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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
Ward gives Chase advice on how to handle adversaries. He also talks about purchasing land and will purchase an estate for Mary Ohio, and build her a residence called Philander Hall.
Date
Summer 8-21-1827
Keywords
Talmud, Archangel, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Mrs. Ward, Mary Ohio, Lord Kenyon, Wiggins, London, Philander Hall
Recommended Citation
Ward, Rev. W., "Letter to Philander Chase" (1827). Philander Chase Letters. 722.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/722
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Transcript
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on all such occasions there is but one magic shell that can cast him out, which is sound judgement courage & temper. There is nothing that subdues him like firmness & temper. Therefore my dear Bishop, let us all meet the Devil with firmness & temper; & He that is stronger than the Devil will always be on our side. The Archangel kept his temper, and uttered not a word of [smiling] accusations; and the ancient Talmud says, that the Devil was struck dumb, gave up the contest, & departed from the Archangel in a flash of fire in a twinkling.
Now let me advert to a subject that I think will afford you pleasure. When I was at Cambridge in the month of June, there was created D.D. with me, the Professor of the episcopal theological Seminary in Edinburg [sic]. I have just recollected that I have already mentioned the subject in my first [?], which was written near 2 months ago.
But I must tell you that Mrs Ward & my Mary are just come from London where we had a good deal of intercourse with the amiable Wiggins & it seemed to be a contest between them & Mary which would devour the other; and I believe they have succeeded so far on both sides as to carry off each others hearts. I saw a copy of your letter to Lord Kenyon respecting the bounds of your habitation, which the giver of all good has fixed: & your wish that Lord K. & your other friends would purchase & colonise your 4000 acres. This would be a most desirable arrangement for your College, & very advantageous to the settlers that might occupy the land, and why should we not form a company of your friends & make the purchase, & any of us that may die rich or can afford it, may in our wills if we please leave his portion to the College. When I told my Mary that I would purchase 100 acres for her, & that it should be called the estate of Mary Ohio, & that her House should be called Philander Hall, I thought she would devour me with love & joy. Seriously, if you have any wish that such an arrangement should take place, I wish you would take the trouble to give us every information respecting it, for we are quite ignorant of its present condition or value, or of the process pursued usually to bring your wilderness into fruitful land. My Mary will trust [you] she says, to choose the [perfect] spot near your self for her future residence; and we should all be sure of a faithful friend & agent so long as it shall please God to spare your life, so pray let us have all particulars. There are many in this country, who if the thought they would have a good penny worth, would readily [drake] the purchase; [?] our money market has been in a desperate [?] since you left us. We have had so long a conti[?] of dry & hot weather that the potatoe [sic] & oat crops entirely failed in Ireland, & a famine is drea[?] over all that unfortunate country. Our mercant[?] community [?] also in a very low state. But [I] [?] great reason to believe that Christs’ holy catholic Church is in a gradual state of improvement. As the post will probably convey my letter to you in a shorter time than the carrier will convey my [Rose], I will send these sheets as avant-couriers, to apprise you of its approach, & to assure you & your dear Wife & children that you & your blessed cause shall ever hold a warm share of the affections of
My dear Bishop, you sincere Friend
W. Ward
Finished Augt. 21
I enclose to Ld. Kenyon, & am obliged to divide my letter under two enveloppes, as they [wd.] be above privilege in weight, else the half will appear odd.