January 6, 1843
In the first issue of the year there is an article of three columns, signed only by the initials E. Q., (probably Edmund Quincy) strongly deprecating the Liberty Party. The article assumes the person of the Devil, and recounts that he has “seen through” the State, has “managed both political parties since they were born”, had been “admitted a member” of the Church, preached from its most eminent pulpits, and was familiar with all its organizations. The article indicates that the Devil has been confounded as to why abolitionists were so critical, but now has found another place for his work, namely, in the Liberty Party. The article concludes with an admonition to all who vote that they “SHOULD VOTE FOR ANYONE , EXCEPT A PROSLAVERY WHIG OR DEMOCRAT, SOONER THAN A CANDIDATE OF THE LIBERTY PARTY FOR ANY OFFICE.”
January 6, 1843
“Has every town done its utmost?……It is an imperative duty on the part of all persons, who would petition for any cause on their own behalf, to petition now on behalf of the slave population of our country…….send in more names ….send to Amory Hall..” signed “m.w.c.” (probably Maria Weston Chapman)
January 13, 1843
Here is an account of “A Church Mob, with the Minister at the Head of It”, which disturbed an abolitionist lecture in a Congregational Church in Phipsburg, Maine. Here also are accounts of aboltionist meetings in Braintree (concern with Latimer incident), and a Women’s antislavery conference in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and another in Kingston, at which Remond spoke.
January 13, 1843
A call for more petitions, signed by H.I. Bowditch, indicates that at least twenty thousand names, exclusive of Suffolk County, have been secured on petitions, and assurance that there are at least twenty thousand other names not yet turned in …. Announces a postponement of the date for collecting the names, so that these others may be gathered in time for presentation to the legislature.
January 20, 1843
An announcement of the Latimer Committee that they now have forty eight thousand names on petitions, and the goal is to have one hundred thousand “sons and daughters of Massachusetts against slavery in their own state.”
January 27, 1843
An item from the Lexington Baptist Pioneer, is titled, “Spirit of Texas”. It is from a clergyman who “represents Texas”, who writes to the editor of the Commercial Advertiser. He comments on how difficult the war is, and that it will be a “long and distressing war”. “We are prepared to sacrifice our all, resolved to conquer or die. Never have I seen manifested such heroic patriotism…… Our cause is good. We are fighting for religious liberty. Let but the Mexicans succeed, and the Bible will be driven from Texas.”
January 27, 1843
An account of the arrest and attempted jailing of Alcott for failure to pay a tax. It is addressed to the Editor of the Liberator. The writer, “C. L.”, from Concord, concludes: “Many are the points worthy of consideration involved in this uncouth, barbaric, unchristian state of the law; and I earnestly trust you will not allow the occasion to escape your enlightened and benevolent pen, nor fail to inform the pubic at large of the facts.”
February 3, 1843
Several columns of “Correspondence between the Authorities of Virginia and the Executive of Massachusetts, relative to the Latimer Case.” There is also an account of a “Latimer Convention”, and actions taken to encourage petitions to the Mass. Legislature, with a warning that “so long as Massachusetts has upon her statute books enactments which proscribe or allow that corporation dependent upon the Legislature for existence, to proscribe, abuse, or assault colored citizens, all her remonstrances with the South against slavery, will have but little influence, since precepts are comparatively useless without practice….”
February 3, 1843
Resolutions in support of petitions in the Latimer case, and a resolution for the liberation of three men, including George Thompson, jailed in Missouri for helping a slave escape.
February 3, 1843
62,791 people have signed petition to the state legislature, and 48,000 to the US Congress. John Quincy Adams was selected to take charge of the petitions to Congress.
