Philander Chase

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Chase does not want to sell his Gilead farm on Wall Street but rather wants buyers to purchase the property according to their own judgements. He expresses thanks to his wife for her updates on their children, and expresses other general thoughts regarding money and the children.

Date

6-12-1835

Keywords

Wall Street, New York, Mr. Richmond, Gilead, Mary Chase, Dudley Chase, Philander Chase Jr., Henry Chase, Mrs. Russell, Samuel Chase, Rachel Chase, Springfield, Dr. Houghan, St. Pauls Church, Jacksonville

Transcript

K.Ch.350612

1835

Jacksonville June 12.

My dear Wife.

I write this not to tell you how we come on in our tour but to answer your two good letters the one of May 21. The other a few days later written on the blank side of Mr. Richmond’s printed circular. -- You do not express your opinion of this singular paper: May God over rule the minds of my enemies and open those of my friends to a favourable issue. Of the plan of exposing my estate in Gilead to sale in Wall Street N.Y. I can not approve. I had rather the purchaser should see and examine the premises and then act on his own judgement than buy on the statements and recommendations of the Seller. In the former case should he pay no more [?] less than in the latter he would in case of a change of mind have no one to blame but himself; in the latter the whole blame would rest on my shoulders and that too of such a nature as necessarily to imply a want of candour in telling in the zeal to set a high price the good & suppressing the bad qualities of the property. In short, I shudder at the thought of being on my own “salesman” adroit in [puffing] ([?] exaggerating) the excellencies of the article for sale. In writing to Mr. R. therefore I have not as yet mentioned this part of his plan. Sufficient, I think it is if it be generally known that my property in Gilead is for sale: that it is accounted good & that I leave not on acct. of a dislike to it or on a wish to exchange it for a better, for I know no such any where, but by reason of my being called to another theater of action & of my wish to have family move with me.

I am with you truly thankful to our Heavenly Father that He hath been pleased to restore to health our loved Daughter Mary. O that she also might see the hand of divine mercy in this instance of goodness to her & to her affectionate Parents, and improve this dispensation to her spiritual benefit. How grateful would be my feelings if the dews of Gods holy Spirit should be shed through every cloud of affection on her precious soul! That so [spect.] heart might be soften’d and refreshed more & more till she come into God [sic] Holy Kingdom.

Your commendations of Dudley’s faithfulness in managing the farm and other little concerns of our humble station are most gratifying to me. May the Good God continue to bless and direct the heart & steps of that pious youth to seek and pursue the path of duty so honourable to him self and so comforting to his affectionate Father!

-- Of Henry and Philander you say but little. Even this however being in their favour I hope may encourage me to expect good tidings in your subsequent letters. - How constantly are the immages [sic] of these dear boys in my mind. With glowing feelings of tenderness & love do I mention their sweet names in my morning and evening and noon day prayers! May I not trust and believe these my suplications [sic] for heavenly grace [or] their precious souls will be heard thro’ Him who hath said “ask and ye shall receive?”

You say nothing of your Sunday Services in my absence. I hope my advice is never neglected in the constant use of our pious Liturgy be there none other present but you & Mrs. Russell and the Children. God will hear the cry of those who call upon Him faithfully whether there be many or few present. One comfort you & the Children would have in this blessed work (viz) that your encouragement to attend on the worship of God is not mingled with notices of vanity and display; and alloy which frequently tarnishes the worship of God in crowded congregations. I had actually without the above paragraph just as our Dear Saml. opened the door of my room with “letters letters” one from Sarah now at Springfield 33 miles to the east of this; and one from you dated may 30 -- in which how appropriate and mercifully providential are these words which my eye eagerly caught on its face! “You will be glad to hear we lead quiet & undisturbed lives - regular services night and morning & Sundays” --!

The other parts of this recent letter now occupy my fond attention. How delightfully does it picture to my mind’s eye your peaceful state at Gilead! - The herds of innocent animals all around you - the corn all planted and the and the sweet garden which I toiled to arrange for your enjoyment so flourishing!

Mrs. Russell our loved niece and Mary well & full of [employ] in managing the affairs of the [dairy] - & Philander delighted with Sepio the pet colt! -- How full your [cup] of earthly felicity - may it put you in mind of the peace of Heaven where our joys are permanent! Here, alas, how transient! --

I have great pleasure in stating to you the news red. from Springfield. Dr. Houghan writes to Saml. that the number of names affixed to our parochial association has increased to 40. & some more are expected. Also that the number of Pupils engaged for Saml. to teach is now 15. and the full number of 20 may be relied on; so that his stay there this winter at least is pretty certain. May God grant all this for the good of his Church!

Dr. Houghan in his letter urges myself to return to Springfield; and not continue my journey any father to the south this summer, on the ground that the Cholera broken out with renewed violence in Alton the chief place whose interests called for my attention. I think this providential occurrence may determine me to follow his advice: In this case I shall be in Springfield next Tuesday Evening the time when the New Parish of St. Pauls Church will meet to choose their wardens & Vestry; and subscribe for the buildings of an Episcopa [sic] Church. - The Dr. thinks my presence will greatly assist in this blessed work. If so I shall be glad.

I am glad to hear of the disposal of the stock so far as to enable me to draw for $20 which I have been obliged to borrow for the use of Dear Sarah in getting summer apparel suitable for the company [?] she now mingles. I wish I could pay her more of the great sum I owe her: but I cannot.

And now for the “foldings down”; which commonly contain[s] the better parts of a letter: but I have said so much in the [follio] of the 3 pages preceding that I know not what to write you here. - The first and [afforemost] thing is how shall I get my dear Children on the road of an education? -- Tell dear Dudley not to despair yet. I will do the best I can for him next Winter at Gilead as also to the rest of our Dear Children -- & the summer following shall be devoted to their improvement in science.

Saml. seems pleased at the prospects opening for him at Springfield. And well he may: - for his desire to be useful to Church and exert himself for the independence of his family is truly laudable. One thing gives me great satisfaction; this that Sarah in the event of their being fixed in S. will be in the family of Dr. Houghan who tho’ he now is wealthy & does not practice medicine yet is a regular bred Physician & will minister to the necessity of this dear Couple in all cases of need. Your loving husband P. Chase

Letter to Sophia Chase

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