Procrastination has prevented my sooner writing on a subject which the deep interest I take in the University has long determined me to venture to broach to you. I have very little time for the purpose now, and moreover, my head swims like a top in consequence of my rest having been disturbed last night by my little girl; but, from the near approach of the meeting of the visitors, there is not room for further delay. The appointment of a successor to Mr Lomax is a subject of pretty general conversation, and felt to be a very important & (considering the circumstances) a very difficult task of the approaching session. If the difficulties under which the Board have to act, do not lead to so unfortunate a result as the election of some ordinary filler of the bar, they will, with me, be rather cause for gratulation than regret; as the alternative would be the appointment of some young man, who, (supposing only an equal, or even a less, measure of talent) I am satisfied, will always prove a better material for making a Professor of, than one already eminent, & already hardened as a practitioner. The experience of the University in Messrs Long & Key, gives strong countenance to this idea. It is generally supposed that the smallness of the salary will prevent the acceptance by any man of eminence; and many have been talked of, for the situation, who either from not yet having attained the age, or not being intended by nature, for eminence in the profession, have not reached it. Among the latter is Mr Maxwell of Norfolk: the appointment of whom would sound to my ears like the Knell of all the hopes we have cherished concerning the Institution. Among the former, is Mr Davis (J. A. G.) of Charlottesville: who, I have no earthly doubt, would, now, be pronounced by any competent judge, as, incomparably, the superior of Mr M. in every characteristic of a lawyer; and who, in a very few years, would not fail, by his industry and talent, to bring the School into notice. But it is not only with Mr M., but with any one you are likely to obtain (and with many of those even who would decline) that I would compare Mr Davis. His appointment would be not a comparatively only, but a positively good one. Whether he would forego the prospects which are opening upon him at the bar, for this Situation, you will have it in your power, any time during the meeting of the Board, to ascertain. Meanwhile, let me take the liberty of earnestly suggesting to you to make some enquiries as to the prospects which the appointment of Mr Davis would present to the University. The persons, immediately connected with him in the practice, most capable of appreciating his acquirements, and what is far more important, his capacity for further acquirements & for usefulness, are P. P. Barbour, and Judge Stuart. In the name of the University, then, let me request you to ask their opinion as to his ability to do honor to the appointment. This might be done in a strictly confidential manner; so as to prevent its reaching either D’s ears, or those of any one else. There is another thing which might be done. Some three or four years ago, I recollect that D. prepared for Judge Stuart a written argument on a very difficult point of the law of eviction. I have understood that this has been very highly spoken of by Judge S. and other Judges (among others, Judge Carr) to whom he showed it. This might be obtained from Davis, through Dr Dunglison or some one else, without his knowing the purpose to which it was to be applied. It would furnish to yourself and Mr Johnson, the measure of D’s legal capability 3 or 4 years ago: since which, it is well known that he has been as close a student as his numerous other avocations allowed. His course of reading too, has been less with a view to immediate practise & reputation than to making himself a scientific lawyer. The opinion of the Professors too, will, I am certain, be found highly favorable, in every respect. I know that both intellectually & morally, he was a great favorite of Long & Key.

I trust you have recovered from the indisposition mentioned in your last, & that there will be no obstacle to your attendance at the meeting. There is another subject connected with the University, on which I shall take an early opportunity to speak. Meanwhile, accept my most affte. remembrance for yourself & Mrs Madison