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{Richmond}, Lynchburg 25 April 1866

My Dear Sir

The death of our most excellent friend
Judge Thompson announced in the mornings [h?] &
which I deeply regret, will make it [?] for you at
an early day to life his place.

I [?] [learn?] to recommend to you for this station
my friend John B Minor Professor of Law in the University
of Virginia - I have known him intimately for
30 years at the Bar, in the [P?] Chair & in private
life; and I can say with the utmost truth & sincerity. I
[?] Knew a [p?] man, and seldom one of equal profess-
sional merit- His acquaintance with Virginia juris-
prudence, I believe more accurate than any other man's
in the State & his Knowledge of legal science [g?]
equal to any, [?] him most fit for the place- and then
his purity of life and [?] moral character are known
& approved of all men.

I believe his appointment would [gain?] [?]