A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Chase, Ann
CHASE, ANN,
Whose maiden name was M'Clarnonde, was born in the north of Ireland. Her ancestors on both sides were from Scotland, and she is only the second generation from those born there. The first of the family who emigrated to Ireland, was a clergyman—the Rev. Mr. Irvine, of Glasgow. His wife was Jean Douglas, of Edinburgh, a lineal descendant from the Douglas so well known in Scottish History. Her father died in 1818, when Ann was only eleven years of age. The family were left in straitened circumstances, and, after many struggles to maintain their position at home, followed the tide which an overruling Providence has so long been directing westward, and found a home in America. They landed in New York in 1824, where Ann remained one year with her mother. Deprived of her guardianship, and left an orphan indeed, she removed to Philadelphia, where her eldest brother had established himself in business. With that high independence and energy of character which has marked her whole course of life, she immediately took a share in her brother's business; attending personally to the in-door department, and keeping the books of the concern. In a letter detailing these changes she says, "I joined my brother in his mercantile pursuits, and was his book-keeper, with an interest in the business. I made myself well acquainted with the mercantile profession in its various branches, and found my mind benefited no less than my pecuniary circumstances. Industry and integrity of purpose are the chief handmaids of fortune. They fortify the mind for the vicissitudes of life." These sterling qualities, with a desire to be always useful, and a high regard for truth, both in word and action, have been the prominent characteristics of the life of this remarkable woman.
In 1832, Miss M'Clarnonde, with her brother, removed to New Orleans, and thence, in August, 1834, to Tampico, in Mexico. Here they became acquainted with Captain Franklin Chase, the worthy Consul of the United States at Tampico, to whom Miss M'Clarnonde was married in 1836.
For twelve years Mr. and Mrs. Chase pursued the even tenor of their way, undisturbed, to any great extent, by the numerous changes which took place in the government of Mexico. Under the protection of the American flag, their business was prosperous. A very considerable fortune crowned their industry and enterprise. Their house was the open asylum of all American strangers, where the kindness and hospitality of home awaited them, and where the sick were cared for by Mrs. Chase with maternal assiduity and skill.
But a change at length came over them and their fortunes—a change which was destined, on the one hand, to rob them of what they had accumulated in prosecuting quietly the arts of peace, and, on the other, to make their name conspicuous in the annals of war, and to place Mrs. Chase, especially, in an enviable and heroic position as a benefactress both of America and Mexico; the unostentatious achiever of a bloodless and expenseless victory.
It is said in the Proverbs of Solomon, that "he who ruleth his spirit is greater than he that taketh a city." Surely, then, she who, by ruling her spirit in the exercise of a wise and prudent ingenuity, accomplishes the capture of an important city without loss of blood or treasure, is entitled to a high rank among the truly great and good. Tampico was important in more than one sense. It is the second seaport in the Gulf, and, next to Vera Cruz, the most important key to the metropolis. A considerable quantity of stores were there, which fell into the hands of the Americans. It was absolutely necessary that they should possess the place in order to the prosecution of the plans of the army. It was there that General Scott appointed his rendezvous, and made all his preparations for his masterly attack on Vera Cruz.
Now, all these advantages were secured by the energy, decision, and contrivance of Mrs. Chase, without the expenditure of a single dollar, or the loss of a single life. To gain the same by the ordinary course of war would have cost a million, or more, of dollars, and many lives of the Mexicans, at least, with, probably, some loss on the side of the attacking party.
The service rendered the United States by Mrs. Chase, has been highly appreciated, and gratefully acknowledged. The officers of the army and navy recognised it, not only by personal testimonials and commendations, but by changing the name of the principal fort at Tampico, and calling it Fort Ann in honour of its real conqueror. The press, throughout the land, accorded to her the praise of a proud achievement. The ladies of New Orleans, as the representatives of the ladies of the country, testified their high sense of her worth, and the benefit of her self-sacrificing benevolence, by presenting her a handsome service of plate.
She deserves all these testimonials, for she saved a city from the horrors of warfare. She continues to reside in Tampico, where Mr. Chase is still United States Consul, while Mrs. Chase is considered a benefactress by the people of that city, whom she is endeavouring to aid in the improvements which their intercourse with the Americans has taught them to value.