Chicago May 8th 1868 Rev N. Rounds D. D.       Saturday evening last the Seconed of this Inst.. I received a Telegram from the Secretary of the Board of Trustees fo the Willamette University of Salem Oregon in these words,    Associate Bishop Janes and Dr Benson with yourself in selecting a President    You understand as well as I do the difficulty of doing any thing at General Conference not belonging to conference matters. I succeeded this morning in getting a meeting with the persons named, and presented the subject before them. I had previously had an interaction with Dr Nelson, and requested him to converse with the Bishop and Dr. Benson, which   
         he did, speaking in the highest terms of yourself, and of you a adaptation of the position contemplated. The result of this interview so far as the two are concerned, is as follows.                                                                  ing Bishop Janes said that he vows decidedly in favour of your going to Oregon and tak  the Presidency of the University, but, under the circumstances would not be willing to subject the Board to the expense of your removal to that country. He expressed it as his opinion that you would not only do well in the Presidency, but that it would be a great benefit to you  xxx  to go to that country, both in view of the Salary of  1500 (dollars) per annum, and the advantages which would be afforded for the profitable investment of money. Bishop Janes fully agrees with me in regard to the propacity of your going, and the   
         probabilities of your success. Dr. Benson is quite captious. The words which he employs to express his views in relation to the matter are as follows.    In my judgement the president of so new a University should be in the vigor of manhood. Rev Dr. Rounds, though otherwise eminently qualified, is, (in my Judgement) too far advanced in years to make the position desirable for either himself or the institution.    This matter, cousin, was offi-cially refered to Bishop Janes, Dr Benson and myself, and we have full power to employ a President; and of course as matters in all where subjects are left to referees, a majority must settle the question where there is not a unanimity. Bishop Janes harmonizes with me in the premises; but I thought   
         that it was a duty which I owed to you, to let you know just what were the views entertained by the referees, so that you could decide understandingly. I am sorry that I have not been able to send you this before, as I am aware that you have been in suspense, which is not a comfortable                                                                     indeed state to be in. In my own feeling, I am just the same as when I was with you, and   nothing would please me better than for you to decide to go with me as we talked. You would also have to full sanction of Bishop Janes, and a good Providence. I have no doubt would enable you to con-vince even Dr Benson that    his judgement    was greatly at fault. From this paper you will be able to learn how the matter now stands. Please communicated to me as soon as convenient, the decision at which you arrive. I did not think that it would be proper for the Bishop and myself to state to you that you were appointed to the place until you understood the circumstances, and judged for yourself. If you decide to go, you may regard the thing as fixed,   
         and I will communicate the fact of your appointment to Oregon by telegram, so soon as I hear from you. If under the circumstances you decide not to go, please also let me know as I shall have but little time to cast about to find another man. Please send by Express the package, (not the roll) to me Central M. E. church, corner of Clark and Washington Strut Chicago, Care of Rev Lathrop. With many prayers that all things may work together for your good and the good of your family, I am as ever your unworthy cousin,       Gustavus Hines  PS By last letters from Oregon I learn that my family are all as well as usual. G H