Your Circular of the 20th instn post marked 23rd was recd last evening, and the letter from Mr Pictet, is forwarded as desired to our Colleagues at Richd.

I concur in your mode of providing for the foreseen vacancy which, I sincerely lament, on every account; as I should in any admissible mode that would avoid the necessity, for an Extra meeting of the Visitors.

I am acquiescent also on your order of preference among the names you propose for the vacancy; without being prepared to add a single one to them; unless indeed Mr Lomax whom I do not personally know & have otherwise a very slight knowledge of should be thought proper for the list. Perhaps a like concurrence of our Colleages may render not only a meeting of the Board, but further consultations by letter unnecessary.

I consider the change so desperate as to both Barbour & Dade, that it is scarcely justifiable to submit to the delay of a renewed offer to them. The remark is in some degree applicable to Mr Rives, whose state of health as well as the considerations you notice, forbids a hope of his acceptance. I understand his rank in Congress, corresponds with the view you have formed of his talents & acquirements, The great distance of Mr Preston, with the bare possibility of his acceptance, seem to require us to lose sight of him also on the occasion. Of Mr Robertson, I nothing but from Report, which ascribes to him good talents & good principles. The Visitors at Richmond must be able to judge so much better of his qualifications than I can, that I am ready to subscribe to their estimate of them. Of Mr Terrell I am personally altogether ignorant; but your portrait of him to say nothing of the testimony of Pictet, makes me willing to concur in a selection of him at once.

if there be nothing in the answers from Richd inconsistent with such a course.