Files
Download
Download Full Text (6.0 MB)
Content Warning
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
Philander Chase settles a dispute regarding a lost set of Communion Plates. He also discusses his plans for his settlement in Illinois.
Date
7-12-1836
Keywords
Philander Chase, Intrepid Morse, Mary Olivia Chase, Illinois, Communion plates, farm
Recommended Citation
Chase, Philander, "Letter to Intrepid Morse" (1836). Philander Chase Letters. 1056.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/1056
Rights Statement
Transcript
Gilead July 12th 1836
My very dear Nephew.
What you mean by “quarreling about the Communion Plate,” I do not quite understand. The Small Set given by Lord Kenyon, Lady Pope and then to me, as Bishop of Ohio, while I was in England the first time, I send thro’ Mr. Wells to Bishop McIlvaine when he became Bishop of Ohio. Was there any “quarreling” in this? I think not; for I had sent it to him some time before Bp. McIlvaine’s letter regarding it was dated. As to the larger set of Communion Plates of Plated Ware being my gift out of the [Bowdler] Legacy-- a legacy made before I even thought of going to England-- I hope what I said by way of shewing the conditions on which I had given the same to Pope Chapel, will not by you or any one else be turned “quarreling.” That God has seen fit to cause both to be consumed by fire must not be viewed as a dispensation of his wise Providence no doubt intended for our Trial-- perhaps the Trial of our Faith-- in the very [?] of true Faith, which is the taking of God’s will in lieu of all Reasons to be assigned. For one I pray for grace to view the matter in this light. To assign a reason for God’s dealings is a [weighty] matter. Where it does not distinctly & clearly redound to the Glory of God & serve to promote the Salvation of man we should fear to give a reason for the divine judgements “neither hath this man sinned nor his Parents” that the [former] was born blind: but that the Glory of God might be made known. This was course of thought on subjects of this nature pointed out by the Saviour of the World.
I did not means to say half has much as I have done on this subject when I began this letter. Pray pardon me if I have said anything amiss or unnecessary.
My journey to Ver’t was pleasant in that it enabled me to see those whom we love Uncle Dudley &c. All our Friends in that Quarter were well except Mr. Grover the maternal grandfather of my dear Grand Daughters. He is thought to be in a rapid decline. Eliza his only Child will be [?] enough left her to make her and her dear Daughters quite comfortable as to worldly property. As to their Moral and Spiritual Welfare I trust that they are not neglected. I wish they could have the happiness of seeing the Dear One my other Grand Child under your charge, having no other relations the sweet girls are very anxious for an interview.
But I must not talk on in this way. I have much to say to you by way of News. While at De Troit I was made quite happy by the kind attentions of the Church people there. C.C. Trowbridge presented me with a fine pair of horses-harness & Wagon. This will serve to take our luggage to Illinois-- We have sold all off and shall set off from Gilead for my diocese tomorrow or next day. When I say “sold all off” I except the land. This remains yet on hand and rather than sacrifice it for half its value I think of letting it [?] to the 3 lots belonging to Mary Chase of Steubenville: such is the [care] of the Rights of Minors in this State that the trouble of petitioning the court to sell (if such a measure were thought advisable) w’d be too much to endure. Her property therefore must remain till she comes of age: by that time doubtless it will be 25 dollars the acreL it now would sell for more than half that price a title be immediately given; This news I know will gratify your benevolent mind, inasmuch as it shews the goodness of God in directing your mind to put confidence in the rectitude of some of my Western plans.
Had you gone a little further and authorized me to purchase some few lots for yourself-- Your money might have been ten doubled like Mary’s-- In that case what good you might have done to God’s Church!
I say nothing more on this subject: but only look forward. You may ask whither am I going? I ans. “I know don’t know.” In this state of uncertainty respecting our destination you may think it strange that my Wife and Mary & Philander all so unable to endure a peregrinating life should wish to accompany me. What will they do. The [Bp]: having no Salary not even a shilling for expenses on the road, as in Ohio must be compelled to avoid the comforts of a town and seek the means of his living on a farm. And how can his Family [consent] in their present conditions to commence a new place. Why don’t they remonstrate against such a wild scheme? Answer- Simply because they know it will do NO GOOD.
The farm must be commenced and carried on as in Gilead for a living: While the Seminary lands being adjacent may be seen to with more [?]: and thus both prove mutually assisting.
You ask where are Rev’s. Richmond and Dyer. These are in places where their wives are better pleased than in Illinois. This matrimonial hindrance to the spread of the Gospel Westward by our Church is terriffic. We shave have to make some Canons on this subject: and then what will the Ladies say?
You may direct to the care of J.H. [Kinzee] [Esq.] Chicago when you write to your loving Uncle P. Chase