Furness, William H. (1802-1896) to Thomas Dawes Eliot
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00468.01 Author/Creator: Furness, William H. (1802-1896) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 28 May 1854 Pagination: 1 p. ; 20.5 x 15 cm. Order a Copy
Reverend Furness, a prominent abolitionist and Unitarian clergyman, thanks Congressman Eliot for a speech he gave. Writes about a fugitive slave (possibly Anthony Burns, who was arrested 24 May 1854 in Boston): "That Slave must not be sent back. I don't like the volunteer companies coming out for the accursed Fugitive Slave Law which violates the fundamental laws & liberties of the noblest Commonwealth on God's Earth, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She is to be obeyed first before the U.S. God save her! If she goes down then Hope for a season bade the World farewell..."
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