I have just had a conversation with Mr. Gill, the stucco man, in relation to your college buildings, and he assures me that the preparing an old wall to receive a coating of stucco should never stand in the way of its application. Mr. Gill will engage to prepare the surface of both of the Dormitory buildings for 50 dolls. or 25 dollars each, and supply stucco in the best manner at 50 cts. the square yard of surface — (being the same he gets here, and the same he had of Mr. Donaldson) and pay all his own expenses of transporting materials and laborers. Now there can be no question but that the stucco had best be applied — unless, the irregularities,undulations, and bulging, is such, as to make stucco look less like stone than it does ordinarily, and that further bulging or settlements may cause it to crack. I do not think it will do so, but I would have the door pieces attached in brick as drawn, buttressing up the east wall, and the whole stuccoed.

The Committee adopted my plans, and seemed disposed to carry through the proposed alterations in the South Building , such as adding a Dome, and fitting up the attic: Working Drawings for the Dormitories, and also drawings for the South building I engaged to make for one hundred dollars, in addition to what I have already received for traveling expenses, on receiving instructions from you to that effect with intelligence of the work being in progress. At my leisure I intend to add a plan for your botanic garden.Have you seen, and what do you think of Dr. Dewey's Discourse on Slavery? If you have not seen it in the papers, I will send it to you in pamphlet.

After leaving you, I passed a very pleasant time at the Governor's in Raleigh, the weather being fine and admitting of some rambles with the young ladies on sketching expeditions. I became acquainted with several worthy persons, such as Mr. Taylor, Mr. Manly , Bishop Ives, and though last mentioned, not least, the Misses Letitia and Corinna ,1 and I am not sure but that I came away too soon, or not soon enough for my peace. But I have a never failing resource in those of Helicon.

1. At the time of this letter, John Motley Morehead was governor of North Carolina, and it was at the governor's mansion in Raleigh that A. J. Davis met Morehead's daughters "Corinna" and Letitia .