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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
Chase feels conflicted about how to go about writing his pamphlet in self-defense against West. He is frustrated with the how slow the printing facilities operate.
Date
2-7-1831
Keywords
Mr. Kip, Mr. West
Recommended Citation
Chase, Philander, "Letter to Dudley Chase" (1831). Philander Chase Letters. 883.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/883
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Transcript
My dear Brother:
I feel quite ashamed that I have not answered and thank’d you for your kind letter in closing the letters from Mr. Kip. And yet some how I fancy you can conjecture that I had red. the papers you mention by the tenor of my last letter to you: an answer to which I expect soon.
My mind is now filled brim full by this perplexing business about West ~ I feel I shall make my pamphlet too large and yet the opportunity is so [fine] for me to give an extensive circulation not only to matters of defense but of important information touching the history the statistics the necessities wants woes & future prospects of Kenyon College that I can not let it pass. In this way I hope that much good may be done: so that this most painful business like all others which I have endured from the Opposers of our favourite College will in the end be among the means which have eminently contributed] to its prosperity.
I wish we had more facilities for printing fast here -- Owing to some failure of obtaining something that the printers want our journals were delay[ed] till now: so that I have to wait till they are off before I can begin with my defense.
This delay is vexing especially when the whole protestant world is looking for some thing from me in reply to this Extraordinary character. But delay will make what I have to say more the worse. Already have I expunged many indiscreet and silly things that had escaped me which first I mounted this mettlesome Horse of Controversy over which I never threw my leg before.
It is quite dark and the children who are attending on their sick mother can not now get me a candle but I can always even in the dark write myself
Your loving
Brother
Philr. Chase
Gam. - [4] Feb
1831