Your kind letter1 was duly recd. I feel grateful to you for your continued interest in my welfare and the direction you have given in relation to my personal comfort. As you perceive from the date of this letter, we are now busily engaged in our semi-annual examination. My young friend Cadet Polk was examined yesterday in mathematics and sustained himself remarkably well. He stands well up in the Second section of a talented class, and has the best regards of all his instructors for his success. His demerit marks which have occasioned you some uneasiness arose more from carelessness than any thing else, and I have his promise that the next report will take to Washington a clean sheet. I have felt since he entered the Academy a deep interest in him, and have regretted that the usages & regulations of the Institution are such that I cannot show more concern for him, without leading others to suppose that I inclined to be too partial. I wish you in your next letter to him, to urge his visiting my house more often than he does. Having a room-mate, of course I cannot take as freely to him, as I could in my own house. He has a very good-heart, full of life and I believe now free from vice. The great thing is to keep him so, and of this there is but little doubt, if his associates are pure. In an Institution like this, we must needs have many whose early training has been defective, & their habits bad. Young men whose moral developements are rather the effect of criminal neglect, than vicious principle—whose want of good is more their misfortune than their fault. Some such grow worse and others improve. Now it is often the case that these are among the most talented, & consequently the most influential & dangerous to the habits of their companions. I regard it as a very favourable circumstance that the most talented in the class of which Cadet Polk is a member, are excellent young men, some of the best in the Institution. Now as there is not much intercourse between the different classes—the intimacy of young men being to some extent restricted to their own class, there is less danger to be apprehended from bad example & association than there might be. Unless some great & unexpected change should take place—and of which I have not the most remote fear, your Nephew will pass through the Academy with very very great credit.

If it be not troubling you with too long a letter, allow me to ask if you think there is any probability of an effort being made for my removal after your Successor has entered upon this duties of his office. I have not heard a syllable in relation to any such thing, but it is natural I should be anxious, having a family of little children depending entirely upon my Salary. I would not despair of finding a home in the church even should I be removed, yet to be displaced suddenly would of course subject me to great mental anguish & it might be some domestic distress. I know not that I should trouble you with this matter at all, but I must confess my concern for my family has started some anxiety in my own mind.

Please make my kindest regards to your lady and . . . .