<hi rend="bold">Letter from Robert Donaldson to David L. Swain, November 10, 1843:</hi> Electronic Edition. Donaldson, Robert, Jr., 1800-1872 Funding from the University Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill supported the electronic publication of this title. Text transcribed by Bari Helms Images scanned by Bari Helms Text encoded by Brian Dietz First Edition, 2005 ca. 12K The University Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, North Carolina 2005

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 University of North Carolina Papers (#40005), University Archives, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Letter from Robert Donaldson to David L. Swain, November 10, 1843 Robert Donaldson 3 pages, 4 page images 1843 Call number 40005 (University Archives, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)

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 </bibl> </taxonomy> </classDecl> </encodingDesc> <profileDesc> <langUsage> <language id="eng">English</language> </langUsage> <textClass> <keywords scheme="unc_history"> <list> <item> Any special keywords assigned for this project </item> </list> </keywords> </textClass> </profileDesc> <revisionDesc> <change> <date>2005-06-27,</date> <respStmt> <name>Brian Dietz</name> <resp/> </respStmt> <item>finished TEI/XML encoding.</item> </change> </revisionDesc> </teiHeader> <text id="unc03-08"> <body> <div1 type="official letter"> <pb id="unc03-08-p01" n="1"/> <head>Letter from <name key="pn0003053" reg="Donaldson, Robert, Jr." type="person" rend="yes">Robert Donaldson</name> to <name key="pn0001638" reg="Swain, David Lowry" type="person" rend="yes">David L. Swain</name>, November 10, 1843</head> <opener> <dateline><name key="name0003008" reg="Blithewood (Annandale-on-Hudson, NY)" type="place" rend="yes">Blithewood</name> — near <name key="name0003048" reg="Red Hook, NY" type="place" rend="yes">Red Hook</name><lb/> <date>Nov. 10th 1843</date></dateline> <salute><name key="pn0001638" reg="Swain, David Lowry" type="person">Gov. Swain</name><lb/>Dear Sir,</salute> </opener> <p>I have the pleasure to acknowledge your favor of the 17th ulti., and to say in reply that I will very cheerfully co-operate in carrying out the Resolution of the <name key="name0000107" reg="Board of Trustees" type="organization" rend="yes">Trustees</name> of the <name key="name0001146" reg="University of North Carolina" type="organization" rend="yes">University</name> for improving the College grounds &c &c. The examination of their Plans would of itself be a source of pleasure & interest to me — and I consider it too only a filial duty to assist in giving some outward attractions to my <name key="name0001146" reg="University of North Carolina" type="organization">Alma Mater</name>.</p> <p>I have consulted an <name key="pn0003045" reg="Davis, Alexander Jackson" type="person" rend="yes">Arch. Mr. A. J. Davis</name>, with whom I have long time acquainted, about the Halls for the two Societies. He is thoroughly acquainted with his business — can give designs for exteriors & also for interior arrangements for Libraries & Busts & Works of Art — for Gates &c &c. In fact, there might be too much temptation held out by his futile inventions & suggestions. He will either furnish a design — with working drawings & ample specifications for the proper execution of the work <hi rend="underscore">for $800</hi> — or <hi rend="underscore">superintend</hi> the <hi rend="underscore">execution</hi> for 5 percent on the cost. If the funds ($400 for each) <hi rend="underscore">can be relied on</hi>, they <hi rend="underscore">are sufficient</hi> and I<pb id="unc03-08-p02" n="2"/>recommend, as by far the best way, that he should visit <name key="name0000165" reg="Chapel Hill, NC" type="place" rend="yes">Chapel Hill</name> at once to confer with you & the young gentlemen of the Societies. He told me that for $100 to cover the expenses of the journey he would go on in Dec. Let me hear from you in reply as soon as possible.</p> <p>For the improvement of the Campus & College grounds, & particularly for perfecting a Botanic Garden, I have no hesitation in recommending <name key="pn0003056" reg="Downing, Andrew Jackson" type="person" rend="yes">Mr. Downing</name> of <name key="name0003042" reg="Newburgh, NY" type="place" rend="yes">Newburgh</name>. In a letter just received from him, he mentions that he is at present much occupied in preparing some of his works for the Press, but that he may be able to visit you next month, or during the Winter. He has been lately supplying the Botanic Garden of <name key="name0000141" reg="Cambridge, MA" type="place" rend="yes">Cambridge</name> with trees & plants, and is perfectly impatient to direct all upon contemplated improvements. What amount can be annually relied on to keep in order the grounds & sustain the Botanic Garden?</p> <p>The treatment of the Campus is comparatively a simple business — viz. to trim & cut out failing trees, to manure, by top dressing, the ground & get into grass (blue grass) — to <hi rend="underscore">plant out</hi> or <hi rend="underscore">exclude</hi> the sight of the rears of the lots & out houses which<pb id="unc03-08-p03" n="3"/>adjoin the Campus, by planting a belt of trees & shrubs " Willows, thorns, locusts, &c &c — a handsome gate or two — for approach on Public occupies & the roads to be graded & graveled & the superficial water carried off by sub-drains, made by digging trenches 2½ feet deep & wide & filling them with small stones. But I am most anxious to see a Botanic Garden well <hi rend="underscore">perfected</hi> — with room for a little <hi rend="underscore">experimental farming</hi> & a depot for models of Agricultural machines & implements to save seeds. To insure the students with a love of such things & to give them some knowledge of agriculture, upon which a <hi rend="underscore">large portion</hi> of them <hi rend="underscore">eventually</hi> fall <hi rend="underscore">back for</hi> the <hi rend="underscore">means of support, when other things fail. What an instructive</hi> & delightful <hi rend="underscore">appendage — such things would be to the College which is so much in want of decorative objects.</hi></p> <p>I should think a fund of $2000 a year would accomplish all this. My paper forces me to cut this communication short, & I regret that I cannot confer personally with you.</p> <p>Let me hear from you in reply to my enquiries soon.</p> <closer> <salute rend="center">Yours very truly,</salute> <signed> <name key="pn0003053" reg="Donaldson, Robert, Jr." type="person">Robert Donaldson</name> </signed> </closer> <pb id="unc03-08-bk" n="Back"/> </div1> </body> </text> </TEI.2>