Vault Early Papers of the University Box 1 Document Cornerstone Invitation 199

{Georgia state seal}

Executive Departmen, Milledgeville, Ga, Oct 8th 1860.

James H. Otey, Esqr. Chmn Ex. Comm. of Bd. of Trustees of the University of the South. University Place, Tenn.

Sir:

In the absence of the Governor, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your polite note inviting his Excellency to be present at the laying of the cornerstone of the University of the South; and in his Excellency's name, thanking you for the honor conferred by extending the invitation, I have to inform you, it will be wholly impossible, in view of the pressing official engagements with which, just on the eve of a Session of the Legislature, he is charged to attend on that occasion.

With high respect, I am, Sir, Your Obt. Servt. H. H. Waters Sec'y Ex Dept.