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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
Vale regrets that he will not see Chase again and asks to be added to his list of correspondents. He pledges his support for Chase's cause and promises to send him a parcel of books from Sheffield.
Date
7-13-1824
Keywords
Continental Society, Springfield
Recommended Citation
Vale, William, "Letter to Philander Chase" (1824). Philander Chase Letters. 414.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/414
Rights Statement
Transcript
Springfield, July 13, 1824
My dear bishop,
It gave me great pleasure to receive your affectionate letter; & to hear that your cause still prospers. Mrs. V. and myself feel much disappointed that it will not be in your power to pay us another visit, before you leave England. If it should please God to direct your way to this country at some future time, and to spare our [lives] as well as your own, we shall rejoice to show you hospitality. I can spare you I shall feel anxious to hear of the state of things in Ohio: & as far as your leisure from your various & pressing calls of duty will allow, I shall esteem it a peculiar [honour] if I may be numbered amongst your correspondents. I fear I promised when you were at Sheffield more than I can perform, as to my communications to you. My engagements in [July] in this [populous] town scarcely leave me opportunity to pay due regard to my own relatives: but you may rely upon my endeavour to be an occasional correspondent: & upon my heartfelt wishes, that you may be spared to see your [Zion] in great [spirits]. I have not with me the publication to which you refer, but I will request my friend [Bickenstein] to send me a copy of it. “If God be for us, who can be against us.” I rejoice to hear that the sum you have collected is so [liberal]. I fear our addition to it will not be great. The V[?] has deferred his exertions in the expectation of seeing you, but when it is completed it shall be transmitted to your [Bunkers].
40 Guineas will most probably be a fair sum to state, as to our resources. The demands of the people in this place are already considerable, & every year [presents] some new and [?] institution, whose interests we feel ourselves bound to promote. This morning the Rev. Mr. [Saunders] left our house, who has been on an expedition on behalf of the Continental Society. It seems deserving of support: [?] has much [letter torn here] with as much as more success than he had expected. We live in glorious days. The [man] who is liberal on their principles, has such opportunities as were never before seen, of [?] feeling the luxury of doing good. Happy indeed are they who feel the blessings and honour of doing as much as in them [?] to establish the Kingdom of [?] upon Earth. I trust I shall remember the day when you enter on your voyage and entreat His benediction & care in your behalf who commandeth even the winds and the waves & they obey him.
I intend to send in a few days a parcel to you, according to the directions you gave me enclosing the report of a [?] from Mr. [?], with a book from yourself & a small map you left at Springfield. Tho’ I have not the pleasure of knowing your Lady and family, I beg leave to express my heartfelt wishes in their temporal & spiritual welfare. Mrs. Vale is with me in kindest regards to them & yourself.
Believe me, my dear Bishop, your affectionate friend,
William Vale