Chase, Salmon P. (Salmon Portland) (1808-1873) to Edward Chase

Cincinnati March 14, 1830
My dear Brother,
When I received your last letter I little expected to answer it from this place; but here I am and here in all probability I shall permanently abide. I left Washington about ten days since, not without some feelings of regret. But habits of changes have dulled my local attachments, and I now participate but slightly in that feline disposition which loves places better than persons. Besides Washington has not been to me a very agreeable residence - there is not much in the name which incites pleasant recollections. True I have, I think, some friends there and to them will my thoughts frequently visit whenever I or they may be be not saying "What is all this to me?" Well: let it pass. I never travelled a worse road than that leading from W - to Frederick Town Md. and such a Company! One was a Marketwoman apparently returning home; one was a Yankee emigrating West on business, another was a friend of mine from Washington and the other was a convict just discharged from the Penitentiary of Virginia. A woman too - who had been committed for Infanticide and discharged because she was the only female in prison. You may imagine I was not highly delighted with my company and not at all sorry when we arrived at the Tavern where I c[oul]d. rid [2] myself of them. At Hagerstown, (where we stopped for the night) I remained two days; but as nothing of interest occurred to me while there I will not keep you there half a minute - From this place to Wheeling you go on without stopping, except to change horses & mail, Two whole nights you are deprived of sleep and on the morning of the of the third day you breakfast in Wheeling between eleven and twelve; if you have strength enough left to move your jaws. A part of the road is that constructed at the expence of the Genl. Govt. and is commonly called the Cumberland road. It is said that the Indians who occasionally leave their forests and visit seat of Govt. regard nothing with so much surprise as this road which crosses mountains which they deemed almost impossible and opens to familiar observation the deep [illegible], which it is probable, their superstitious imagination had peopled with beings upon which human creatures may not look. In many places the scene is very grand and sublime, while spots are not wanting, which require nothing but the [illegible] of summer to clothe them with a most delicate trac[ery], At Wheeling I was obliged to remain nearly a day. Here I [text loss: saw] a Manufactory of Cut glass; where this elegant fabric is brought to a very high perfection. Some specimens which I saw are little if at all inferior to the English article; at least in my opinion. I arrived here in the Steamboat from Wheeling on last Saturday and have since been occupied in looking around me and seeing some old acquaintances and forming some new ones. I think, the prospects here are good - better than in any other place, taking all things into consideration. The bar has no man of extraordinary talent and they who are they who are most distinguished in that way are gen[3]erally wanting in that other and more necessary quality resolved industry. I cannot foretell the future but I think, if God grants me health, my success ultimately is nearly certain. What are you doing now? I look forward to the day when you will act a distinguished part in the great cause of truth and virtue. I look to see you standing beside the ark of national purity and and lifting up your voice with all the Fearlessness of immortal Justice and all, the energy of a [text loss] eloquence in defence. I hope, also to see you in yet more elevated ground. I hope to see you standing upon the cloudless summit of Christian benevolence and looking abroad with a sympathizing eye over the wide and dreary scene thence to be beheld. And thus enlightened, I hope, to see you act with a zealous efficiency proportioned to your opportunities
In your last letter, which I suppose was written in [text loss] hurry you neglected to answer several questions; [illegible] in my last. I wish you wd. not forget them in your [text loss: next]. Tell me all about Jonathon & Ralston Chase. What [text loss: are] they doing? What has become of Maxwell? Do you hear from home? What is the state of things there? Abigail mentions in her last letter that Mother has sustained some loss. Of what nature is it and of what amount? How is Sister Jane's eye? In and all other questions you shall think of I want you should answer as soon as you can conveniently. Give my best love to the [illegible] and respects to all my acquaintances. Is Dr. J. Chase in love with Lauretta yet? Are you in love or likely to be?
Your affectionate brother
S:P:Chase