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Description
Fragment of a letter in which Chase discusses his activities in Washington and his hopes for his bill now in Congress.
Date
4-11-1828
Keywords
Mr. Goddard, Judge Cranch, Andover Seminary, Washington, Mr. Slator, Dr. Serval, Mr. Hodges, Dudley Chase
Recommended Citation
Chase, Philander, "Letter to Sophia Chase" (1828). Philander Chase Letters. 770.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/770
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Transcript
11. of April: ½ past 7. AM.
I did not say enough about your Cousin & her party last evening. Mr. Goddard called in the morning of yesterday at Judge Cranch’s and asked all his relations to come and drink tea with him. Accordingly at ½ past 7 I went…The company was designedly small compared with the crowded assemblies of this kind in this place; and with all very agreeable. A scholar from the Andover Seminary was present and as is usual with all recent students thought the affairs of Alma Mater as much known and as heart absorbing in Washington as in the immediate neighborhood of that Institution. This is quite natural tho’ it is a weakness and shows our extreme want of a knowledge of the world. Indeed we are all liable to it: I never knew a man that did not think that his own home was the centre of the earth. Like as the heavens above him seem to exhibit a [?] of which his zenith is the high Centre, even as it is with shortsighted men. He will suppose he & his affairs are precisely the midway between the rising & the setting sun; – the moral meridian from which if you depart an inch you are just so far from home, and must return or the delights of [?] intercourse must cease. But I have forgotten your cousin. She told me to ask you if you do not remember the frollicks you used to have together in your youthful days.
There were several other persons present. A Mr. Slator from the neighbourhood of Boston. Dr. Serval of this City. The Members of Congress were Baily & Lady, Varnum & Lady & a Mr Ja. L. Hodges.
½ past 11. A.M.
I went this morning to see Brother Dudley – Tho extremely anxious about my Bill – more so he told me than about anything since he has been a public man – yet he hopes we shall succeed, and pointed out some ways and means. The Lord reward him for his sympathy for a poor Brother! – But neither Dudley nor you – nor any other human being can know what I suffer during the fluctuating prospects & vicissitudes of this affair. I look to God only for support. – It is remarkable as from the first so now whenever I begin to rely on man God shows me the folly of such reliance by suffering my props to fall from under me that I may depend and feel that I depends more immediately & wholly on HIm who alone can sustain in the hour of danger. I told Dudley so this morning. He is pleased and encouraged by this my dependence on God.
I am your ever loving & faithful Husband Phi’r Chase