The Liberator Files

December 27, 1850

A long article about Webster, titled “The Great Apostate”,  recounts a view of Webster’s change since 1837, when “his vision was clear and his judgment sound”, and he did homage to the struggle to overthrow slavery,  and then to his apostasy, represented in his March 7th speech.   Then there is reference to the recent meeting at Fanueil Hall, interrupted by a mob.  “For whom did these miscreants send up cheer after cheer, throughout the entire evening?  Who was the recreant and fallen man whom, on that occasion, they were proud to recognize and eager to applaud, as one with him in spirit and fellowship?  Daniel  Webster !   Where shall we look in history for a more melancholy instance of human degradation?

December 6, 1850

From the Georgia Constitutionalist is an account of an unsuccessful attempt to recapture fugitive slaves from Boston.  It is written by Willis H. Hughes, from Macon, dated Nov. 21, 1850, and is addressed to “fellow citizens”.   The fugitive is named as “Bill”, but it becomes clear it is William Craft.  Hughes recounts the ways in various officials in Boston avoided assisting him by delays, postponements, jurisdictional disputes, and even at one time when he was arrested for slandering Ellen Crafts, and held to bail for $20,000.  He indicates that he has leaned that the Crafts had “positively left for England”.  Hughes concludes that he “went to Boston as an agent to execute a lawful trust, thinking I should be protected and assisted by the laws of my country.  But, on the contrary, from the first, the laws of the country, instead of a protection, were made an engine of cruelty, oppression, injustice, and abuse; so that my life was constantly endangered, and this, without the first offer of assistance from Government, national, State, or city. I feel that every man who has a Southern heart in his bosom, and would maintain the honor of his country, should sustain the Southern right cause, by every constitutional measure, until our rights are acknowledged, and justice obtained.”

A similar account is given here by John Knight, the slave Pursuer, from Macon, who had been with Mr. Hughes.

November 29, 1850

Here is the record of a meeting at the Belknap Street Church, by a crowd so large that not all could gain access to the building.  John T. Hilton chairs the meeting, and Charles Lenox Remond  introduces Thompson, whose speech is included here.

November 22, 1850

This announces that the citizens of Worcester have requested the meeting to be held there.  Thompson, Garrison, Phillips, others will speak.

Comment by the Editor:  “As a withering rebuke to Boston, in which mob law has been allowed by the authorities to rule supreme, it is to be hoped that a numerous delegation of the friends of freedom and  of order in this section will avail themselves of this opportunity to testify their abhorrence of a demon-spirit of persecution, and to hear one of the noblest advocates of humanity now living…..”

November 22, 1850

From the Boston Times, a story of resistance to abolitionists, at Faneuil Hall.  The article recounts that the meeting was to be a reception for Thompson, that the abolitionists “had determined to give a fawning reception , and foolishly selected Faneuil Hall as the scene of their insult to American Freemen and the American Union.”  The story tells of the various abolitionists who spoke, including Quincy, Phillips, Pillsbury, Douglass, none of whom were allowed to proceed.  “It now became evident to all, that the meeting was decidedly broken up, and the leaders of the abolition fanatics began to fear for their own safety.  The lights were lowered, and Messrs. Thompson and Douglass escaped under cover of the darkness….  Captain Sam Adams, commander of the police force, mounted the platform …received with nine cheers…he said: Gentlemen - I am requested by the Marshall to inform you that this meeting is adjourned.!’… The Captain’s speech was the only one heard during the evening, and we have reported it in full.”

November 8, 1850

Here is notice that the Daily Times has encouraged a petition to the Mayor and Aldermen against the use of Faneuil Hall for abolitionists who wish to repeal the Fugitive Slave Law.

November 1, 1850

Announcing the arrival of Thompson, there is indication that there will be a “grand reception meeting” at Faneuil Hall, and that colored citizens are preparing a public welcome in the Belknap Street meeting house.

October 18, 1850

Here is a “Call” for citizens to gather at Faneuil Hall, ” to consider the condition of the Fugitive Slaves and other colored persons of this city, under the new Fugitive Slave Law. Signed by 238 people.

In answer to the call there was a “mighty gathering” at Faneuil Hall.  Charles Frances Adams presided and spoke.   Douglass, in a long speech says:  “..we, one and all, —without the slightest hope of making successful resistance  — are  resolved rather to die than go back.  If you are prepared to see the streets of Boston flowing with innocent blood, if you are prepared to see sufferings such as perhaps no country ever before witnessed, just give in your adhesion to the fugitive slave bill — you, who live on the street where the blood first spouted in defence of freedom; and the slave-hunter will be here to bear the chained slave back, or he will be murdered in your streets. ..”

October 11, 1850

“A vast concourse” met at the Belknap Street church, October 4th. Among many resolutions passed there is one which calls for a larger meeting at Faneuil Hall, and another which calls for a New England Convention, to organize opposition to the law.

October 11, 1850

“We solemnly appeal to Christians of every name, to all sober and humane men, unwrenched by party feelings, to all that love man, to behold and ponder this iniquity which is done among us! Shall an army of wretched victims, without a crime, unconvicted of wrong, pursuing honest occupations, be sent back to a loathed and detestable slavery?  Here is no ‘abstract’ question  …. I shall cheerfully take the pains and penalties of this Bill.  Bonds and fines shall be honors; imprisonment and suffering will be passports to fame not long to linger!”