Yours of the 5th., enclosing one from Mr. Johnson having been overlooked as I presume at the post office here did not reach me till yesterday evening. I sent off a line immediately for the mail of this morning informing him I could not attend the proposed Meeting of the Visitors. It can have no effect however, unless, he should happen to have pos[t]poned, without abandoning his passage up by the Stage. The obstacle to my attendance was explained in a letter yesterday to Genl. Cocke. I have for some days been closely confined by influenza with a continued fever. It remains on me with no abatement, but without a threat of long, much less any serious duration. It did not occur at the moment, that Genl. Cocke, tho’ saying in a letter of the 29th Novr. that he should be in Charlottesville in time for a meeting, might be disappointed, or I should have put my letter for him & the other Visitors under cover to you. The General’s letter acquiesces in the arra[n]gement finally closed by me. He had not of course recd. the one controuling the 1st. instruction to the Proctor. I am glad your letter to Mr. Johnston states the whole matter so appositely. I have just recd. a letter from Mr. Monroe of the 1st. Decr. which does not allude to the Meeting of the Visitors. Genl. Cocke had understood from Mr. Gilmer, that according to intelligence recd from him he wd. attend. This is to be regretted, as it may mislead the calculations of Mr Johnson. I return his letter to you. Mrs. M. joins in affecd. salutations to you all.