James Madison Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/99-02-02-1695

James Madison to James Barbour, 7 February 1829

Feby. 7th. 1829.

Dear Sir

With your favr. of Novr. 13. acknd. yesterday, I recd that of the same date, in which you communicated the steps you had taken & had in view, in relation to a Successor to Professor Long. The Visitors I am sure will all be thankful for your attentions to that important object. Altho’ it appears that Dr. Harrison discharges well his temporary trusts yet besides the uncertainty of his permanent views, it cannot but be agreeable to the Board Considering his youth, to have an option such as may be presented by an offer from abroad, and which may be at the same time consistently declined if not preferred, in favor of some offer at home. I have only therefore to repeat the request that there may be no committment of the Visitors, which in such an event might give ground for complaint.

I am sorry to state that the University has lately been visited by a nervous or typhous fever, which has attacked a number of the Students & has proved mortal to one. The Chairman of the Faculty Dr. Dunglison, however, announces to the public, that there is every appearance of a Change in the Atmosphere putting an end to the cause of the malady, which was not confined to the University. The occurrence has given some alarm & some of the Students have retired from the Scene. But [it] is hoped that the alarm will soon be over. Be this as it may, it ought to form no permanent objection to the healthiness for which the Spot has been notorious. The fever in question is as you well know one that has no respect of places, and is as capricious in its visits as it is inexplicable in its origin. The fact of its lighting on the single family on the very top of the mountain before your door, the highest in the ridge, is a proof of the character here given to it.

Draft (DLC).

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