The Liberator Files

October 1, 1836

Here appear a listing of the number of meetings recently addressed by Mr. Stanton, in some cases with a brief account of the actual meeting.  The list of places at which he spoke indicates the wide influence of the movement.  Here are some of the towns:  Dover, Concord, and Great Falls, N.H., Portland, Maine, and in Massachusetts, Bradford,  North Yarmouth, Braintree and Weymouth, Groton, Hanover, Dorchester, and Cambridge-Port. Meetings were in private homes, churches, and in town halls.

November 3, 1836

This issue includes a Circular from Pennsylvania, calling upon people to become Immediatists, with the names of well over four hundred individuals.

April 7, 1837

Under a heading,   Children of Boston, March 25, 1837, note addressed to Garrison, and signed by H.C. Wright, Children’s Agent, tells of a meeting of the Juvenile Anti-Slavery Society, at the Marlboro Chapel, which Wright has addressed for an hour and-half (!!!), and then recounts what he is sure that the children will tell about the evils of slavery.

April 7, 1837

There had evidently been something of a “riot” on March 2, when a lecture to an audience of women was disturbed by a “vile rabble”.  Here appears an account of a meeting the next day between Mr. Parkman, a Marshall sent by the Mayor, to meet with Mr. Graham , the lecturer. 

Graham is concerned that the Marshall was very “civil” toward the men who disturbed the meeting, but “uncivil” toward the women, who were asked to leave the hall.  The Mayor also appears, and he and the Marshall are insisting on knowing if Graham intends to repeat these lectures “only to women” in the city. 

Graham intends to continue, indeed, is scheduled to do so on the next day.  The Marshall says they can “give no protection”. 

Graham wonders if there is any longer a civil authority in the city.  The Mayor  says, “We certainly shall do all that we can to protect, you, sir, but what will that amount to?  What can a few constables do against an excited populace?  And suppose I should call out the militia, it would be impossible to make them act with any efficiency, while all their prejudices and sympathies are on  the side of the mob?”

A note indicates that the meeting did occur, without disturbance, but other lectures by Graham were disturbed.

June 9, 1837

Mary Parker, President and Maria Weston Chapman, Cor. Sec. write to Female Anti-Slavery Societies throughout New England. 

The letter commends Sarah and Angelina Grimke for their continued work against slavery, but also makes an appeal to women to assist the Grimke’s for their advocacy of increased social roles for women……they remark on  “the elevated and christian point of view, from which they behold the condition of Woman, her duties and consequent rights. It is of paramount importance that both men and women should understand their true position and mighty responsibilities to this and to coming generations…….. Help them to exalt the national character of our women …..Let us help one another to repel the idea, that while the chief end of man is to glorify God, and enjoy him forever  — woman is sharer of the like glorious destiny ….

September 8, 1837

Here is an item from the Board of Managers of the Massachusetts Antislavery Society, “To the Public”, signed by Francis Jackson, President, Sept 5, 1837.  At a meeting of the Society there had evidently been a number of delegates who expressed concern that they did not agree with Garrison’s view on the Sabbath.  This includes Garrison’s response that he allows all views to be expressed in the paper, in addition to his own.   The article includes a Resolution voted by the Board, that its role is to sustain the paper. “leaving its editorial department entirely in the hands of William Lloyd Garrison.”

Nov. 10, 1837

This meeting held in Greenville, R.I., October 10 includes four resolutions, gives strong support to the American Anti-Slavery Society, and to immediate emancipation.

Prejudice in the Church

From the New York Colored American, there is an article, citing specific instances of prejudice in churches.  They cite refusals to rent pews to colored members, refusal to sit in council and vote with white brethren, or refusal to be accommodated with seats except in the aisle.

Jan. 5, 1838

The meeting was held on Dec 22, 1837, at Marlboro Chapel and is reported here at length.  Speeches  by A.A. Phelps, and Wendell Phillips, and Garrison are included.

Garrison, in his remarks comments on restrictions against speaking about slavery at Faneuil Hall.   He says, that while the occasion is one which should be a Faneuil Hall, as the Cradle of Liberty, and he regrets not meeting there, but still he rejoices that the meeting is not there:

” I rejoice at it, because I cannot, for one, consent to go into that Hall, with a padlock upon my lips.  Liberty of speech, on the subject of American slavery, may not be indulged in Faneuil Hall, or in any of the meeting houses of this city, with perhaps, one exception. Here, and here alone, in the Marlboro Chapel, it has been tonight, and I trust may ever, be freely indulged.”…  Then again, in reference to Faneuil Hall:
“Yet we did not go into that Hall as freemen, in the full exercise of the freedom of speech. No, sir!  On the one topic we were restricted to say nothing, even by a pledge; and that topic was slavery!……. And that, Sir, is the freedom we enjoy in Boston!  That is our liberty of speech in Faneuil Hall!….”

April 13, 1838

“These societies have been formed in many places and are astonishing their friends with their success.  Many little bands of female collectors are thus raising $50 to $100 a year, in places where little would be done on any other plan…”    The item goes on to indicate that any who want to join this effort can secure cards and explanatory tracts at the Liberator office.   “Never was there a time when we had such encouragement to labor.  The slaves are sinking…..”

April 20, 1838

A list of 232 AA Societies, shown by Massachusetts Counties, and towns, with Pres., and Sec. names for each, and number of members in each