When I dispatched the packet containing the papers of Mr Tracie, last week, it was in such a hurry as not to allow me time to accompany it by a single line. Dr Patterson came up from Richmond on the monday previous to the opening of the session. Mr Tucker arrived on the same day, in the northern stage. In the sentiments expressed at the dinner to Dr P, you will have noticed what struck me as somewhat incongruous symptoms in regard to his views. He speaks of an ’irretrievable step’; &, on the other hand, they consider him as lent & not given. In conversation with me, the other day, he mentioned his intention to prepare a text-book for himself; & I at first thought this a sign which favored the idea of permanence: but on reflexion, such a work would be as much wanted by him there as here.

On Sunday morning, I understood the number of entered students to be 64: they have come in more rapidly this year than common, and it is said there is a promise of a pretty full session. Owing to the proper preventive not having been adopted in time, the same difficulty has occurred, that retarded the matriculations, on opening last year. There is an almost insurmountable objection to being assigned to Mr Minor’s hotel; & the consequence is, that when his number comes to be made up, they all hold back until some unwary new–comer falls into the slough, or some patriotic youth sacrifices his personal comfort to the good of the institution.

We are all well, except Virginia who is in the complaining state; and all unite in very affectionate salutations to Mrs Madison & yourself, who, we take for granted, are by this time perfectly recovered