I received yours of the 8th, with the enclosed to Mr. Donaldson, and have delayed answer, until I could look around and consult one or two friends upon the subject of the gardener. From the first, I have had a person in view, who studied with Mr. Downing, and who now lives at Cincinnatti, Mr. Eliott, brother of H. H. Eliott of our city, and formerly resident near Mr. Downing, at Fishkill, N.Y. opposite Newburgh. Mr. Eliott is a young man of education, and an active spirit — fond of his art, and I think destined to take a high rank as a landscape Gardener. His manners, general intelligence, and love of science in his art, make him the very man for Chapel Hill, and I have little doubt but that a very moderate remuneration would content him for a time, until he shall have become known, and sought after.His connection with your university would be a stepping stone to his deserts, and would probably lead to some practice in your state — both in the line of Agriculturalist and as Landscape Gardener, and serve as an inducement to him to leave Ohio, (where I believe he is well contented with his prospects) for at least a portion of the year, to reside in N.C. — Thus extending his field of practice, and enabling him to acquire a more intimate knowledge of the varieties of soil and climate. I have seen Mr. Eliotts' brother here, and as soon as we can hear from Cincinnatti I will write you again.

With respect to settlements, or fractures in your new walls, it is a subject with which I have not much experience, — as how to reform them, that is, practically, since I have never had occasion to exercise any theory upon such matters. Most masons would prefer to rebuild the entire wall, but a truly scientific one would like to exercise his ingenuity in the most economical way! (The true economy is the question!) I think, unless the settlement is a considerable one and the adjoining wall evidently feeling for its neighbor, I would endeavor to join a portion of new wall, and allow for the settlement in seasoning, rather than rebuild.

Received from Chas. Manly the sum of one hundred dollars: remuneration for services as Architect to the University, Chapel Hill, N.C. to said date, as above.