Files
Download
Download Full Text (19.4 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 writes Dudley, discusses Dudley's son, George, and the current political turmoil.
Date
1800
Keywords
George Chase; Olivea; Mary Chase; Dudley Chase; Europe; war
Recommended Citation
Chase, Philander, "Letter to Dudley Chase" (1800). Philander Chase Letters. 16.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/16
Rights Statement
Transcript
Dear Brother Dudley,
It makes my heart glad that you have written to me at all; and much is this gladness augmented when I consider the manner of your writing. Your letter breathes the sentiments of the purest affection; which, like electrical fire, are no sooner read than they are communicated and reign in every part of my heart; you have at the same time an elegance of diction which pleases the understanding; and the whole man, heart and judgement are made to be unum laudendo.
You speak of your health, prosperity and happiness; may God preserve them to you as long as you live; and (which is the greatest blessing of all) may you be sensible of them. We lose half our comforts by being unmindful that we have them.
Your conclusion, that, because of the insufficiency of [?] enjoyments to [?] complete happiness, therefore you are ready to give up the point and “yield yourself to sovereign apathy” does not seem altogether so just. - Shall I throw away my [?] because they are not [?]. Shall I wish to annihilate all the streams and riverlets on the earth because they are not already seas for which perhaps I am seeking? The pleasures and comforts of this world were not designed to make us completely happy, but to lead us to God the fountain of happiness. If we, then receive them as such they become real - or according as you have ex[?] it they do then and only then “loathe themselves with reality” and we may be saved from the trouble of yielding ourselves to the cold embrace of unfeelingness.
That you say in answer to my amount of Politics in this State, makes me laugh heartily. And I could heartily wish that it might all in reality and as easy - But Brother it is too serious a subject to think that it will end in a laugh. No, brother within 5 years this country, we have too much reason to fear will be drenched in blood. Things may go on smoothly in your quarter and not excite alarm. But in this state the demon of discord stalks in in open day, and threatens serious and dreadful things - True patriotism has made herself wings and flown away; the European contests are openly [?] and there seems a full determination to sacrifice this Country and the Strine of foreign ambition.
I would write you [?] for the belief of all these things. You may think that the affairs of state have no concern with me. But individual tranquility surely can not be safe amid public discord. I am here in the midst of it, my politics, though but very little talked of by myself are well known. If the southern and eastern states, by the elapsing of the feeble cord of union are separated, that separation can not take place without a civil war, and the theater of that war will be on the banks of the Hudson; and what shall a poor defenseless Clergyman do amid the ragings of domestic storms. Fain would I fly again to the protecting shades of Vermont and live and die by the side of my Brethren. My God help us.
It seems as if all parties join in our [dreadful] yell of Our Country must be destroyed. To a foreign yoke we must all vow.
Your account of our dear little Boy George is above all things pleasing. At the reading of it we shed the tears of Joy - such tears as before [?]ness of our hearts and the ardency of our souls in gratitude to heaven, and the kindest Brother that ever lived. Yes dear Dudley, next winter is doubly emphatical in our Calendar. If you fail to come, remember that you sink in [?] two of the warmest hearts that ever [?] with love to a Brother and Sister.
Dear Olivea be kind to us and a help - meet to your Husband in bringing him hither next winter. Mrs. C. my wife will write to you soon. She will answer the part of B’s Letter to her, by writing to Olivea. We are still happy, as this world can make us. All things on on in the Church line exceedingly well. My heart and soul are engaged much I do already much more do I intend to do.
You will laugh when you read this. But [?] comply. The money for the [Martin Skins] will be paid you on the nail. Excuse the foolish writing and blunders.
I wish you would contrive to oblige us by complying with a few requests that follow e.g. To [?] 30 or 40 [Martin Skins] and bring with you. I want them to oblige to very particular friends of Mrs. Chase’s I would have you go as high at 41 each, If this would not be too much trouble, it would be esteemed as great favour to me and [?] to those who we love. The seeds that were [brought] from Vermont answered such an excellent purpose in this Climate that you would do us a great favour by fetching some down to us. We want all kinds such as Bush and pole Beans - early garden Peas - water and Musk Melon, Beet-Carrot, [?] seeds. I [?] pumpkin and Cucumber seeds. A Northern Climate certainly prepares the germs in a peculiar manner for rapid vegetation, and that with great [?]. Bray excuse our [?] - when you come to us we will explain more and in return we will furnish you with many rarities that will please you such as [?], peach [?] and plant stores and all kinds of Hic haec hoc…
P.C.