I recd. by the last mail1 yours of the 18th. You were not more surprized than I had a right to be at seeing our names on the Electoral Ticket. After my letter to you, which you made known to Col. Mercer, I wrote to Mr. Cabell in the most decided terms, and he informs me he made the proper use of it.2 I have a letter from Col. Mercer also,3 corresponding doubtless with his to you. The awkwardness thrown upon us is much increased by the delay in giving the regular notice. To anticipate it might mark an unsuitable feeling of one sort, as well as a censure on the delay. To be silent too long, leaves room for inferences of another sort also to be avoided. The latter effect will however be corrected by our answers which seem to be sufficiently foretold; whilst there would be no opportunity of doing away the former. As there is a Resolution of the Convention, connecting with the notification copies of the proceedings which require some time for preparation, the delay of our answers ought to be accounted for by that circumstance. I hope your letter to Judge Brooke will put an end to the difficulty. Should his answer fail of doing so, be so good as to let me know it with your view of the course proper for us. Should it become necessary for us not to wait for the usual mode of notification, it may be a question, whether our answers requiring a nomination of others, might not4 most properly addressed to the Committee at Richmond which is to make it; bottoming them in that case on the expediency of an early notice to those who are to take our places.

My answer whenever & to whomever made will of course withdraw my name from the ticket; in stating the grounds for which I feel the delicacy of the task. A plea of neutrality is already represented as a claim of privilege belongg. to no particular citizens. The5 ground taken by you is not6 altogether unsuited to my case, and will be respected by all, in proportion as a sense of delicacy can controul the feelings of party. Health and every other happiness

I have recd. a letter from Mr. Brougham urging our release of Professor Long.7 I have, admitting our disposition to avoid disappointing the latter, urged the greater facility there than here, of providing a temporary substitute. I learn from the Proctor that Dr. Jones is expected to come on soon to the University, having relieved himself from part of his term with the Franklin Institute. The decisive information is however to come from Genl Cocke, who has been our correspondent with the Docr.