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Description
Josiah Allport expresses that he is short on funds to send to Philander Chase. He wishes Chase well in the new year.
Date
12-28-1846
Keywords
Philander Chase, Josiah Allport, Ireland, Scotland, England, Great Famine, Potato Famine, Thomas Hartwell Horne, finances, money, donation, fund, health, Dr. Ramsey
Recommended Citation
Allport, Josiah, "Letter to Philander Chase" (1846). Philander Chase Letters. 1283.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/1283
Rights Statement
Transcript
Birmingham
Dec’r 28th 1846
Right Rev’d & very dear Sir,
I duly received the Memorial of the Missionary Meeting you were so good as to send me; & in concurrence with good Dr. Ramsey & by the advice of Rev’d Tho’s Hartwell Horne, have resolved on throwing the substance of it into the shape of a Circular Letter & sending among friends in the hope that something more may be done to aid you here in the Mother Country. Indeed this should have been attempted before; but owing to the State of Ireland throughout the failure of the Poratoe[sic] Crops & also the destress consequent on the same malady in Scotland & among our own poor several good friends have said “You must desist, all we can do must now be thrown unto the scale to save poor Ireland & other districts from starvation.” I would however have made the attempt leaving the result with him whose is the silver & the gold, but that an excess of labour in my own sphere, my being the last 2 mos without an assist & having had for some time a sad Rheumatic attack in my back & shoulders which at last flew to that softer part above, & occasioned me terrible suffering for some days-- I have been unable to engage in anything fresh.
I shall hope that by the time you receive this you will have heard from Dr Ramsey, who though he has not succeeded to the full extent he wished in regard to the printing press yet had acquired such a sum that I strongly advise his sending it off to you to take such steps with it as you might think proper.
Depend upon it I will do the best I can to send you a trifle more; but my fears are great that I shall not succeed as I have done. Every day almost originates some new project among us. Thus last two months great exertions have been making in this town for various religious & benevolent objects, but especially to locate in different parts of the Town at least 30 Infant Schools. This requires a large sum, & I am happy to say 2 thousand pounds is already subscribed; while strenuous efforts are making for the support of a New Hospital. Among my own people which is altogether of the labouring & lower classes I can do nothing. Such of them as are able in any measure have to support myself & keep my Church in order in every respect & support our schools & every benevolent object the district demands; so that when I want anything a little extra I am oblige to look out & appeal to personal friends at a distance.
Since I began this I have observed that such distress prevails in our Metropolis that a Meeting is about being convened of Ministers of all denominations to deliberate on the immediate adoption of some measures for its alleviation. Surely the Lord is angry with this people & its coming against us in wrath to correct us as a nation for our pride & presumption (as I cannot but regard many recent measures in opposition to his Providence) & for our national leagues with his enemies. But where will all end? Are there not evident signs of His coming, who will appear to the joy of his friends & the confusion of his enemies. May you & I be found among that chosen & called & faithful band whom he will take to set down with him & enjoy a rest forever.
Our good friend the Rev’d T.H. Horne has all the Nos of your Reminiscences but the two last I believe. If you should happen to have two odd Nos left will you contrive somehow to send them for him to me--if you can by any private hand from New York. Would not some of the Merchants there send them in any parcel of their good & to their Liverpool agents. Poor dear man I am afraid he has overworked himself too long & is now breaking up. Where shall we find his follow? But the Lord reigneth & will provide.
May He my dear & Rev’d Sir smile on you & your efforts thro’ the coming year. May he add to your success a hundredfold & so multiply your seed soon & allow you to witness something of its blessed fruits that you may be enabled to rejoice more & more in his goodness his loving kindness & faithfulness while you wait for his Salvation like Jacob of old.
With sincere esteem & Xtian affection I am
Yours very faithfully
Josiah Allport