Thomas Jefferson to University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 12 March 1823
To University of Virginia Board of Visitors
Monticello. March 12. 23
Dear Sir
Having received from all our brethren approbations of the loan, I authorised Mr Brockenbrough to engage the work of the Rotunda,1 and have it commenced immediately. we had only two bricklayers and two carpenters capable of executing it with solidity and correctness; these had not capital sufficient for so great an undertaking, nor would they have risked their little all but for a great advance on the estimated cost, probably 50. per cent. for this reason and others very decisive Mr Brockenbrough declined that mode of engagement, and on consideration of his reasons I approved of them. he has engaged Thorn and Chamberlain for the brickwork, and Dinsmore & Nelson for the roof and carpenter’s work, on terms which I think will make our money go the farthest possible, for good work; and his engagement is only for the hull compleat. that done, we can pay for it, see the state of our funds and engage2 a portion of the inside-work so as to stop where our funds may fail, should they fail before it’s entire completion. there it may rest ever so long, be used, and not delay the opening of the institution, the work will occupy three years. all this will be more fully explained at our meeting and will I hope receive your approbation. I shall hope to see you at Monticello the day before at least.3 Accept the assurance of my friendly esteem and respect.
Th: Jefferson
RC (ViU: TJP); in Ellen W. Randolph (Coolidge)’s hand, signed by TJ; addressed by TJ: “Joseph C. Cabell esq. Williamsburg”; franked; postmarked Charlottesville, 13 Mar.; endorsed by Cabell as answered 24 Mar. 1823. RC (ViU: TJP); in Virginia J. Randolph (Trist)’s hand, signed by TJ; addressed by TJ: “General John H. Cocke Bremo. Fluvanna to the care of W. M. Cary esq. [i.e., Miles Cary] near Wilmington Fluvanna”; franked; postmarked Charlottesville, 13 Mar.; endorsed by Cocke as received 25 Mar. 1823. RC (DLC: James Madison Papers); in Mary J. Randolph’s hand, signed by TJ. RC (MiDbEI); in Virginia J. Randolph (Trist)’s hand, signed by TJ; torn at seal. Dft (DLC); on verso of portion of reused sheet; endorsed by TJ as a letter to Madison, James Breckinridge, Cabell, Chapman Johnson, and Cocke. Recorded as five separate letters in SJL.
1. Preceding three words interlined in Dft.
2. In Dft TJ here canceled “another.”
3. Sentence interlined in Dft.
Index Entries
- Breckinridge (Breckenridge), James; as member of University of Virginia Board of Visitors search
- Breckinridge (Breckenridge), James; letters to search
- Brockenbrough, Arthur Spicer; agreement with A. B. Thorn and N. Chamberlain search
- Brockenbrough, Arthur Spicer; agreement with J. Dinsmore and J. Neilson 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
- Cary, Miles; carries letter search
- Chamberlain, Nathaniel; Arthur S. Brockenbrough’s Agreement with Abia B. Thorn and Nathaniel Chamberlain for Brickwork for the University of Virginia Rotunda search
- Cocke, John Hartwell (1780–1866); as member of University of Virginia Board of Visitors search
- Cocke, John Hartwell (1780–1866); letters to search
- Coolidge, Ellen Wayles Randolph (TJ’s granddaughter); as TJ’s amanuensis search
- Dinsmore, James; Arthur S. Brockenbrough’s Agreement with James Dinsmore and John Neilson for Carpentry and Joining for the University of Virginia Rotunda search
- Jefferson, Thomas; Correspondence; amanuenses for search
- Johnson, Chapman; as member of University of Virginia Board of Visitors search
- Johnson, Chapman; letters to search
- Madison, James (1751–1836); as member of University of Virginia Board of Visitors search
- Madison, James (1751–1836); letters to search
- Neilson (Nelson), John; Arthur S. Brockenbrough’s Agreement with James Dinsmore and John Neilson for Carpentry and Joining for the University of Virginia Rotunda search
- Randolph, Mary Jefferson (TJ’s granddaughter); as TJ’s amanuensis search
- Thorn, Abia B.; Arthur S. Brockenbrough’s Agreement with Abia B. Thorn and Nathaniel Chamberlain for Brickwork for the University of Virginia Rotunda search
- Trist, Virginia Jefferson Randolph (TJ’s granddaughter); as TJ’s amanuensis search
- Virginia, University of; Board of Visitors; and construction of University of Virginia search
- Virginia, University of; Board of Visitors; and loans for University of Virginia search
- Virginia, University of; Board of Visitors; letter to search
- Virginia, University of; Board of Visitors; meetings of search
- Virginia, University of; Construction and Grounds; brick makers and brick masons at search
- Virginia, University of; Construction and Grounds; carpenters and joiners for search
- Virginia, University of; Construction and Grounds; Rotunda (library) search