University of Virginia Library

I am much obliged to you for your promptness in
replying to my late communication. I inadvertently omitted to
ask you to forward to W. R. Capehart, Murry Hill P.O. Bertie Cty
North Carolina a printed copy of the Laws of the University, which
I now beg you to be so good as to do. Mr. C. is the young gentleman
who speaks of joining the institution & I am anxious that he
should be well informed on every subject connected with its management.
There is some prejudice existing in this State against Virginia
& hor favoured University, of which I presume you are not
aware; so strong in some instances as to lead to a preference of
Northern institutions. I hope this feeling is confined to the
marginal counties; indeed I believe it is; though one would suppose
a freer intercourse & better acquaintance would long since have
nullified the feeling.

Your letter afforded me no ordinary degree of pleasure.
I read again & again your once familiar signature, with increased
& increasing emotions. It was like opening a new a lost chapter of
my life, with all its familiar incidents & exciting pasts. And you
now have nine children! What a contrast with my two!!! Six boys
& three daughters? I but two daughters!!! One grown son & two
married daughters? I but two children!!! My eldest is only 15.
The youngest 11 years of age & yet our ages do not differ materially!!
You have been but once married & I twice! A daughter by
each wife is all that I have left- ( a son by each having died
many years since)-while you have been blessed with nine by one! I
wish I had two sons, though I do not make that wish in complaint.

After leaving the University I studied Law & obtained
license to practice-boarded in W.S. immediately afterwards, & soon
after my return married a niece of our collegiate friend Norborne
W Lewis of Brunswick, Va-purchased an estate on the Roanoke in
this State-settled upon it & directed my energies to the cultivation
of the soil. My wife soon died & in 1840 I married Miss
Kate Capehart of Bertie Cty. N.C. She is still alive & in the enjoyment
of good health & comparativel youth. By the by she bids
me say to you that time has dealt with me gently indeed for with
the exception of a few gray hairs I look & am younger & handsomer
than when she first formed my acquaintance.

I have never engaged in public life though repeatedly
solicited by the Democracy of this State, deeming it unsuited to
my temper & uncongenial to my tastes. Apart from that I never
placed that estimate upon honours, (as my whole course at the
University abundantly shews) which others did.

My life has been a prudent one, free from all & every
species of dissapation; & the result thus far fully gratifying.
Though never engaging in public life I have nevertheless been a
political student & kept well up with the times in all its progressive
moves, & now regard myself a `young American' though like
yourself approaching that period of life where caution begins to

predominate & the fire of youth begins to be mistaken for its
folly.

I know what your course in life has been, [OMITTED]always knew
"the result". I hope all your children may inherit the Father's
virtues.

Present me kindly to your Lady & believe me