Jefferson Quotes & Family Letters

Dear sirs,

University va Jany 11th 1826.

Will you allow me to tell you of the dependent and unhappy condition in which I am now placed by the late decision of the Rector and visitors of this institution against me, this sentence has been made without the slightest notice. When I settled down at the University I had a Charactor for morality and a reputation for of as a Gentleman and some money; now I am strip,ed of all this reputation (which is all to me) and the last dollar I possess,d and no Home; that the Your body has been deceiv,d and imposed un upon by report a miss representatation of facts together with the insinuations of Interested persons is the opinion of every canded person in this section; for no person can impeach my conduct or motives, while the Visitors ware in Session Mr Gray was inform,d that their ware some charges against him for Card playing &c & That his conduct was under investigation; my having no dread on the score of immorality, I felt easy as to myself, but had fears [. . .] for others I was left in the dark untill the visitors had started home I was then told that Mr Gray and myself was not commisioned to Keep Hotells and that the other 4 Gentlemen ware.—why such a decision as to me was made was the cry of every candid person, it is believ,d that you had made up an opinion from the report of others, and that you never ask,d information of the Faculty or Proctor nor did you seek an investigation, had you have done either the result would have been different, That you did incline to judge of our merit is evident; but by what Rule or process we ware analyzed cannot be immajined. It is well known that at the Curcuit Court last spring that 4 some Hotell Keepers ware presented for unlawful Gaming. Was I one of them: no I was not; was any of them accused of playing with the Students, yes They ware, but no charge of that sort can be brought against Chapman; but still we find Three of those Gentlemen recommended to Keep Hotells; you are not to understand me as having a wish that those Gentlemen should have been punished for those impoprieties; but at least we should have supposed that the Gardians of this institution would not have given them a preference over one who had not indulged in those I impoprieties (for such they are considered)

The good opinion I have of your Honourable body pursuad me that you have been missled, for had you have known me I should not have suffered by you. As to intemperance it will not apply to me for I never indulged that way at home nor abroad, it is often 2 & 3. weaks that I never have gone to a Store or Confectionary Shop—Neither Mrs Chapman nor myself have ever Slept a night out of my Hotell in the last 10.½ months (or Session) I remember once to have been out of sight of the university & that was to Milton and Back to Dinner—while others have frequently visited distant Counties & stayd weaks both the Gentlemen & Ladies having the care of Hotells; in this way my Hotell has gained a preference [. . .] over others for my having pay,d Strict attention to my House; & when any neglect happened with them they (the Students) would speak of the better management at my Hotell to the mortification of others; this no doubt has produced a prejudice which I have never cherished, but it can be proven that I have lent my aid in their behalf and refused Several Students from removeing to my house It is almost unnecessary for me to tell you, that my having 45 or 50. Boarders was well calculated to mortify others who had a much Smaller number, particularly those who came here under such high expectations of Success; I consider it no compliment to me for it to be said that I had succeeded in business and obtained the approbation and respect of the Students, over those Gentlemen who ware my rivals in business, for I consider it no dificult task to perform a duty which they would be qulalifyed to perform,—since no advantage could be taken of my habits the reputation of my House must be abused for my excess in good living, I have spoken of¹ these sircumstances to apprise you of the cause why other Hotell Keepers ware not inclined to say any thing in my favour but on the contrary have no doubt spoken of my house & its management to every disadvantage where it would likely reach the visitors, I have learned from the Hotell Keepers that the only objection to me was that I had supplyed my table two well And my being in debt; in answer to this I can say that no doubt all or most of the Hotells ware two well supplyed the first year & the early part of last year, but for the last several months we have lived very plain but good care on our part taken to have it well cooked. we have never been furnished with a Bill of fair nor have I ever been advised to a particular diet or regulation or I should with equal pleasure have complyed with it, Then if I had violated no rule or advice who was to be the judge no proctor or professor calld to see; as I have often wished they should; then I have lived best if we take report for the fact. and as to my being in debt it could not have been an objection or it would have applyd to others for, are not three of the other Hotell Keepers Insolvent, who have been recommended to as proper perr person to keep hotells the two evils, poverty and, extravagance are calculated to correct each other, as they have done for some months past, besides their having larger Familys than mine would leave it less in their power to do justice. If my deportment and the orderly manner in which my house has been kept or conducted; had gained the approbation and esteem of the Students (For nothing else will obtain it) was it not reasonable that I should have been appointed a proper person to conduct an Hotell: or would you prefer those who the Students have a dislike for, is therr not greater danger in geting men regardless of their duty to a boarder than that you will find one that who is two kind: that some of us have been over rated, or under rated, is well known to every body here For my general Charactor I refer you to all the students in Richmd & call on Genl Taylor & tell him to aske his sons Mr [Teatell?] Mr Almond Mr Seldon & all the Norfolk Gentlemen & see if they will not say that I have been free from interfering with the other hotells & that I have not only been ready to supply their proper wants as become me but that I have even advised them to refrain from all vice and imprudence particularly Card playing & drink.—I have made greater preparations than any other Hotell Keeper, and have put improvements on the public property to the amt of about $[. . .] $300. and that done with the approbation of mr Jefferson I have also settled my rent.

Mr Gray had made application to the [. . .] Faculty to [. . .] write to you in his behalf. this writing was done before I spoke to them. neither have I calld on them to do so. but I have learnd that they have spoken of me in that paper. this I mention to remind you of that papers being obtaind at the Instance of Mr Gray I now refer you to them for a more particular Support in behalf of the justice of my claim. I now implore the Rector & Visitors on The Executive Committee to reconsider m our case. & reinstate me as a Hotell Keeper if your sympathy was required my case would be Strong: but I ask it not under that head alone. but I appeal to you for Justice. which I cannot doubt will be done.