When we began our buildings at our University, we1 adopted it as a rule that we would be governed in all our prices by those established by long experience & due competn in Phila, and you were so kind as to procure & send me the printed book of Carpenter’s prices. in the other branches of work we have been able in different ways to learn your prices, except those of plaisterer’s work. of these2 we have never been able to get satisfy informn, and the acct being a very large one3 (12, or 14,000.D) our Proctor mr Brockenbr. bearer of this4 thinks it worth while to go on to Philada5 with our plaisterer to ascertain them. the question between them is What were those prices in 1820. the date of their agreemt.6 as he is a perfect stranger there I take the liberty of putting him into your hands in perfect confidence that you will be so kind as to advise him in his proceedings so that he may be assured of obtaining fair & full informn on his enquiries, and to obtain a just settlement entirely impartial between employer & undertaker. he,7 is the person who8 in the office of Proctor to the Univty has superintended the whole of our works from the begg is a skilful house carpenter and eminent Undertaker9 himself, and a person of the most perfect integrity & worth, & in whom no confidence can be misplaced. he will shew you10 the plan of our establmt, the last building of which is now in hand. when this shall be done, the whole will have cost about11 300.M.D. will be a perfect model of classical architecture, and on the whole will vie in taste & appearance with any thing in the US.   I take very sincere interest in your health happiness & prosperity and shall be very happy to learn that all these have been continued to you; and repeat to you the assurances of my constant esteem & respect.