Arthur S. Brockenbrough to University of Virginia Board of Visitors

Gentlemen,

I have been called by On by the professors for smoke houses, wood yards &c, but from the present state of the funds it is evident nothing can be done for them, with respect to their houses and enclosures is it not intended by the Visitors that they should keep them in order at their individual expence and not at the expence of the institution, having had a little difference with a member of the Faculty in consiquence of refusing to pay for a small job which he had done unauthorised by me and which I considered entirely unnecessary I should be glad to be instructed by your board how far I am to go towards answering the calls of those Gentlemen towards for improvments &c about thier lots &c—I am at all times disposed to accommodate them as far as I think consistent with reason and the interest of the institution

We have much to do but the want of funds is a complete check upon me us—Our water works require some additional improvement to get a sufficient supply at all times, I beg leave to propose (as soon as provision can be made for it) to get a supply by boring untill it can be got to rise to the surface—A Fire engine should be procured as soon as convenient—on the 30th Sept: 1825 I stated in my report we shoud should want about $25.000 to complete the present establishment pay the debts &c, I think it will take very little short of it now

I am Gentlemen with the highest respect your most Obt Sevt
A S Brockenbrough Proctor
RC (ViU: Mss 11920); at head of text: “To the Board of Visitors of the University of Va”; endorsed in the hand of Nicholas P. Trist, as clerk: “Brockenbrough (A. S). Oct. 1. –26.”