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Davidson College Mecklenburg County No. Ca July 23a, 1840.
Dear Pa’ and Mother,
Your kind, welcome, and affectionate letter of the 10th of July came to hand in 8 days and also the letter that you sent Dr. Morrison, enclosing the remainder of the money, that you were so kind as to send for my support, for which I cannot feel too thankful to you. Please tell my Dear Mother that I hope I will “try to do right now,” and always. I hope I feel thankful for the means that I have of improvement, and I cannot feel to [sic] thankful to you both for the good advice and direction that you give me. The health of College is much as it has been, still two or three sick with the mumps. Mr. Kimmons had them in our rooms and two of us escaped. Mr. Alexander, my bed-fellow is just recovering from them, and I think the time is past for me to take them from him. I may have them, if I do it will be in two or three days. Mr. Houston, Mr. Kimmons bed-fellow escaped.______Pa”, I think you know that it is my disposition to be indifferent and easy about distinctions and perhaps too much so. I scarcely ever think of it except when I see singular exertion in others. It shall never be my aim for I see too plainly the disgusting evil of it and were I to attempt distinction, my humble talents would not insure success, and besides other disadvantages, that may be better for me than I suppose.
A steady, even, straight-forward course must be better for me than I suppose over exertion. The first of these I hope I may be able
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with Divine assistance to pursue. I had lately honour and distinction conferred on me, (of which I feel unworthy, and which was entirely unexpected to me) in being elected a representative and contester of The Literary Society of which I am a member. This contest will be at our next winter examination.
Our commencement will be next week, which will be nothing but bustle and confusion. If it should be warm it will be very disagreeable as the chapel is small. We suppose that the examination of the under classes will be partial as there will be so many other things to attend to. Each member of the Senior Class will speak. We expect Mr. Williamson’s inaugural and perhaps a valedictory from Mr. Sparrow and Dr. Morrison. Dr. Leland of Columbia was elected to deliver an address to the Literary Societies. He accepted and is expected but I have not heard certainly whether he will be here or not.
I mentioned in my last the resignation of Dr. Morrison and Rev. Sparrow, and the election that would take place in August at Baities-ford for persons to supply their places. Please Pa’ tell me what you think of this for I feel deeply interested in it although it is out of our power to remedy it in any way. I fear very much that so good a Faculty on such worthy men can never be obtained again. It is generally supposed that Mr. Williamson will be elected President. I have heard of one or two others as Professors, of whom I know nothing, who are ministers in the vicinity. It is likely that Mr. Robinson will continue Steward for a short time yet, as his resignation was not accepted by the Trustees. The first part of next session
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will be confused and irregular, as we will not have enough of Professors.
In the vacation I will try to spend my time and do as you so kindly direct. I had made an agreement with the very kind of a person that you speak of, as an associate during the vacation. A young gentleman from Marion District who expects to remain. He is a class-mate, and I expect he will be a room-mate next session. He reminds me strikingly of Mr. Freeman, although I think his turn and disposition different.
It is likely that we will study a part of the time as we are both behind a little in one branch. I think that several of the students expect to remain but none of them are my associates. I hope to be able to get my mind and body refreshed by relaxation from College duties. Next session Mr. Robinson wishes me to be a gardiner. This will be to my advantage. Two other students were expelled this week for having fire-arms and shooting a dog. No person regrets their leaving, I believe as they were very low and bad boys.
We have had a great deal of rain this week and crops are generally good. The College crops look very fine. We are just “laying by”.________Give my love to Mother and tell her that I think often of her and that I want to see pa’ and Mother, but feel that we must wait.
Give my kind respects to all inquiring friends.
Please write to me as often as you can, for I always feel anxious to hear from you and I am glad when I have heard. Adieu
Believe me ever, your affectionate son,
Jas. Morrow
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Original
From: DC0122s, James Morrow, 1820-1865 (1843) Letters, 1840-1853. Finding Aid
Cite as:
Morrow, James. Letter to Father and Mother. 23 July 1840. DC0122s, James Morrow, 1820-1865 (1843) Letters, 1840-1853. Davidson College Archives, Davidson College, NC. Available: https://davidsonarchivesandspecialcollections.org/archives/digital-collections/james-morrow-letter-23-jul-1840/.
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