1From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Carrington Cabell, 12 March 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Having received from all our brethren approbations of the loan, I authorised M r Brockenbrough to engage the work of the Rotunda, 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...
2From Arthur S. Brockenbrough to University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 7 April 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to lay before you my contract with M r W m J Coffee for Composition & Leaden ornaments for the buildings, I do this because M r Coffee is dissatisfied and complains heavily of his bargain, and I am not willing to take upon myself the responsibility of advancing more than the contract calls for—he has sent on an acct t amounting to $487. 46 —the cost agreeable to my estimate on the...
3From James Oldham to University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 3 October 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
You memorialist James Oldham very respectfully represents—That he was induced by the propositions made by the Proctor of U. V, to apply for some of the work that was proposed to be let out to undertakers in the spring of the year 1817—He accordingly made his proposals to the former Proctor U. V., and the Proctor laid them before the board of visitors at their spring meeting in 1819. After the...
4From William Richardson to University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 1 March 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
The Governor called the attention of the Board to the appointment of Visitors for the University of Virginia, in conformity with the provisions of an Act of the General Assembly passed the 25 th February 1819 Whereupon it is Advised that the following persons be appointed Visitors—to wit Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Chapman Johnson Joseph C Cabell, George Loyall, James Breckenridge and...
5From Thomas Jefferson to University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 9 April 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Notwithstanding the reduction which was made in the rents proposed, it appears that that on the salaries will so much enlarge our surplus, that we may very safely engage 8. professors, and still have a surplus this year of 6000.D. and annually after of 5024. D the opportunity of procuring the anatomical professor is so advantageous, that I propose to make the provisional instruction for his...
6From Horace Wellford to University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 4 October 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I would accept the appointment of Professor; of Anatomy, and Physic in the University of Virginia, and am willing that my qualifications should be tested in any way that the Visitors may think proper to direct:— ViU .
7From Francis Walker Gilmer to University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 25 January 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
It was my intention on leaving England, to have drawn up during the voyage, an extended report of all my proceedings on the mission with which I was entrusted. A most boisterous passage, with continued & severe sickness prevented me, and since my arrival, I have had neither leisure nor strength for the undertaking. A short account of my pecuniary transactions however, I feel myself. bound to...
8From Charles Bonnycastle to University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 4 March 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I presume your attorney, M r Gilmer, has made you acquainted with the agreement under which I left England: but as the illness of that gentleman has prevented my inquiring of him what has been done upon the subject, I shall beg to lay the agreement before you. At the time of my being recommended as Professor of Natural Philosophy in this University, I was not in England, & my friend M r...
9From James Barbour to University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 24 March 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
The regulations of this Department for the government of the Military Academy, at West Point, direct, that the Students of that institution shall be examined in all the branches of Sciences and instruction, through which they have passed, in the presence of a Board of Visitors, and such other Literary Gentlemen as shall be invited to attend. In conformity with which, I have the honor to invite...
10From Thomas Jefferson to University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 15 April 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I have rec d a proposition from m r Perry the owner of the lands which separate the two tracts of the Univ ty which I think of so much importce to that instn as to communicate to the visitors by letter in their separate situations. the university tract of 100. a s is ¾ of a mile distant from that of the observatory of 153. a s the water which supplies the cisterns of the Univ ty by pipes...
11From Francis Tornquist to University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 23 April 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Towards the close of last year, I had the pleasure of addressing the Hon ble Tho s Jefferson in relation to a complete chemical, optical, and astronomical Apparatus, which a Brother-in-law of mine, residing in Europe, wishes to dispose of, and would be willing to sell it at a moderate Price.—I notified him to Send me a Catalogue, and in reply he forwarded that which you find inclosed. Being...
12From Thomas Jefferson to University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 13 May 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Every offer of our Law chair has been declined, and a late renewal of pressure on M r Gilmer has proved him inflexibly decided against undertaking it. what are we to do? the clamor is high for some appointment, we are informed too of many students who do not come because that school is not opened, and some now with us think of leaving us for the same reason. you may remember that among those...
13From Thomas Jefferson to University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 4 August 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Chancellor Tucker, Mr. Barbour, Judge Carr, as you know had declined accepting the law chair of the University, and yesterday I received a letter from Judge Dade finally declining also. Mr. Gilmer, our first choice had declined on account of his health, very much deranged by his voyage to Europe. that is now in a great degree reestablished, and he is willing to accept. what shall we do? shall...
14From Thomas Jefferson to University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 10 September 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Circular. The state of my health renders it perfectly certain that I shall not be able to attend the next meeting of the Visitors (Oct. 3) at the University . Yet I think there is no one but myself to whom the matters to be acted on are sufficiently known, for communication to them. This adds a reason the more for inducing the members to meet at Monticello the day before, which has been...
15From Robley Dunglison to University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 1 October 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I am directed by the Faculty of the University to request your particular attention to their proceedings since the 22 d of September: and to press upon your notice the necessity of appointing an efficient police as circumstances have occurred during the last and present night which render such a measure essentially necessary. Robley Dunglison Secretary to the Faculty. ViU .
16From Thomas Hewitt Key to University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 4 October 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
In consequence of transactions in this University which it is unnecessary to recapitulate, strengthened by every moment’s experience since those events, it is not consistent either with our feelings of self respect, or our notions of happiness, to remain any longer in our present situations. After much and careful deliberation, with great unwillingness to come to such a determination, and a...
17From Thomas Hewitt Key to University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 6 October 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Understanding from D r Dunglison at the meeting of the Faculty yesterday, that, in case of our persisting in our resolution to resign, it was your intention to refuse to accept such resignation, and to delcare that we should thereby subject ourselves to certain pecuniary penalties; we request of you an explanation of this statement of D r Dunglison’s (fully believing that he must have...
18From Thomas Hewitt Key to University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 6 October 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
The undersigned Professors of the University of Virginia hereby tender to you the resignation of their respective chairs. T. H. Key George Long. ViU .
19From John B. Richeson to University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 10 December 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Having a desire to establish a Reading–Room the ensuing year in the University, I respectfully solicit your attention to the subject—Should it meet with your approbation and I be allowed the privilege of keeping it, it shall be furnished with the best political, agricultural, and periodical papers published in the United States—And I pledge myself to conduct it according to the regulations...
20From Thomas Jefferson to University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
This indenture made on the day of one thousand eight hundred and twenty five, between Arthur S. Brockenbrough, Proctor of the University of Virginia in the county of Albemarle on the one part and Thomas Jefferson Rector, and James Madison, James Breckenridge, Chapman Johnson Joseph C. Cabell, John Hartwell Cocke and George Loyall Visitors of the said University on the other part witnesseth...
21From Thomas Jefferson to University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 20 January 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Circular It is with the sincerest regret I inform you that we are likely to be again at default for our Professor of law. M r Gilmer’s situation is become decidedly pulmonary and hopeless. he has not yet been made sensible of the real character of his case and therefore only notifies me in a letter that it is certain he shall not be in health for the commencement of the term, and suggests the...
22From Arthur S. Brockenbrough to University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 2 April 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I contracted with M r Philip Sturtevant: for the carving of the Composite Capitels for the library room at $30 each amounting to the Sum of $1.200 as appears from Letter N o 1 accompanying this—from his letter of the 1 st Jan y N o 2 you will find he is not satisfied with the contract and asks more pay—I informed him I would not take the responsibility of paying him more than the contract...
23From John Patten Emmet to University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 3 April 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor, agreeably to the Enactments, to lay before you the journal of the Faculty. In company with them are two reports of Committees appointed by the Faculty; one (marked A ) relates to a Police and the other (marked B , is upon our Enactments. They are both respectfully submitted for your most serious consideration. In conclusion, Gentlemen, I beg to present my sincerest respects....
24From George N. Spotswood to University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 3 April 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
You will pardon the liberty I take in troubling you with this letter, but I consider it a duty I not only owe to my family but to the Institution to call your attention to the uncomfortable tenement I occupy, particularly when I reflect upon the losses in slaves I met with last fall and the great distress of my family from sickness produced from the situation of the yard & drains, and no...
25From Thomas Jefferson to University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 21 April 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Wirt declined the offices proposed to him. M r Lomax has accepted the Professorship of Law, and will open his school on the 1 st day of July. he has paid us a visit, and his appointment appears to have given the highest degree of satisfaction to every body, Professors Students, Neighbors, and to none more than to myself. we have now 166. students, and on the opening of the Law school, we...
26From George Long to University of Virginia Board of Visitors, 4 July 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Several of the students have applied to me for information about the terms on which a diploma in Greek could be obtained—I was of course unable to give them any answer, but I promised to lay the subject before the Visitors. There are a few whose industry and acquirements will deserve some reward: they wish to know what will be expected that they may have sufficient time to make the necessary...