University of Virginia Library

Your letter of the 1st is before me. It was received several
days ago. I have given the subjects contained therein the
best reflections. I am quite as much perplexed as to your future
operations as you can be: but you are so much better able to determine
what course it would be best for you in the business you wish
to engage in, than I can be, your attention having been directed
that way. And therefore, I feel disposed to let you decide. I remember
when in your situation, about to commence the world, with
a similar engagement on hand, I suffered great distress of mind.
Mountains of difficulty arose on every hand. I imagined that I
never could scale them; but I did what our engineers do now-a-days
in similar cases—I bored throughor tunneled them. Your scheme
for purohasing Alta Vista, and establishing a School there will
require a very considerable outlay of ready money, for the purpose
of stocking the farm with hands, horses, cattle, implements etc etc
and for furnishing & fitting up a boarding house and school, laying
in a stock of provisions, hiring servants etcetra. I suppose
5000$ will be required at least for that purpose. This sum could
be had, if the plan were feasible and promising, but without further
& more minute & particular examination of the premises I
could not consent to enter into this speculation. You can however
continue to make inquiries about this and other places as you intimate
you will do. I will now proceed to examine your objections
to Loudoun or Lisbon. Here is an establishment already fitted for
your purposes without any considerable outlay. If you should succeed
in establishing a good school here, and Mr. Benton should want
his house in a year or two or three hence, I should feel perfectly
safe in putting up such buildings as might be necessary-in that
neighborhood. If I purchase Greggs farm—there is on the end of
it, next to Lisbon, a most beautiful and elevated site for such an
establsihment. A store could be established there, also. The situation
is high and healthy. There are four important county roads
meeting at this place. It is within four miles of Middleburgh, and
ten of the Manassas Gap Railroad. Your second objection, Summy
thinks, resides only in the imagination. Loudon probably sends as
many representatives to the University as any other County in the
State. There are many families of wealth and influence in it, and
others are coming even from Southeastern Va. Robert Bolling of
Petersb.g has purchased an estate near Upperville for one of his
boys. Bedford Brown, ex-senator from N.C. has located here himself
near Salem. Then Fauquier County is close at hand which contains
many of the first families of Virginia. etc etc etc. If the school
fees are low living is cheaper and plainer. I have a dread of the
South from their extravagant mode of living. Your third objection
is to some extent answered above. How far the University, or a
Graduate therefrom may be respected or appreciated in other counties
in Va. over & above Loudon, can but be quessed at or conjectured.
I think while we have in the mass a people who do not sufficiently
appreciate good education, there are a good many families

who do, and who patronize fully, our institutions of learning—
and to a good degree the University. I think you had better consider
the matter cooly, and not to suffer it perplex your mind too
much. Wait for the openings of a Good Providence. We are all subject
to the control of a superintending Power. I have no doubt
that you have a preference for Albemarle and the South—and I
should like you to be gratified in your choice—if it can be done
without risking too much upon an uncertain experiment. The case
you mention alluding to a union with Dr. H. upon the happenings of
certain contingencies, might possibly prove available. But I think
it is too remote and uncertain to build on it a reliable hope.

Summy has written thus far, I will now add that if upon
reflection you think best to consumate that very important engagement
under which you appear so restive, let there be no childish
hesitation, act honorably, manly & boldly. Your father will always
take pleasure in sustaining you. I am proud of you & your noble
conduct, in winning so honorable a prize. I hope you will ever
so act as to merit her best love & esteem. Her name is mentioned
by her acquaintances with praise. If you think that propriety demands
a speedy union you have my free consent & approbation. You
could continue to board for the time being & the necessity being
stronger more effort would be made to establish you, & in that
case Dr. H. would probably feel freer to advise you in the selection
of a place & plan. I dont know that I can get to Albemarle a
soon, however much I desire to gratify you, but let me again assure
you that you may always rely upon my best & kindest fatherly offices;
for your comfort & happiness. I hope this will suffice to
cheer you. We cant expect to be fixed satisfactorily at short
notice. We are not exclusive pets of fortune, we must hammer out
by our industry, our reputation & our future, & although the race
may not always be to the swift, the exceptions are few, & fortune
attends almost invariably the industrious & frugal, who have moderate
aspirations. Trust in God, & be cheerful & content. Look
with confidence to Him for aid & counsel. He will bless you in
your honest efforts.