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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
Chase is having trouble coming up with the funds to send Philander Jr. to Cambridge. He asks his brother for a one thousand dollar loan, and feels terrible for doing so.
Date
9-11-1816
Keywords
George Chase; Philander Chase Jr.; Cambridge; Phoenix Stock
Recommended Citation
Chase, Philander, "Letter to Dudley Chase" (1816). Philander Chase Letters. 54.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/54
Rights Statement
Transcript
Hartford Sept. 11 1816
My dear Brother:
When I was in [?], on my way to the Springs, George asked me for liberty to go and make his friends a visit in Vermont this fall. I then told him, that having to make out so much cash to pay his bills, to enter Philander into Cambridge to de[?] the expences of his parents on their several tours in search of health and to support the main establishment at home, I feared his otherwise most reasonable request could not be granted. Since my return he has also come from College - Looks demure - one eye nearly all the time, and sometimes both fixed towards the Green-mountains - with now and then a sign immo pectore abalto, that would seem to rend his very heart in pieces. In short I evidently see he is unhappy in his present confinement; and being so, it needs but little knowledge of the parental breast to know I am far from feeling easy myself - He must go and see you and I may as well give him permission with a good, as a bad, grace.
To enter Philander at Cam., I find will be more expensive than I expected; but having prepared himself so well by studying so [hard] and by denying himself of so many pleasures unusually enjoyed by boys of his age I cannot in conscience deny him.
Should my boys cost me all I’ve got in acquiring a good, first rate, education and in preserving that character for honour and moral and religious integrity which (I bless God when I think of it) they now possess I shall think myself richly paid.
But all I hope it will not be - and with your assistance the sacrifice will be but trifling, compared with the object in view.
If you would grant me a Loan of one thousand Dollars I could redeem a greater part of my Phoenix Stock now pledged for monies I have taken up - and not be obliged to sell them at their present disadvantage.
Can you do this without any inconvenience to yourself? If so, drop a letter in the next mail I beg you! That I may know what to do.
Hem!! My dear Brother; when a man has just begun to ask favours - he - he does it with a bad grace. You’ll know me to be a Tyro in this business from the incoherence of this scroll. But these dear Boys are concerned - or I would dig before I would beg. And to borrow money these trying times is on all hands allowed to be tantamount to begging.
By the bye I thank you for your last very kind letter. It told me what I knew before that you would do any reasonable thing to serve me. My gratitude you always have mingled with every expression of love.
George will give you more pleasure in one evening by telling the news than I could give you by writing quires.
Never forget my love to your dear wife and all my friends.
Your affectionate Brother,
Philander Chase
P.S.
Dudley Chase Junior is the finest boy in the whole world and sends his dutiful regards to his Uncle and Aunt.