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Description
Smith extends his sympathy to Fitch for the troubles he and the other professors face at the College. He concurs Fitch's claim that Fitch declined to accept Chase's offer of a professorship unless he was explicitly promised a house in Gambier.
Date
8-29-1831
Keywords
Professor Sparrow, Philander Chase, professors, housing
Recommended Citation
Smith, B.B., "Letter to C.W. Fitch" (1831). Philander Chase Letters. 904.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/904
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Transcript
B.B. Smith
Lexington August, 29th, 1831
Rev: and very dear Brother
Deeply, deeply indeed do I feel for you under the pressure of the first knot of troubles that you have got into. Every expression of your letter betrays a sense of friendlessness in which I well know how to symathize [sic] with you. No words of mine can soothe this anguish, while it lasts. Nor do I feel over anxious to do so, inasmuch as I am quite certain it will do you good. Still, I beg to remind you that storms do not last always, and less than a year hence, it is more than probable that you will look back upon the trials of this period, with pensive thankfulness. And again, I reiterate the entreaty that you will visit us, mingle in our dear society here in Lexington, and [recruit] your spirits before you go east.
My time is short, and as I wrote you a long letter very lately, I hasten to the special object you had in view. I do not remember matters with all the minuteness specified in the extract of your letter which was written at the time. But I do most perfectly rec:collect that you sternly & steadily refused to accept the Professorship, until the Bishop had most explicitly engaged to provide you a house as comfortable as that occupied by Professor Sparrow, & wholly separate from the College edifice as soon as possible. And even, meantime, if I reccollect [sic] you were not even to take your family at all, into the college building but to board with Professor Sparrow, or to have a room somewhat remote from commons, even if you lived there [two] [term]. I thought of writing the above in the form of a certificate, to be used at your discretion. But it occurred to me that it might raise the suspicion that I had taken sides with you against the Bishop. But still, you are at perfect liberty to use my name, if in the least needed to fortify the truth of your statements, and to read to any persons you please the part of this letter which I have underscored
May the Lord deliver you out of all your troubles and yet rear up at Kenyon a great & useful institution to the glory of his name.
Affectionately yours &
B.B. Smith