Stephen, James (1758-1832) to Thomas Pringle
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00496.230 Author/Creator: Stephen, James (1758-1832) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 24 May 1831 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; 18.9 x 11.9 cm. Order a Copy
Complains about the control of the British press and the shameless reporters. Includes information about a paper he is writing embracing Lord Comblimere's case, starting with the address of 40 Planters to the People of England and the groundlessness of slavery.
Excerpt: "I shall be glad to receive the W.I. [West Indies] article you mention but it is hopeless to carry on a warfare of that kind with men who are shameless, reckless, & have almost every London newspaper at their command by corrupt means while we can answer them only by pamphlets or volumes."
Stephen was a British abolitionist whose hidden agenda included an attack on illegal slave ships using the American flag as protection. Stephen understood that American ships supplied Caribbean slave colonies with provisions of all sorts and that ships engaged in the African slave trade were flying the American flag. Stephen was married to the sister of William Wilberfoce, another British abolitionist.
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