Letter from E. N. Elliott to Mississippi Governor Benjamin G. Humphreys; October 4, 1866

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Port Gibson Miss Oct 4_th ,,66.

Gov B. G. Humphreys;

Dr Friend

I wrote you some time since asking you to offer my name as a candidate for the Professorship of Chemistry in Miss. U. & asking for your influence in my behalf. At the same time I mailed to you testimonials from Hon H. T. Ellett, Rev S. H. Bertoon, Judge Morruy & requested Col Coleman to write to you also. I also wrote to Dr Wm H. McGuffey of Va. U to send you such testimonials as his long acquaintance with me would warrant. I hope it may reach you in tme.

I am compelled to return to my profession, as the war has left me penniless & childless.

The Department of Chemistry &c is that for which I am best qual-ified & to which I now devoted the most of my life, & which I could therefore fill the most

usefully. When I wrote to you before I expected to have passed through Jackson in a few days, & requested you to leave a letter for me at the Depot. I have been detained here trying to save something out of the wreck of my fortune, & will remain here for some days yet. If you think it would further my cause I will come up to Jackson about the time of the election & have an interview with the Trustees. Please write to me so that it will come by R. R. to Hazelhurst on Monday & I will get it on tuesday. Please let me know if you have received the doc-uments which I mailed, also whether I have competitors, what you think of my prospects, what is the salary, & when is the prof. expected to enter on his duties, & whether you wont advise me to meet the Board.

Yours truly

E. N. Elliott

Oct. 1866.

F

Port Gibson Miss Octo. 4_th 1866

State University

Elliott - E. N.

Letter of -

In reference to the filling of the vacancy in the Chair of Chemistry in the University. Asking the benefit of influence for his application for the position