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

Oglethorpe University, Geo.

Talmage P.O. Oct. 9th 1860

Rt. Rev'd. J. H. Otey,

By some unaccountable delay of the mail your letter has been a long time in reaching me --

Besides the lateness of the hour of its arrival, my pressing college duties, incident to the opening of a new term, would preclude the possibility of my being with you on the interesting occasion of your laying the Corner Stone -- Please accept of my acknowledge-ments for the courtesy you have extended to me in the invitation to participate in the engagements of the {illegible: scene?} --

With great respect,

yours very truly,

Samuel K. Talmage

Rt. Rev'd.

Bishop J. H. Otey.

University Place.

Franklin co.

Tenn.

Lebanon, Tennessee,

Oct. 6. 1860.

Dear Sir.

The invitation sent me to be present at University Place on the 10th. Inst., to witness the ceremony of laying the corner stone of the University of the South, was received a few days since. I have delayed an answer, in the hope that I might be able to accept the inviation. It will, however, be impossible for me to leave here, & I must therefore decline the pleasure of being present on that occasion. In doing so, permit me sir, to express the interest I feel in the enterprise, & my earnest hope that it may be successful beyond the most sanguine expectations of its projection & that the University of the South may, in time, become the ornament of the South.

Very respy yours

Alex P. Stewart

Rt. Rev. J. H. Otey.

Charleston S.C. Oct 6 1860

Right Reverend

& Dear Sir,

I am much flattered by the receipt of your printed circular inviting my attendance to the laying of the Corner Stone of the Principal Building of the University of the South on the 10 inst --

With my thanks for your politeness & in pursuance of your request, I regret to say that it is not in my power to accept the invitation --

With perfect respect

I am Your Obedient

Servant

James Simons

To /

Right Reverend

James H Otey

University Place

Franklin County

Tenn:

Meadow Bank

near

Claiborne Alabama

September 29th 1860

To the Right Reverend

James. H. Otey --

Dear Sir

I received on the 27th inst, the kind invitation forwarded me by you on behalf of the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of the University of the South, to be present on the 10th proximo at the laying of the Corner Stone of the principal building of that institution = To be present on so interesting an occa= =sion would afford me sincere & deep gratification = But prior & urgent engagements deprive me of this pleasure = The great & benevolent undertaking, in which you & your associates are embarked commends itself to the best wishes of all who desire the promotion of letters, virtue & those intellectual improvements, which con-stitute the land marks between a barbarous & weak, & a mighty & civilised people -- between a Christian & savage {illegible: mass? ways?} of human beings = How deep & broad must be the blessings which will flow from the signal success of a "Southern University" under the pious & safe direction of you & your associates & your successors no human inteligence can estimate -Future generations will rise to bless your memories for the rich legacy your benevolence & farsight will have bequeathed them -- With my thanks for your flattering invitation, & best wishes for all

the success you can desire in your noble undertaking I am Dear Sir yours most

Respectfully --

Robert G.{?} Scott