Yours of the 12 inst: came duly to hand; and I have1 recd. two letters from Mr. Johnston of the 3 & 5. one from Mr. Monroe of the 3d. & one from Mr. Breckenridge of Sepr. 30;2 all of them having made a previous trip to Montpellier in Vermont.

Mr. Johnson assents to the immediate appointment of Docr. Jones to the Chair of Nat: Philosophy, but seems willing to learn what Mr. Bonnycastle may have heard from Mr. Barlow. Perhaps it may be well, if you should have a very early opportunity of seeing Mr. B. to speak with him on the subject. But unless the prospect from abroad be very flattering, the recommendation of Dr. Jones from Dr. Patterson is so favorable, and an early & certain provision for the vacancy so desirable, that I wish you to write on to Philada. inviting the removal of Docr. Jones hither at once, in confidence of his receiving the proper sanction from the Visitors. I expressed this opinion to Mr. Cabell who was lately with me, and who expected soon after to make you a visit. Should he have done so, it is probable you may have already taken the step requested as to Dr. Jones. Mr. Cabell promised to consult with you on the question of a meeting of the Visitors in December. I hope it will be possible to avoid the necessity of it.

The letters I have from Mr. Monroe, Mr. Breckenridge & Mr. Loyall, all accede to the request of Mr. Long for a release in July next; and Mr. Cabell did the same,3 but concurred in an idea I suggested, that Mr. Long should obtain leave, if possible, to prolong his stay with us, on the ground of delay in opening the University, or of its awaiting the fulfilment of his engagement to ours. I am at a loss what to express to him as the sense of the Visitors on his request. Let me hear from you on the subject; and in the mean time, it might be of advantage, in case you should be at the university, to get into conversation with Mr. Long on the subject. He ought at least to make an effort, if required, to obtain the indulgence from the London Trustees which will accord with his engagements here. With great esteem & regard