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The Rev. Moses Ashley Curtis, D.D., of Hillsborough, N.C.
to Asa Gray, Harvard Cambridge
6 December 1866

(Papers at Arnold Arboretum). (Harvard)

"The University of the South, eh? - Well, I was on the ground in October. I had left the cornerstone of Tennessee Marble, weighing 6 tons, at my last visit here. I brought away the biggest piece I could find of it, not so large as the second joint of my thumb! The vandal soldiers were not satisfied with burning all the houses, & stealing the few coins & documents (the Constitution of the U.S. being one of them, & deposited by a Bishop with the words "esto perpetua," the whole crowd responding with a hearty Amen - but they must needs beat the poor block into gravel stones.

We fortunately saved our bonds & title deeds, & decided at the meeting that we would go ahead, if it be possible. I do not know how we shall succeed. We are awfully poor now in the South. Manufacturers of Cotton & Whiskey seem to be the only persons who have plenty of money."