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Description
Chase writes of his voyage to America and reunion with his family. He also discusses the Church Convention in Ohio and the prospect of using a printing press in Connecticut.
Date
9-15-1824
Keywords
Hartford, Bishop Brownel, Vermont, Calcutta, Ohio Convention, Bishop Moore, John Marriott, Hannah More
Recommended Citation
Chase, Philander, "Letter to Sir Thomas Acland" (1824). Philander Chase Letters. 431.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/431
Rights Statement
Transcript
Copy of a Letter from Bp. Chase to Sir [Thos.] L. [Acland]. M.P [dated]
Kingston N.Y. State Sep. 15. 1824
Very Dear Sir Thos
By Gods great mercy I was preserved from the dangers of the sea & permitted to land at N.Y. from the 29 [Ultimo]. I took the steamboat immediately for this place I found my family all well– in a day or two we went again to N. York attended to the [passing] my boxes & parcels thro’ the [Custom] house & set off for Hartford Conn. to which place there is now a most convenient steamboat up the Connt River. How much we enjoyed in the society of this loved people I can’t express to you. Mrs. Chase & the youngest child now 3 months old accompanied me. The latter was baptised on the evening of the 9th [inst.] by the Rt Revd Bp. [Brownel] in face of an immense congregation assembles, tho’ on [week] day for that purpose, in Christ Church; his name is [Philander]. I came again to N. York & preached in St. Pauls Church on Sunday last– & yesterday returned again too our children & friends in this village. To day we are full of care & bustle in packing up and preparing for commencing our journey tomorrow towards Ohio. My eldest son George has come down from Vermont with a view to assist me in taking care of my young & lovely family– for the same purpose Mrs. [Chase] Sister Miss Frances [Ingraham] will accompany; how kind & merciful is this provision! A young [lad] son of Mrs. Chase’s brother in India, Calcutta, sent hither for his education will also accompany us– These together with myself Mrs. Chase & four children will constitute our traveling company. We shall drive on like Jacob “softly” because of the little ones: but God will be with us; & we fear no harm.
The Convention of the Church in Ohio will take place on the 3d of Novr. I would have appointed it at an earlier day! But even this period, tho’ not so convenient for assembling on account of the bad roads will permit us to prepare for the meeting of the Legislation where I do hope & have much reason to believe I shall obtain a charter for our Theol Semy. The public voice is very much in my favour; Bps Moore of Va & Brownell of Connt. I have seen [?] full conversation on the subject approve of my plan & applaud my conduct while in England. I ought not to say this; but my dear Friend, the approbation of our [Conn] union & that of my country in general is much more full & decided than I had ever thought. Surely God who [ruleth] the wills & affections of men has blessed me. Mrs. Chase is already well acquainted with the dear & excellent Lady Acland, & very short are the intervals in which her name is not mentioned with the most grateful & affe respect. Shall I ask you Dr Sir Thos to remember me most kindly to her?
While in Hartford Connt I convened with the very man who invented “[Nells] Patent Lever Printing Press.” This most ingenious man makes them & in the best manner; the price for the best is $370– there are two prices below $320 & $350. These are the most perfect things of the kind now in use. If made in England the [freight] and duties would be considerable. The great utility of my plan for a printing press attached to the Seminary grow in estimation & my gratitude to you & Lady Acland increases. [To] the Rev. John Marriott of Broad [Clist] I beg to be remembered: & if I might without [temerity] ask it I would intreat you to name most respectfully to Ms Hannah More. Nothing would gratify me more than [her] picture.
The persons whom I had the honour to meet at Blaise [Castle] have been much in my mind particularly the most excellent Host & Hostess & Lord and Lady [Nm] (Somerset) & the good the best Bp. of St Davids. Will you mention me most respectfully to tem. The Ld Bp. of Litchfield & Coventry who was always so kind to me & respect & gratitude. Do tell him so if ever you have occasion to write him.
Most faithfully I am your most obliged friend & servt
P. Chase