James Hervey Otey Papers Box 2 Folder 11 Document 18

The Undersigned, late one of the Commissioners appointed by the Board of Trustees of the University of the South for the Collection and preservation of the Endowment of the University of the South, beg leave to report.

That the Commissioners, as soon after the adjournment of the Board as was practicable, took advice from some of the more experienced Lay Trustees, as to the practicability of continuing their mission. The unanimous opinion of those gentlemen was that nothing could be effected in the way of collection in the New uncertain & disturbed condition of the Country and especially while the position of Tennessee was undecided. Their advice was to place everything in connexion with the University in as secure a condition as possible & wait events. In pursuance of the instruction of the Board

The Commissioners, under the direction of the Board of Trustees, proceeded as rapidly as incoming revenue would permit, to liquidate the outstanding claims upon the University & to put a stop at once to all expenditures. They were engaged in this work, when they were separated by Secession. The War and circumstances have entirely prevented their meeting since the Secession of Tennessee, No. Carolina & Arkansas have recruited our Dioceses, it was useless to prosecute any work, & seeing as Tennessee remained in the Old Union & as we did not determine her status until June Last, when the Country was in the Confusion of war & my allegiance was defending his home & fireside, nothing has been done to advance the University.

It is impossible for the Undersigned to make any detailed account of the receipts & expenditures of the Commissioners

without consultation with his Colleagues in close possession are all the accounts [?]. His position in the Army of the Confederate States has rendered an interview impossible. The undersigned can say in a general way that no loss has occured to the University, & that every thing has been done which could be done to advance its interests. Your Commissioner trusts that the time may soon come when the Board may resume its active aspirations and consummate the great work which has been so nobly begun.

In resigning his position as Commissioner, the undersigned desires himself to be considered responsible for all transactions of the Commissioners up to the date of his resignation.

Stephen Elliott Bishop of Georgia