Polk Family Papers Box 9 Document 91-1

POLK Letters : December 3, 1860

1860, Dec. 3

The Rev. Mr. Gubbins, a clergyman of the English Church in Ireland, now traveling in the U. S. on behalf of funds for the Irish Society, to Bishop Polk, re: congratulating him on the labors in connection with The university of the South. 2 pp.

New York

228- 4th St

Dec 3, 1860

My dear Bishop

In the {illegible: universal? reviews at?} {illegible: dedica}-tion of yr labors in behalf of the great University of the South permit a clergyman of the old Country, & another Church to add his congratulations.

I read with the most beautiful interest the account of the{underlined} Days{underlined} proceeding, & wished I had been present, I have from the first looked upon that project as one not only needed by the Church of America, but absolutely essential to her {illegible: d}, be {illegible: great---? greatly?} & the moral & influential position {illegible: shown?} is destined to hold in {illegible: reference?} to the great Republic -- It was a happy day I know for you, & I pray you may not only {illegible: his?} {illegible: breath?} consummation of yr wishes & hopes realized, but often in its calm & cool

{illegible: retreats?} enjoy the blessings of a {illegible: great?} old age.

Here I am after travelling about 12-000 miles of your magnificent Country I w'd {illegible} {illegible: hundreds?} & {illegible: brothers?} {illegible: offer?}from all. I send on you, some of my {illegible: Testimonials?} -- In N. York, I {illegible: counted? counseled?} all the {illegible} {illegible: churches} & {illegible: poor?} Col-lection for the Irish Society -- I do not expect {illegible: brethren?} to {illegible} untill next Feby. I am now absent from my beloved family & flock 8{underlined} months{underlined}; I long to return to my many duties, but I cannot leave these {illegible} and {illegible} {illegible}; {illegible: Shall?} you see any clergymen of yr Diocese, pray tell them I do not forget their kindness, especially my dear brother Dr.{underlined} Leacock{underlined}, and be you my dear Bishop, yr. blessing to me personally & yr. valuable & {illegible: official?} {illegible} in behalf of my beloved {illegible: country?} {illegible} be forgotten by yr. {illegible (text is obscured): ob't s't?} & faithful in the Lord

{illegible; text is obscured} Gubbins

To the Right Rev. {illegible; text is obscured}

P.S.

a better {illegible} {illegible: and deeper?} {illegible} above will find you I {illegible: send? find? trust?} your wish to {illegible: joining?} {illegible: strengthens} constituion -- The Lord has been {illegible} {illegible} his {illegible: your} {illegible: in} thoughts of {illegible}