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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
Chase has arrived safe in New Orleans. He has met the his fellow Protestants and has been assigned to oversee a future College. He describes the surrounding plantations and New Orleans' itself.
Date
11-13-1805
Keywords
Governor Claiborne; Philander Chase Jr.; Benjamin Morgan; Thomas; University of New Orleans; plantations
Recommended Citation
Chase, Philander, "Letter to Dudley Chase" (1805). Philander Chase Letters. 23.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/23
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Transcript
New Orleans [?]
My Dear Brother,
You see by the date that I have arrived at the place for which I was soon to embark when I wrote to you from N. York. Our passage was pleasant and shorter than is usual: excepting running aground on the Bahama banks from which we extricated ourselves without any damage, we met not with any accident. We were on board 24 or 25 days.
The Protestants in this City at whose request I came treat me with the greatest attention. They have already made me a [Call] for life and offer a salary of 2,000 Dollars and the use of a home. From Gov. Claiborne’s communications to me together with the declarations of the other Regents of the University of Orleans I think the foundation of a future College will be placed under my care. But of this more hereafter.
I have concluded to [carry] here till the 1st of May when, if it please God, I shall embark for N. York- it will take some time to arrange my bussing, perhaps till the 1st of August; when you may expect again to see one who loves you beyond his power of expression. Dear Brother Dudley, I have how often have I thought of you, of your manifold instances of kindness to me, of the boy my darling son you have in charge of your goodwife the tender care of him. How often have my prayers ascended to heaven for blessings on you all- God knoweth. The tho’ts of what has part with expectations of what is to come crowd upon my mind and almost overcome me. Hardly can I suffer myself to believe that our next meeting in all human probability must be the last- But there is another and better world- Great God! Grant that we may all meet there in peace.
This City is situated above 100 miles from [its] mouth, on the North east side is above one mile long ⅓ of a mile wide has a good harbour capable of receiving ships of any size- has a good market well supplied especially with fish which are as fine as any in N. York: is increasing rapidly in merchandise and population and hold out prospects to the enterprising truly flattering. There is no American Merchant that has been here in b[?] more than 2 years but what is rich. The plantations up and down the River are allowed to be the finest and [easiest] to be [?] of any in the world. The fertility of the soil is inexhaustible and [sugar] can be raised with one half the labor with which it is done in the W. Indies, and of the finest quality. In short it is an acknowledged fact that Property laid out here in a plantation will [?] 25 per cent, is exclusive of every expense of the family of the planter and everything else. This I was told by a man well acquainted with the business and a[?] calculator as well as a man of the first respectability vis [?]: Morgan the P[?] of the New Orleans B[?] Bank.
A sugar plantation generally costs for the whole apparatus from 60 to 70 thousands dollars the neat profits of which are $15,000 and $17,500 per ann: it is not this (which is more certain than any crop that grows) worth the while of a few of our Yankees. Think of this dear Brother with Brother M[?] or someone else and perhaps come and see I am sure you’ll never go to the North again for the a[?] of wealth.
Do forgive this [?] letter I am in much haste. Pray kiss my dear son and tell him he must be a good boy, and his (now New Orleans) father will soon come home and see him.
My love to your wife and all friends.
May God bless you my dear brother
Dudley Chase [?] yours affectionately
Philander Chase