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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
Wiggin discusses the possibility of Chase's early return to America and the public opinion of Chase's cause after a recent article published in the British Critic.
Date
6-24-1824
City
Manchester
Keywords
Timothy Wiggin, G.W. Marriott, Lord Kenyon, British Critic, England Voyage, Philander Chase
Recommended Citation
Wiggin, Timothy, "Letter to Philander Chase" (1824). Philander Chase Letters. 370.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/370
Rights Statement
Transcript
Manchester June 24th 1824
My Dear friend
I am this morning [?] with yours written after your return to town, but without date I do not feel competent to advise you on the subject of your early return to America, when my last was written I took into consideration one object only, and that was how to raise a fund to [enable] you to carry your plans into effect and if this were the only object, my opinion would be the same, but you have suggested new considerations. There is certainly some danger to be apprehended from delaying, too long, your return to your people and also of legal measures, and perhaps the loss of subscriptions would be the smaller evil. On this point however I will abstain from giving an opinion I agree with Lord Kenyon and Mr Marriott that exertions in favour of the cause must and will not cease and I hope and trust an increased interest will be excited. It would not just however to omit stating here that my own experience has led to a conviction that your visit to the towns where subscriptions have been raised, has had great influence, and contributed largely to success.
Your friends doubt much success will attend their exertion although deprived of your personal influence, and it only remains then that you take that course that is likely to be attended with consequences the least injurious. If you should decide in favour of an early return, your time for preparation is short for you must allow 40 days for your passage at Midsummer. I agree with Mr Pratt in the necessity of an address from you stating your reason for so doing, and an earnest [entreaty] for liberal support to your cause. This would have a favorable tendency, among those who are friendly, and might possibly tend to check the malice of the evil minded.
I was delighted to learn that [?] and others had so decidedly manifested disapprobation of the conduct of the [?] the British Critic, and hope good [?] out of the evil intended. All things [?] together for the ultimate good of Ohio, [?] doubt not you will be the instrument of great good to your beloved people, and in [part] to the territory to the west of the Mountains. Your course here insures you happy reflexions, and although you have been shamefully misrepresented, I doubt not the public [?] will be sit right by a correct knowledge of your character and of the whole course of your proceeding in this country. If Mr Norris had no influence in composing and publishing the article in the British Critic he judges right in denying it for it is not creditable to the author. Unfortunately for him, his previous conduct led to that suspicion and it will not be an easy matter to remove it. You know all the particulars relating to your objects and your friends here know but a part, the decision must therefore be made by you. I am obliged to close rather abruptly, having an unexpected engagement, and doubt not it will be the best all circumstances considered. Truly yours, T. Wiggin