On my return home I found Mr. Tucker growing worse, and you have since heard of his death.1 Shortly after this afflicting scene had occurred I was compelled to hurry down to Corrottoman to procure some additional evidence in support of our claim for slaves carried off during the late war. It is only within the last few days I have had time to attend to my promise to you. Before I left home, I examined my papers and found the enclosed list of the pamphlets of the late Judge Tucker, which I made many years ago in Williamsburg. Since the period at which it was written, these pamphlets have passed into the possession of Chancellor Tucker and are now at Winchester. Should you desire to see any of them, you could easily procure them from Genl. Tucker, as, I am sure, that on the receipt of a note from you, he would take great pleasure in complying with your wishes. You will be good enough to return me the catalouge when you have done with it.

Mr. Johnson & myself have declined going up to Charlottesville at Christmas, because we have pretty well ascertained that a quorum would not attend. I do not see any great injury to result from the delay. Were Doctor Jones, or any other professor of experimental physics to come at this period, he could deliver but a part of a course, before the next public examination. We, moreover, cannot get Doct: Jones till the Spring. If he had released us by Mr. Short’s letter to Genl. Cocke sufficiently to let in other applicants, the delay will give time to receive them. As to Mr. Harrison I am compelled to decline his overtures. If Mr. Long should leave us next fall, Mr. Harrison’s time would be spent mostly on the ocean, & his visit to Germany would be but a name. I wish you would adopt the measures you think best calculated to keep Mr. Long till the end of his original term. I still think an appeal thro’ our minister (that soon will be) at London, to Mr. Brougham would be successful. The department filled by Mr. Long is one of the corner stones of the edifice. Next July, we could ascertain the chances of success with one of Mr. Long’s pupils; & at all events we would get time to look around.

I leave this for Wms.burg to morrow & will return here on the 31st. I am, dear Sir, ever most respectfully & truly yours