William Mercer Green Papers Box 1 Folder Correspondence 1868-1869 Document 16

Spartanburg, SC Aug't. 4th 1838

Rt. Rev. & Dear Sir

Having seen the published notice of your meeting (now near at hand) I take the liberty of addressing you (as Chancellor of the University of the South & [?] [inserted]you[/inserted] your Associates in behalf of a [Jony Ward?] in whom I take a deep interest. [Mrs Sedgwick?] & I [?].

He was for some time a parishioner & received a thorough preparatory course of Instruction Classical & Mathematical from a [?firstrate?] of Cambridge University England, who pronounced him the most brilliant scholar in both departments he had ever known. A [tenor example?] beyond a peradventure at either of the English Universities.

He then entered the University of South Carolina taking

in every branch the very highest stand. Nor was this all or the chief part.

So honorable, upright & high -toned was he that Rev. [Parstport?] of that Institution was anxious to retain him [confer to find?] tried both in scholarship & [morals?] to his alma mater, but want of the necessary funds alone prevented. The very highest recriminations can be furnished from the whole Corps of Professors to his qualifications & character if more than this statement of [justs?] is needed.

Since his graduation he has been engaged in teaching, but the parents of his scholars all so extremely anxious to retain his services were too poor to renumerate him. So that to eke out a bare subsistence for himself & to aid his father in the support of his family

con'd {{continued?}} young man of brilliant talent & cultivated intellect & fine classical & mathematical [aquirement?], fitted by nature for a Professors chair, a boy & now a man of Books, and has actually this summer been working in a nice field - [?] - intending the laborer of [inserted][?][/inserted] [predences?] employment from which his whole nature recoils. He has already had one serious attack of malarial fever & is now suffering from chills & fever. If [not mustard?] is still [ca?] on his Preparatory School [in?] [?] propose any organization at once. You have in this young man one preeminently qualified to fill any post & I confidently predict who will not only find satisfaction but prove an [monument?] in the future to the University of the South.

I do not know & have never known his equal not to say his superior.

con'd {{continued?}} young man of brilliant talent & cultivated intellect & fine classical & mathematical [aquirement?], fitted by nature for a Professors chair, a boy & now a man of Books, and has actually this summer been working in a nice field - [?] - intending the laborer of [inserted][?][/inserted] [predences?] employment from which his whole nature recoils. He has already had one serious attack of malarial fever & is now suffering from chills & fever. If [not mustard?] is still [ca?] on his Preparatory School [in?] [?] propose any organization at once. You have in this young man one preeminently qualified to fill any post & I confidently predict who will not only find satisfaction but prove an [monument?] in the future to the University of the South.

I do not know & have never known his equal not to say his superior.

Bishop [Gusts?] [deleted][/deleted] (to whom I refer) will be able to say if my Statements re- specting him may be relied upon.

Your very [?] Respectfully [signed][I Stuart Harriford?][/signed]

PS I could add the testimonies of my Associate Professors Rev. Paul [Isassis?] & let the Testimonials [of the?] Faucluty of the So Ca University if [?].