10

Bishop Polk

N. O.

Apr 23d 60

Col. Barney to
Bh. Polk

My last letter to you was on the 12th March {struckthrough: with which} where
I {struckthrough: sent} enclosed to you an acc't Currt, and several statements exhibiting
all the expenditures, and work done up to that period,
which I hope have been received and found satisfactory
A few days after sending them I rec'd your favor of the
8th {struckthrough: inst} March, and was gratified to hear that the course
I had taken with regard to the Thompson claim, and
in stopping work & expenditures, met with your approval
I was considerably revived by the all conquering spirit
with which you animate me to meet the thick array of
hindrances that prevent your glorious enterprize
from having a firm footing and a local habitation
on this chosen spot, but it requires more philosophy
and christian forbearance than I can command to
witness quietly & unmoved, the low plotting & counter plotting
the mean trickery, bitterness & {struckthrough: selfishness} shortsighted selfish
ness of this faithless community.

The Court has confirmed the report of the Com'rs
who have laid off the Estill interest outlier of the
Sewanee grant to the Un. As I {struckthrough: supposed} have always
understood that the heirs of age were to give to the University their
1/3 interest in{underlined} the 5000 acre grant, or its equivalent
outlier of the grant, less the Minors' interest, I took
some pains, when the Com'rs were here, to lay off their
portion advantageously to the University, under the
idea it would be conveyed by them to the University, but I now
understand from Mr. Colyar that it will not be
done, and the University is to get nothing from them.
This is rather a serious matter as our Eastern
bounds will thereby be subjected to some considerable
disadvantages at several points.

I was very much surprised to hear from
Bishop Otey, some days since at Winchester, that a town
called Beula had been laid off adjoining the University
lands, and that an agent with a plat was engaged