I recd. in due time your letter of the 3d. Ult: the contents of which were made known to the Visitors of the University. It was my intention to have acknowledged it before I left the Spot, but the arrangement made for the Chair of Ant: Languages, vacated by Mr Long being one of the very last acts of the Board, it was put out of my power, by the fatigue of a long Session & the hurry of my departure. And since my return, a constant succession, with an accumulation during my protracted absence, of demand on my attention, have had a like effect.

What I am now to communicate is that the Board, in its anxiety to replace Mr. Long in the fullest sense of the term, adopted the expedient, of appointing for one year, one of his most advanced pupils, and of adding to the field of choice at home, the chance of obtaining a Successor from that which had furnished, Mr. Long; a negociation, having that object being directed by the Board. I wished to give you this information, not only as a mark of my respect, but as a more exact view of the course taken by the Board of Visitors, than you might derive from any other source.

I avail myself of the occasion, to thank you, Sir, for the copy with which I was Favd., of your address to the Literary & Philos. Society of Hampden Sydney College: I read with much pleasure, the instructive & interesting observations with which it abounds, on the very important subject which led to them. I pray you to accept Sir, assurance of my esteem, & my cordial salutations