Philander Chase

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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

Philander Chase tells his granddaughter Mary Olivia about the dispute with the Churchman and about the progress of Dudley's house.

Date

6-11-1847

Keywords

Philander Chase, Mary Olivia Chase, Mary Olivea Chase, Steubenville, Jubilee College, Dr. Seabury, Churchman, libel, pamphlet, Malignity Exposed

Transcript

Jubilee College. June 11. 1847.

My dear May[sic] O.

I have heard not a word from you since you left me: except that some said that you all staid in St Louis a day or two. Every mail for two weeks past has been opened with an anxious desire to receive some tidings of your progress up the River Ohio, but as often have I been disappointed.

I know you will be equally anxious to hear from us; so you see me at my old employ of talking with those whom I love on paper.

Your Aunt Sarah with her two lovely children is well. Your Uncle Dudley besides doing his Missionary duties, in which he is, as usual, very faithful has nearly completed his selection of papers to complete my Rem’s. There having been expurgated much irrelevant he has divided into chapters after the manner pursued in the printed first edition.

I think of his going immediately from the Convention in Alton (now soon to meet) to Cincinnati get the whole work put in stereotype: Dudley mentioned another way (yesterday that of going on to New York for the accomplishment of this business; but I think will not do --

So you see we are trying to get on as the English say as well as we can. The chief impediments are 1st the time it will require him to be absent from the College Hill where he is so much wanted. 2d The want of ready cash to pay as we go along. Having kept out debt thus far I tremble at the thought of being involved in monet matters in my old age. My health is much as you left me. Your dear patient and ever employed grandmother has a load of care on her in the absence of Henry and the mother of 3 dear Children left under immediate charge, which no one besides herself c’d bear. How she lives under it I can not tell except it be by the almost miraculous support from the Divine Hand. The school goes on well increasing I trust in Grace & I trust in grateful remembrance of the favours which are showered on us through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Our enemies are flat on their backs for the present & generally silent--mouth shut; except that of the Editor of the Churchman & the Gospel Messenger. The latter quite angry at “Malignity Exposed” and in being so, exposes his own. The former stirs and writhes and then rises in wrath and with the fool-hardiness peculiar to him runs his head against the rock, truth, and fact which Divine providence hath laid in his way viz the Charter of Jubilee College--saying there is “No Charter” -- Strange temerity!

Good news from England were it not so we should suffer much.

Dudleys house is nearly completed -- very beautiful. Philander’s is up nearly to the eves[sic] -- bids fair to please the eye as well as to accommodate a small family.

The reason is backward and the young corn is much of it pulled up by the birds yet we hope for a blessing still for tehre has been no frost to cut it down. Today it is warmer -- & the whole aspect of the beautiful meadows is cheering -- Would that the Son of Righteousness would enliven us with his beam!

My address to the Convention a farrago of particulars of rejoicing & praise is nearly finished

You remember the letter which I wrote by way of remonstrance to the order “of the Gen’l P. Office to take from me the benefit of the Mail by coach.

Yesterday I re’d a letter by order of the Gen’l P.M; Cave Johnson recinding[sic] that of which I complained-- How this will be relished by the Whiskey sellers in Kikapoo[sic] I can not say; but can guess.

About ⅓ of our Flock have yielded their fine fleeces for the benefit of the College-- By next Wednesday, the whole of the woold[sic] will be housed for delivery to the Teamster for Chicago to the address of Newbury Nd Dole and by them sent across the great lakes to Syracuse where Messrs Kellogg and Far will manufacture the same at halves. You see how particular I am in telling a long story about a little thing. I have not time to make it shorter

Dudley has insisted on my taking or causing to be taken, a sickness of your Grand Father’s wrinkled and sour looking face. It was done yesterday and is intended for my beloved Grand Daughter miss Mary Oliva[sic]

You know how tired I am when writing a long teller tho’ the pleasure of doing so is great.

With the kindest regards to your Dear Parents and Aunt Ann and Uncle Francis and all good friends in Steubenville I am

Dear Mary

Your loving

Grand Father

Philand’r Chase

Letter to Mary Olivia Chase

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