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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 wishes Philander Chase Jr. and his new wife, Rebecca, well. He advises Mr. Morse to read certain scriptures to help cope with his loss. He says that their wives might not be friends because they are too poor to travel.
Date
8-10-1822
City
Bethel
Keywords
George Chase, Philander Chase Jr., Rebecca, Mr. Morse, farm, business, church, Mrs. Russell, Mrs. Chase, Cincinnati, Zanesville, Bethel
Recommended Citation
Chase, George, "Letter to Philander Chase, Jr." (1822). Philander Chase Letters. 207.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/207
Rights Statement
Transcript
Bethel Aug. 10. 1822
My Dear Brother
Your letter dated at Zanesville was received yesterday -- it gave me great pleasure and relieved me from much anxiety. For how would I know by any thing under your own sign and seal whether you was yet travelling to the South or whether you had passed the Alleghenies. The charge of my neglecting to write, my dear brother, comes with an ill grace from your last letter, save the one I have now before me, was dated at [Philander] but as you say some may have been miscarried. My father indeed in a letter to me mentioned that you was there at the time of date in Worthington and that you contemplated removing to Zanesville-- no thanks to you, my young divine, for this information, how could I know by any thing from your own dear self whether you was at Columbus, Chillicothe, Cincinnati, Steubenville, or any of the great cities in Ohio? But enough about letter writing -- I will begin now to write on in good comment -- That you are about marrying a charming and excellent woman gives me the sincerest pleasure I speak knowingly when I say I do not believe a man can possibly be so happy in a state of celibacy as with a partner -- one who can comfort him when imagination magnifies little troubles into real sources of affliction, one who will certainly double every pleasure. In her company we read even a new and interesting book with double interest. There are many little whims and habits that, however dear to us must be relinquished after marriage and we must beware of
“Those cataracts and breaks
That humour interposed too often makes.”
I sincerely hope and pray that you and your Rebecca may love one another better after your union than before, and that when the transports of lovers are [hard] you will mutually feel a deeper and increasing, [tho] silent affection. I sympathize sincerely with Mr. Morse in his great and afflicting deprivation I refer him to the [evening] lesson for the day the XII chap. of Hebrews for consolation. It emphatically says “faint not when ye are chastened of the Lord, and although for the present the chastening seemeth not joyous but grievous, nevertheless it afterwards yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness.” I quote from memory. I saw a short time since a man who was once respectable who had suffered even a greater loss -- even his wife and all his little ones. By giving way to the first [bunt] of grief he lost his reason and became a miserable object of humanity. He still imagines they are alive. Let Mr. Morse reflect that there are greater afflictions than the one he has experienced, and that no person especially one of strong and deep feelings ought to indulge in unavailing sorrow. You no doubt have been a comforter to him in his time of trouble and have urged everything that was proper to be said.
If my father goes to Cincinnati I hope it will be for his advantage-- he is indeed a bird of [passage]. Give my respectful love to him when you next see him, also Mrs. Chase my stepmother and to Mrs. Russell.
You mention a wish that your Rebecca and my wife should become acquainted. I reciprocate the wish but fear it will never take place. I can not travel to visit my friends, but not from want of inclination -- it is poverty -- aye, poverty My business is small, is nothing. In this however I am not peculiar -- it is the care generally with members of the bar in this part of the country. This is my only source of trouble tho’ poverty is said to bring a train of evils. Indeed, my dear brother, you would grieve to see the miserable shifts to which I am reduced and the strict economy I [practise]. I shall embrace the first opportunity for a better situation [?] what has been said and done in a certain quarter [?] not ask for anything -- there is a grievous rising in my [breast] and throat whenever I think of it. I scorn to run the race with a certain set of competitions. But enough -- I begin to grow too cloudy. You speak about my publishing [?] my quill “tho [dipt] in [sable] juice has not been very eloquent of late.” I have published only some few pieces that have gone the round of newspapers, tho I have a number prepared and am only waiting for them to become cool. Forgive his hasty scrawl -- the witching hour of which you speak is fast approaching and I must bid you goodnight.
Love to all friends and believe me ever your affectionate brother,
Geo. Chase