When I had the pleasure of seeing you last and after having had
some conversation with you and
M
r. Alves on the subject of stone lime I
received your letter in which you were kind enough to offer me a monopoly in
furnishing the lime yet necessary for the completion of the principal Building
at the
University provided I would deliver the same at or
near that place for the sum of five shillings or fifty cents p
r bushel. Your
proposition I have maturely deliberated on and apprehend I have nearly
ascertained the quantum of labour as well as expense that would necessarily
attend the raising of the rock and burning them into lime which could not be
less than one shilling
Virginia
currency per bushel if delivered at the kiln. I have also endeavored to make
myself acquainted with the price of waggonage in the upper Counties and find
that no person will undertake to hall a ton weight which
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is but a common load,
for less than two dollars p
r day having their own provisions as also provided
for their horses found them which at the least calculation I estimate at or
equal to half a dollar each day when on the road, and the distance the waggons
would have to run in conveying the lime being about ninety miles I might
reasonably conclude upon an average it would take nine days for each trip.
Therefore after summing up the whole, the result is I could not possibly afford
to take less than four shillings
Virginia
currency (which is equal to 66 2/3 cents) for each bushel I should deliver.
Should you think proper to close with me at that sum you will be so obliging as
to write me and I will at any time thereafter obligate myself to furnish the
Trustees with any quantity of lime (which should be
of a good quality) they might want or that I might contract to let them have.
Mr. Alves is here to whoom I design to
send this letter. I am with respect & esteem