Thomas Jefferson Papers

Thomas Jefferson to James Oldham, 16 April 1823

To James Oldham

Mo Apr. 16. 23.

Dr Sir

I have duly recieved your letter of the 15th specifying the charges you propose agt mr Brockenbro’. I can do no more at present than to furnish him with a copy of it. on my return from Bedford measures shall be taken1 for recieving the evidence which shall be2 adduced3 on both sides. it can only be however such as will voluntarily offer at your respective requests as the visitors having no judiciary authority can issue no compulsory process for witnesses. in the mean time it is proper that you should name to me the individuals alluded to in your 2d 3d & 4th charges, without which they do not sufficiently specify the particular4 cases for which mr Br. is to prepare his evidence.5 accept the assurance of my esteem & respect.

Dft (MHi); on verso of top half of reused address cover of John H. Cocke to TJ, 15 Apr. 1823; endorsed by TJ as a letter to “Oldam James.”

1Preceding four words reworked from “I will take measures.”

2TJ here canceled “offered.”

3Preceding four words interlined.

4Word added in margins.

5Sentence added at foot of text and keyed to this point with a caret.

Index Entries

  • Brockenbrough, Arthur Spicer; as University of Virginia proctor search
  • Oldham, James; complaint against A. S. Brockenbrough search
  • Oldham, James; letters to search
  • Poplar Forest (TJ’s Bedford Co. estate); TJ plans visits to search
  • Virginia, University of; Board of Visitors; and construction of University of Virginia search
  • Virginia, University of; Construction and Grounds; disputes with workmen search