320

Lebanon Tennessee

Oct. 4. 1860.

Rt. Rev. Jas H. Otey.

D'r Sir

Your favor of the 1st ult, inviting
me to be present on the 10th {illegible: prox.?} at the laying
of the corner stone of the principal building of
"the University of the South" is before me.

I must be permitted to return thanks to the
Executive Committee for the kind invitation
extended, and to you as their chairman for
the manner in which their wish is expressed.

It would afford me great pleasure to be in
attendance upon the occasion, & witness a ceremony,
which I feel assured will be deeply interesting;
-- but the conditon of my health precludes
ever a hope of such a thing. I am confined
to my bed & have been for several weeks
passed. I am compelled on account of feeb
-leness to employ an amanuensis in making
this reply.

Very Respectfully

Yr. obt. svt

F. R. Cossitt

by E. L. Golladay