Cornerstone Invitations

Frankfurt, Ky., 21 Sept., 1860

Rev. Jas. H. Otey D.D. LLS.:

My Dear Bishop:

Your kind invitation to be present at the laying of the Corner Stone of the principal building of the University of the South was recd this a.m. I regret my inability to leave my family at the time as I had proposed to myself great pleasure in the excursion to University Place. -

I am more & more convinced of the wonderful value of your noble enterprise. Its incidental benefits are also invaluable. All the Southern dioceses, working for a common object, become a unit in almost every thing, and quietness & peace reign throughout your entire (over)

Lexington, K.y. Oct. 3, 1860

Rt. Rev. & Dear Sir:

I have deferred answering your polite invitation to be present at the laying of the Corner Stone of the University of the South longer that I should, but I have not seen my way clear to accepting it until now. It has all along been the desire of my heart to be present, and, unless some unforeseen obstacle should arise, I think now that I shall be able to be with you.

With many thanks for your kind invitation, I remain

Yours most sincerely & respectfully Rt. Rev. J. H. Otey J. Horace Morrison

Atlanta Ga. 2d Oct 1860

Dear Sir,

The favor of an invitation postmarked 26 Sept. to attend the Ceremony of Laying the Corner Stone of the "University of the South" reached me on the 29 ult.

All things favorable, I shall leave this on Monday next, & hope to have the gratification of seeing so grand an object accomplished.

Very Respectfully, Yr Obt Ser'vt

B. M. Morel

Right. Revd. Bishop Otey Chairman &c.

Yongesboro Ala Oct. 4. 1860

J. H. Otey Esqre

Dear Sir,

Important Business at home [will?] prevent me from being at 'University Place' to participate in Ceremonies of Laying the Corner Stone of the University of the South, at the time designated in Your Card of Sept. 5, which I very much regret.

Very Respectfully H. C Yonge

Univ. of Virginia Sept 18th, 1860.

Dear Sir,

I have had the honor to receive from you an invitation to be present at the ceremony of laying the corner stone of the main building of the University of the South, on the 10th day of October next. I sincerely regret that my duties here at that time will compel me to deny myself this gratification. Our session begins Oct 1st and the formation and arrangement of our classes requires the presence, during that month, of those Professors, especially, who, like my self, are without assistants. Under other circumstances, I should be delighted to attend the first ceremony connected with an Institution which has, I trust, as it certainly deserves to have, the good-wishes of all Southern people.

I am very respectfully Yr obt. servant. Francis G. Smith

R.Rev. Bishop Otey}