Thomas Jefferson Papers

Arthur S. Brockenbrough to Thomas Jefferson, 10 January 1824

From Arthur S. Brockenbrough

University of Va Jany 10h 1824

Dear Sir

Mr Antrim and myself have tried for a long time to get on the price of Plastering in 1820 in Philadelphia which governed the price of it here Agreeable to our contract—Mr Antrim has at length concluded to go on to Philadelphia himself to obtain the prices I must beg leave to submit to your consideration whether the interest of the institution might not be promoted if I was also to go on—I am under the impression myself that it would be, because Mr Antrim being on the spot (altho’ not intending) might have some influence over the person whom we have selected to furnish us with the prices, and a little variation per yard would make a considerable sum in this large job perhaps more than $1000—at this time I have not a great deal before me three weeks might be profitably devoted to that business—I am by no means desirous of going but for the interest of the institution would undertake it—I have no acquaintance in Philadelphia whom I could call on to act as the agent of the University in this business—If you think it best for me to go I should be glad to see you at the University beforehand in order that such improvements as you wish made may be going on—I am Dr Sir your

obt sevt

A. S. Brockenbrough P.

RC (CSmH: JF); endorsed by TJ as received 11 Jan. 1824 and so recorded in SJL.

The contract agreed on by Brockenbrough and Joseph Antrim on 22 Mar. 1820 is described in Brockenbrough to TJ, [25] Sept. [1821], and note. p.: “Proctor.”

Index Entries

  • Antrim, Joseph; and plastering at Central College–University of Virginia search
  • Brockenbrough, Arthur Spicer; as University of Virginia proctor search
  • Brockenbrough, Arthur Spicer; letters from search
  • Brockenbrough, Arthur Spicer; visits Philadelphia search
  • Philadelphia; builders’ prices in search
  • plastering; at University of Virginia search
  • Virginia, University of; Construction and Grounds; building costs search
  • Virginia, University of; Construction and Grounds; plasterers search