Timothy Wiggin

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Wiggin updates Chase on the situation with Bishop Hobart and assures him that Lord Kenyon and Mr. Marriott among others are on his side as always. Wiggin also updates Chase on the progress of the subscriptions in England and tells him of the status of his friends there.

Date

9-18-1824

Keywords

Bishop Hobart, Mrs. Bateman, Mr. Spry, Plath Hall, G.W. Marriott, Lord Kenyon, Bishop of Bangor, Duff MacFarlane, Lady Rosse, Mr. Kipp, Eliza Wiggin

Transcript

Manchester Septr. 18 1824

My dear friend

Since I wrote you, not much has occurred here that would interest you, except the circulation of a paper entitled “remarks” on a letter to Lord Kenyon, which I send herewith. I expect a reply will soon appear, and that it will represent that you acted on the defensive, in publishing your letter to Bishop White, and that you were right in publishing, with it, Bishop Hobart’s letter to you, and none of the letters from other Bishops who did not approve [?] on [plans]. The reason to be [?] for this is, that the other Bishop did no more, than you requested, by replying to your inquiry, in which they gave their opinions, but that Bishop Hobart did more, and threatened to oppose you in England. But for this threat, it is believed no publication would have been necessary, or have been made, in America and that therefore Bishop Hobart began the controversy in America. In reply to the charge that you began it in England, by circulating that letter immediately after you landed, it will be stated that you landed in Liverpool on the 3rd of Nov., came to Plath Hall on the 4th where you remained till the 14th--and that during that time, not more than 3 of those letters were delivered, and not one but to me & my family, before the 8th, but that one was delivered on that day to [Dr.] Smith and after that one to Mr. Johnson. That you went through Oxford to London, stopping only one day at Oxford where none were delivered but one to [Mr.] Spry who returned it, and that you arrived in London on the 17th. This short history will amount for your conduct up to that period, and as the “notices” published by Bishop Hobart are dated Nov. 13th it is contended that he could not have prepared & published them with a knowledge of your having circulated your letter, sufficient time not having been given, but that he was acting in anticipation. That the remark stating that in those notes he published little more than official documents is not true because they charged you with being a [Schismatic] and were evidence of his, threated, opposition in his original letter. I will [post] add that the remarks, like all the rest of the measures of opposition, have done you no harm but have done irreparable injury to the [author]. Lord Kenyon & Mr. Marriott are disgusted at this conduct, and are as warm friends to you & Ohio as ever. They are both doing and have been, all in their power to promote Subscriptions, but I am sorry to say that I do not think the amount has increased much since you left us. The Bishop of Bangor has sent 25-- and the [two] Arch Bishops have sent their names for £25 each. Mr. [Barning] sent £25 as you will see by the note from him, which I send herewith. I do not expect the nett amount, you will have to draw for, will exceed £5000 sterling. I assure you your friends have not [?] in their exertions since you left but [the] [fact] forever as I feared it would, that contributions would not be made, but under the influence of your visits in the principal towns. I am in correspondence with our valuable friend G.W. Marriott, & Miss Duff MacFarlane, both of whom I expect at Platt Hall in a few weeks. The former is now with the good Bishop of [?] & the latter with that best of women Lady Rosse. From that excellent Nobleman Lord Kenyon, I have had 3 or 4 letters almost every week, full of kindness to you and the cause. All your friends are [more] anxious to hear of your safe arrival. The Blankets, that is [110] pair, were [?] by the Packet Ship Canada on the [1st] in [?] [assigned] to Mr. Kipp and fully [?]. The remarks intimate that the Statutes of your Seminary will be different from those of the General Seminary and not under the general [disitorial] power of the Bishops, and that nothing can be done by them without proper evidence of [default]. Now we believe here that your intention is to do all that, which the author predicts you will not do (except making it a Branch School which I do not wish) and all this I hope you will do (if not inconsistent with the best interests of the Church) and thereby show to your friends here, that your motives are not only pure but that your proceedings will all be for the interest of the Episcopal Church. When these proceedings become known here they will excite a warmer interest in favor of the institution than ever, and will influence further support, in case of need, some years hence. Hitherto your enemies have been unfortunate in their predictions, and their slander has recoiled upon themselves, and I think events, in future, will equally well promote your reputation and increase your friends, in spite of the malicious reports and insinuations of those who have endeavoured to injure you. I have no time, now, to be more particular, but will just add that we are all well at Platt Hall. We have received the engraving from Mr. Shull’s picture, and are delighted with it. The likeness is excellent, as well as the engraving. Mrs. Wiggin unites with me in kindest regards and best wishes. Eliza is at school near London. She intends to write you. All my children recollect you with great pleasure and we shall all be delighted to hear from you.

[Mrs.] Bateman has been very ill, but is better. Your other [particular] friends here are all well and desire their best respects. Our [Wondon], is not here, but was married on the 10th to the daughter of Sir Charles Watson Bart.

I send you some letters and since my last your Nephew has gone to France and Italy, in good health. Bishop Hobart has been traveling about the country, rather privately, and we know not for what purpose, but we do not suppose it is to do you any good. His health has not improved. Adieu my dear friend and believe me most faithfully yours

T. Wiggin.

Letter to Philander Chase

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