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Description
Wiggin speaks highly of Mr. West, suggesting that his employment to the College is as promising as the purchase of the land. He gives Chase financial advice on the transfer of English funds to America and has purchased stock in the US Bank, which will be transferred to the committee of Trustees of the Convention of the Diocese of Ohio.
Date
Spring 3-23-1827
Keywords
Judge Hemphill, Mr. Coleman, Lord Kenyon, New York, Mr. West, Ohio, Mr. Baring, US Bank, Philadelphia, Mr. [Prince] Ward King, Henry Clay, Mills, Trustees of the Convention of the Diocese of Ohio, Mr. Marriott, Hastings, Gredington, Eliza, Ben, Miss MacFarlane, the Bowdlers
Recommended Citation
Wiggin, Timothy, "Letter to Philander Chase" (1827). Philander Chase Letters. 690.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/690
Rights Statement
Transcript
50 Hurley Street
London March 23 1827
My Dear Friend
Judge Hemphill & Mr. Coleman have delivered to me your letters of introduction. as they have done to Lord Kenyon I am to meet them to dinner tomorrow at his Lordship’s, and they are to dine with me on Wednesday next
I like their appearance but have not as yet seen much of them. I was much gratified to learn that you were proceeding so successfully in raising a subscription in New York and we shall rejoice if you can raise $10,000 in America to enable you to erect proper buildings for the Seminary. The overall expense of an education at your institution must have much influence, and I doubt not you will have scholars in abundance when you are prepared to receive them. I trust you will see a Mr. West soon after this will reach you, of whom we think most favourably. He has received a good education is of active habits, and capable of induring hardships and privations. His zeal and resolution seem also to qualify him for usefulness in your Dioceses From himself and letters of introduction to you, you will learn more of his character, and of his plans. It appears that he has influence with many of his country man, who have [?] and are disposed to accompany him, and we hope that they will finally go to Ohio, become customer[s] for some of your land, and valuable neighbours. Nothing has appeared so encouraging as respects the purchase and occupation of your lands, as this scheme of Mr. West. I have not yet sold out the stook purchased with the subscriptions raised here but shall do it when I think it a good time. They are now rather on the rise but there is no prospect of their reaching near the cost. The sinister cut proves to be an unfortunate one. In your last letter you expressed an opinion that the last way to transfer the fund to America would be to pay the proceeds of the stock to Missr. Baring [?] [?] to go to the and it of the United States, and the paid over to the committee by the US Bank. This would be a safe, but not the cheapest, way of doing it, as Missr. Baring [?] would change a commission on the amount which would be deducted from the proceeds. I shall transfer it without expense as I make [no] [change] for my services, and the value of €3500 sterling will be placed in the US Bank at Philadelphia before this reaches you. I gave instructions to this effect on receipt of your former letter desiring me to do so. I also purchased some shares in the United States Bank which I have sent to Missr. [Prince] Ward King [?] to be transfered [sic] to the committee as soon as I am able to state the number that the fund will pay for, I am sure this will be the most advantageous way of transfering [sic] the fund and you may [?] the matter to [sitted] and apply to the Bank of the US for the €3500, and gain by the premium of [?] as soon as you please. It will be [diposed] [to] the names of yourself Henry Clay & B[?] [Mills], as a committee of the Trustees of the Convention of the Diocese of Ohio. When the amounts are made up I will write to you again and order the Bank Shares to be at the disposal of the said committee. In the mean time they will draw as much interest or more than I shall charge for money [advanced]. Mr. Marriott & family are a Hasting’s, on the sea coast for the benefit of Miss Marriott’s health. The rest of the family is well. Lord Kenyon is looking much better than when you left us. His family is at Gredington, and quite well. My family is also quite well. Eliza’s health has improved much of late. All are at home but Ben who is at Oxford. Miss Mcfarlane & the Bowdlers are well. The old Lady expresses much regret that she did not see you. All continue as friendly as ever to the good cause of Ohio, and the measures taking by Mr. West have excited a fresh interest.
I must not omit to say that my business here occupies my time very much but as I suit the business and the business suits me I think I could not be more usefully employed. I feel a satisfaction in doing what I think is my duty, and more good than I could otherwise do. I remain always & sincerely yours
T. Wiggin