Letters, a speech, and a photograph relating to the abolitionist movement in the United States. Correspondents include: Theodore Dwight Weld (1803-1895) of Lane Seminary, Elizur Wright (1804-1885), Secretary of the American Anti-Slavery Society, Gerrit Smith (1797-1874), philanthropist and reformer, Henry Grew (1782-1862), Quaker abolitionist, William Lloyd Garrison (1805-1879), prominent abolitionist, and Parker Pillsbury (1809-1898), abolitionist author. Subjects include abolition tactics and organizations, expressions of sympathy to Garrison on the death of his wife and publication of Pillsbury's work. Also includes a photograph of Mary Grew (1813-1896), daughter of Henry Grew and an abolitionist in her own right.
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Gift, 1941
The former identifier for this collection was Mss 95 Ab7.
Abolitionist Movement Collection, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary
Processed by Mark Tueting in 1995.
Before reproducing or quoting from any materials, in whole or in part, permission must be obtained from the Special Collections Research Center, and the holder of the copyright, if not Swem Library.
Elizur Wright Junior was the Corresponding Secretary of the American anti-Slavery Society, New York City, New York.
Received Elizur Wright's letter, the decision that the letter requested was a heavy responsibility; has decided he serves the cause better where he is; has fought against slavery and colonization; colonization has able advocates; Brother Mehan and Professor Morgan have renounced colonization and come over to the abolitionist position; they are on the border of a slave state but within a year there will be 100 theological students at the institution (Lane Seminary in Walnut Hills, Ohio)- a strong abolitionist center that will influence the entire valley "more than a hundred societies in New York"; Beecher Stowe is dead set against their cause; believes the seminary would fold if he left; leads a bible class for "colored adults"; nominates Lewis Tappan as General Agent for the Society. (JDW has secured Elizur Wright's position of Corresponding Secretary in December of 1833).
Received Daniel Cady's letter; hopes Cady will be able to commence proceedings in the case of the Delaware Lot (?). Hopes for a speedy settlement with the representatives of R.M. Campbell and John E. Smith; business is poor and Gerrit Smith has not had a paying customer in 8 days.
Regrets that he cannot attend the abolitionist meeting; hopes God will guide the convention; afraid that "the Temptor" will turn them from a "right end" and make them use "wrong means"; God may use the Civil War to bring about abolition, but he may allow wicked men to accomplish this; the faithful are obligated to not support the war if it is not a "right measure to accomplish a right end"; the war is not just because it seeks merely to restore the pre-war government that allowed slavery; support for a government that merely prevents the extension of slavery is not enough; even if the ends are right (i.e. total abolition), war is still wrong; God's command of "thou shalt not kill" applies to soldiers as well; ministers who leave the pulpit and accept commissions are hypocrites; God's weapons are sufficient to defeat slavery.
Relates establishment of the American Freedman Aid Commission; Judge Berd is president and Wendell Phillips Lawson is acting Secretary, a "grand Anniversary" will be marked by addresses by Phillip Brooks, Henry Ward Beecher, General Saxton and (?) Andrew; requests advice on choosing an editor.
Thanks William Lloyd Garrison for his memorial card; expresses sympathy for the loss of his wife; hopes that he is recovering from his illness because his services to the country are still needed; Southern Rebels are finding cause with power hungry Northern partisans.
Sends sympathy for his great loss of Mrs. Garrison.
Written for her father, who expresses sympathy for Mrs. Garrison's death; he knew her as a child in 1825. Bears a short personal condolence from Mary herself.
Mr. Phillips and the Wallcots have passed away and Parker Pillsbury feels that there is nothing left that is dear to him; William Lloyd Garrison is hospitable; one thousand of his books have sold and he still has one thousand left that he cannot sell; he is in relatively good health. Stationery is an advertisement for Parker Pillsbury's book, Acts of the Anti-Slavery Apostles.
2 1/4", 3 5/8", black and white, head and shoulders view. Photograph.