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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
Wondering if Intrepid has been receiving his letters. Distaste for the country's army. His father scarcely has time to write.
Date
6-12-1813
Keywords
Dudley Chase, Baruch Chase, Philander Chase, Mr. Value, Benjamin, Green Mountains, Parson Flint, army, Salmon, Mr. Daggett, Mrs. Philips
Recommended Citation
Chase, George, "Letter to Intrepid Morse" (1813). Philander Chase Letters. 43.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/43
Rights Statement
Transcript
Hartford June 12, 1813
Dear Cousin,
I have just read a letter addressed to father from you at Ballston. I am astonished and I must say vexed that you have twice written to Father in preference to me - when you are in debt for three. The letters I have so often written must have miscarried (see other page) or you could not be so cold to the calls of a friend, who would, I sincerely say it, sacrifice almost every thing for your sake. Have you indeed forgotten the many, many, happy moments we passed together in our quiet retreat at Cheshire? I thought when we parted that I should always love you - and I cherished the fond hope that my affection would meet with an equal return. Oh! Intrepid, if you knew how much I was interested in your welfare, you would not hesitate delay writing immediately. I have a great deal to say to you of the trials, temptations and events that have so rapidly succeeded each other since your departure, which can not be communicated by paper, and only by meeting face to face. I am now studying French at Hartford under Mr. Value and shall continue receiving lessons through the summer. We had Uncle Dudley and lady, Uncle Baruch and Benjamin here at election. Uncle D. staid a few days and then went on with Mr. Bradley to Congress. Uncle Baruch leaving Benjamin (now at Cheshire) returned [?] the next day. Soon after Uncle D. was gone, Aunt Mother and myself took a journey to Preston through Norwich. The travelling was very agreeable in every respect, except it was rather warm. After remaining in that country a week we passed through Plainfield on our way home where I met with Mr. Paynes family formerly of Randolph. It was with the greatest impatience I returned to Hartford expecting a letter from you. [?] what was my disappointment. M[?] (or Salmon) was here to return with aunt. I wish, Intrepid, he had - I wish he had a [?] more experience. Would you believe it he has enlisted into the U.S. Army. And he even wished to associate with the troops here in town. Could you but once behold these miserable creatures you would exclaim “Alas for my country when its honour is defended by such wretches as these.” There [has] been a great deal of trouble with them too tedious for me to write and unentertaining for you to hear. One anecdote I can not help repeated Parson Flint, Sunday before last took this text “Fear God and honour the King.” A soldier, originally a sailor from the frigate Macedonian, bellowed out from the gallery. “Avast there all hands by J[?] I’ll have nothing but honour the Congress.” He had never been in a church or meeting-home before. His officer after service threatened him very much. “Oh,” said he, “if the fellow spoke fine words more I’d hauled him out of his bunk.”
Write me a long letter soon, and tell me where I shall direct the answer. Tell me of every circumstance that has befallen you, what were your thoughts when climbing the streets of the Green Mountains and what have been your adventures [?] the romantic banks of the Hudson.
My dear Father sends his best love to you and tells you to continue in that path of virtue you have so sincerely begun. He cannot write to you at present for he has scarcely time [?] write his [?] Sermon a week. And besides he seems a great deal of company.
Pray excuse [?] h[?]ly, all [?] cherished Farewell
And believe me your affectionate friend,
George.
P.S. Dear Mother sends her love to you, and requests you to remain as good as churchman as you was at Cheshire, for she says unless you abide in the ship, you cannot be saved.
[[Dear Cousin,
It is not my wish to condemn any person or injure them by words or deeds. Yet I cannot express my abhorrence to a certain [?] of that same Doctor. I asked Salmon if he had known any thing concerning Intrepid’s not receiving my letters. (for I have written six of you acknowledge only 2.) He said that Caroline brought down a number of letters from Randolph [...] D. and amongst them was one for you. The D. [...] me for his own broke it open. What a poor pitiful [...].
I do not wish condemnation perhaps it was so. But [...] given rise to [?] pious that my other letters were sen[...] in like manner, and that he broke them open mistaking them for his own. If this is the case your silence is accounted for. One thing I charge you, never let the [...] know you are agreeable with their conduct. If you [...] will [?]. I have taken measures to have them returned or else sent on to you.
Mrs. Phillips who in a former letter I mentioned as being in a very precarious state of health, is fast recovering. I have [?] her dispute with Mr. Daggett The last scene was so very affecting I almost burst into tears. How then must it have moved Mr. Daggett when the subject is concerning an only son now in the grave. Oh she is a woman whom I love and venerate.]]