Polk Family Papers Box 9 Document 94

Selma Alabama

Dec'r. 3. 1857.

My dear Rayner,

You are again I am glad to hear {struckthrough: again} restored to your usual health after severe attack you had in the summer, knowing the severity of those low country fevers I was quite uneasy for you & I had hoped to hear from you more {illegible} of your restoration. I have been a miserable sinner as a correspondent with you in times past, but I fear if I have to write you much oftener without hearing from you I shall not only have retrieved my reputation but brought you in debt. This is I think the third letter I have despatched you without having succeeded in extracting a reply. What have {insert symbol}you to do that so engrosses you, you cannot let us know of the welfare of yourself, your wife, & bairnes?

I am here to visit my son William who is at school in the neighborhood & am so far on my return home after the meeting of the Board of Trustees of our proposed University. I do not know that you have followed the movement. It has gone steadily onward since its inauguaration, requiring in the mean season constant supervision & energetic action, that all have endeavored to see supplied.

After the meeting in Pha & the issuing the address, a copy of which I sent you, the subject was brought before our Dioceses by the Bishops respectively & endorsed by our conventions. Trustees were elected according to the original idea & a meeting for organization appointed on the 4th July. That meeting was held, the organization completed & a committee of one from each state appointed to collect information on the subject of a location & another to prepare a charter. These committees were to report to an adjourned meeting at Montgomery, Ala. on the 25th ult. A copy of the proceedings of the meeting on the 4th July with the admirable address of the Bishop of Tennessee, (every word of which I endorse {all underlined}) I herewith send you. You will perceive, while it looks to catering for our own immediate wants it breathes a spirit of broad {illegible}.

The meeting at Montgomery has just been held. All the Dioceses were represented. The old north state by a full Delegation, with the exception of our friend Judge Ruffin, whose absence I very much deplored. He was detained I've heard by the sickness of Mrs. {illegible} Much differences of opinion were expressed as to details, as was to be expected, but the meeting was entirely harmonius & the results satisfactory. We accomplished the two objects for which we met chiefly, to wit, giving it "a local habitation, & a name".

The place chosen for the site is an elevation on the plateau of the Cumberland mountain near the Charleston & Nashville R. Road -- a very beautiful locality of easy access, possessing all the {illegible} that could be desired -- & the name is "The University of the South." Many places were in nomination & all thoroughly canvassed, & for many days. We finally settled upon that which had been recommended by the "Commission of Engineers" appointed by the Committee on location, to investigate the matter. The report of that committee, covering the report of the Engineers, I transmit also. As to the name, there were also differences of opinion, but as in the discussion in regard to it throughout the region for which it proposes mainly to provide, that, or its synonime, had been fastened upon it, & had become a{underlined} part{underlined} of{underlined} its{underlined} identity{underlined}, it was not thought expedient to change it, & so it was adopted.

As to satisfying every variety of taste that was not to be expected. We all know what we are endeavoring to achieve, & the high motives which as patriots & Churchmen actuate us, & we have no fear of any misapprehension {insert symbol}from which time & an elevated course of devotion to all our institutions, local & general, cannot relieve us. Your excellent Bishop, whose good sense entitles his opinions to great respect, differed from me on the fitness

of the name, his solicitude however, I am satisfied was unnecessary, & the future will justify the wisdom of the choice. The name was moved by the Bishop of Miss. on the 4th July last.

We have now to secure a charter from Tennessee, & then go to work. The Bishop of Georgia & myself were appointed commissioners with power to appoint subagencies, to raise the necessary funds. We shall commence our work so soon as the financial condition of the country has become settled. A gentleman of Alabama came forward during the session of the Board of Trustees & offered $25,000. as a subscription in aid of the measure. Your Dr. Warren of N. C. had already made a similar offer. We do not think we shall find the country backward in making up the necessary amount. And{underlined} I{underlined} hope{underlined} to{underlined} meet{underlined} you{underlined} on{underlined} the{underlined} ground{underlined} chosen,{underlined} at{underlined} the{underlined} first{underlined} commencement{underlined}. Give my love to Sue & the children, & tell Sue I am staying at the house of Mrs. Gee the mother of her school mate.

Very truly yours

Leonidas Polk --

(Letter from Bishop Polk to {struckthrough: Bishop} Mr Rayner)

Selma, Alabama

Dec. 3, I857

My dear Rayner,

You are again I am glad to hear restored to your usual health after severe attack you had in the summer, knowing the severity of those low country fevers I was quite uneasy for / {insert symbol: you & I had hoped to hear from you mention of} your restoration. I have been a miserable sinner as a correspondent with you in times past, but I fear if I have to write you much oftener without hearing from you I shall not only have retrieved my reputation but brought you in debt. This is I think the third letter I have despatched you without having succeeded in extracting a reply. What have you to do that so engrosses you, you cannot let us know of the welfare of yourself, your wife, & bairnes?

I am here to visit my son William who is at school in the neighborhood & am so far on my return home after the meeting of the Board of Trustees of our proposed University. I do not know that you have followed the movement. It has gone steadily onward since its inauguaration, requiring in the mean season constant supervision & energetic action, that all have endeavored to see supplied.

After the meeting in Pha & the issuing the address, a copy of which I sent you, the subject was brought before our Dioceses by the Bishops respectively & endorsed by our conventions. Trustees were elected according to the original idea & a meeting for organization appointed on the 4th July. That meeting was held, the organization completed & a committee of one from each state appointed to collect information on the subject of a location & another to prepare a charter. These commit