I have receivd yours of the 19th. ulto., with a circular to the visitors, announcing the decision of Mr Key, to withdraw from the university, with a request that his resignation may take effect, on the middle of august, to afford him the opportunity of being present, at the examination, of the Students, & to lessen his expenses, in returning to England, by the correspondence of the period, with that of the departure of the packets for London. To this proposal, I see no objection whatever. His presence at the examination will be useful, and to afford him the accomodation desird, appears to me to be very proper.

I entirely approve of your request of Mr. Gallatin, to make inquiry respecting a fit person to fill the chair vacated by the resignation of Mr. Key. It is a resource of which we must avail ourselves, provided we cannot obtain a native citizen who possesses the requisite qualifications. My impression is, and in which I think, that you and the other visitors concur, that if such a native can be procur’d, many weighty considerations operate in his favor. An efficient & active govt., must exist, at the place, & that can be form’d only by the faculty. The Visitors live at too great a distance, are too much dispersed, and meet too seldom, for the purpose. Such govt. cannot I fear be form’d by foreigners, or by a board consisting of a majority of them. The appointment of natives, cannot fail, to have a beneficial political effect, both, in the education of the youth, & in conciliating our sister States, should suitable persons not be found in our own State. Virginia has had much weight hitherto, in the affairs of our union, and I think that its future welfare, depends essentially, on the preservation of that weight, by a policy consistent with that, which she has hitherto maintaind. All measures which indicate a confidence in other States, and a decided preference of their citizens, to those of other countries, will I think have a tendency, to preserve that weight, & to draw us more closely together, & none can be better selected, for the purpose, than those which relate to the education of our youth.

Whatever you & General Cocke may agree in regard to the loan of $25000 authorised, by the late act of assembly, I am satisfied that I shall approve. It would be impossible, I think, for me to attend an extra: meeting. My health is better, and by care, I hope that it will soon be restor’d.

I have just receivd a letter from Captn. Partridge which seems to indicate a desire to connect his academy with our University. I am not certain that I clearly understand it. I will forward it to you by the next mail. We earnestly hope that you & your family enjoy good health—with very sincere regard Dear Sir yours