409

Meadow Bank

near

Claiborne Alabama

September 29th 1860

To the Right Reverend

James. H. Otey --

Dear Sir

I received
on the 27th inst, the kind invitation forwarded me by you on
behalf of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees
of the University of the South, to be present on the 10th proximo
at the laying of the Corner Stone of the principal building
of that institution = To be present on so interesting an occa=
=sion would afford me sincere & deep gratification = But
prior & urgent engagements deprive me of this pleasure =
The great & benevolent undertaking, in which you &
your associates are embarked commends itself to the
best wishes of all who desire the promotion of letters,
virtue & those intellectual improvements, which con-
-stitute the land marks between a barbarous & weak,
& a mighty & civilised people -- between a Christian
& savage {illegible: mass? ways?} of human beings = How deep & broad
must be the blessings which will flow from the
signal success of a "Southern University" under the
pious & safe direction of you & your associates & your
successors no human inteligence can estimate --
Future generations will rise to bless your memories
for the rich legacy your benevolence & farsight will
have bequeathed them -- With my thanks for
your flattering invitation, & best wishes for all