407

Lebanon, Tennessee,

Oct. 6. 1860.

Dear Sir.

The invitation sent me to
be present at University Place on the
10th. Inst., to witness the ceremony of laying
the corner stone of the University of the
South, was received a few days since. I
have delayed an answer, in the hope that
I might be able to accept the inviation.
It will, however, be impossible for me to
leave here, & I must therefore decline the
pleasure of being present on that occasion.
In doing so, permit me sir, to express the
interest I feel in the enterprise, & my earnest
hope that it may be successful beyond the
most sanguine expectations of its projection
& that the University of the South may,
in time, become the ornament of the
South.

Very respy yours

Alex P. Stewart

Rt. Rev. J. H. Otey.