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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
George Robertson asks Philander Chase to forgive him for any previous errors but to understand his dire circumstances. He also asks if Chase will take in his brother Charles as an act of Christian charity.
Date
3-29-1851
Keywords
Philander Chase, George Robertson, Charles Robertson, Scotland, libel, orphan, Malta, charity, plea
Recommended Citation
Robertson, George, "Letter to Philander Chase" (1851). Philander Chase Letters. 1387.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/1387
Rights Statement
Transcript
Edinburgh 17 [A Cerius]
29th March 1851
Right Reverend Sir
I no not wonder that the enquiries contained in the last letter which I had the honor of addressing to you surprised you. I feel shame while I confess the ignorance I displayed, of one of the highest examples of Christian Missionary labor and of the noble efforts of Bishop Chase on the [?] purchases [however], you may find in the short account which I will now trouble you with of my life, you [what] to [palliate] though it cannot excuse such ignorance and I do think you will be satisfied that the expression used by you that my letter was “written to evade the duty of helping your “Brother” does me injustice:
My Father who held a government appointment in the Island of Malta died about eight years ago; having made no provision for his family, and as his salary died with him, my mother with four young children [was] left totally unprovided for and destitute. I had been brought up in this country by two kind Aunts, but who at the time of my father’s death were alas both dead, they had however given me a good education and had placed me in a profession where by hard labor I could gain a livelihood for myself. When my father died I had four Brothers older than myself and [grown] to mans estate they had all however gone to America and I suppose could not assist their mother, accordingly this duty fell upon me and you beg imagine to a young man struggling to get on in his profession and making barely enough to support himself £25 and shall continue to do so as long as I can; while my brother Charles remains under your care. I preserve a Bill by a Bank [and] upon some [mercantile] house in New York will be the best way but you can have the goodness to let me know, as I am anxious the money should reach you in safety. I had a letter a day or two ago from my brother, with which I was not at all satisfied particularly because he asked me to direct my letters to himself and not to you, as if he wished to conceal things from you, this looks bad in a [?]ing man. It would really be acting the [first] of a time Christian as I believe you to be, if you would kindly take some interest in the stranger in a strange land. Being [bred] up away from my own family I have scarcely seen my brother Charles, but I do trust that if there is evil in him you will correct it so that he may be out [what] we all could wish. I know that this is asking a great deal of you with all your other labors and I cannot expect you to think of taking this [trouth] personally but if you would direct someone in whom you have trust to do it, it would be an act of Christian charity.
I have to beg that you will excuse the trouble I have given you of reading this long epistle but if it has had the effect of making you think better than you did before of one who though willing to do well is yet often in error, it has not been written in vain. And before I close let me express a hope that if ever you should visit the country you will do me the honor of making my house your house and with deep respect believe me Right Revd Sir
Very truly yours
Geo. Robertson
Right Rev’d Bishop Chase
Jubilee College
Peoria County
Illinois, US