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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
Gambier apologizes for his lack of communication as his failing eyesight makes it difficult to write. He extends great sympathy towards Chase for the troubles he endured at the College, and is upset that he is no longer the president. He believes that G.M. West is the prime cause of Chase's difficulties.
Date
7-12-1832
Keywords
G.M. West, resignation, Lady Gambier, Mrs. Chase
Recommended Citation
Gambier, Lord, "Letter to Philander Chase" (1832). Philander Chase Letters. 928.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/chase_letters/928
Rights Statement
Transcript
Iver - 12 July 1832
My very dear Bishop Chase
A long time has pass’d, I am asham’d to say, since I last had the pleasure of bringing myself to your remembrance - my apology for this remissness is, that the failure of sight and the weakness of my eyes renders the operation of writing so troublesome that I am constrained to refrain from it and abridge all correspondence as much as my friends will kindly permit me to do so, and that they will not attribute my silence in the least degree to any neglect or to any abatement of my cordial affection for them, and with respect to yourself my dear Bishop I can with truth assure you that I cease not to take the same lively feeling and interest in your wellbeing that I have constantly done from our first acquaintance --- ; deeply grieved have I been with the troubles and distress of mind with which you have been so sadly afflicted and severely tried, in consequence of the ungrateful and iniquitous conduct of G.M. West, -- who by his ambition and extreme vanity has been the prime cause of all your troubles; but that which grieves me most of all, is that you have been forced to relinquish the important and honorable office of President of the admirable Institution of which you were not only the originator - but by the blessing of God upon your arduous zealous and pious [exersions] you had compleated [sic] the excellent Work, for the incalculable advantage and benefit of thousands of your Countrymen in the present and future generations and for the advancement of the Kingdom of our Great and Almighty Redeemer upon Earth and the salvation of thousands of the human Race brought to the knowledge of the Truth by the divine Light and the glorious Gospel diffused from Kenyon College through the extensive Diocese of Ohio -- it greatly grieves me to think that the Rule of the College should fall into the hands of Another, however respectable, and deserving as he is known to be, of holding the important office -- I really cannot endure the thought that the Father should be separated from the Child which by his great energy he had brought into existence and foster’d to a degree of precocity perhaps without example -- but I do fervently wish, and hope that the justice of the Trustees of the College will compel you to resume the Office that none ought to hold so long as it may please God to continue you in this transitory life.
Though unwilling to say any thing of myself I know you would not excuse my omission of it here -- I would therefore briefly say that I have great cau[se] for thankfulness to the Giver of all Good that I am graciously preserved in much peace and that measure of health that seldom accompanies the advanced age of seventy six nearly, though the infirmities, and failure of faculties [?] thereto with great physical weakness incapacitates me for the discharge of many duties belonging to my station in life -- all which are gracious warnings to be ready for my summons to depart hence to be with Christ, which is far better than to continue here -- Lady Gambier desires to join me in most kind regards towards you and Mrs. Chase and every good wish with my earnest prayer to the Father of mercies to bless you with every good and peaceful gift [?] of time and eternity - I remain my dear Bishop, your sincere and affectionate friend
Gambier.