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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
States that he will not fight Hobart and instead be a better Christian. Upset mostly because his assaults lower the dignity of the American Church in the eyes of the English Church. He asks Dudley to help him get support in Vermont.
Date
12-16-1823
City
London, England
Keywords
England voyage, Henry Clay, Lord Gambier, Sophia Chase, Philander Chase Jr., Bp. White, Bp. Hobart, Benjamin Chase, Timothy Wiggin
Recommended Citation
Chase, Philander, "Letter to Dudley Chase" (1823). Philander Chase Letters. 158.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/158
Rights Statement
Transcript
London Dec 16 1823
My dear Brother,
I had letters from Mr. Clay of Kentucky addressed to Lord Gambier; those I have presented and been very kindly and respectfully received. His Lordship’s friendship is particularly grateful to me, not only as he is a man of great piety and of great weight in the Church but that he same joined with his good sense and judgement is of essential service to me under my present very painful circumstances.
My dear wife and son, Philander, sent you as I desired, a copy of my printed letter to Bishop White published on the eve of my departure for Eng’d. From this you learned the reasons of my coming hither together with Bishop Hobart’s opposition to the measure. That opposition he has been pleased to continue in this country both by the publication of handbills and reviews in the monthly prints.
The good people in Eng’d wonder in a kind of breakless astonishment at all this. Who is this man of the woods whom the Bishop of N. York in the plenitude of his power is thus hunting from our shores? Something is said about lowering the dignity of the church in America; but what can lower it more in the eyes of good men than to see this attack upon me an innocent man in a strange country on his first landing?
I have hardly had time, since I have thus been knocked down by my good Brother Bishop to think cooly what is best to be done: except it be devoutly to pray the good God to raise and support me. I think I am undismayed tho’ I feel uncommonly troubled. Many seeing how my Brother has exposed himself by mistatements [sic] in an unnecessary assault on me, to a righteous defeat before the Bar of Public Opinion, advise that the defence be as public as the attack and also as personal. But I have not so learned Christ. Mine opposer has certainly done wrong in attacking me before the British Public: but this does not make it right that I should follow is example. The peace of our Church at home is to be regarded: and tho’ by the common principles of sympathy in favor of the oppressed, I would, as in the opinion all the candid, gain much, by disregarding that peace, going to war, yet I had rather go home but with a small subscription in quietness, than with thousands in contention.
A middle course I think will will be taken of publishing parts; and relying on reasons abstractedly [considered] aside from all personal injuries rec’d and in this I shall, as I have grounds to believe be assisted by the first talents and integrity in Eng’d —
The plan is not as yet sufficiently matured to admit of my being more particular.
You will be glad to hear that I feel nothing like a spirit of retaliation on this unpleasant subject.
The truth is my views are higher than to admit of such a feeling. In carrying the principles of our Primitive Church beyond the Allgany [sic] mountains I have disregarded everything of a personal nature; and it is not be expected that I resume such sordid principles in this distant land. I did not come to England to fight for honor with a Brother; I came to plead for our common Christianity and, if God’s will be us to suffer in its cause.
In coming to London from Liverpool I took Manchester in my way. There I has the pleasure of seeing our interesting Nephew Benjamin Chase. He is amazingly improved in appearance and doing well in business — I tarried several days with Mr. T. Wiggin and became acquainted with his love by family — It is not in your power to over rate this attention and kindness to me. Mr. W. applauds my plan; and is beyondall example zealous in my cause. He writes me since in London that he has engaged many friends: and told me (if I and my friends thought it would be a good effect) to put him on the London subscription list (for the Church education school in Ohio) for 50. $222.
When I came to Vermont you must do something for this school. I have given it my [farmstock] Library on, in Ohio. Tell the all in Vermont they must assist me in this great object, or I shall die of grief. My whole heart is in it and God will bless me.
Your Brother,
Philander Chase
Tell me in your letter if you would wish to see me once more before we die! Shall I bring my new wife and all the children, Dudley Henry and mary? Will you be glad to see us? Do remember me to all my old and dear friends?
P.S.
I shall send this to the care of Leonard Kip Esq. N. York. I wish you would write me while in Eng’d — Pray do it as soon as maybe there is no way in which a letter would reach me sooner than my in doing it in on to this Mr. Kip to come by the N. York [packets]
Direct — care of the Rev. Mr. Pratt No. 22 Doughty Street London