Glad to hear from Samuel; this is the first letter received; enticing Samuel to come to the examination

                  1842

 
Cedarville Va     10
 June 18

   Mr Samuel C Gleaves Esqr
    Buffalo Ford
     Wythe
       County
         Virginia
 
      Bottom of Envelope:
Received from J F Wills
 
      Side of Envelope:
N O Sanders
NO Sanders
Nancy O. Sanders
 
      Other side of envelope:
Samuel
N O Sanders

                        June the 10th 1842
                          Emory & Henry College
 
Dear Sam
     I received your letter this evining and I need not say that it was a joy fully receipt
     You say you have written several times it only be hoves me only to say that I have received none before this one or I should have answered long since.  As for the faculty you have given a good description of it. and furthermore they may all go to h---ll for what I care.  You say you have some of the prettiest girls in the county   kiss some of them for me and recommend me very
highly to them.  Write soon and tell me whether or not you are coming to the examination   I will hold out some inducements   first there will be a great many of pretty girls   Secondly, there will be a party given at Pleasant Smiths   lastly there will be some very adresses by the studnts.  By the By we had pretty much of a fight this evening between Charley Pearis & O White  the former hollored & the latter took him by the privates   Charley Peck got here last night in fine health & spirits

You must excuse my bad writing and spelling   I expect you can hardly read this
                      but  remember it comes from
                           Your friend
                                JF Wills
NB
William Anthony sends his respect also Tom Blackburn  

I suppose you have heard that Tom has returned to the college and only that but he acted the dog in writing to that Arck fiend of hell ole Charley that he went away (to use his own expression) under the influence of his pretended friend
                               J W
Write soon

                Miss Nancy O. Sanders
                    Speedrwll
                       Va

Yours

   Saml C Gleaves
 
"First, William the Norman, then William his son  Henry, Stephen and Henry then Richard and John   Next Henry the third, Edward one, two & three and again, after Richard, three Henry's  we see two Edwards, third Richard, if I rightly guess, Two Henries, sixth Edward, Queen Mary, Queen Bess,
Then James, the Scotchman, then Charles whom they slew Yet received after Cromwell another Charles To  Next James the second ascended the throne  Then Good William & Mary together came on  Till  Anne, Georges & on & fourth William  past ole God  sent us Victoria  may she long be the last
     SC Gleaves