If the Visiters of the University are not in Treaty with any Person to supply the vacancy in the Law department occasioned by the death of our Friend Mr Gilmer I take the liberty of Calling their attention to genl Baldwin of this place—He is about 36 years of Age has had as good an Education as our state afforded, & since the removal of Mr Johnson is unquestionably at the head of the bar in this Valley & would make a distinguished figure at any bar in The state—He has a sound head writes Elegantly & speaks with fluency: To firmness & decision of Character he unites an excellent Temper; He understands well the Character of our youth & I feel Confident that his manners, his great prudence, & uniformity of deportment, would render him important in the government of the Institution—While Busness in the courts was suspended during the late war he spent his Time in the Army & altho a most rigid disciplinarian retired from it the most popular man of his grade; This influence tho no courtes he still retains & at this Time can command any thing in the gift of the People of his District—

I should certainly long since have mentioned him to you but supposed he had views of a Political nature incompatible with such an appointment. In a late conversation With him however I found I was mistaken, & I have now reason to believe he would accept the appointment if offered to him—The conversation with Genl B. on this subject was Introduced by me; he has never been known to solicit an Office.

In advocating his Election I am governed by a sincere wish for the prosperity of the Institution on The destinies of which so much depends & in the direction of which I should calculate largely upon his agency—

Genl B. came from Williamsburg to this place shortly after he graduated, & altho his father like many of his Brethren of the revolutionary Army was a high Toned Federalist, he has always been in the republican Ranks perfectly Orthodox in all the fundamental Articles of our Political Creed

Mr Johnson one of your body I trust will Concur with me in the Opinion which I have given—

I am truly delighted to learn your health is so far restored as to enable you once more to exercise on horse back, as there is nothing I more devoutly pray for than your health & happiness—

Archd Stuart