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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
Margaret thanks Bp. Chase for the plants he sent to her and updates him on their successful growth. She also strongly urges him to take better care of himself, and provides brief updates on his friends in England.
Date
Spring 5-23-1826
Keywords
Rose, Ohio, Trustees in England, Knox County, Mrs. Wiggin, Eliza, Mr. Wiggin, Mr. Hodgson, Mr. Clay, band organ, Rosse Chapel, Peel Hall, Marriotts, Miss Macfarlane, Sir T. and Lady Acland, Lady Palmer, Dr. Gaskin, Clergy Orphan Examination, Canterbury, Bath, Wells, Mr. Norris, Mr. J. Watson, Philander
Recommended Citation
Kenyon, Margaret, "Letter to Philander Chase" (1826). Philander Chase Letters. 618.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/618
Rights Statement
Transcript
9 Portman Square. London
May 23. 1826
Right Reverend and very dear Sir,
I have delayed writing to thank you for your most kind and welcome letter of the 17th of February: till I could at the same time send you some account of the plants you were so good as to send me. I am most happy to say that the Almond Tree, and the Rose from your own garden and your own hand, are making great progress, and I hear from my brother, who is just returned from the country, that they have each shot an inch or two. I am particularly glad that the Rose which I have every reason most to value, is likely to succeed -- and when it is successfully grown to allow a cutting to be taken from it, I will have one planted by my Ohio cabin; till then I dare not trust it out of a safe place. The two other little roses were so dried up by the long journey, from October to February, that I am afraid there is little chance of their doing any good -- but I thank you very much, my dearest Bishop, for sending them as well as the others, and also for your invaluable letters, of which I feel myself very unworthy, and can only wish it was in my power to be of more use to you and your cause. That my letters are ever, in any way comforts to you, in your moments of [?], is a source of humble gratification to me, tho I feel still more obliged by your kindness in so thinking of one so little known to you.
Before you receive this, you will most probably have heard of the late resolution of your Trustees in England; to place some part of the Fund at your immediate disposal, which I hope will remove all present difficulty as to the Lands in Knox County. Mrs Wiggin and your dear Eliza are quite vexed that Mr. W. cannot accede to your wishes about the purchase, and it is indeed very much to be requested, especially as it is a purchase which few will be inclined to make who have not some connection with America. I should be very glad if I could hear there was any change of Mr. A. Hodgson buying it, but I hope before this time, some one may have arisen [ore] the other side the water, and that with the help of this immediate ready money, you will be much relieved.
I rejoice to her such good accounts of all most dear to you, and especially that the dear English boy is recovered; and also that the Indians are proceeding so satisfactorily. We were also very glad to hear Mr. Clay had sent his boys to you, as it must be a great advantage to the infant Seminary, and also that you had engaged more students at Washington.
I am every day expecting a summons to go and hear the band organ for your Chapel, which is nearly completed by one of the best organ-builders in London (and on which we have had the [Sune] of Jones of hayland set) and I hope it will be a source of much pleasure and edification in Rosse Chapel.
My very dear Bishop Chase, you must not be vexed with me, or any of your friends, who write and try to persuade you to take care of your valuable life and health. No one sets on you the little value you set on yourself, nor can we cease to tremble at the risks and hardships, to which you seem continually exposed, especially as under God, you are at present so much the sole instrument upon which depends the welfare of so many souls; and yet we cannot doubt but that He in whose eyes the meanest Christian is of “more value than many sparrows,” will watch over and protect his faithful and chosen servant, or raise up others to build his Church, should he see fit to remove the present instruments -- and we must hope that in his good time the “Lord of the harvest will send forth labourers into his harvest” -- to use your own simile -- would the pilot rejoice to resign his [rudder], if he foresaw no probability of its passing into hands able and willing to steer the vessel in safety to “the haven whose she would be?” And tho to a wind raised above the [?] of the world, to “depart hence and be [with] below, yet we cannot cease to pray that your days, my dearest and revered Sir, may be prolonged, that you may “see of the travail of your soul and be satisfied,” and see thousands “arise and call you blessed,” ere you are summoned to that crown of glory resowed for the faithful, thro the merits of our only Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.
After such a subject, I scarcely know how to turn to any other, and yet I think I cannot close my letter without telling you of the welfare of all you love in Dear Old England. We are all well, and so is our good Aunt at fearful [Peel] Hall, so also are the Marriotts, and Miss Macfarlane (who is in London), and the Wiggins, and Sir T. and Lady Acland, and Lady Palmer. Good Dr. Gaskin is much as when I wrote last, well in health and spirits, but troubled about his eyes. I am sure a letter from you, when you have time, would be very welcome to him. At the Clergy Orphan Examination yesterday, we saw many of the [Bps.] you love. The [?] of Canterbury, Bp. of Bath and Wells, etc. Also we saw Mr. Norris and Mr. J. Watson whom we cannot see without thinking of their conduct to you, in no favourable manner to themselves.
I have this day sent your feather screens to be mounted, and they will be very handsome and valuable -- with our united prayers and best wishes for every blessing to you and those most dear to you Believe me my dearest Bp. Chase, [?] your respectfully grateful and affectionate humble servant
Margaret Kenyon
May 25 - Since writing
this, I am quite sorry to find from the end of your letter to Miss Macfarlane, of the 30th March from Chillicothe which came yesterday that you were setting off under such anxiety about your dear little Philander. God grant us soon to hear a better account.