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

Charleston Oct'r 3'd 1860

Dear Sir,

I beg leave through you to express to the Executive Committee my thanks for the flattering & tempting invitation which you have communi-cated to me: and I am sorry to be obliged to trouble you further by requesting you to convey to them my regret that I shall not be able to be present on so inter-esting an occasion as the taking of the first step towards the inauguration of this new scheme of home education which will doubtless exercise so import-ant & beneficial an influence upon the youth of the South.

Could I have made it convenient, it would have given me great pleasure

to assure you personally of those hearty{underlined} good{underlined} wishes{underlined} for the success of the great work you & your colabourers are embarked in, which I am constrain -ed to commit to this short note.

I remain Dear Sir

With great respect

Your ob'd't ser't

Willams Middleton

J. H. Otey Esq'r

{illegible}

1st Oct'r 1860

Dear Sir

I feel much obliged to the "Executive Committe" for their invitation to attend at the laying of the Corner Stone of the University of the South, but am compelled by my private engagements to decline it.

With the best wishes for the success of your enterprise, I remain very respectfully

Your

Ob't Serv't

John {illegible} Middleton

P.S. I trouble you with their answer, as the circular asks for it.

Charleston So Ca

Oct 1st 1860

Sir{?}

I received your letter of invitation to attend the laying of the corner stone of the "University{underlined} of{underlined} the South{underlined}," upon my return home a day or two ago. -I regret that it will not be in my power to do so.

Very respectfully

Yr obt sr

I remain,

A. Middleton

Jas. H. Otey Esq.

Washington, Oct'r 1st 1860

Dear Sir;

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your invitation to be present on the occasion of laying the Corner Stone of the University of the South.

It will be impossible for me to avail myself of your kind invitation, which it would give me much pleasure to do, were it in my power.

Very Respectfully

Y'r ob't serv't

{illegible} {illegible: May--adies}

Rt. Rev'd J. H. Otey

University Place, Tenn.