I have received in due time by the mail your favor of 13th inst, and would have written you immediately in reply, but have waited for the arrival of the Report so as to enable me to relieve your anxiety in regard to that subject. Two days ago I received a letter from Mr. Trist, stating that he had at length determined to send on the Report without the revised copy of the enactments, but that the latter would also follow in the course of a week. He desired me to communicate his explanation to the Governor, which I did by messenger the next day, the executive being in session at the time. I shall call on him in the morning, to ascertain whether he will wait for the enactments before he communicates the Report. I do not think the delay will be prejudicial to our interests. The course of thought & feeling in the Legislature will probably make a late better than an early movement on this subject. The Governor’s message had set the primary school party in violent motion, and when I returned on 6th from the Northern Neck, I found the leading members of the lower House much occupied with schemes for new modelling that branch of our system: & very few favorably disposed to a collegiate system. I found that they were not sensible of the intrinsic difficulties of the subject, and the inadequacy of our existing funds to a general establishment of schools. I consider the present session entirely inauspicious to any effort in favor of a Collegiate system: and it is my present impression that all the primary school plans will fall to the ground. I cannot predict the result of our contemplated motion for funds to pay the debt of the University. The reputation of the institution has risen greatly of late, and I hear on all sides approving sentiments in regard to it. The late changes seem to be well received by the public. The attendance of the Visitors during the whole of the public examination has produced a very favorable impression, insomuch as to leave not the slightest doubt on my mind as to the very great importance of similar attendance in future. It will be difficult to bring over a majority to give us the money to pay our debts notwithstanding the happy change in the public mind. Members are afraid to tax the people. They are averse to sell any part of the Capital of the fund. And they dislike to encrease the debts of the State. Our success too has silenced, without extinguishing our foes. I am inclined to think the best plan to propose is this—to create a stock to the amount of our debt—to make it irredeemable for 15 years—and to charge the interest on the surplus revenue of the Literary Fund. I think the objections to selling any part of the capital of the Literary Fund will be greater than those against adding to the debts of the state. I am by no means sanguine: on the contrary, I apprehend we shall be defeated. Much political excitement prevails this winter: & but little interest is felt for the sciences.

I had given your memorandum relative to the Journals to Mr. Tucker—and have written to him for it. As soon as I hear from him, I will endeavor to get some suitable person to suggest a republication in the House of Delegates.

I presume that Genl. Cocke has seen you on the subject of the Hotel Keepers, excluded by our late regulation. I confess I could no longer withstand the strong appeals made by themselves, by the whole Faculty, & by so many respectable persons. Genl. Breckenridge & Mr. Loyall concurred entirely in the propriety of giving them another trial. I think enough has been done to effect our object: especially as these men now know the precise line of conduct which alone will ensure their continuance. I remain, dear Sir, ever most respectfully & truly yours