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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
Dudley summarizes the contents of George's most recent letter, updates George on his father's wellbeing, and offers some advice on how to bring peace to his troubled heart. He also asks George for an update on Luica's mother's health.
Date
Winter 2-28-1826
Keywords
Aunt Chase, Mrs. Chase, South East, Mrs. Blodget, Jonas Eddy, Eliza, Addison, Aunt S, Mary, Ohio, Mr. Clay, James, Capt. Boothe, Mr. Giles of Virginia, Treaty, Mr. Durkee, Lucia, Mrs. Russell
Recommended Citation
Chase, Dudley, "Letter to George Chase" (1826). Philander Chase Letters. 593.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/593
Rights Statement
Transcript
Washington Feby. 28th 1826
My Dear George
I rec’d you favor of 21st inst. yesterday in which you inform me of the South East snow storm, Aunt Chase’s engagedness about house, so as to prevent her [routing] herself, and her devolving that duty on you, the ill health of the girls with the influenza, Mrs. Blodget’s good health and spirits her boys being both well, you having attended the lodge the preceding evening, and [being] disturbed by the influenza there also, the call of Jonas Eddy, and his coadjutor the Genl., the pacification, the sympathy & relief afforded by Aunt Chase, always a guardian [Angel], your own better reflections on the malice & revengeful nature of a fellow woman of the [decst], your joy at being relieved from his [?] importunity, your self correction, and reconcilliation [sic] with yourself. … the alarm of Eliza from the like occasion, your motives for consolations & happiness, notwithstanding the great misiries [sic] you had experienced, your thankfulness that they were no worse, your attendance at Church, your call at Aunt S’s, her great joy at hearing Addison’s letter read, and your return home with Mary, fully satisfied with [wishing].
Here then, my dear George, is a summary of your letter and much pleasure it gave me I’ll assure you. The sombre [parents] in the picture notwithstanding When I rec’d this letter your Dear Father was with me and we were improving, most cordilly, the few moments left us before he took the stage for Ohio, which was expected every moment. I had, during his stay here, frequently talked of you & your affairs, with the hopeful prospects before you, [?] [?] [?]. The Father was all, and in all, predominant. The most fervent prayers were offer’d up in your behalf, and the favor & blessings of Heaven invoked upon you & your dear wife & child, and that you might be strengthened in your good resolutions, and your current endeavours in the right way, [reowned] with sucess [sic] and victory. Your Father went off in a few moments after, took with him Mr. Clay’s little son James Capt Boothe’s little Boy about 10 years of age, and two little sons of Widow [?], a friend of Mr. Giles of Virginia. O, how engaged & wholly absorbed in Seminary, College & school & Church affairs is your Dear & Worthy Father. He takes no tho’t for himself. His friends, wherever he is, look to him & provide for him very much as his wife & family do, were he at home. I offer’d him [primary] supplies while here & for his journey. he would accept of none from me; except [Hack] accommodations while we were riding from place to place about the city, and of some temporary wardrobe supplies, which he returned before he left me. He obtained from the [?] & W[a] [?] a considerable supply on his contract for [hoping] & educating some U.S. [?] [personal] to some Treaty [?].
Dear George I cannot but hope you will subdue the bitterness of your feelings occasioned by such incidents as you related in your letter. Those matters must have their run & be met as we have always talked of, in their proper season. All things will be right at last, & before long. I am very happy to find that you frequently visit your Dear Aunt Chase; it affords her comfort, and will no doubt be of service to you. She always had a good faculty to restore comfort to the [?] heart, & peace to the troubled mind.
Mrs. Chase wanted I should remember the talk of your Father & report it to her. I cannot be more [particular] than I have, in this way. You must let her see this, as it is really in answer to a letter written for her, and so how it do for a double purpose. I am better to day. The weather is bad & rainy, no business in the Senate, because of funeral of Mr. G as before stated, and so I keep my room.
Yours, most affectionately,
[Dudley] Chase
I almost forgot to tell you and my Dear wife that I had rec’d an excellent letter from Lucia, and that she is very much alarm’d about the health of her Mother, as Mr. Durkee had written some unfavorable [wants] to her Brother Addison, of her Mother’s health -- When I left home there was no alarm [?] on [?] [?] [?] -- in your [last] you spoke of he leaving [?] at hearing the letter read. pray tell me how her Mother is, that I may gratify her daughter with a correct account. I shall send Mrs. Russell’s letter to Mrs. Chase to be read & forwarded when opportunity offers, to her friends in Bethel.
Yours
D. C