Garrison, William Lloyd (1805-1879) to John Greenleaf Whittier
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 #: GLC05748 Author/Creator: Garrison, William Lloyd (1805-1879) Place Written: New York, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 May 1878 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 20.3 x 25.3 cm. Order a Copy
Garrison replies to a letter from Whittier, the Quaker poet and abolitionist. Discusses the deaths of other abolitionists. Whittier had informed Garrison of the death of Captain Jonathan Walker, a fellow abolitionist. Laments Walker's death, describing him as "a kind-hearted, honest, unsophisticated man, who, for attempting to aid certain slaves to escape from their taskmasters, bore with martyr-like fortitude and serenity the penalty burnt into his living flesh by the decree of a court acting in accordance with the provisions of the Slave Code." Notes that the "SS" which was burnt on Walker's hand as punishment gave him lasting renown. Agrees to assist Whittier in raising a subscription to buy Walker a gravestone. Reports the death of Mrs. Chapman's mother, noting that Chapman lived in Weymouth, Massachusetts (possibly referring to abolitionist Maria Weston Chapman). Also comments on the death of British abolitionist George Thompson's wife, predicting that Thompson will soon follow (indeed, Thompson died later in 1878). Laments the death of New York abolitionist William Goodell, a signer of the "Declaration of Anti-Slavery Sentiments" issued at Philadelphia.
Walker, a ship captain, attempted to help slaves escape on board his ship in 1844. For his punishment, "SS" was branded on his hand, intended to mean "Slave Stealer." Whittier dedicated the poem "The Branded Hand," to Walker, reinterpreting the "SS" to mean "Slave Savior," or "Salvation to the Slave." Walker became an active abolitionist, and toured the North giving speeches on abolition.
New York, May 10, 1878.
My dear Whittier:
Your letter, enclosing one to you from the Mayor of Muskegon, Mich., announcing the death of Capt. Jonathan Walker, has been forwarded to me by my son Frank. Before receiving it, I had seen a similar announcement in the daily papers of this city. Among the instrumentalities that were effective in helping to smite the fetters from the limbs of the Southern bondmen was the "branded hand" of our departed friend and co-worker- made still more potential by your stirring lyrical effusion concerning that barbarous act. Capt. Walker was a kind-hearted, honest, unsophisticated man, who, for attempting to aid certain slaves to escape from their taskmasters, bore with martyr-like fortitude and serenity the penalty burnt into his living flesh by the [2] decree of a court acting in accordance with the provisions of the Slave Code. The branded letters "S.S." were intended to designate "Slave Stealer," but their rightful meaning was "Slave Savior," and, instead of inflicting ignominy, secured lasting renown.
I heartily approve of your suggestion, that a subscription should be raised to place a suitable stone over the grave of this brave sufferer in Freedom's cause; and on my return to Boston I will make you a flying visit, when we will agree upon a plan to consummate so desirable a testimonial.
A letter from Mrs. Chapman, at Weymouth, announces the death of her venerable mother, at the ripe age of 93 years.
I have also received intelligence of the death of Mrs. Thompson, wife of our dear friend George Thompson, at [3] Leeds, Eng., after a wasting illness which confined her to her bed for more than a year. A most happy release for her, seeing that her malady was incurable. Poor Thompson is so utterly broken in health that his translation cannot be far distant. He is indeed to be greatly commiserated.
The death of our able and unflinching co-laborer, William Goodell, removes another of the signers of the "Declaration of Anti-Slavery Sentiments" issued at Philadelphia. Precisely how many of the whole number are still living I am unable to verify; probably not more than one fourth. These will all disappear within this century, doubtless.
I am here on a visit to my daughter and her family, who contemplate going to Germany in June.
Ever fraternally yours,
Wm. Lloyd Garrison.
[docket]
W.L. Garrison
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.