267

Albany Geo

Sept 3" 1860

Rev Jas H. Otey

University Place

Tenn

Dear Sir

I am in
receipt of your favor of the
5 Inst inviting me to be present
on the occasion of the proposed
ceremony of laying the corner
stone of the University of the
South.--

Whilst I highly appreciate the
noble cause in which you
are engaged, and would
esteem it a great privilege
to participate with the friends
of religion and learning
in those interesting ceremo-
nies, I regret to have to say