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The Philander Chase letters were written in the 18th and 19th century and therefore may contain language that we understand today as harmful or offensive. You may encounter paternalist descriptions of Native Americans, racial slurs, or sexism. For more information, see our policy page.
Description
Dudley has been working very hard and has not had much time to write. Dudley noticed that George does not like his "french project" and has agreed to reconsider it. Dudley tells George that his aunt, probably Olivia, is worried about him becoming sad being away from his family for so long.
Date
5-11-1817
City
Randolph, VT
Keywords
Dudley Chase, George Chase, Olivia, French, Randolph VT
Recommended Citation
Chase, Dudley, "Letter to George Chase" (1817). Philander Chase Letters. 104.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/104
Rights Statement
Transcript
Randolph May 11th 1817
Dear George,
Your much esteemed favor of April 23 and May 2nd & 3rd were re’d in due season. That I have delayed this long this long to answer the former, will be readily excused by you when you are made acquainted with the many reasons that are ready at hand to offer in my behalf; and as your last letter was rec’d this morning, this prompt & hast letter written by candle-light, after a day of toil and sweat at the plough-tail, will go far to support my apology for former omissions. In these words, my [business] has been uncommonly pressing & [perplexed] this spring; so that I have scarce had time to arrange my thoughts, and to range my body up to the writing-table, for any other purpose but the dispatch of business of a fussing nature. So, Dear George, don’t [fire] to look thro’ the proper medium of charitable [?] on my failure, and your assurance of my utmost regards will suffer no diminution.
I see, plainly, that our being to entertain a dislike to my french project. How many real objections, tho’ [disguised] in the [guise] of acquiescence, do you think I discovered, as tho’t I saw, to the project afor’d in your last letter? No french boarding house in Barton, — Wanted to see B’n Pr. when he should visit Band after — should not see him for a long time else — wanted to me your Cousin George the project to [?]— parental fear & objection tho’ yielded up at last reluctantly, — expenses should be much larger than we had calculated — many severe & hard times [?] in Vermont — see Le. Le. Le. Le.
Well, George I will take all these items into sincere consideration, and er’e long will give you my [free] opinion upon them, [opening] you however, that I feel entirely [displeased] to accommodate the [cause] to your liking, Indeed I begin to think it will be almost too long an [?] if it should be [asked] out ‘till November.
I shall expect the promised letter from your mother with anxiety & much [?] — Heroism like hers is rarely to be found in the female character. Please present her my best respects & warmest wishes for her prosperity and good success thro her arduous journey. Philander wrote me on 1st Inst, He says 1000 most excellent things, and speaks in raptures of the happiness he shall enjoy while at Brooklyn the approaching vacation.
Poor [Ceyues] — I feel dreadfully apprehensive for the consequences of his alarming [disaster].
Being in great hate as [Couchee] who will take this to the nest post office, maybe [asked]. I have only time to tell you that your Aunt says she feels an [unearned] anxiety that you should return to your quondam house as soon as possible; that she fears you may indulge in too melancholy a train of reflections; especially in your Father & Mother & family are to [?] far from you. She [wishes] you “to be cheerful and happy a possible and rest assured of her [cherished] love & affection.” I have 1000 thing to write about but I have not time at present — & they might not be interesting if I had.
I will write you again before long. Continue to write often. All send love you you.
Yours forever,
Dudley Chase