Wilberforce, William (1759-1833) to Thomas Pringle
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00496.251 Author/Creator: Wilberforce, William (1759-1833) Place Written: Newport, Isle of Wight, Great Britain Type: Letter signed Date: 9 May 1832 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 24.4 x 19.1 cm. Order a Copy
Wilberforce, a British abolitionist, writes from the Brighstone (Brixton) Rectory (possibly while his son Samuel served as vicar there). Recommends Mr. Stephen, a relative and friend (likely his brother-in-law James Stephen), to serve as chairman of an unspecified organization (possibly the Anti-Slavery Society). Notes Stephen's "abhorrence of the Slave trade and Slavery." Mentions other members of the Society, including Mr. Buxton and Dr. Lushington (possibly Thomas F. Buxton and Stephen Lushington, both reformers and abolitionists). Hopes Pringle's new anti-slavery publication will succeed. Assures Pringle he would attend the meeting in London if he weren't frequently ill. Attached to a brown paper frame. Measurements include attached frame.
Pringle was a Scottish poet and abolitionist.
Brighton Rectory at Newport.
I. of W. 9 May 1832
My dear Sir,
I return you many thanks for your obliging letter which has just now reached my hand; and I must return you my answer without delay on the Meeting you announce will have taken place before you receive it. You cannot possibly have a Chairman selected with more propriety than my most dear and excellent Relative and Friend Mr. Stephen. Even when personally resident in the W. Indies, and depending for his professional success entirely on the W. Indians, he both, there, and afterwards (where compelled by bad Health to leave the W. Indies) in London, continue to [illegible] avow freely his abhorrence of the Slave trade and Slavery. His last Work in which he has grounded all his Positions on the admissions of the Enemies of our Cause, must be deemed unanswerable by any Readers who will peruse it with unprejudiced Minds. A meeting on a less interesting Subject would always have attractions for me in which so truly good a Man was to be the Chairperson, and such Speakers as those you mention, Mr. Buxton and Dr. Lushington. Their honest persevering [2] Integrity and Zeal, claim the highest admiration, and the deepest gratitude from all Enemies to the Slave trade & Slavery. Dr. Lushingtons labors and sacrifices in the instance of Lecesne and Escoffery have given him a very high place in my respect and affection. But alas! the misfortune is that the subject has been so long before the Public that people are tired of it; and only those will peruse our Publications who are already the friends of our cause. I heartily wish your new Publication may succeed. The number you have already sent me, contains most interesting matter, but it must be left to experience to ascertain whether or not the demand for a fresh periodical Publication on the Subject will be sufficient to give it the success it will deserve. The Anti-Slavery Reporters certainly constitute a rich Store-house of most valuable matter. But I [own] I have often feared, from finding great ignorance even among our friends, of particulars on which full information had been given in their pages, that even this excellent Work is much more taken in than it is read. If I were in the Neighborhood of London, and not prevented by occasional Indisposition, I should be happy to attend the Meeting, but I have given up taking any [3] part in public assemblies. I am very glad to hear of Dr. Phillipps, for whom I entertain a very high respect. To your question when I shall be in London, I can only say that it is at present quite uncertain. Mrs. W. joins me in every friendly Wish, and I remain
My dear Sir
With Esteem and Regard
Yours sincerely
WWilberforce
Thomas Pringle Esq:
[docket]
W. WIlberforce
May 9. 1832
[address]
Twopenny Post
Thomas Pringle Esq
Secretary to the Anti Slavery Socy
Aldermanbury
London
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