Letter from Courtenay to Thayer, June 17, 1827 about being recommended to teach at the University of Virginia.

Newport June 17th 1827 

Lt Col. S. Thayer
U. S. Engrs

D Sir,

I have been apprised by Prof. Davies that you have been requested by Mr Monroe, to recommend to him for the consideration of the Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia, a person qualified to fill the Mathematical chair in that Institution, and that you had kindly offered to present my name, if I wished to be considered a candidate for the situation --- Aware of the many & great advantages attendant upon such a situation, I could not have hesitated as to the course most proper for me to adopt, had I not been sensible of my own inability to do justice to the station. My friends, however, so far as I have had an opportunity of consulting them, are unanimous in the opinion that I should avail myself of your flattering offer, and I will therefore feel under a particular obligation to you, if named to Mr Monroe. Notwithstanding I anticipate many & able competitors, & consequently entertain but slight hopes of success. I am induced to believe that it will be hightly serviceable to me to be brought forward under such favorable auspices whatever may be the result of the selection. With many thanks for your kindness on this & former occasions, I am. Respectively yours;

Ed. H. Courtenay 

There is a typescript of this letter in The West Point Thayer Papers 1808-1872, volume 4, edited by Cindy Adams, 1965. 

Page created November 2000. 
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