The Liberator Files

December 14, 1833

Declaration of the National Anti-Slavery Convention with signatures , Dec 4, 1833,  in Philadelphia

October 12, 1833

Includes item from Boston Evening Transcript, Oct 8   Refers to a handbill circulated widely in the city.  Indicates that “The Post of this morning” claims that the handbill was circulated by friends of Garrison, assuming it would encourage sympathy for him.  The Liberator maintains that is not true:  “We are apprehensive that the handbill emanated from another and very different source  ….The Liberator was surrounded last night by a dense mob, breathing threatenings which foreboded a storm.”

Then the handbill itself, with a title, “BOSTONIANS AWAKE!!

“The true American has returned, alias William Lloyd Garrison, the ‘Negro Champion’,…from his disgraceful mission to the British metropolis  …..He has held meetings in London and slandered the Americans to the utmost of his power,…. And also countenancing the outrageous conduct of Daniel O’Connell …..Americans!  Will you brook this conduct?  I think not!  He is now in your power – do not let him escape you,  but go this evening armed with plenty of tar and feathers and administer him justice at his abode at No. 9 Merchants Hall, Congress St.”
                            A NORTH ENDER
  Boston, Oct 7, 1833
A note follows with a finger pointing at it:  The Transcript and Morning Post will receive their deserts in due season.”

September 14, 1833

The Liberator :—-EXTRA. 

Two page almost entirely devoted to the formation of and constitution of the Boston Young Men’s Anti-Slavery Association  —– an interesting by-line says:   “That which is wrong in the abstract can never be right in practice.    — Patience with the men,  but not patience with the principles.”

September 7, 1833   

A tribute to Wilberforce
In regard to Child’s new work , her Appeal, a note from the Christian Watchman:

   After a reflection on her eminence as an author:   “We are not sure that Mrs. Child will immediately obtain much commendation for her last book, for which she has taken the
unpopular side of a question which is much agitated…..We admire the moral courage of this lady in risking her literary name by taking the stand which she does in this volume. Mrs.Child may be censured by many as imprudent, for this is not infrequently the fate of those who are the advocates and justice and mercy  –but believing that her cause is good, we congratulate her on the meed of praise which she merits, and which we doubt not will be awarded to her at no distant day……”’

August 31, 1833

“ I have seen Mr. Wilberforce. He has repudiated his views of the Colonization Society, and regards its principles and purposes with disapprobation.”

On the same page is a notice of the death of Wilberforce, July 28, in his 74th year.

On the same page in a letter from  Charles Stuart to Arnold Buffum, written from London, June 29th:   reference to Cresson:  “Garrison is here, zealous, uncompromising, untiring.   ….He is laboring like himself, the people, as they become acquainted with him, love and admire him – Cresson skulks from all collision with him, in a manner at once insolent and dastardly.”

August 10, 1833   

           “A thousand thanks to Mrs. Child for this admirable work!  It must — it will be exclusively read; and that heart must be harder than the nether mill stone, which can remain unaffected by the solemn truths which in contains.   We trust in God, that it will kindle a flame of sympathy on behalf of the people of color, which will not be extinquished until the system of slavery is utterly consumed, and the rights of the oppressed are restored.”

August 10, 1833

Here is the story told in Mayer’s book, of the lecture given by Lloyd in London,
June 10, 1833…..Cresson. agent of the ACS was also in London, and had been invited to debate with G of this occasion ;  Cresson declined the invitation, but was present for the lecture …..he was invited to take part, and there is much discussion … George Thompson delivers an address during this discussion. 

August 3, 1833

A Bid for a Freeman of Massachusetts

Copy of a resolution in Georgia, adopted by its House & Senate, Nov 30, 1831

“Resolved that the sum of five thousand dollars is hereby appropriated, to be paid to any person or persons who shall arrest bring to trial and  prosecute to conviction under the laws of this state;  the editor or publisher of a certain paper called the Liberator, published in the town of Boston of the state of Massachusetts….”  (or any persons who shall circulate said paper within the limits of this state).

July 6, 1833

   SAVAGE BARBARITY  !
                                    Miss Crandall Imprisoned !!!

Garrison proclaims who are the  “the authors of this infamous proceeding”….
“They are friends of the American Colonization Society, and have made their appeal to that association for countenance and support.!  We verily believe, that these proceedings are the genuine fruits of colonization principles and prejudices, and we trust, that they will open the eyes of a slumbering and credulous community.”

June 22, 1833
 
This letter written to Garrison, from Paul, Bristol, England, April 10, 1833

Paul affirms that he finds in large crowds he addresses, that the sentiment toward Colonization is the same as Garrison’s….”Cresson is now somewhere, I believe, in this country; but the people have their eyes open, and I have met with but one gentleman that did not regret that they had ever countenanced his cause.  Extracts from your book are published in several of the most  respectable periodical publications.  It has done much good.”

In the same letter, Paul goes on to comment on the treatment of colored people in England:   “And now, to contrast the difference in the treatment that a colored man received in this country, with that which he received in America, my soul is filled with sorrow and indignation.  I could weep over the land of my nativity!  I would ask those hypocritical pretenders to humanity and religion, who are continually crying out , ‘What shall we do with our black and colored people?’  Why do you not do them justice?……”