I am induced, from the circumstances in which I am at present placed to make a request of you, which when the reasons are heard, I hope will not be considered unreasonable. It is that I may be allowed a dispensation from the uniform prescribed by one of the enactments of the University of Virginia. It is my intention to leave this institution in a few months from this time, and consequently am unwilling to purchase a new uniform, which can serve me only whilst I am here, if it can possibly be avoided. You will probably recollect that at the termination of the last session I was honoured with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Since the attainment of this degree, my time has been somewhat occupied with the practice of my profession— and when I joined the University this inconvenience was suggested but as this was perhaps, the only opportunity that might ever be presented to me for acquiring a better knowledge of some other sciences taught here, I determined to embrace it, and devote to them the time that I could conveniently spare from the practice of medicine. This circumstance together with the one above mentioned will I hope induce you to extend to me the privilege I request: I am well aware of the influence that must be exerted by a precedent of this character, but a similar case will probably seldom if ever occur again. This law is rigidly enforced by the Faculty, and it is one that I would never wish to evade, could I conveniently comply with it. An early answer to this will very much oblige Sir with great respect Your obt. Servant