142

New Orleans, Oct. 1. 1860.

Rt. Rev'd. J. H. Otey DD.

Chairman &c

Your kind note of 5th
ult. is at hand, with the card of invi-
tation to be present at the laying of the
Corner Stone of the principal building
of the University of the South.

I regret that my inability to be present
upon that highly interesting {insert symbol} occasion, and partake
of the hospitalitus{?} so kindly proffer-
ed by you.

Please accept my sincere thanks;
& my good wishes & prayers for the suc-
cess of the noble undertaking you have
{illegible: on? to?}, and believe me to be, as ever,

Your friend & servant

{illegible: Elyiah?} {illegible: G? S? --on}