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Scottsborough Sep'r 6th A.D. 1860.
Rev'd Bishop L. Polk
Sir,
If you will carry your recollection back to the time that you was a school boy at Raleigh N.C. under the care of Rev'd Wm. McPheters, you will remember the undersigned R. T. Scott, a son of old Cap't Scott of Raleigh, I am a few years your senior {scratched out: a few years}. Your brother Lucius is about my age. I met him some years ago in Nashville and made myself known to him. Hearing that you at this time, {insert symbol}was at Sewanee the site of the Episcopal College {struckthrough: at the} South upon Cumberland Mountain Ten. I have concluded to address you to ascertain the program of its future opperations. Do the Trustees design, to lay off Sewanee in lots, and if so how are they to be disposed of? I take it for granted that you will exercise some care as the the antecedents and moral character of those who may wish to settle said place, I can see the necessity of some arrangement of this kind. I have a plesant situation in Jackson Co Ala about 40 miles East of Huntsville, and about 1 1/2 miles from Scottsboro' on M&C. R.R. But unfortunately for myself and family Society is not very good and in my old age I would like to live in a more refined neighborhood and I have selected Sewanee as my future residence if things should give satisfaction. I have for some years been employed in the lumber business, and have used up the most of my timber, I would move my machinery to the mountain if it is well timbered, and then should be a
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{illegible: ---and?} for lumber. Could I purchase land of the Trustees, and if so upon what terms? If you design to sell lots, when, and upon what terms? if it is the design to settle Sewanee and I conclude to purchase property, I would like to {insert symbol}do it if possible without delay, to enable me to plant fruit trees, and commence improvement immi -deately-- I have never seen any plan of your future opperations. Will you be so good as to give me the information sought and any other information that may occur to you with high respect your all {illegible: hul} Sert. truly.
R T Scott
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POLK Letters : September 6, 1860
1860, Sept. 6
R. T. Scott, Scottsborough, Ala., to Bishop Polk, re: recalling their acquaintance in Raleigh and his meeting with his brother, Lucius in Nashville; giving details of his situation in Alabama and his dissatisfaction; his desire to settle in Sewanee and his wish to purchase land and bring his machinery to continue his life's work as a lumber man; giving his reasons for wanting to settle in Swanee as a wish to be in a community of refinement. 2 pp.