Willard, Joseph (1798-1865) Letter to an English friend on the rebellion in the United States, and on British policy

Published by Ticknor & Fields. Printed by J.E. Farwell and Company at 37 Congress Street in Boston. Letter, dated 3 March 1862, is a calm rejoinder to an English correspondent concerned about the deteriorating relations between Britain and the United States at the beginning of the Civil War. The Englishman is urged not to be influenced by New York rowdies or muckraking newspapers. Says to look to New England, ever sober and thoughtful, because the region is fundamentally calm and still rationally engaged with events. Says the rebellion that has been encouraged by "that imbecile coward, President Buchanan," is larger than expected and found the United States ill-prepared militarily. Claims the situation is changing and that the rebellion will be fought vigorously and successfully. Willard expected England and Europe to ally with the North. Says perfidious ex-Senators and slanderers against Lincoln have been poisoning the English mind. Says slavery must be eliminated, and claims the North has great guilt over slavery, but that it was an unhealthy inheritance from England, who granted charters for the slave trade in Africa introducing slavery to North America. Says their shared history and attitudes will prevail. Postscript on pages 27-28 by E.P., Esq. recalls an article by John Stuart Mill in Fraser Magazine for February, showing great comprehension of the issues in the American War of Rebellion and, presumably, opposing slavery and the position of the South, while cautioning England against misplaced sympathy with the South. Original stab-stitch binding.