James Madison Papers

William C. Rives to James Madison, 26 June 1828

Castle-Hill June 26th 1828.

Dear sir,

As the period for the meeting of the visitors of the University is now near at hand, I take the liberty to remind you of your promise, & of our hopes, that, on your way thither, you will do us the favour to spend a day with us. We hope that Mrs. Madison will find, in the pleasure her society would afford to numerous friends in this county, a sufficient inducement to accompany you; & in this claim on her benevolence, Mrs. Rives begs to put in a large share for herself. I have not found time to go to the University more than once, since my return from Washington. Every thing was going on smoothly there, at that time, & the conduct of the students, I was pleased to learn, had, in general, been exemplary & praiseworthy during the session. There were, however, some vague discontents, the precise nature & specific causes of which I was not able satisfactorily to ascertain; & an apprehension was expressed that, unless they should be successfully explored & obviated at the approaching meeting of the visitors, their influence might possibly be seen in a diminished attendance upon the Institution, at the next session. How much of this is to be set down to the account of habitual croaking, & how much to be ascribed to an enlightened solicitude for the interests of the University, can best be determined in the investigatio[n] & deliberations which are now soon to be held under the auspices of a name, which affords to all a pledge of the wisest results. With the tender of Mrs. Riv[es’] & my best respects to Mrs. Madison, I remain, wit[h] sentiments of profound respe[ct] your obt. serv.

W C Riv[es]

RC (PPRF). Docketed by James Madison.

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