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Whittier, John G. (1807–92) to Samuel Joseph May

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00979 Author/Creator: Whittier, John G. (1807–92) Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 13 March 1837 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 24.7 x 19.6 cm. Order a Copy

Invites May to the quarterly meeting of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society in Lynn, Massachusetts. Indicates that "Stanton, Garrison, Loring, Sewall, everybody wishes thee to be with us on the occasion." Mentions a Missouri statement from years ago against admitting Missouri as a slave state.

Whittier was a Quaker poet and abolitionist.

Boston, 13th 3rd Mo. 1837.
My Dear friend May

I write to say that the Quarterly Meeting of the Massts. Anti-Slavery Society will be held at Lynn on the [struck: 27th] [inserted: 28th] of this month [inserted: Tuesday] at 10 AM. It will be in many respects an important meeting: We shall probably adjourn to Boston, on the next evening. I wish thee to come - Stanton, Garrison, Loring, Sewall, everybody wishes thee to be with us on the occasion. There must be no excuse – no denial. Allow me to suggest to thee a fitting topic for remarks. at this time – "The Decline of the Spirit of Liberty among us, & The dangers resulting from it." – Now dear Bro. May don’t say no to this. Come and help us. Stanton has turned the Legislature almost over. Come & jump on to the lever, & we'll take a long pull, a strong pull & a pull altogether. [2] and do the business at once. In order to show the decline of free principles – look at our public men – Van Buren, twenty years ago voting and thinking [inserted: in the N.Y. Legislature] in favor of the colored man, & against the admission of Missouri as a Slave. State. and now – what shall we say of him? – Webster’s Plymouth Speech & Missouri Memorial – contrasted with his conduct in Congress! Oh ‘tis base – & scandalous that to be popular in our country a man must crucify Liberty & shout hosannas to Slavery. Remember me kindly to Mrs. May & believe me even & most cordially thy friend
and Brother
Jno G. Whittier

[Docket]
J.G. Whittier
March 13. 1837

Whittier, John Greenleaf, 1807-1892
May, Samuel J. (Samuel Joseph), 1797-1871

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