Vault Early Papers of the University Box 1 Folder 1860 Cornerstone Ceremony 1

the honor to be

Very respectfully

Your {illegible} obed't serv't in X & His{?} {illegible: chu?}:

A. {illegible: Nunecole?}

Rt. Rev'd Jas. H. Otey D.D.

University Place

Tenn.

University of Va.

Sept. 29, 1860

My dear Sir,

I lament that a protracted absence from home prevented me from receiving until this morning, the invi= tation with which as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of the University of the South, you have honored me, to attend the ceremony of laying the Corner Stone of the Institution on the 10th day of October. And I lament still more, that my duties here oblige me very reluct= antly to decline it. I should be much happy to be present at the actual, for= mal commencement of an enterprise so unprecedented, in the annals of Edu= cation, for magnitude & splendour, & trust

that being thus auspiciously inaugu= rated, it may speedily achieve, for letters, & for Religion, all that its liberal & enlightened founders could wish.

With the highest respect, I remain

dear sir, Very truly

Your friend {illegible}

John B.{?} Miner

Rt Rev J H. Otey

Chairman Exec. Com'ee {illegible}

University Place

Franklin Co

Tenn'ee

Ridgway. Septr. 29th 1860

To Rt. Rev. J. H. Otey

My dear Sir

Your invitation to attend the laying of the corner stone of the University of the South is received. I thank you for it.

My engagements at home compel me to fore= go the pleasure of being present on so interesting an occasion.

With sincere hopes for your health & happiness I am very truly yours

Franklin Minor{?}

{envelope post office date stamp:}

University

Sept

{top right: three cents cancelled U. S. Postage stamp}

{illegible}

{envelope address:}

Rt. Rev. Jas. H. Otey

University Place

Franklin County

Tennessee

{pencilled upside down:}

Franklin Minor