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

New York Oct 5th 1860

Bishop Otey

Chairman {illegible}

University Place,

Rev'd Sir,

I have just received your kind note inviting me to be present on the occasion of laying the Corner Stone of the University of the South and, regret that my engage =ments here do not permit me to witness the interesting ceremony.

Thanking you for your kind invitation

I am Sir

Very Respectfully &c

Henry H. Peck

New Patterson

Caldwell County NC

Oct 5th 1860

Rt Rev'd. James H Otey

Dear Sir

Your circular of Septem'r 5th postmarked Septem'r 22d, containing an invita -tion to be present at University Place on the occasion of laying the Corner Stone of the main building on the 10th instant, has this moment reached me. It would afford me very great pleasure to be present on the occasion alluded to, but a bodily affliction which has confined me almost entirely to the house for the past three months, and which still continues, to say nothing of the shortness of

the time now to elapse, place it entirely out of my power.

Hoping that the great enterprize in which you and so many other good and great men are engaged, may be entirely successful, and that the University of the South may realize the expectations of its most sanguine friends,

I remain very truly

& respectfy your

Obt Sevt,

S. F. Patterson

New York 6 Oct 1860

My dear Sir

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your invitation to be present at the Ceremony of laying the Corner Stone of the principal building of the University of the South --

I beg to tender my thanks for the same, and regret that circumstances will not permit its acceptance --

Permit me to offer my heartfelt wishes for its lasting prosperity, and {illegible: beleive? believe? bellioe?} me to remain,

my dear Sir

Your most obt Servt

Wm Orgill

The Rt Rev Jas H Otey D.D.

Chairman &c&c --

University Place

{illegible} Norfolk Va.

Oct 4th, 1860.

Rt Rev'd. &

Dear Sir,

Your polite favor of the 5th ult, has just reached me, and in reply beg to say that duty at home will prevent me from being present on the deeply interesting occasion of laying the Corner Stone of the principal building of the Uni'y South. I much regret this, for I regard the founding of this institu= =tion as the dawn of a new era in the moral