Mount Vernon Feby. 20th. 1788 Dear Sir, I have been duly honored & gratefully affected with the receipt of the Resolution of the Visitors & Governors of William & Mary College, appointing me Chancellor of the same; and have to thank you for your polite attention in the transmission. - Not knowing particularly what duties, or whether any active Services are immediately expected from the person holding the Office of Chancellor; I have been greatly embarrassed in deciding upon the public answer proper to be given. - It is for that reason I have chosen to explain in this private communication my situation & feelings; and to defer an ultimate decision until I shall have been favored with farther information on the subject. My difficulties are briefly these. On the one hand, nothing in this world could be farther from my heart than a want of respect [2] for the worthy Gentlemen in question; or a refusal of the appointment with which they have honored me - provided its duties are not incompatible with the mode of life to which I have entirely addicted myself. - And on the other hand, I would not for any consideration disappoint the just expectations of the Convocation, by accepting an Office, whose functions I previously knew (from my pre-engagements & occupations) I should be absolutely unable to perform. - Although, as I observed before, I know not specifically what these functions are, yet, Sir, I have conceived that a principle duty required of the Chancellor might be a regular & indispensable Visitation once or perhaps twice a year - Should this be expected, I must decline accepting the Office. - For, notwithstanding I most sincerely & ardently wish to afford whatever little influence I may possess, in patronising the cause of Science, I cannot, at my time of life & in my actual state of retirement, persuade myself to engage in new and extensive avocations. Such being the sentiment of a heart [3] unaccustomed to disguise; I flatter myself the candid manner in which I have explained it, could not be displeasing to the Convocation; and that the intervening delay, between the present and the moment in which I shall have the pleasure of receiving such ulterior explanations as may enable me to give a definitive answer will not prove very detrimental to the Collegiate interests. With great esteem and regard I am-Dear Sir Yr. Obedt. Hble. Servt. Go: Washington Saml. Griffen Esqr.