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The Charles P. McIlvaine 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
Glad to hear that slavery abolished… English trip not to pleasant this time as people were openly for South. Hopes Chase will be appointed Chief Justice (put his word in with Lincoln who heard him kindly. Son not received the promotion yet - do something about it.
ISBN
KMcI641227
Date
12-6-1864
Keywords
letter, McIlvaine, Chase, slavery, son
Recommended Citation
McIlvaine, Charles Pettit, "Letter to S. P. Chase" (1864). Charles Pettit McIlvaine Letters. 121.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/mcilvaine_letters/121
Rights Statement
Transcript
Cinc. Dec. 6, 1864
My dear Mr. Chase
I was disappointed when I got here on Saturday to find that you had gone, on your way Eastward. By God’s goodness I have been perfectly well during my absence, passed chiefly on the Continent, + have returned to rejoice in the great electoral triumph of the country + the manifestation of union + determination in the people for the preservation of the Union, & especially for
the abolition of slavery, in which last I hope even this Congress will take the first + only needed step. When we heard abroad of your resignation, I thought perhaps we should see you in Europe. But you were better engaged in forwarding the election of Mr. L. You would have little pleasure in visiting Europe, especially Great Britain, while the present [astonishing] general southern sympathy exists, or the war lasts. It was vastly more unpleasant this last visit to me, than in the previous one. There, no body would profess sym[pathy with the South, while withholding it from us. Now, in the upper classes, ^ among ^ [men + women] clergy + laity, it is around every where + with surprise that any body is of another mind.
I earnestly hope you are to be our Chief Justice, the most honourable office of the Govt. + now of extreme importance in reference to future adjudication. When I saw the Pres. I did not fail to cast in my [?] to that [?] + he received what I said kindly.
My son told me he had not recd the promotion you directed should be given him. It was simply Mr. Chatfield’s disobedience or neglect. There is a gentleman now in his place of whom my son speaks as a considerable improvement. Could you do any thing with Mr. [Fessender] in that particular.
With affectionate regard
Yours very truly
Chas. P.McILvaine
Mr. S. P. Chase