June 23, 1848
A letter from Henry C. Wright to James Haughton, Dublin, Ireland. It refers to Sayers, Drayton, and English, of the schooner Pearl, who tried to help 77 slaves to freedom. “There is nothing on the records of the world more shocking to humanity, than is this transaction, from beginning to end. The facts touching their arrest, their return to WASHINGTON, fettered and bound, and guarded like felons; their mock trial; their incarceration; the cruelty practiced on them by the officers of the United States; the sale of the recaptured slaves, especially some of the young females — one of the victims being a slave of the widow of President Madison; the sundering of domestic ties; children sold from parents, and parents sold from children; all this done in the capital of this Republic, and through the instrumentality of the federal Union……And there are men and women in Britain and Ireland, who are lending their direct influence to sustain these horrors among us. God forgive them!” That letter asks that the Anti-Slavery Society send a statement respecting the case to all of Europe, that Garrison and Phillips be sent to Europe, “laying these facts before the people”.
“Could not the people of Europe hold mass meetings, to remonstrate with their government concerning its treatment of Drayton, Sayres and English? They will be consigned to a dungeon for life….. There is not a man in Europe who may not consistently rebuke this slaveholding republic. And the voice of Europe would be heard. …”
June 23, 1848
Here is an item about prejudice at the Charlestown dry dock. Dissatisfaction arose among a portion of the workmen “because two colored men, (both fugitives from slavery), and an Irishman were likewise employed upon the job”. There is a complaint to the carpenter, Mr. Hall, who informs them that he will employ whomever he wants to; if they do not like his terms, they are free to leave. Twenty-five men leave, endeavor to gain support in a street meeting, but are not successful. Mr. Hall employs others, and the steamer on which they worked was ready for sailing the next day.
June 16, 1848
Here are remarks by Theodore Parker, delivered at the Melodeon, March 5, 1848
In the same paper there is a “sketch” of Parker’s speech at Faneuil Hall, before the New England Anti-Slavery Convention.
May 26, 1848
A letter to Garrison, from “Stapleton”, in Harwich. The writer indicates that for the last month he has received unsolicited, copies of the Liberator, to which he has not subscribed. He had considered it to be a rabid and inconsistent paper. He is now convinced of its value, and sends a $2 registration.
May 26, 1848
An article telling of a meeting at Faneuil Hall, largely attended, ” to sympathize with the European Revolution and express the sentiments of the laboring class in regard to its application in this country.” Resolutions are passed praising what has been done in France, and to “call upon the Working Men of New England to oppose a manly resistance to the insulting pretensions of a ’shabby genteel’ aristocracy, who already assume to control the elections and direct the legislation of the State,” and calls for measures to improve the status of the Working Men.
May 19, 1848
Henry C. Wright writes from a hall in New York, the Minerva Rooms, in Broadway, May 10.
He speaks of the meeting of the AASS, the day before, at Broadway Tabernacle. At that meeting the Hutchinson’s sang, followed by Wendell Phillips. Wright interprets the remarks of Phillips ….. ”we hail it as a sign of their repentance for having prostrated their extraordinary powers to utter sweet and inspiring music, to laud that hoary embodiment of tyranny. Such is the construction which the Anti-Slavery Society will put upon their presence and their song. If we are incorrect in our construction, they will signify it. If we are correct they will signify it. Under this construction, and under none other, do we heartily welcome them.” They sang, and were received with loud applause and enthusiasm…Wright says, “it was a shout of anti-slavery over their return to her side.”
April 28, 1848
In the context of an exchange between Garrison and Jesse Hutchinson, Jr., there is reference to a recent concert in which the family has sung praise of/to Henry Clay. Garrison refers to the song “which was sung in the presence of that incorrigible slaveholder at New York, by the ‘family’, and the last verse of which runs thus —
Then, hail! all hail! thrice-honored sage,
Our most distinquished guest
We’ll venerate the good old age,
Brave Harry of the west!
Garrison calls upon the family to “express their regret”…and in doing so, “they will again commend themselves to the good wishes and liberal patronage of abolitionists… We dismiss the subject.”
April 7, 1848
The Committee on the Judiciary “have reported ‘leave to withdraw’. “Of course, in the present inert state of public sentiment, it was not expected that they would make a favorable report; and as they could neither deny nor refute any of the reasons put forth by the petitioners for Secession, they wisely concluded to say nothing…” Then follow seven of those reasons “for the consideration of all who revere liberty, and for the inspection and verdict of posterity.”
March 31, 1848
“The Provisional Government acknowledged by Great Britain and the United States - Slavery abolished in the French Colonies —All Europe Shaken” This heading introduces several items describing what has happened in France, including the Flight of the French King and Queen, and includes reactions from Prussia, Germany, Bavaria, and Spain.
March 31, 1848
From the Boston Post, there is an item, which gives space to recount the speech by Phillips, and then comments on the effect of Garrison as he spoke: “Mr. W. L. Garrison followed, but in a few moments he was obliged to speak either to the Committee or to empty benches; for the audience dispersed as suddenly as if a contribution had been passed around. Mr. G. was more violent than his friend.;…. said Massachusetts was more guilty in respect to slavery than South Carolina or Alabama; called the whigs hypocrites and liars in just so many words and said other words about as equally flattering….”
