Files
Download Full Text (3.6 MB)
Content Warning
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 came to Steubenville to print his pamphlet defending himself, after a lack of success in Canton and Wooster. He contemplates questions of what might happen at the College now that he is no longer president.
Date
2-13-1832
Keywords
Canton, Wooster, pamphlet, printing, Sarah Russell, Mrs. Russell, General Convention, Mr. Sparrow, trustees, Cincinnati, George Chase, Ohio River
Recommended Citation
Chase, Philander, "Letter to Rachel Denison" (1832). Philander Chase Letters. 920.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/920
Rights Statement
Transcript
Steubenville 13th Feb:
1832
Dear Sister Rachael:
I went home (in the woods of 90 miles from this) with my dear wife and Sarah Russell (now the Lady of the Manor) immediately after having written you a short letter dated at this place sometime in the beginning of Jan:
As the printing of my “Defence Myself” was expected to be done at Canton or Wooster, within a days journey of home, I did not think of being here soon; but in this there was disappointment: The Printers in neither of those places had the means of doing the work as I wd. wish. I went to Canton on this business in person: but finding nothing could be done there I set my face towards this place; and inclement as was weather and swollen as were the streams I arrived here about 3 weeks ago: & have been engaged in over seeing the press on week days and preaching on sundays ever since. The pamphlet is now printed: and I send you the last form by this mail; the rest having gone by the mails previous. I feel peculiar satisfaction in the Opinion of one our Supreme Judges on the subject of the Supervisory powers of our Genl. Convention in relation to Kenyon College ~
This state of things is as I first designed it in England: and as to my Enemies at home, it gives me a complete triumph. What now will become of the pitiful policy of Mr. Sparrow the Head man of the Conspiracy? What will the prudential committee do if they can sell the north section? They must call a meeting of the whole body of the Trustees: and in the multitude of Co[?] Mr. Sparrow says there is wisdom
They can not pay their debts; and the Cincinnati gentry will giving nothing but promises “to recommend that efficient pecuniary aid shall be given”. What then will be done when creditors press in? They must candidly confess their inability to sustain the load they took on their shoulders from off the back of the Bishop.
My advice would be that they pray for a Stay law till the General Convention shall have appointed -- or rather requested the Bishops to make according to law a visitation; (you know what that means in Engd. and the Lawyers say it means & must mean the same here as to the power to enquire & compel things to be in the same train designed by the founder).
You see in what manner I have mentioned George’s name in my letters. I hope it meets your approbation. If you should think that I ought to have kept his name from appearing in the work I would beg you to reflect that this I could not do injustice to myself. Mr. Sparrow makes great use of George’s name as my Nephew against me; thereby insinuating that the argument must, must be good which maintains itself against the behests of natural [relationship] & the affections thence derived: Insomuch as that George and James & himself &c are supposed to be martyrs to the truth!!! Weigh these things in your mind, dear, dear Sist[er] [missing section] see that I could not do otherwise than [missing section] manner exemplified in my letter disarm[?] [missing section] [?] of his potent argument.
If ever George should come to his right min[d] [missing section] be forgiven and forgotten.
Your beloved Intrepid is [well] and his lovely wife the same angelic being she always was. Indeed I know not two more perfect christians. They both are heart and hand in favour of my righteous cause. And now the Legal Opinion is fixed, they begin to hope the Church will rise in Ohio: the Presbyterian plot to the contrary notwithstanding -
I shall set off for home tomorrow or next day perhaps not till the day after: if the high waters will admit. The Ohio River has been more than seven feet higher than was ever known. Great distress, as you’ll see by the Papers, in the [low] [bottoms].
Your loving Brother P. Chase