 17) Dec. 1857]; DNA: RG 29, CS, Norfolk, 1830–60, 1850, 1860 slave schedules; John Y. Simon and others, eds., The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant [1967–2009], 12:450–1; Charleston [S.C.] Daily News, 2 Mar. 1868; gravestone inscription in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Norfolk).
A likeness of Loyall is reproduced elsewhere in this volume.
Index Entries
- Cabell, Joseph Carrington; 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
- Loyall, George; as Va. legislator search
- Loyall, George; identified search
- Loyall, George; letter from 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; Construction and Grounds; Rotunda (library) search
- Virginia, University of; Establishment; and General Assembly search
- Virginia, University of; Establishment; opinions on search
- Virginia, University of; Establishment; opposition to search
- Virginia, University of; Establishment; TJ as founder of search
- Virginia; General Assembly search