Lovejoy, Elijah P. (Elijah Parish) (1802-1837) to John Mason Peck
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02448.08 Author/Creator: Lovejoy, Elijah P. (Elijah Parish) (1802-1837) Place Written: St. Louis, Missouri Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 30 Jaunary 1835 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 25 x 19.2 cm. Order a Copy
Lovejoy, an abolitionist, writes to Peck, a reverend in St. Louis. Requests Peck to stop sending copies of the "Pioneer," a paper containing criticism of Lovejoy. Docket is faded.
Lovejoy was a minister and vocal abolitionist who published and edited the St. Louis Observer until 1836, when a mob destroyed his press. Subsequently, he moved to Alton, Illinois, where mobs continued to destroy his printing facilities. Finally, in November 1837, Lovejoy was killed by a pro-slavery mob while trying to defend his newest printing press.
As the "Pioneer" [a local newspaper] seems disposed to use language in reference to myself and my friends which I deem altogether uncalled for, and as I feel that, in my present situation, it is necessary I should, as far as may be, avoid all causes and occasions of irritation, I must request that you will cease to send that paper to this office, as I have no wish to see it.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.