In this letter to his friend John D. McAdoo of Clinton, Tennessee, R. M. Moore discusses primarily his health and the state of affairs at East Tennessee University. Moore complains of being unwell, saying that he is sorely afflicted with a severe pain in his head and an aching of his back and limbs that causes his hands to shake and prevents him from studying. He goes on to discuss recent events at the University, including the arrival of a new student from Mississippi (who Moore thinks will consent to join their society) and a recent debate that his team lost. Finally, Moore sends news of the health and activities of several mutual friends.