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RECEPTION
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IN
©asu^sr BSi^tp^a,
^Compiled from various British Publications-]
BOSTON:
PUBLISHED BY ISAAC KNAP?
1836.
CONTENTS.
Page.
Introduction, 5
Great Anti-Slavery Meeting at Birming-
ham, Oct. 14, 1835, 13
Soiree, in honor of Mr. Thompson, at
Glasgow, Jan. 25, 183G, 33
Address presented to Mr. Thompson at
An Entertainment given by the inhab-
itants of Edinburgh, Feb. 19, 1836, . 58
Lecture at Edinburgh, Jan. 27, 1836, . 64
Jan. 31, " . 77
Feb. 8, " . 85
" at Glasgow, 96
Remarks at the Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Peace Meeting, 108
Lecture at Glasgow, Jan. 29, 1836, . 117
Address to Ministers, 141
Proceedings at the 2d Annual Meeting
of the Glasgow Emancipation Society,
March 1, 1836, 150
Meetings in London, 176
INTRODUCTION.
While Mr. Thompson remained in this
country, it is well known that one of the fa-
vorite accusations of the pro-slavery press
against him, was, that he came hither a fugi-
tive from justice — that obliged to leave Eng-
land, he visited America to avoid transporta-
tion to Botany Bay. To his persevering slan-
derers it signified nothing that he had the at-
testation of some of the best men of Great
Britain, to the excellence of his character as
a man and a Christian, and the incalculable
value of his services in the cause of humani-
ty ; it mattered not that he came as the repre-
sentative of a noble body of Philanthropists —
including men illustrious for their talents
and attainments, learned divines, able legis-
ators, good and wise and pure-minded men
— highly esteemed on both sides of the Atlan-
tic, for their sterling worth, their ardent piety
and active benevolence and devotion to every
VI INTRODUCTION.
good word and work. It mattered not that
his own deportment here, was such as cor-
roborated the favorable testimonials of his
British friends — that he bore himself as a gen-
tleman and a Christian — that he exhibited
not only those qualities which dazzle and de-
light, and extort admiration, .but those also
which command respect and enchain affec-
tion. All this went for nothing. Enough
was it for the enemies of impartial liberty —
the apologists of legalized man-stealing, that
Mr. Thompson's unrivalled eloquence was
enlisted on the side of justice, truth, and the
equal rights of man — enough that he was an
enemy and a formidable enemy to that ini-
quitous system which they had set themselves
to excuse and defend. By unwearied efforts
in the work of calumny and abuse, by con-
stant reiteration of gross falsehoods and in-
flammatory appeals to passion and prejudice
and national jealousy, they at length succeed-
ed in arraying against him a feeling of such
bitter hostility that he could no longer, with-
out exposing his life to imminent peril, con-
tinue to prosecute the purposes of his benev-
olent mission among us, and his friends here,
though reluctant to part with him and relin-
INTRODUCTION. VU
quish the anticipated advantages of his co-
operation, felt constrained to counsel his de-
parture from our shores.
And whither did he fly? Why, verily — he
returned directly to that land which his ca-
lumniators declare that he was forced to leave,
that he might escape an ignominious punish-
ment. And how was he received there? —
Were the officers of justice standing ready to
seize him, the instant he should again set
foot on British soil? Was the convict ship
waiting to receive him on board, and then
hoist sail for New Holland ? The answer
may be gathered from the following pages,
which describe the manner of his reception
in his native country, and contain accounts of
various meetings which he has attended, and
reports, more or less full, of the speeches he
has delivered, since his arrival there.
A more full refutation of the foul slander
which represented him as ' bankrupt in repu-
tation ' in his own country, could not be de-
sired, than is furnished by the warm and cor-
dial — nay, the enthusiastic welcome which
has met him in every part of the island which
he has yet visited. Glasgow, Edinburgh
Newcastle and London have given loud and
viii INTRODUCTION.
united testimony to the fact, that George
Thompson is indeed the man whom the peo-
ple of Great Britain delight to honor. He has
in truth, made a triumphal progress through
the United Kingdoms, everywhere hailed with
acclamations of joy, loaded with caresses and
greeted with the hearty congratulations of all
classes of people, on his safe return from his
arduous, and to a very good degree, success-
ful mission. Especially has he been honored
with the highly favorable notice and friendly
attentions and commendations of those whose
friendship is peculiarly valuable — of those
* whose own high merit claims the praise
they give.'
First after his arrival, comes the splendid
Soiree in Glasgow, on Monday, the 25th of
January, at. which the large hall used on the
occasion, was at an early hour, ' crowded with
a brilliant assembly ' convened to do him hon-
or. The most eminent persons in the city,
clergy and laymen, were present and active
in the proceedings of the evening — eloquent
addresses were given, and spirited resolutions
adopted, condemning in strong terms the sla-
very and prejudice against color existing in
America, and expressing the ' high admira
INTRODUCTION. IX
tion ' which the meeting entertained ' of the
blameless propriety, distinguished talent and
noble self-devotion ' exhibited by Mr. T. in
prosecuting the objects of his mission to this
country ; as well as the gratitude to God which
was felt for the success that had attended his
labors, and for his safe return.
The demonstrations of applause with which
Mr. Thompson was received on entering the
hall, and when he rose to speak, as well as
repeatedly in the course of his remarks, are
represented by the Glasgow papers, to have
been enthusiastic and vehement beyond de-
scription. A most unusual and unaccounta-
ble reception truly, for a man just returned
from a voyage made to escape transportation
as a criminal !
We next find Mr. T. at Edinburgh, to which
place he went on the 26th of January, and
where on the evening of the 27th he met the
ladies and gentlemen forming the Commit-
tees of the Edinburgh Emancipation Society,
and gave a narrative of his doings in Ameri-
ca, which is declared in the Edinburgh pa-
pers, to have been ' to every one present far
more than satisfactory.' Resolutions highly
complimentary to himself, and decidedly ap«
X INTRODUCTION.
proving his conduct in the United States, were
unanimously adopted. [See page 74 of this
volume.]
On the next evening — Thursday, Jan. 28th,
at a public meeting of the members and friend
of the same Society, which consisted of more
than two thousand persons, admitted by tick-
ets, he gave an account of his mission, and
was received with the same indications of un-
qualified approbation, as at Glasgow. His
first appearance called out ' several distinct
rounds of applause,' and the cheering was
frequently repeated during the evening.
The next day Mr. T. returned to Glasgow,
and in the evening gave a lecture on Ameri-
can slavery, in Dr. Wardlaw's chapel, to a
large audience. Such was the anxiety to
hear him, that long before the hour of meet-
ing, the house was filled. His reception, as
on the former occasion, was such as evinced
that he was the universal favorite. The re-
marks made by the Chairman of the meeting,
Rev. Dr. Heugh, at the close of the lecture,
and greeted with unequivocal tokens of ap-
proval by the assembly, [See page 140] will
serve to show the estimation in which they
held their 'excellent Missionarv. 5
INTRODUCTION. XI
From Glasgow he again went to Edinburgh,
and on Monday evening, Feb. 1st, addressed
an adjourned meeting of the Edinburgh Eman-
cipation Society, in continuation of the pro-
ceeding Thursday's discourse, on the subject
of his American mission. As before, he was
loudly and repeatedly applauded. At the
conclusion of his address, Rev. Dr. Ritchie
moved, and the meeting unanimously adopt-
ed, a series of resolutions, couched in lan-
guage of the highest commendation of Mr.
Thompson's character and conduct, and ex-
pressive of deep sympathy with the Abolition-
ists of this country, and at the same time re-
buking with kindness and Christian fidelity,
the churches, ministers and professors in
America, who give their support to the ini-
quitous system of slavery.
The next Monday evening, Feb. 8th, Mr.
Thompson attended and took part in a public
meeting of the inhabitants of Edinburgh, held
for the purpose of expressing their views of
slavery in the United States. The Lord Pro-
vost of the city presided, and a large number
of the most distinguished citizens, among
whom were nearly twenty clergymen, appear-
ed upon the platform. When, after several
X il INTRODUCTION.
other gentlemen had spoken, Mr. T. rose to
address the meeting, he was greeted, as usu-
al, ' with tremendous applause.' Among the
resolutions adopted, was one which spoke in
laudatory terms, of his talents and services in
the cause of emancipation.
The inhabitants of Edinburgh, not yet sat-
isfied with what they had done to honor him,
gave Mr. Thompson an entertainment, on the
evening of February 19th, at which an ad-
dress, signed on behalf of the meeting, by R.
K. Greville, L. L. D., Chairman, was present-
ed to him, full of the warmest expressions of
admiration, esteem and affection ; eulogizing
his eloquence, zeal, prudence and truly chris-
tian spirit ; and expressing ardent wishes for
his future prosperity and happiness.
Mr. Thompson was in Glasgow on the first
of March, at the second annual meeting of
the Glasgow Emancipation Society, and of
course participated in the exercises, and was
greeted by the assembly with the customary
tribute of applause. Honorable mention was
made of his name, both in the speeches de-
livered, and the resolutions adopted on that
occasion, and also in the Society's ' Address
to the Ministers of Religion and the Friends
INTRODUCTION. xiil
of Negro Emancipation/ dated on the 10th
of the following month.
On Monday, the 28th of March, he arrived
at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and in the evening,
lectured to a very numerous audience, on
American slavery. It may not be amiss to
state here — since one of the charges against
Mr. T. is, that his whole employment in Eng-
land is to slander and vilify this country —
that ' in every lecture,' as he declares in a
letter to Mr. Garrison, he strives ' to do full
justice to America, by referring to the many
noble and mighty institutions to which she
has given birth, and to her unexampled and
unbounded facilities for greatness and useful-
ness.' In the lecture just mentioned, a New-
castle paper says, that ' he spoke of the United
States, in terms which, if transferred to his
own country, would be a high panegyric'
A few brief extracts from the letter to Mr.
Garrison, will show his farther operations in
Newcastle.
1 Tuesday, 29th. Had the unspeakable
honor of being entertained as the advocate of
the negro, at a splendid tea-party in the spa-
cious Music Hall. About 600 persons were
present. The widely known and justly be-
loved bard of Negro Freedom, James Mont-
XIV INTRODUCTION.
gomery, was present and delivered a thrilling
address.'
* Wednesday, 30th. By particular request,
pleaded the cause of the London Missionary
Society, with special reference to the Society's
operations in the West Indies.'
1 Thursday, 31st. Attended a great meet-
ing of the Anti-Slavery Society, at which the
Society was re-organized, and became the
' Newcastle-upon-Tyne Society for the ex-
tinction of Slavery and the Slave Trade
throughout the world.'
'Friday, April 1st. Had the privilege of
advocating the cause of Temperance in the
Friends' meeting-house, which was far, very
far too small for the numbers that flocked to
hear.'
At this meeting too, the British papers
speak of the high praises which he bestowed
upon America — especially for her zeal and
success in the Temperance reformation.
' Monday, April 4th. By special request,
attended two meetings of the Wesleyan Mis-
sionary Society.
Wednesday, 6th. Held a very numerous
meeting of ladies in the Friends' meeting-
house. After an address of nearly two hours,
a Society for promoting Universal Emancipa-
tion was formed, and a host of ladies enlisted
on the spot as contributors, collectors, distrib-
utors of tracts, &c. &o.'
INTRODUCTION*. X?
On Tuesday evening, the 5th, I went over
to Sunderland, and again spoke on behalf of
the Wesley an Missionary Society.'
' Thursday, 7th. Attended the annual
meeting of the Peace Society, in Newcastle,
and spoke for nearly two hours in favor of
radical peace principles.'
Of all these addresses, this volume con-
tains only that given to the Peace Society,
which will be found commencing on the 109th
page. From the marked and emphatic ex-
pressions of approval with which this was re-
ceived, and from the comments upon the
speeches and the speaker, contained on page
108, the reader may infer what the people of
Newcastle think of Mr. T.'s character, intel-
lectual and moral.
On the 1st of June, and again, by adjourn-
ment, on the 30th, Mr. Thompson addressed
a very large assembly at Rev. Mr. Price's
chapel in London, on the subject of his Amer-
ican mission, and in vindication of his treat-
ment of Dr. Cox, at the second Anniversary
of the American Anti-Slavery Society. Here,
as everywhere else, he was received with the
strongest manifestations of approbation, and
the verdict of the audience was evidently most
XVI INTRODUCTION.
decidedly in his favor, and condemnatory of
the conduct of Dr. C. which, on the occasion
just alluded to, he had so severely rebuked.
Besides the meetings at which Mr. Thomp-
son was present, this volume contains the pro-
ceedings of one held at Birmingham last fall,
(while he was still in this country,) at which
the West India Apprenticeship was discuss-
ed, and its abolition, and the substitution for
it, of immediate and entire emancipation, was
strenuously advocated by the several speak-
ers.
The contents of the volume having been
received from time to time in detached por-
tions, and very irregularly, and put in type as
they came to hand, are not arranged in the
chronological order of events. To supply, in
some measure, this deficiency, the several
meetings have been noticed in this introduc-
tion, in the order in which they occurred.
C. C. BURLEIGH.
Boston, Sept. 1836.
GREAT
ANTI-SLAVERY MEETING,
AT BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND.
At a public meeting of the inhabitants of the
Borough of Birmingham, held at the Town Hall,
on Wednesday, October 14, 1835, Paul Moon
James, Esq. High Bailiff, in the Chair, ' To take
into consideration the cruel oppressions and ag-
gravated sufferings to which the negroes are still
subjected in our Colonies under the name of Ap-
prenticeship, notwithstanding the enormous sum
of twenty millions sterling granted to the West
Indians by the British Parliament — also to con-
sider the propriety of presenting a Memorial to
Lord Melbourne, and the adoption of such Reso-
lutions as the Meeting may deem expedient.'
The Chairman, in opening the business of the
meeting said, whatever difference of opinion
might have existed, as to the mode of getting rid
of slavery, there was none whatever as to the ne-
cessity of the measure itself. All were agreed
that slavery ought to be abolished altogether. It
was this feeling unanimously expressed through-
out the nation that operated on a willing govern-
ment, and which induced them to proclaim the
triumph of humanity in the emancipation of the
2
14 GREAT MEETING
negroes. Many excellent men blamed the gov-
ernment for the money given in compensation.
He, for one, must say, he thought the compensa-
tion just to this country — England had been a guil-
ty nation, and it appeared but just that she should
share a portion of the punishment Entertaining
these sentiments he agreed to the measure as a
sin offering for the guilt of the nation. It had
been the habit of his life to endeavor to pursue a
moderate course, and after long experience he had
found it the best; therefore, on this occasion he
would recommend a course of moderation. In a
few short years the slaves would be entirely free,
and in the possession of all those blessings to
which they were entitled. The government were
of this opinion, and if the people did their duty,
and called upon the Legislature to do theirs, they
would, no doubt, do it fearlessly, and after all, the
event was in the hands of Providence. (Loud
cheering.)
Joshua ScHOLEFiELD,Esq. M. P. in presenting
the first resolution, expressed the regret he felt,
and that of every friend of humanity, at the dis-
appointment of their just expectations with regard
to the clause respecting apprenticeships. It was
the understanding on the part of the abolitionists
that the period of apprenticeship was to have been
coercion of labor in its mildest form, similar to
what constitutes the service of apprenticeship in this
country ; whereas, it had been made, on the con-
trary, by the planters, a period for an increased
exaction of labor, by which the slave-owner gfts
out of the bones and sinews of the negro, the la-
bor of fourteen years. He differed in opinion
with those who thought no compensation oiiffhtto
have been made to the owners of slaves, for the
AT BIRMINGHAM. 15
laws of the country had sanctioned the traffic in
human flesh and human blood, and the man who
had invested his money in the horrible trade, was
as much entitled to the protection of the law, as
he who made an investment in any other article
of legalised commerce, although, for his own part,
so great wa3 his abhorrence of this inhuman deal-
ing, that he should prefer to be a slave rather than
be an owner of slaves. (Cheers.)
The Rev. Mr. Marsh seconded the resolution,
and after a few prefaratory remarks, said, there
was but one feeling pervading that meeting, and
that was, that their fellow-men and their fellow-
citizens should enjoy the same liberties as them-
selves. (Applause.) Why was the balance of
power in Europe considered so essential — why, to
prevent the power of the multitude from tramp-
ling upon the rights and liberties of the few. —
(Cheers.) What, he would ask the Chairman, was
the object of the meeting? Were they met that
night to advocate the liberty of the Slave ? Why
he thought that the public opinion of the nation
and twenty millions of money had secured it; but
it appeared he was mistaken : the Negro icas still
in slavery, and all their labor had been in vain. It
had been asserted, that there was a danger in
emancipating the Slave, because he was likely to
abuse his liberty. This he considered most falla-
cious reasoning, because it was applicable to eve-
ry man who abused any favor conferred upon him.
In the committee, the other day, they had had a
discussion on the word indignation, supposing it
to be too strong a term, but he did not vote for
the omission of the word ; for, he felt the utmost
indignation on reflecting that after the sacrifice
of twenty millions of their money the same state
16 GREAT MEETING
of things existed in the Colonies. He stood not
now in America, where the professors of liberty
would not allow him to open his ?nouth. (Cries of
4 shame, shame.') He stood before John Bull, who
was an honest and right-feeling fellow. He would
give more money to do good than the rest of the
world, but he did not like to be cheated. (Hear,
hear.) They had met together that evening to
ask what had been done with their money, and to
declare publicly that if the twenty millions which
they had given for the liberty of the Negroes was
not properly applied, they would not sit down
content under the injustice. [The Rev. gentle-
man, after an appropriate speech, concluded by
seconding the resolution, which was carried unan-
imously.]
Mr. George Edmonds came forward and was
received with loud cheering. He agreed with the
High Bailiff that the abolition of Slavery had
been determined upon by the people of England,
but what was the fa«t ? Was Slavery abolished ?
JVo, it was not. He was quite sure they would
hear that night from gentlemen in the meeting,
that so far from its being abolished, they had still
an apprenticeship of slavery, and that the friends
of the negroes were now in that position which
rendered it necessary to start again. He was
surprised to hear the chairman talk of the triumph
which they had achieved. It was true it was a
triumph of virtue on the part of the people, who
had determined on the emancipation of the slaves ;
but if all he had heard and read upon the subject
was correct, there could be no doubt but all their
efforts had been frustrated. The slavery now
practiced was real slavery, and hence he was
warranted in saying that in point of fact the peo-
AT BIRMINGHAM. 17
pie had not obtained any triumph : it ivas nothing
more than a mere delusion. The chairman had
said that England was a guilty nation. To this,
in the sense implied in the observation of that
gentleman, he could not subscribe. Were the
people of England guilty, because they stood by
before the passing of the Reform Bill, when they
had no voice in parliament, and saw the system
of slavery carried on? No, they were not.
Where, he would ask, was his, (Mr. Edmond's)
guilt, when he had been incessant in his efforts to
rouse the public feeling against it? Where was
the chairman's guilt when he was writing eloquent
poems upon the subject, and would, if possible,
have inspired every human being with the same
detestation of the system which he himself felt?
(Cheers.) Would he not have given pounds to
have been able to abolish slavery, and in doing so
to gratify his own heart? Although, as he had
said, it was a triumph of virtue, still he did not
think that the people ought to have paid twenty
millions of money for that triumph. (Cheers.)
What a villanous government it ivas, and ivhat an
atrocious villain Lord Stanley was, to propose to
give such a sum of money. The original intention
was to give fifteen millions, and from some reason
only known to the actors in the scheme, it was
raised to twenty millions. He should like to have
the whole affair investigated, and the reasons
fully ascertained, why the people were compelled
to pay that money. But they were a guilty na-
tion! In what did their guilt consist? Why,
they eat the sugar. Well, but did they not pay
for it? They were a guilty nation only in not
compelling the government to emancipate the
slaves free of any expense either to themselves or
the British public. He asserted the government
2*
18 GREAT MEETING
were the only guilty p.arty, and not the people.
(Hear, hear.) WelJ, they paid twenty millions,
and this was called a sin-ofiering, and the people
•were consequently the sinners. Did the people
ever inflict the whip, or did they ever sanction
such an inhuman practice ? No! they never did, —
and he defied any man to show any connexion
between the people and the system ; only that
they did not rise up and knock down the Govern-
ment who had dared to perpetuate such a disgrace
to the nation. (Applause.) The people, however,
so far from participating in the crime, were willing
to make any sacrifice to remove the evil ; and
hence their tacit consent to such a lavish expen-
diture to effect the object. They knew, it was
true, that the slave-owners were devils, actuated by
the basest avarice ; still, they thought that twenty
millions would have satisfied them; but what was
their reward for thus liberally rewarding them ?
Why, a new and systematic plan of punishment
had been adopted by them, and acted upon with
the utmost cruelty. According to the present
system, the child might now be separated from
the mother! The negro who happened to lose
half a day was compelled to work three days as a
punishment: and the most villanous part of this
regulation or law was, that the three days' labor
thus imposed on the unfortunate being went to
the planter, who often struggled to find out imag-
inary faults in order to inflict a real injury.
(Hear, hear.) If an unfortunate mother sat down
in the fields, and was so inhuman as to spend half
an hour in ministering to the wants of her infant,
she was subject to punishment, — if one of the
negroes rambled in the fields, he was to be pun-
ished, — if he got drunk, he had to work four days
as a punishment; although, perchance, it might
AT BIRMINGHAM. 19
happen that the planter, for the base purpose of
getting this additional labor, might have made
him drunk for the purpose. (Shame, shame.) By
this base system of giving to the pla'nter the fruits
of the delinquencies of the negroes, every induce-
ment was held out to the vilest schemes, to entrap
them into the commission of what was termed an
offence. Again, if the negro used what was
termed insolence, or expressed what mi<;ht per-
haps amount to no more than a genteel expression
of dissatisfaction, he was subject to twenty-nine
lashes. (Sliame.) Again, if one of them took a
sugar-cane, he was liable to 250 stripes, or three
months' imprisonment, and as a wind-up to this
infamous system, if one of them was found carry-
ing a knife in his pocket without the permission of
his master, he was subject to thirty-nine lashes.
These were some of the laws under the new sys-
tem, and he would now put it to the meeting to
say whether or not the people o^ England had not
been completely humbugged out of the money
which they had paid. (Applause.) Notwithstand-
ing, however, all this, gentlemen had talked of
moderation. He was free to admit, because he
believed it to be the fact, that the Chairmnn and
Mr. Scholefield, who had talked of moderation,
were influenced by a desire to conciliate all par-
ties ; but he unhesitatingly said, that if those gen-
tlemen said what they really thought upon the
subject, they would not have talked of moderation.
It was impossible for any man acquainted with the
history of negro slavery, — who knew that a sacri-
fice of twenty millions had been paid to get rid of
it, — and who, after all, saw the system carried on
with refined cruelty, to speak or think with moder-
ation upon the subject. In conclusion he would
say, Why did not the Government at once exer-
20 GREAT MEETING
cise their power, and put an end to the system?
Was it to be endured, that a set of villanous
planters were to receive twenty millions of British
money, and still persist in inflicting cruelties,
which outraged every feeling of humanity ?
(Cheers.)
The Rev. J. Riland briefly proposed the next
resolution.
The Rev. J. Burnett next presented himself,
and was received with loud cheers. He said that
he fell pleasure in seconding the resolution that
had just been moved, and in attempting to do so,
he ought in the first place to apologise to the peo-
ple of Birmingham for appearing before them as
a stranger, upon a subject which has called to-
gether so much both of the body and mind of this
great town, although that subject was of such a
character as must necessarily interest those who
were strangers to them as well as those who were
numbered among themselves. He had not, how-
ever, appeared to-night as a volunteer, for he had
been requested to come forward by the Society,
that had convened the present meeting. He
trusted, therefore, to receive all the kind indul-
gence that this meeting would accord to one of
its own fellow-townsmen, although he had not the
honor to rank amongst them. (Cheers.) Indeed
from every thinfj which he knew of Birmingham,
he should at once conclude that the mere circum-
stance of seconding a resolution connected with
the rights of his fellow-men would be sufficient
to secure to him their indulgence. (Hear, hear.)
Without flattering them, for to flattery he had
ever been an adversary, he would say that the
kindness of Birmingham extended to every thing
AT BIRMINGHAM. 21
but despotism and tyranny, and long might Bir-
mingham against those combined powers of dark-
ness, raise its manly voice, until the sun shall
cease to set upon a slave or rise upon a tyrant.
(Loud cheers.) Having offered these reasons for
at all appearing upon this occasion, he felt dispo-
sed to take their advice, and be moderate, but he
hoped they would allow him to be moderate in
his own way. (Cheers and laughter.) He held
it to be moderation to cry out when he saw men
in possession of the minds and bodies and souls
of their fellow-creatures — he held it to be mode-
ration to cry out when he saw the wretched fe-
males still subjected to the lash — he held it to be
perfect moderation to cry out when he discovered
men attempting to throw something like the guise
of a political creed over eight hundred thousand of
his fellow-men laboring under oppressive bond-
age. So far from remaining silent, had he a
voice loud as the Atlantic wave, as it lashed those
islands so long stained with blood, he ivoxdd give
that voice its loudest emphasis in crying out
againt the abominations of slavery. (Immense
cheering.) These were his views of moderation ;
and when he discovered gentlemen sitting down
with all the coolness of arithmeticians, calcula-
ting the prices of men and the value of blood ; —
looking to the children rising into life, and to the
aged moving towards the tomb, and exclaiming
with the voice of oppression, these are the men
to be disposed of, and counting the number of
their victims as they would the bricks and stones
of the palaces in which they dwelt; (cheers)
when he discovered this, and found the result of
their calculations translated into memorials, and
submitted deliberately and coldly to the Legisla-
ture—when he discovered this, he held it to bo
oo
GREAT MEETING
moderation to denounce the cool and deliberate
wickedness of such men. (Cheers.) It might be
asked if all those proceedings were really going
forward, whether they had thus been carried on
in past generations, and how it Avas that this cry-
ing iniquity had been so long winked at? There
was a tune, and Birmingham knew it well, when
with those matters the nation had nothing to do
— when men stood in the high places of honor
behind the throne, directing the machines of gov-
ernment, and when the nation was never consult-
ed, and never knew any thing about the matter.
But the British lion has at length been roused —
he had shaken the dew-drops from his mane —
the people had at length asserted their rights, and
now, should any attempt be made to violate the
liberties of the human race, he would at once ac-
knowledge that the nation were guilty of the
crime. (Cheers.) Now that they could see, and
could hear and could give their opinion on what
was doing — now that the curtain had been drawn,
and that they could approach the pavilion of the
Constitution, should they allow such injustice to
be perpetrated, then indeed would they be verily
guilty. It was to wipe away those stains that
would otherwise rest upon them that they were
assembled there that night, for the purpose of
telling the Executive that they were moderate, but
that in the West Indies there were men so im-
moderate that they could bear with them no lon-
ger. (Cheers.) Their fathers knew nothing of
the slave question, compared with the present
generation ; but had they been ever so well in-
formed upon the subject, and had their voice been
heard in the Legislature, some whipper-in would
have been found to gather a majority against
them, and the system would have gone on.
AT BIRMINGHAM. 23
(Cheers.) He would ask this meeting" in its sound
thinking as well as sound feeling, why the Act
referred to that night had been allowed to pass
into a law ? The reason was this — the nation
was but arousing itself from its slumber — they
were taken unprepared at the moment — they were
led on by a tew, who felt their weakness, and
stood undecided and trembling, not knowing how
far a people in these new and embryo circum-
stances would consent to support them. He had
no doubt if the friends of the Negro had felt the
advance of the main body of the people at their
back, they never would have accepted such an act
as had been passed, nor would the legislature have
had the temerity to propose it, and never have at-
tempted to pass it. (Cheers.) Under these cir-
cumstances, therefore, the act must be regarded
as a matter of compromise — of compromise aris-
ing out of the timidity of one party, and the cupid-
ity of another. He did not wonder, therefore,
tiiat the act had found its way into being, but he
was truly delighted to find such an assembly had
come together for the purpose of revoking it.
(Cheers.) Could there be greater criminals than
those who persecuted their fellow men ? Why
in legislating for the slaves did they enter into
something like a commercial bargain, as if they
hnd to do with honorable and honest men? In
the West Indies, society was not like that of this
country — there it had risen out of scenes of blood
and generations of bondage — in blood it attained
its maturity, in blood it 'moved, lived, and had
its being.' (Loud cheers.) It was necessary that
this should have been taken into account ; but the
question was, with the framers of the measure,
whether they should offend the planters by throw-
ing surmises into the act against them. Common
24 GREAT MEETING
sense should have told them not to insult them,
but common prudence should have taught them
enough of their history to take care of them.
(Cheers.) Taking this view of the act, they might
nave expected that it would present something
calculated to benefit the Negro. The act had for
its object the freedom of the slave, compensation
to the masters, and the industry and good conduct
of the slaves for a time. These were the objects
as stated in the act; and in dealing with such
men, it might have been supposed that the Gov-
ernment would have taken care to prevent them
from abusing its provisions — one half of the act
was occupied about the compensation of the plan-
ters, but the same degree of care was not adopted
to secure equal benefits to the negroes. Were
Gentlemen aware that slaves could be sold, and
were actually sold at the present moment? Were
they aware that they could be handed over in
legacies like money and cattle from one proprie-
tor to another by the act itself? This was, how-
ever, the fact, for the law still sanctioned the
sale of human beings in the West India Colo-
nies, under the name of apprentices. (Cries of
'shame, shame.') It was said that the appren-
ticeship was for the benefit of the slave, inasmuch
as it secured him employment, and it was asked
what would become of him if he had not masters
on whom he could depend ? The idea of sending
them abroad about their business was considered
horrible, and it was gravely asked under such cir-
cumstances what would become of them ? Why,
they would do precisely as the men of Birming-
ham would do if they were sent about their busi-
ness by their employers. Seek employment else-
where and procure it, leaving their masters to
starve upon the unwrought materials. There
AT BIRMINGHAM. 25
must be a working population or a starving one,
and it was quite evident that the planters and
slave-owners of Jamaica could not subsist with-
out the labor of the slave, no more than the slave
could live without the capital of his employer.
The Rev. Gentleman here entered into an analy-
sis of the Act of Parliament, relative to its ope-
ration on the Slaves, and clearly proved that it
was an Act framed for the exclusive benefit of the
planter, to the injury of the unfortunate negro,
whom it professed to relieve. The Rev. Gentle-
man next detailed in eloquent and affecting lan-
guage, the worthlessnese of the Act, alluding
particularly to the cruelties inflicted on the Slave
through the medium of the Special Magistracy,
who, in nine cases out often, were willing in-
struments in the hands of the slaveholder. In
proof of this, he read an extract from the letter
of a slave-owner to one of the Magistrates, in
which he endeavored by every argument to in-
duce him to resort to the most violent and brutal
measures, for the purpose of punishing some un-
happy Slaves, against whom he had conceived a
dislike, for having neglected his orders. He
thought, on the whole, the conduct of the friends
of the Negro, in now demanding the final aboli-
tion of the system, was perfectly moderate. They
had done every thing in their power to conciliate
the planter, but they had found him incorrigible,
and the British public must never again consult
them in reference to the interests of the Slave.
The planters had said, they had no right to take
the Slave without paying them. The people con-
sented, and gave them an average of nearly thir-
ty pounds a-head, and yet these fellows turned
round and said they were robbed, because they
were not allowed to do as they liked with them.
3
26 GREAT MEETING
He considered it now the bounden duty of the
friends of the Slave to unite as before, from one
end of the kingdom to the other, and to demand
from the Legislature the fulfilment of the bar-
gain which they had entered into, and never to
cease from their exertions until they had effect-
ed the full, complete, entire, and unqualified eman-
cipation of the Negro. (Loud cheers.) The
Rev. Gentleman, after a powerful speech of which
the above is but an outline, concluded by second-
ing the resolution.
The Rev. Robert B. Hall, of Boston, wag
here introduced to the meeting, as one of the
original twelve who had formed the first Abolition
Society in the United States. After a few ob-
servations, the Rev. Gentleman proceeded to say
that he was an American. (Cheers.) He was 1
proud of his country, but he had no sympathy
with her crimes, and least of all that crime which
converted the image of God into a brute. He
was grieved to acknowledge that his own coun-
try stood prominent in this guilt; and in making
this acknowledgment he did not love America
less, but he loved the cause of liberty still more.
(Cheers.) He could not but recollect there were
that night two millions of his fellow-citizens
groaning in bondage, who expected him as a con-
sistent American, to be their advocate. He should
now go into som? facts interesting to the audience
before him, in reference to the state of slavery in
America. The Rev. Gentleman here entered
into the history of Anti-Slavery Societies, which
commenced immediately after the declaration of
American Independence, and had since continued
to increase in numbers and in influence. He
gave a melancholy picture of the enormities at
AT BIRMINGHAM. "Z i
present perpetrating in that country, the particu-
lars of which have already appeared in the public
prints. He came before them as the advocate of
the American Slaves, and he trusted that the ex-
ample now set by England would operate upon
America, and at last compel them to the adoption
of a full and complete measure of emancipation.
If England would but do its duty, slavery would
soon cease to exist. [We regret that our limits
preclude the possibility of giving more than a
faint outline of the Rev. Gentleman's speech,
which was received with marked approbation
throughout.]
The Rev. J. Scoble, Secretary to tlie London
Anti-Slavery Society, in an animated speech,
spoke to the resolution ; and in doing so referred
to the history of Slavery in the Colonies. He
took a rapid view of the measures brought for-
ward by Government, and deprecated in strong
terms the trickery resorted to by Lord Stanley,
for the purpose of obtaining the enormous sum of
money of the disposal of which they had that
evening heard so much just complaint. The
Rev. Gentleman concluded by drawing an affect-
ing picture of the present wretched state of the
Negroes in the West Indies, from which it ap-
peared that their condition was in many respects
worse than under the old system.
The Rev. T. Swan, in seconding the resolu-
tion, said that, on this question there could not
be a dissentient voice. All who were in the least
degree acquainted with the subject must be of
one mind, and make known to the friends of the
Negro throughout the empire the dark and affect-
ing circumstances of the case. Blessed be God,
28 GREAT MEETING
in their highly favored country the friends of the
Negro were to be found. Britons were anxious
that Slaves might cease to breathe in any part of
the world ; they ivere unacquainted with an aris-
tocracy consisting merely in the color of the skin,
AND THEY DESPISED THAT CANTING AND DAS-
TARDLY REPUBLIC ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE
Atlantic, which boasted its love of liberty, and
respect for the rights of man, whilst at the same
time it held in the most degrading bondage, and
shut out from celestial knowledge, from two to
three millions of its subjects. (Loud cheers.) In
reference to the new system of Slavery in their
own Colonies, he would say — what a delusion !
How mortifying ! how miserably had they been
disappointed — how completely had the benevo-
lent designs of the humane been thwarted on that
day, when the slaves were brought under the ha-
ted Stanley scheme of Apprenticeship — (loud
cheers) — a system which had proved to be worse
than Slavery, more vile than slavery ; — a system
of the most refined cruelty. Such was his opinion
of the system, that he believed Satan himself must
have been at the right hand of the man when the
infernal plan presented itself to his disordered im-
agination. (Cheers.) The horrid facts in the
case must be blazoned forth throughout the length
and breadth of the land — facts which required
only to be known to call forth general indigna-
tion. He concluded by expressing his conviction,
that the Christians of Birmingham would not be
silent — they would speak out — they would cry
aloud, and their voice would be heard in the Sen-
ate ; it would enter the ears, and he trusted, would
move the heart of their King ; it would go out to
the ends of the earth; it would be heard in the
islands of the West ; it would cause the slaves
AT BIRMINGHAM. 29
to rejoice, the missionaries to triumph, and the
tyrants to tremble — (cheers) — it would be heard in
slave-cursed America, and the painted hypo-
crites would quail, and be convinced that they re-
quired a revival indeed. (Cheers.) To the men
of Birmingham, as the principal agitators, Britain
was indebted for the Reform Bill, and would they
be silent so long as Slavery continued in any part
of the world. No! the thunders of their united
voices, raised in indignation, would roll onward
till the slaves were freed from the galling yoke
of an unnatural despotism. [The Rev. Gentle-
man concluded amidst loud applause.]
The Rev. J. A. James next presented himself
to the meeting, and was received with enthusias-
tic cheers. He said that the resolution which
had been moved by Mr. Swan, and which he was
requested to second, arose by natural and neces-
sary consequence out of that which preceded it,
for if it were indeed a fact, which abundant evi-
dence from various and independent sources prov-
ed that it was, that the Apprenticeship Act, in-
stead of being a measure of relief to the Negro,
had been used as an instrument of cruelty ; if
the stipendiary Magistrates sent out to be the ex-
positors and defenders of his rights had become
his oppressors ; if females were still exposed and
flogged, and the men suffered corporeal punish-
ment contrary to law ; if the Colonial Legisla-
tors were pertinacious in resisting all the benefi-
cial operations of the Imperial Act, and discover-
ed a perverse ingenuity in thwarting all the be-
nevolent intentions of the mother country — then
what remained for that meeting to do, but to be
satisfied no longer with remedial palliatives and
half measures, but to go back at once to the po-
3*
30 GREAT MEETING
sition they formerly occupied, from which they
had been lured in an evil day, and demand for the
Negroes, immediate, complete, and unconditional
emancipation. (Cheers.) He was quite aware
that it was a bold, decisive, and to many doubt-
less, a startling requirement, to ask for the aboli-
tion of an Act, which had cost this country twen-
ty million sterling, which had so recently been
passed with all the most impressive formalities of
a British Legislature, which had been considered
the great charter of Negro liberty, and a mighty
achievement of English benevolence. (Cheers.)
But, he teas bold enough to ask for this bold mea-
sure, and he wished the meeting distinctly to un-
derstand, that this was the object of the resolu-
tion now waiting its adoption. He was quite a-
ware that he should be met with the objection
that such a measure would be a direct breach of
national faith, for so indeed it was viewed by
some. He would be one of the last men to ad-
vise the attempt to do away with the Act, if such
a step involved any compromise of principle, or
brought any stain upon our national honor.
(Cheers.) It is true when he first read the plan
of Lord Stanley, he threw it down with indigna-
tion and exclaimed, rather than accept so partial
a measure, he would fight the whole battle over
again. (Cheers.) But still, had the Colonists
faithfully and with good intention fulfilled their
part of the contract, he would never have asked
for its being set aside, but would have quietly
waited for the expiration of its term. But when
instead of this, they received it in the first in-
stance with the surly growl of disappointed tyran-
ny, and since then they had extracted much of the
little honey it contained, and envenomed its poison;
since they had employed all the subtleties of law
AT BIRMINGHAM. 31
and all the chicanery of legislation to nullify its
beneficial provisions, since she had passed acts
contrary to its spirit and design, he felt no deli-
cacy in going' up to the Legislature, and asking
them to tear it in pieces, and scatter it to the winds
of heaven. Faith had been broken, notoriously,
publicly and shamelessly broken ; but by whom?
By the Colonists. The apprenticeship Act hid
failed in its object, and ought to he repealed. For
what was that object ? let it be loudly repeated,
and emphatically declared, that this object was
not to pay twenty millions to the planters. This,
it is true, was one of its provisions and enact-
ments, but not the main object of the bill ; but its
great design was, to give a measure of substan-
tial freedom to the Negro, and to impose no more
restrictions than were necessary to carry it into
safe and easy operation. This then had signally
failed, and the delusive statute ought to be imme-
diately annulled. He congratulated his fellow-
townsmen on the honor, of which they may be al-
most proud, of being the first town in the empire
that had raised its public and indignant voice a-
gainst the present state of our Negro fellow-sub-
jects ; they had given the key-note to that chorus,
loud and deep, of sympathy for the Negroes, and
resentment against their oppressors, which was
about to be raised, he hoped, through the length
and breadth of the land. Let them go on to take
an interest in this cause. They had liberty, they
enjoyed it, and would suffer no man to take it
from them.
Captain C. R. Moorsom, R. N. said, that after
the statements which had been submitted to them
that evening, of the effects which had resulted
from the Apprenticeship Scheme, he could not
32 GREAT MEETING.
refrain from saying a word or two upon the sub-
ject. The good-natured Lord Althorpe had as-
sured them that whenever the measure was
brought forward, it should be a useful and satis-
factory one. And was it so ? (Cries of No, No.)
He was happy to perceive, however, the deter-
mination manifested by the meeting to persevere
until the system was totally abolished. He trust-
ed, when the gentleman who had given the no-
tice of a motion on the subject in the ensuing
Parliament, brought the question again before
his country, that he would be backed by the mor-
al sense and moral power of the people ; and
should he encounter that subtle enemy of the col-
ored race, — that apostate Whig, — that recreant to
liberty, — Stanley ; — hand to liand, foot to foot,
with an unflinching mind, and unfluttering heart,
he shall there meet him and convince him that it
is as futile as dishonorable, to attempt to stop the
progress of negro emancipation. (Cheers.) While
he felt fully confident of the triumphs of justice
and of mercy, he also felt assured that every con-
trivance would be had recourse to by the planters
to weave round the negro the meshes of slavery ;
and would he not have the power to do so, as no
doubt he would have the will ? (Cheers.) Capt.
Moorsom concluded by moving the fourth resolu-
tion.
The meeting occupied from six in the evening
until ten, and during the whole time the utmost
interest was manifested by the immense assem-
bly.
SOIREE.
Monday, a Soiree was held in the Monteith
Rooms, Buchanan street, in honor of Mr. George
Thompson, the enlightened and uncompromising
advocate of Negro Emancipation. At seven
o'clock, the large and splendid hall was crowded
with a brilliant assembly, awaiting in anxious ex-
pectation the illustrious individual whom they
were met to honor. Shortly after the hour, he
entered the room, accompanied by several mem-
bers of the Glasgow Emancipation committee and
their friends, among whom were the Rev. Dr.
Kidston, Rev. Messrs. Anderson, King, and P.
Brewster, of Paisley ; Messrs. James Johnston,
R. Kettle, &.c. &c. The reception of Mr. George
Thompson was beyond description, and forcibly
exhibited how highly the assembly appreciated
the valuable services he had rendered to the glo-
rious cause of emancipation. The applause hav-
ing subsidpd, it was moved that on account of the
absence of Dr. Wardlaw, W. P. Paton, Esq. should
take the chair, and the motion having been carried
by acclamation,
34 eoiitRE.
The Chairman" said he was exceedingly sorry
that Dr. Wardlaw had been prevented by domes-
tic affliction from presiding among them, as had
been intimated. He regretted the absence of an
active and zealous friend of the cause, which they
were met to honor, in the person of one of its
most distinguished advocates, because he would
have filled so much better the honorable office to
which they had appointed him. For himself if he
might lay claim in any degree to the honor, it
was from his having long been the advocate of
freedom — universal freedom. (Cheers.) And if
any thing could encourage him to undertake the
duties of the office it would be to see, on looking
round him, so many countenances in which be
could read that their sympathies were united in
the same holy cause.
The Rev. Wm. Aitds&sof, in rising to move the
first resolution, was received with loud cheering.
He spoke nearly as follows. When our excellent
guest first appeared among us, it was with a warm
heart; he came to hearts as warm — warm with
sympathy for the afflicted Negro, and warm with
zeal for the breaking of his bonds. In these cir-
cumstances, one meeting was enough to unite us,
one stroke was enough to weld the glowing ma-
terials into an indissoluble brotherhood. The
sentiments of friendship we have conceived for
him, are, no doubt, to be ascribed chiefly to that
community of sympathy to which I have just ad-
verted. But I feel I would be doing injustice to
Mr. T., were I to ascribo it entirely to that cause.
His personal, individual, qualifications have, un-
doubtedly, had great influence in the matter. I
refer not to his intellectual qualifications. Such
SOIREE. 35
gifts, unless connected with moral qualities, make
no conquest of the heart. What, then, is the case
of our friend in this respect? He came among
us with powers of discussion, powers of debate,
powers of analyzing evidence, powers of classify-
ing evidence, powers of exposing it, powers of
confirming it, powers ot reasoning, powers of de-
clamation, powers of humor to make us laugh,
powers of pathos to make us weep, powers of fire
to stir us up to vengeance, powers as varied as
those of the lyre of Timotheus, and of greater
strength — (enthusiastic cheers.) Such powers,
that we all at once gave way, and put him in the
first place, that of the elder brother of our Eman-
cipation family — the Captain of our great moral
enterprise. (Renewed cheering.) And how did
he bear himself under these honors? Did his
morality break down? Did any of us ever see
any symptom of self-conceit in him, or of nurtured
vanity ? Did any of us ever feel he had cause
for complaining of his presuming over him?
Never. We have indeed seen his eye, that which
his Maker gave him to be used for holy purposes,
gathering fire and sparkling with the conscious-
ness of the power of the thunderbolt which he was
forging within his bosom for the destruction of
his adversary; but when he had launched it,
and scathed him, and prostrated him, could we
gather from any expression either of word or look,
that he took personal consequence to himself for
what he had done ? (Cheers.) No, all the expres-
sion was, the Slave has done this for you, Sir ; but
for him I would not injure a feeling of your heart.
It is this destitution of personal vanity, I am con-
vinced, in very' trying circumstances, which has
won for our friend the peculiarly tender endear-
ment with which we all regard him. The time
36 SOIREE.
came, when the battle having been fought for the
Negroes of our own Colonies, that spirit which
first carried us into the field, and which acquired
strength during the conflict, sought for other ad-
ventures of benevolence. It is a spirit which will
not be at rest, so long as there is a slave on the
earth. (Cheers.) Our attention was turned to
America, and dearly as we loved Mr. Thompson,
and perilous although the adventure was, we grudg-
ed him not to the oppressed of that land. It appear-
ed perilous from the beginning. In these perilous
circumstances we sent forth our friend ; and now
that he is with us again in health and life, let us
bless God for his preservation. What has he ac-
complished ? We expect much. We had had
experience of his talents, his zeal, his fortitude,
and of his prudence too. For, notwithstanding
the ardor of his mind, and the provoking circum-
stances in which he managed our own cause, who
ever heard an ungentlemanly expression drop
from his lips ? High as our confidence was in
him, he has labored to an extent far beyond ouf
calculation ; and far beyond our calculation has
been his success. He has kindled a flame in
America, it is said, which will not be extinguished.
This is not the correct representation. He has
gone with the torch of liberty throughout its for^
ests, kindling it at a thousand points, and soon it
will be a universal conflagration. According,
then, to the motion which I am about to make, let
us unite in blessing God for our friend's achieve-
ments, and that, through perils he is among us to
be employed as God, and we under God, may
afterwards see fit to determine. (General cheer-
ing, which lasted for some time.)
The motion was seconded by Mr. Patrick Le-
them, and agreed to by enthusiastic acclamation.
SOIREE. 37
Mr. Thompson, on rising, was greeted with the
most enthusiastic applause, which was renewed
again and again. On its subsiding, lie observed
that he well recollected the feelings which, on a
similar occasion to the present, about two years
ago, had embarrassed and well nigh overpowered
him, nor were his emotions on the present occa-
sion less calculated to embarrass and paralyse.
You have been listening with delight, continued
Mr. T., to the extraordinary eloquence of my
friend — if there be anything by winch I am more
affected than another — if there be any sounds that
fall on mortal ears, which thrill my mind more
than others, they are the sounds of eloquence, and
such eloquence as that to which we have now
been listening. But in proportion to the delight
with which, under other circumstances, I should
have listened to my friend, has been my distress
on this occasion. His eloquence has been devot-
ed to the multiplication and to the magnifying of
my merits and my abilities. His splendid tribute
I know not how to acknowledge, because, in sin-
cerity, I renounce all claim to the panegyric ; but
while I renounce all claim to the praise our friend
has bestowed on me, let it not be supposed that f
am insensible to the kindness and to the confi-
dence in me that has prompted it. There is only
one thing which, next to the approbation of my
conscience, and the approbation of my God, I
prize above your approbation, and that is what I
believe I have obtained — the blessing of the per-
ishing. (Applause.) O, Sirs, if there is one thing
which has rewarded me more than another, more
even than your smiles and your repeated assur-
ces of support, sent to me across the Atlantic, by
those who have so steadfastly, so zealously, so
undeviatingly managed the affairs of this Society,
4
3S SOIREE.
it has been when traversing the streets of Boston,
and New- York, and Philadelphia, to meet the
black man with the tear of gratitude standing in
his eye — to see and to feel that I had his blessing
out of a full heart. I do not say more than what
I feel when I say I would rather have the blessing
of the outcast, the perishing, the persecuted negro
of America, than to walk o'er rose-strewed paths,
under triumphal arches, with the oppressor of the
black man, crying Hosanna, Hosanna,in the high-
est. (Great applause.) That reward was what I
sought, and I hope I did not do it even for that.
I trust that in all my labors in America I have
gone upon the principle upon which all here act
when they do act, viz: because they are obliged
to do it — obliged by their consciences, by a con-
straint which is far higher and stronger, even by
that great principle to which the apostle refers
when he says, 'The love of Christ constraineth
us, because we thus judge,' &c. (Applause.) Our
friend has well said that the Mission was a peril-
ous one. It was a perilous one, and you, at this
moment, I believe, have no just conception of the
perils to which all the friends of Abolition are
called to pass through. They have not alone to
sacrifice reputation, and honor, and fame, for they
who have been at the very pinnacle of popularity
suddenly fall into the depth of infamy; but they
have to face positive dangers, and the malice and
false accusations of all the prejudiced and inter-
ested. I was particularly marked out for their
attacks because I was a foreigner, because I had
come from a distant shore. In vain did I appeal
to their splendid Missionary enterprises so deeply
fixed on the affections of the American citizens.
In vain did I point them to those who were en-
deavoring to stop the rolling car, and quench the
SOIREE. 39
funeral pile, and make the resplendent glories of
the cross eclipse the crescent of Mahomet. (Rap-
turous applause.) They contended that I was a
foreigner, attacking their political institutions, and
they sought to banish me as a traitor and an in-
cendiary. Yet, remembering what I had promised
to you, and to my God, and to his suffering child-
ren, I went forward. (Cheers.) Our friend has
said, it has been a successful mission. Thank
God it has been so. This night I call upon you
devoutly to render thanks to him who has honor-
ed our efforts with so much success, and who has
blessed the humble endeavors of the humble indi-
vidual whom you now honor. I keep within the
bounds when I say that my mission has far trans-
cended my most sanguine expectations.
When I last parted from you I expected to be
absent for a period of three years, but during the
one year I have spent in America, much more
has been effected than I believed would have
been done at the end of three years — (loud cheers.)
The whole country is aroused — every newspaper
is discussing the subject — many of them ably and
fearlessly taking the right side of the question.
I may mention one, the New- York Evening Post,
one of the ablest supporters of the existing ad-
ministration. The whole population is roused ;
every class, every condition, upon that wide
spread territory are discussing the question —
(cheers.) I did not think to see at the end of
one year upwards of three hundred Anti-Slavery
Societies, all energetic, composed of men and
women devoted beyond the powers of any lan-
guage I can employ to describe. I did not ex-
pect so soon to see the servants of God of all
denominations rising and putting on the harness
in this sacred cause ; I did not expect, Sir, to see
40
christian America, at the end of one year, already
in the attitude of Sampson feeling for the pillars
of the temple, that, lilting it from its foundation,
it might tumble for ever to the earth. (Vehement
cheering.) And yet that is the attitude of America
at this moment,nor will it be long ere this Sampson
grasps the columns of this blood-stained fabric.
(Continued cheering.) The other evening when
I was speaking of what the Methodists, and Pres-
byterians, and Baptists, and Congregationalists
were doing, and what the Unitarians were going
to do, I did not recollect to say that those minis-
ters of different denominations who have been
brought over, were once prejudiced as strongly
as were those whose documents I read to you,
and the reading of which caused, I doubt not,
your very flesh to creep. To corroborate this
sentiment. Mr. Thompson read one or two ex-
tracts from a letter which he had received from a
respected minister in Boston, in which he solemn-
ly renounced his former prejudices against the
colored population, and pledged himself hence-
forward to engage heart and hand in the great
question of immediate emancipation. Mr. T.
then concluded his eloquent speech, which was
listened to throughout with the most intense in-
terest, with the following well merited tribute of
respect to Dr. Wardlaw and other zealous labor-
ers in the same noble cause. I must, however,
before I sit down be allowed to express my un-
feigned regret that a domestic calamity should
prevent us from having amongst us to-night our
beloved friend Dr. Wardlaw, who has stood by
this cause through evil and through good report,
and who, though calumniated, defamed, traduced,
has meekly, yet boldly, unostentatiously, yet un-
flinchingly, advocated this cause. Oh, Sir, let us
SOIREE. 41
prize such men, let us love them, let us remem-
ber that the great and the good are on our side,
that the greatest and the best are with us, that
the Wardlaws and the Heughs, and the Ander-
sons, and the Brewsters, and the Kidstons, and
the Kings, are on our side. You will remember,
when I referred, at that tremendous meeting in
another place, to the striking contrast between
the supporters of him who has been endeavoring
to accomplish your wishes in a distant land, and
the supporters of another gentleman who has now
the cabalistic initials of M. P., appended to his
name. (Great laughter.) Then, I could stand
forth and say, ' I am supported by those whom
God supports,' and I am still so supported. I do
not think I have lost a friend in Glasgow. I can
only say I have done nothing to deserve to lose
one ; and if I have offended by being too faith-
ful, I would still be faithful, and if I saw my
friends on earth dropping off like leaves in au-
tumn, and 1 had no one to support me, I would
still stand upon the rock of truth and confide in
the God of truth. I know, however, you are still
with me, you still richly reward me, and I believe
you will continue to labor along with me till not
only the Antilles shall be free, but until thf South-
ern States of America shall be free, and all the
other Slave-cursed districts of the world shall be
free, until there shall not be on the circumference
of the globe, one man yielding to the ruthless
hand of a despot, an unwilling and sorrowful la-
bor. (Loud and long continued cheering.)
Mr. Jas. Johnston rose for the purpose of
reading a letter addressed to the Ladies of Great
Britain, bv the Ladies Anti-Slavery Associations
of New-England, signed by the accomplished,
pious, and heroic President and Secretary, who
4*
42 SOIREE.
so admirably conducted their meeting, when sur-
rounded by the gentlemen savages of Boston.
The letter was addressed to the Ladies, but he
did not think that it would be necessary for the
gentlemen present to shut their ears while he
read it. It contained nothing which would be
likely to make them esteem the fair sex less.
To the Women of Great Britain.
Dear Friends,
We write to you from the heat of a commotion, un-
paralleled in our remembrance, and the scene we wit-
ness, and wish we could find adequate words to de-
scribe, is one of awful sublimity.
But how can we embody so vast a subject in so
slight a sketch as time permits ? How can we in a
few words picture to your minds the awakening of a
nation from a dream of Peace, and Freedom, and Glory,
to a reality of Strife, and Slavery, and Dishonor ?
Here are tbe noble few, half-spent, yet strong in
heart, struggling to stay the headlong descent of the
many. Here are the frantic many rushing down to
the abyss, with eyes yet closed, and brains yet tinder
the influence of their feverish dream. Here are the
miscalled wise and prudent, the mistaken, benevolent
and compassionate, the imbecile and office-seeking
Statesman, the time-serving and timid Clergy — the
Wealthy, the Fashionable, the Literary, the blind-
leaders of the blind, the self-styled religious, all join-
ing to heap opprobrium and persecution upon those
who would fain save them from the swift-walking de-
struction that threatens our noon-day.
Foremost among this band of steadfast hearted
stands George Thompson. We fervently thank God
who put it into the mind of Great Britain to send him
to our aid. His piety and eloquence, his incorrupti-
ble integrity, his devoted self-sacrifice, his unrivalled
talents, have given a wonderful impulse to the cause.
SOIREE. 43
In proportion to his usefulness has the cry been rais-
ed that he should ■ depart out of our coasts.' Now
that his lire is in danger from the assassin every mo-
ment that he remains in this country, we, too, think
it is time that he should depart. What a revelation
has the past year flashed upon our minds.
Slavery has infected the life-blood and inflamed the
heart of the nation. It is a literal fact that never a-
mong the bloodiest race of the most persecuting age,
was concealment more necessary to preserve the life
of a defender of unpopular truth. Such a one has
not merely assassination to apprehend — he holds his
life and property at the mercy of a mob of those who
call themselves the • wealth and standing, the influ-
ence and respectability of the country,' who are striv-
ing to establish an aristocratic order of things, without
those adjuncts and circumstances which in Europe
seem to justify such an order. Scenes of outrage
have become so common as to follow regularly upon
the expression of our opinions. The spirit of north-
ern Liberty is commanded to yield to the spirit of
southern Slavery, and we are made to feel in our own
persons that the violation of the rights of the black
man has made the rights of the white man insecure.
So simple a matter as the annual meeting of our so-
ciety, caused the representatives of the slave interest
in this city to rush to the spot in numbers, not less
than 4 or 5,000, for the avowed purpose of putting a
stop to the meeting, by taking the life of Mr. Thomp-
son, who they conjectured was to address us. Not
finding him, they seized Mr. Garrison, and his life
was hardly saved by the most desperate exertions.
Mr. Thompson has been for weeks a prisoner to his
room. The abolitionists dare not allow him to risk his
life further. Notwithstanding their wrongs, they are
true patriots, and independently of their fervent
friendship to the man, and the deep sense of the value
of his life to the cause, they shudder at the probabil-
ity, that bis blood may be upon the head of this peo-
ple, if he remains longer. Even his wife and little
ones are unsafe. These are horrible truths. We can
44 SOIREE.
find no words to express our sense of grief and indig-
nation ; therefore, we make no comments. We are
obliged to bear the sense of them constantly in our
minds, and this is a severity of infliction which com-
pels us to confess them. We do so with the hope that
we may have your sympathy and your prayers, and
in the confidence that every contemplation of the
present crisis, will strengthen us to renewed exer-
tions. One of your authors justly observes, ' the time
of preparation for a better order of things, is not a
time of favorable appearances. We see on reflection,
that the state of a nation has changed for the better,
when it has passed from deathly lethargy, though to
convulsive life.'
These considerations are for the present grievous,
yet shall they yield the peaceable fruits of righteous-
ness to them that are exercised thereby. It is not
until the Angel troubleth the pool that it has virtue
to heal the impotent who lie about it. Not until
men's minds are hot in the furnace, that they yield
to the weight of evidence and argument ; and we
must not wonder that the blows of these appointed in-
struments bringing out sparkles of fiery indignation.
While the strong are thus engaged in endeavoring
to soften and influence, we who are weak, are yet
strong in purpose, to continue to use all righteous,
christian, and suitable means, to effect the same great
objects. Amid our many afflictions, we are sorrow-
ing most of all, that we must see his face no more,
whom you have sent to give us aid, strength, coun-
sel, and courage. He has done all this mo*t effectual-
ly, and is hunted for his life as his reward. But a
different reward awaits him — the blessings and the
thanks of every friend of human freedom, that now
breathes, or ever shall breathe, on this Globe — the
joy of the host of heaven over the multitudes his min-
istrations have blessed — the command which, if ever
mortal could, he may confidently anticipate, to enter
also into the joy of his Lord.
Dear Friends, we boast a common ancestry and lan-
guage ; our hearts and our hopes too are one. You,
SOIREE. 45
as well as ourselves, claim kindred with those ' de-
vout and honorable women,' the puritan mothers of
New-England. They were wont to commend them-
selves to their friends in « the love of Christ.' Do we
not the same when we say, yours in the love of free-
dom.
In behalf of the Ladies' Anti-Slavery Associations
in New-England.
(Signed) MARY S. PARKER, President.
Maria W. Chapmajv, Sec. For. Cor.
The Rev. D. King moved the second resolu-
tion, expressive of indignation at the conduct of
America, with regard to the slave population. In
moving this resolution, he wished it particularly
understood that the indignation expressed, was
solely on account of their errors. He disclaimed
on his part all personal enmity to the American
anti-abolitionist's. He wished to act in accord-
ance with that great scripture doctrine, which
teaches us to hate sin, but to love the sinner, and
endeavor through this affection to turn him from-
the error of his way. And certainly there was
much room for compassion with regard to the er-
roneous notions entertained in America on this
head. He pitied the slave master, for he was in
a state of slavery more degrading than that of the
poor negro. His bondage was that of the mind,
and consequently was as much greater than the
other, as mind was superior to matter. But. how-
ever much he might speak thus of the offender, he
would not in any wise spare the offence. For
should he speak in an indifferent spirit of the con-
duct of the anti-abolitionists, then would he show
that he had not a proper love for the benefits of
freedom. He would protest therefore against the
46 SOIREE.
conduct of our brethren on the other side of the
Atlantic, not alone on account of the evil itself, of
which they were guilty, but also on account ol
its consequences — on account of the injury to the
cause of freedom from these acts being attributed
by the enemies of human liberty, to their free sys-
tem of government. When acts of cruelty are
perpetrated in despotic countries — in Turkey for
example, we would at once place it to the account
of their system of government; but in America
this could not be said with truth, and thus it came
that their good was evil spoken of. Looking to
the immediate results, it might seem as if it would
be better to say less about this foul blot on the
American character, but he was in this matter, as
in every other, determined to state the truth, and
leave the consequence in the hands of the divine
will. (Cheers.) Truth could afford to make many
sacrifices, and although deserted by many minis-
ters of Christianity! though Republican "America
was acting in express violation of the obvious dic-
tate of its own constitution, yet still they could
remember that there was one to defend the right
cause — He, who in coming into this world said he
came to bear witness to the truth, and with Him
on their side, they had no reason to be afraid.
(Cheers.) But America had an excuse to make
for her sin. It was ever so with sin ; there was
always some excuse. If no other, there was at
least that old one, 'the woman gave it me and I
did eat.' (Cheers.) The Americans, then, defend-
ing themselves, resorted to this excuse ; that it
was not the fit time yet for emancipating their
slaves. They were quite willing to make them
free, but the slaves were not prepared for free-
dom. Here was a double wrong committed; for
not only did they keep men in bondage, but pre-
SOIREE. 47
tended that it was because they were not able to
use their freedom aright. But if slaves in Amer-
ica were unfit for freedom, who had been the
cause of that? If the slave masters were unwill-
ing to use exertions in preparing them for acting
as freemen, who was to blame? If they would
not take pains to instruct them, so that they might
exercise with propriety the simple boon of liberty,
then the guilt and the folly rest upon their own
heads. (Cheers.) But it was impossible to believe
that the Americans were speaking in earnest
when they spoke thus, for surely we might think
that if they hated slavery, and considered that the
want of education was the only objection, they
would endeavor to remove it as speedily as pos-
sible. But it was easy to see that their preten-
sions to liberality on this score were quite un-
founded, as they had, instead of endeavoring to
enlighten and expand the minds of these poor
members of the human family, enacted that
no one should teach a slave to read or write,
under a very severe penalty. They also pre-
tended that it was impossible for us on this
side the Atlantic to form an idea of what slavery
is in the United States. It was only by going
over to that country, that they could view it as
all very proper to maltreat the black population.
(Cheers.) Among the many arguments by which
the common people in America seek to justify
their conduct; it was said that the skin of the
blacks gave out an offensive odour, and that this
was one cause of the prejudice entertained against
them. But with regard to this point, we are not
left to gather all our intelligence of them from the
American slave owners. Some of them occasion-
ally reached the shores of this country, and so far
as he had learned of them, those who came here
48 SOIREE.
did not contaminate the atmosphere as they were
charged with. Indeed, it was utterly impossible
there could be any thing in the effluvia proceeding
from their bodies, or else the nobility and gentry
would not be so fond of black servants. (Cheers.)
The fact was that what they complained of, did
not belong to slaves at all ; it ivas after they be-
came free that the smell was felt to be disagreea-
ble. There was one thing, on account of which
he felt glad, that they were able to stand up and
feel in condemning the sin of America, that we
were not self-condemned ; that they could not
say to us with truth, 'Physician, heal thyself.' —
The Americans were ill pleased at this, however,
for it showed from the example of our colonies,
how safely emancipation might be effected, with-
out any of those frightful consequences which
were predicted as likely to follow the emancipa-
tion of the slaves in the West Indies. For sure-
ly it cannot be said now, that there will be any
danger from that quarter ; and as little cause have
the Americans to fear any of these terrible re-
sults, which, according to many authorities among
them, would most certainly follow the immediate
emancipation of all the slaves in the United States.
(Cheers.) If America would follow his advice, he
would let the example of this coifntry be copied
by America in every thing save the clogging re-
strictions. One galling circumstance with re-
gard to slavery in the United States was its being
so frequently held up by the Tories as an argu-
ment against liberal constitutions, and this could
never be satisfactorily answered, until immediate,
complete, and unconditional emancipation be ob-
tained for the negro. (Cheers.)
Mr. Kettle said, is it not a melancholy spec-
tacle, Mr. Chairman, that in Republican Ameri-
SOIREE. 49
ca, which owes its origin as a nation to its having
been the refuge of the oppressed and persecuted
puritans, and laying claim as it does to being a
land of freedom — I say, Sir, is it not heart-sick-
ening, that in such a country, claiming such a
character, practical oppression, civil disability,
and social despotism, should be found legalized
and domesticated as if to hold up to public deri-
sion all that is sound in its civil polity, and all
that is sincere in its profession of Christianity. —
The fact, Sir, at first, no doubt, excites our aston-
ishment, and perhaps our indignation ; but if we
look back to its origin, we shall find more occa-
sion for our pity and compassion. I do not stand
up, Sir, as the apologist of Slavery or of Slave-
holders ; were I to do so, every line of my motion
would frown upon me, as well as every feeling
of my nature. But, Sir, we should keep in mind
that America had become a Slave-dealer, before
she became her own mistress, and that her pres-
ent circumstances are a part of the Colonial in-
heritance left her by us. Would, Sir, that she
had had the principle, and the wisdom, to do witq
Slavery what she did with her allegiance to this
country — to have cast it away from her forever,
as unworthy of a land of freemen. Had the first
act of her independence been the total abolition
of slavery,
'Hail, Columbia, happy land/
might then, Sir, and might now, have been said
or sung with tenfold more truth. The love of
mammon, however, unhappily overcame the love
of justice; and as in every case, where the laws
of God are set aside, the perversity of man breeds
and brings to maturity its own punishment, so has
it been, and so will it be with America, As long
5
50 SOIREE.
as Bhe continues an oppressor, she may increase
her population, she may extend her commerce,
but there is a worm in the bud, which, if not de-
stroyed, will blast her beauty, and bring- her down
to the dust of desolation. Her bondmen, like
those in Egypt, have now increased, and the dif-
ficulty of their liberation, viewed as a mere mat-
ter of profit and loss, has also increased ; and,
however much we in this country may be con-
vinced of the propriety of their immediate eman-
cipation, yet, we must keep in mind that many of
the Americans view the matter through a very
different medium. They look at it, Sir, through
a pair of moral spectacles, having one lens
compounded of interest and avarice, and the
other of pride and prejudice, both of which meet
in a common focus causing crooked things to lock
strait, and abominable things bright and beauti-
ful. It is upon no other principle that 1 can ac-
count for the views and sentiments of Governor
McDuffie. Tiiey could not otherwise have come
out of any human head living in a christian coun-
try, in the 35th year of the 19th century of the
christian era. What, Sir, is America to be told, —
busy, bustling, canal-cutting, rail road-making',
forest-clearing, city-raising, ship-building, every-
where-penetrating America, — that domestic Sla-
very is the corner stone of her commercial and
political prosperity? Is the sapient Governor to
put on the spectacles 1 have referred to, and after
reading certain select portions of the bible with
them, to tell America, the country of Cotton Ma-
ther, and Jonathan Edwards, and Timothy Dwight,
and Edward Payson, bes ; des a host of pious fe-
males, whose biography has shed on it a lustre
brighter far, in our estimation, than that of its pol-
iticians and philosophers— that it is one of the
SOIREE. 5i
plainest appointments of God, an ordinance so
distinctly instituted that it cannot be misunder-
stood, that they must buy and sell, and beat and
buffet their fellow creatures, and fellow christians,
provided they happen to be a little dark in the
complexion, and harness them like oxen, and put
out the eyes of their understandings, and shut up
their souls in perpetual darkness! Nay. Sir, that
they are chalked off, by the the great father of
the human family, the God of the universe, for
that special end, colored and shaped for the very
purpose ; and were they placed in any other posi-
tion than that of slaves, the order of nature would
be disturbed, and there would be an immense
chasm in personal, social, and national morality!
After all, Sir, I feel a kind of respect for this The-
ological Governor. There is something down-
right and straightforward about him, and I would
far rather have a man honest in a bad cause, than
one who acknowledges its badness, and after a few
extenuating huts, either pleads for, or passively
submits to its continuance. This latter class of
persons are the protectors of nearly nil the legal-
ized evils that exist in the world. They are the
very body guard of corruptions, moral and politi-
cal. They are always in the way of reform, rais-
ing their barricadoes of opposition, admitting all
the while, the correctness of your statements, the
truth of your principles, yet holding in dread
abeyance the application of the measures sanc-
tioned by tlmm. Such persons may be compared
to ' damaged clocks, whose bande and bells dis-
sent — conduct sings six, when conscience points
at twelve.' Truly, Sir, they arc objects of pity ;
what an uncomfortable world this must be to them!
They are doomed to a constant warfare betwixt
custom and conscience. They are governed by
52 SOIREE.
something extrinsic to themselves, apart from
their reason, and must go where the public opin-
ion of their own little selfish circle may lead them.
It is but natural, Sir, that a man's speculative
opinions,or I might say, admitted principles, should
be a little in advance of their full practical exhi-
bition. We are so much creatures of habit, and
so averse to condemn ourselves, by altering- our
opinions and practices, that conscience must raise
a pretty loud clamor, before we listen to, and obey
it. Let us therefore hope, Sir, that those who
now remain neutral on this great moral question,
will, without much further delay, disband their
prejudices, and take up a position more becoming
American citizens, to say nothing of christian
character.
I now come, Sir, to the last part of my motion,
which refers to a class who at all times demand
our esteem and affection, and who at the present
time have a peculiar claim on our aid, our admi-
ration, our sympathy, and our prayers. I mean,
Sir, the Christian Abolitionists of America. Upon
them, under God, lies the work of ridding their
country of this moral and spiritual pestilence. It
was the Christian principle of this country that
carried Emancipation here, and I am widely mis-
taken in my opinion of the religion of America,
if the same cause produce not the same effect
there. Who can read the writings of Garrison
and Birnet, or hear of the faith and fortitude of
the female abolitionists of Boston, and call this in
question ? We cannot but admire then), or rath-
er I should say, admire the grace of God in them.
We have only to think what was lately our own
circumstances, in order to sympathise with them,
and to keep in mind that the heat of the furnace
of their trial is seven-fold that of ours; and oh,
SOIREE. 53
let us not forget that as Christian brethren en-
gaged in a delicate and difficult, but clearly de-
fined duty, they have a special claim on our pray-
ers — that God may direct and sustain them — that
they may carry about with them the spirit of
Christ — pity for the oppressed, and prayer for the
oppressor. We are far removed from them, and
can help them but little, but God can help them.
Prayer moves the hand that moves the world.
He helped us in our late successful struggle, and
has done great things for us, whereof we are glad.
He can do the same for them. Let us therefore
lift up our individual and united intercessions to
Him, in the name of our Great High Priest, on
their behalf, resting assured that if we put our
trust in Him, in this matter, he will not allow our
expectation to perish, and that America will yet
stand forth among the nations of the earth, with
head erect, free, not in name but in reality, re-
ligious and happy.
Mr. Thompson, on ag-aln presenting himself,
was received with deafening cheers. Sir, it falls
to my lotto close the proceedings of this joyous
evening by acknowledging the compliment to
myself, and the individuals with whom my name
is associated, in the resolution just passed. It
would be vain for me to attempt to pronounce a
suitable eulogium upon the names of Arthur
Tappan and William Lloyd Garrison, names
now covered with infamy and reproach, but or-
dained to stand out in imperishable characters a-
midst the annals of American philanthropy. Mr.
Tappan, though neither an orator nor an author,
but a modest Christian, and a respectable mer-
chant — had by his munificent donations been on«
5*
54 SOIREE.
of the main props of the cause of Abolition in
America. Mr. Thompson then gave a very long
and interesting account of the commencement of
Mr. Tappan's acquaintance with Mr. Garrison,
and their joint labors down to the present time.
When the latter, five years and a half ago, lay
incarcerated in a dungeon for exposing the hor-
rors of American Slavery, the former, who, up
to that time, had never seen Mr. Garrison, and
scarcely heard of him, entering deeply into his
wrongs, sent forward to Baltimore the amount of
the fine, and redeemed the man who subsequent-
ly became his closest friend, and the acknowl-
edged champion of the glorious cause of Ameri-
can Emancipation. (Great cheering.) Mr.Thornp-
son related a number of anecdotes illustrative of
the zeal, sufferings, and danger of Mr. Tappan,
and then proceeded to speak in terms of the loft-
iest admiration of his friend and fellow-laborer,
Mr. Garrison. Mr. Thompson also read a part of
a letter sent to him by Mr. Garrison, while he
was at St. John. These extracts produced a
deep sensation in the audience. The christian
temper — the martyr-like intrepidity, and devout
gratitude which breathed in every sentence, must
have placed the writer high it) the esteem and
affections of all who were privileged thus to be-
come acquainted with him. Mr. Thompson ex-
pressed an earnest hope, that the man whose
burning words he had just read, would one day
speak for himself and his cause, before a Glas-
gow auditory — (tremendous cheering.) After
relating a variety of anecdotes, many of them
highly interesting, — illustrating the safety of im-
mediate emancipation — the capacity of the ne-
gro — his pacific disposition--his gratitude towards
hb benefactor — and the folly and wickedness of
SOIREE. 55
the prejudice that seeks to sink him below his
legitimate rank amongst the family of God, con-
cluded by reminding his friends around him, that
they were enlisted in the cause of universal
Emancipation — Emancipation for all, in every
clime, who groaned under the fetters of domestic
slavery. He also entreated his friends constant-
ly to bear in mind that their battle was to be
fought upon Christian principle, and by christian
means, their object being identified with the glo-
ry of God, and the spiritual freedom of the hu-
man race. Thus fighting for God, and looking
constantly to him for direction and support, they
could not err. They could never be defeated. —
yet, a little while, and the monster would be
slain, and when their holy triumph was attained,
Angels in Heaven, with the ransomed and the
victors upon earth, would join in shouting, 'Hal-
lelujah, Hallelujah, for the Lord God omnipotent
reigneth.' (Loud and long continued acclama-
tion.)
It was twelve o'clock ere the assembly broke
up, and so highly delighted did all seem that not
the slightest symptom of weariness or anxiety to
get away was manifested to the last. Indeed,
Mr. Thompson, who was the last to address them,
was warmly cheered, and encouraged to go on in
his last speech.
56 SOIREE.
At a Public Soiree, given in honor of Mr.
Geo. Thompson, on the evening of 25th January,
instant, and most numerously and respectably at-
tended, the following Resolutions were unani-
mously adopted : —
1st. That this Meeting, with unmingled de-
light, welcomes the return of Mr. Thompson
from America — seizes this early opportunity to
express its high admiration of the blameless pro-
priety, distinguished talent, and noble self-devo-
tion, with which he has prosecuted the great ob-
ject of his mission to the United States, in the
face of national prejudice, interested denuncia-
tions, and lawless violence — and feels devoutly
grateful to that God who, amidst such opposition,
has crowned his labors with signal success, and
through many perils, brought him again safely to
these shores.
2d. That this Meeting has heard, with deep
grief and indignation, of the misrepresentation,
calumny, riot, and blood-thirsty violence employ-
ed against the friends and advocates of freedom
in the United States of America by many of their
people in maintainance of their criminal preju-
dice against their fellow-citizens of color, their
wicked and extensive system of iron-bondage,
and their unhallowed trade in human beings, and
this Meeting most solemnly declares its belief
that such a prejudice, such a system, and such a
trade, are not only opposed to the great princi-
ples of their free constitution, but are an open and
awful defiance of the rights of humanity, the
principles of justice, and the obligations of the
Divine law — a perpetuation of ignorance, oppres-
sion, cruelty, and the ruin of immortal souls —
fearfully provoking the judgments of the Almigh-
ty against their land and nation.
SOIREE. 57
3d. That whilst this Meeting deeply laments
the conduct of many Christians in the United
States who, active in other fields of Christian du-
ty, remain neutral in this momentous conflict, or
lend their influences to the enemy, it has also
great cause of thankfulness to God that many
able, enlightened, and pious philanthropists in all
parts of the United States, have organized them-
selves with heroic firmness in the cause of imme-
diate and universal Negro Emancipation — that
this Meeting affectionately proffers its friendship
and co-operation to these kindred Societies — de-
sires to strengthen their hands and to cheer their
hearts, and pledges itself to aid them by its ac-
tive exertions, its sympathies, and its prayers.
4th. That this Meeting, whilst it highly appre-
ciates the labors of all who have attached them-
selves to the cause of the Negro in the United
States, cannot resist the loud call for a specirl
tribute to the three men pre-eminently honored
under God, by their high talent, their great sac-
rifices, their bold defiance of every danger, and
their fixed high principle, to originate, sustain,
and carry to its present strong position, the Na-
tional movement in America for immediate Ne-
gro Emancipation, and it does, therefore, tender
its most heart felt thanks to Wm. Lloyd Garri-
son, Arthur Tappan, and George Thompson,
WILLIAM P. PATON, Chairman.
ADDRESS
PRESENTED TO
GEORGE THOMPSON, Esq.
Jit an Entertainment given to him by the Inhabit-
ants of Edinburgh, in the Assembly Rooms,
George Street, on the Evening of the 19tk
February, 1836.
Esteemed and Honored Friend:
This Meeting have come together for the pur-
pose of testifying the regard in which you are
held by the friends of liberty and humanity in this
city, we cannot content ourselves without doing
something more than merely offering the homage
of our presence and respectful attention to what
you may address to us ; and though the manner
in which you have been received and listened to
by the numerous and intelligent audiences you
have had an opportunity of addressing since you
last arrived among us, as well as the resolutions
which have been unanimously passed on several
of these occnsions, must have satisfied you, not
merely as to the estimate formed by the inhabit-
ants of Edinburgh of the value of your recent
services in the cause of freedom, but also as to
the place which you continue to hold in their
ADDRESS. 50
warm and affectionate remembrance; yet we
cannot refrain from availing ourselves of the
privilege afforded by the more unrestrained and
social character of the present Meeting, of con-
veying to you in a more direct manner the ex-
pression of our feelings in reference to these
points.
It is now about three years since the inhabitants
of Edinburgh had first the pleasure of forming
your acquaintance, and listening to your address*
es on behalf of the oppressed and deeply injured
slaves of our own colonies. To the events of that
period our memories revert with a peculiar vivid-
ness of interest. Arriving at a moment when the
public mind was beginning to be fully awakened
to the injustice, impiety, and cruelty of which our
nation had so long been guily, in tolerating the
continuance of Negro Slavery in our Colonial
possessions, you were at once welcomed as a
champion in a good cause, and became the instru-
ment, in the hand of Providence, of informing and
directing our rising zeal, and of bringing our best
energies to bear upon the advancement of the
great cause of Negro Emancipation. We can
well remember the effect produced upon the
crowded audiences to which you then spoke, by
the copious and well-arranged evidence which
you adduced as to the actual state of the Slaves
in the British Colonies, by the clear and well es-
tablished principles of morality, policy, and reli-
gion, which you so successfully applied to the
question of Slavery, by the consummate skill with
which you baffled the efforts, and exploded the
specious sophistries of the agents and apologists
of oppression, and by the resistless torrents of
eloquence with which you enforced your appeals
to the hearts and consciences of those whom your
arguments had already convinced.
60 ADDRESS.
Since then the great work, to the advancement
of which your exertions were directed, has, by the
Divine blessing, been accomplished; our country
has been relieved from the odious and accursed
stain of Slavery; and the great truth that * man
cannot hold property in man'' has been recorded
in our statute-book, as one of the settled princi-
ples of British Law. To that result the people of
Edinburgh may justly claim the honor of having
in no mean degree* contributed ; and to them it
will ever be a duty, as it always has been and is
still, a pleasure to confess how much of the zeal,
energy, and intelligence with which they weic
enabled to urge their wishes on behalf of the
slave, was owing to the effects produced upon
them by the unwearied, talented, and impressive
exertions of the gentleman they have now the
satisfaction to address.
During the interval which has elapsed since the
auspicious day on which you joined with the in-
habitants of this city in celebrating the carrying
into effect of the Bill for emancipating the Slaves
in the British Colonies, it has been your privilege
to advocate the cause of the oppressed in another
country, nearly related to our own by the ties of
a common descent, a common language, and a
common religion, but where your labors have un-
happily not met with that triumphant success with
which they were crowned here, or which we
might have expected them to receive in a land
that boasts the possession of such peculiar priv-
ileges as America. Your visit to that country we
have watched with no incurious or uninterested
eye; and, while it has grieved us to learn how
the force of an unreasonable, and unnatural preju-
dice against color, oppresses the minds of our
brethren in that country; while we have heard
ADDRESS. Gl
V?ith sorrow and with shame of the gross and
glaring inconsistencies into which this prejudice
has led men whom we cannot but regard as fellow
christians j while we have been filled with horror
at the recitals you have given us of the injuries,
indignities, and cruelties which the unhappy
African is doomed to suffer in that land of boasted
liberty and piety; and while we have seen with
mingled sensations of indignation and p.ty, the
ungenerous and even barbarous manner in which
you, our beloved friend and trusted representa-
tive, have been treated by these republicans of
the West ; we would nevertheless rejoice in your
having engaged in that mission, and congratulate
you on the important results which you have been
enabled to effect in that country in reference to
the object that carried you thither. We thank
you for having so ably, so zealously, so prudently,
and in a spirit so truly Christian, represented to
our brethren on the other side of the Atlantic our
views and feelings in regard to this important
subject. We offer our thanksgivings to God on
your behalf in that you have been preserved and
protected amid the many labors you were called
to endure, and the threatening dangers to which
you were exposed. We rejoice with you on
account of the auspicious circumstances in which
you loft the cause of Liberty, in that vast and
powerful continent. And wc pray that the seed
you have there sown with much difficulty, and
even at the peril of your life, may be watered by
the dews from heaven, and may grow up and bring
forth an abundant harvest of blessing to mankind,
and of glory to God.
It has afforded us the sincerest pleasure to see
you again, and to welcome you hack to the scene
of your former exertions and triumphs; and now
6
62 ADDRESS.
that we arc about once more to part, we would
solemnly and affectionately commend you to the
God of all grace, in whose service you have been
laboring, and by whose blessing your labors have
been crowned with such gratifying success. Thai
He may watch over you and keep you in health
and happiness for many years, — that He may
abundantly bless you in your future engagements
and undertakings, — that He may bestow his pe-
culiar favor upon your partner in life, and the
children he has given you, — that He may be the
breaker up of your way and the guide of your
path, — that He may comfort you with the privil-
eges and enjoyments of his reconciled presence, — ■
and that when his wise and all-gracious purposes
with you here are finished, He may receive you
with the commendation of a faithful servant, into
the rest and glory of heaven, are the objects, dear
and honored Friend, of our earnest desire and
unceasing prayer on your behalf. With these
desires and prayers we will follow you whitherso-
ever it may please Providence to direct your
steps ; and while we remember you, we will not
forget the cause in which you have been engaged,
and with which your name is now inseparably
connected. In the spirit of our holy religion, and
in obedience to one of its express precepts, we
will seek to 'remember those that are in bonds
as bound with them ;' and pledged as we consider
ourselves to be by the most solemn obligations to
continued exertion in this great enterprise of
Christian benevolence, we would take occasion
from all that you have recently detailed to us, to
go forward with increased alacrity and zeal, be-
lieving that the time is not far distant when our
principles shall be acknowledged wherever the
P.iblc is revered, and when from every ration in
ADDRESS. 03
Christendom the foul blot of Slavery having been
washed away, the liberated bondsman shall crease
to groan, and rising from the degradation into
winch he has been plunged, shall, (to use the
words of the eloquent Curran,) 'stand redeemed,
regenerated, and disenthralled by the irresistible
genius of Universal Emancipation.'
Signed in behalf of the Meeting,
ROBERT KAYE GREVILLE,L.L.D.,
Chairman,
AMERICAN SLAVERY.
MR. GEORGE THOMPSON.
On Thursday evening-, a public meeting of the
Edinburgh Emancipation Society, and its friends,
was held in the Rev. Dr. Peddie's chape], Bristo
Street, when Mr. Thompson gave an account of
his Anti-Slavery Mission to the United States of
America. The admission to the meeting was by
tickets, sixpence each — each ticket admitting two
persons, and as there were upwards of a thousand
of these sold, there must have been more than
two thousand persons present. We knew, also,
that a great many persons were disappointed in
procuring tickets, so speedily were they all dis-
posed of. About seven o'clock, Mr. Thompson
made his appearance in the pulpit, and was re-
ceived with several distinct rounds of the most
enthusiastic applause. John Wigham, Jun. Esq.
was called to the chair, and in opening the meet-
ing said, that from the manifestations which he
just witnessed, he was sure they were all anima-
ted by one common feeling of delight and satis-
faction to find that their able and distinguished
friend Mr. Thompson had performed the object of
his mission so energetically and successfully, and
MEETING AT EDINBURGH. 65
that he had returned to them in safety, under the
extraordinary circumstances in which lie had been
placed. (Great cheering.)
Mr. Thompson then rose and was received
with a fresh burst of applause. He should not,
he said, attempt to describe the feelings of satis-
faction with which he gazed upon the laige and
intelligent audience which he beheld assembled
once more within these well known walls, for the
purpose of listening to him who had now the
honor to appear before them, and to hear from
his lips the progress of those principles which
they had there together enunciated and espous-
ed, and the triumph of which they had there to-
gether celebrated. He dared not trust himself
even to attempt an expression of the joy and
gratitude which filled his bosom when he beheld
them still feeling a deep interest in the cause of
human freedom, and found that not only had they
not deserted that cause, but that they were rally-
ing in even greater numbers around the standard
which, they, in by-gone days, had planted and
promised to sustain, while there was a fetter on
the heel of a single human being on the face of
the globe. (Cheers.) He begged to assure the
meeting that his own attachment to the cause
which he had the honor to advocate remained un-
diminished — and not only so, but that it had nev-
er even wavered or been weakened ; that it still
continued as strong i s ever, and that what he had
witnessed in a far-off land, had but the more deep-
ly convinced him of the potency and omnipotence
of those principles by the advocacy and enforce-
ment of which we had succeeded in slaying the
monster on our own borders ; that it had only
more deeply convinced him that nothing was
6*
GO MEETING AT
•wanting but the unceasing, the persevering pub-
lication of those principles, to put an end to sla-
very wherever it curses the soil and degrades hu-
manity on the face of the earth. (Immense ap-
plause.) He had that night to draw their atten-
tion to the subject of slavery in the United States
of America — to the incongruous institution of
domestic slavery in a land of freedom. He wish-
ed it to be understood that they were net met
there that night, guided and influenced by a mere
desire to know what was going on in the United
States, as a matter of mere history of contempo-
raneous events ; but that they were there to feel
a deep interest upon many grounds, in the great
question of human rights which was now agita-
ting that wide spread territory. (Cheers.) The
history of the Anti-Slavery question in America
was deeply interesting, as developing the best,
the holiest, and the mightiest means of carrying
forward a moral revolution ; by the simple enun-
ciation of the principles, the supremacy of which
was sought to be obtained, without resorting to
physical violence ; by the simple action of man
upon man ; by opinion operating upon opinion;
by merely enlisting the pulpit, the press, and the
platform, in the work of that reformation. (Cheers.)
The history of the American slavery question
was as interesting as it was plain, as displaying
the mighty influence of truth when outspoken
and fearlessly enunciated without regard to hu-
man wisdom or expediency; these having been
the means by which a mighty change had been
effected in America in reference to this question
— a change so mighty that, he might venture
without hesitation to say, no change so great,
without the interference of miraculous power had
ever been effected in any era of the world. (Great
EDINBURGH. 67
cheering.) He repeated that it had been effect-
ed not by human wisdom, by rank, nor wealth,
nor politics, nor learning, nor expediency, but by
the mighty lever which is fated to overturn the
world, and place it as it should stand, with its
apex upwards — it was by 'the foolishness of
preaching.' (Great applause.) That was the
mighty agency which he employed in America.
TIub history of the Anti-Slavery question was al-
so highly interesting, as bringing us acquainted
with some of the noblest specimens of human na-
ture — with some of the boldest and purest Re-
formers that ever lived. He spoke unhesitating-
ly when he said so ; and he should demonstrate
the truth of this assertion ere he left the subject.
He begged to state, that he was not there that
night to make the gulf of feeling and sentiment
between Great Britain and America wider than it
is — he was not there to publish an act of divorce
between them — but to unite them in one common
object, one common sympathy, one common prin-
ciple, and one common plan, to put an end to sla-
very wherever it exists. He wanted to bring the
friends of the slave in this country, in contact
with the noble and sublime spirits who were wait-
ing to embrace them over the blue waters of the
Atlantic, and to join them in one indissoluble
•compact never to relax their moral energy, until
they shall have seized the pillars of the blood
stained fabric which despotism has reared, and
.like another Samson, brought it to the ground.
(Tremendous cheers.) Oh ! it was something —
-and it was his rich reward — to become acquaint-
ed with men in a distant country, having one
common language and one common ancestry,
working with us in the same common cause ; it
was something to know that the blue waters did
68 MEETING AT
not divide us; that we are one in principle; one
in faith ; one in effort ; that we have the same
common object in this world, and the same antic-
ipation hereafter ; it was something, he said, to
know that we were engaged with these wise,
holy, and uncompromising men in America, in
accelerating the cause of Universal Emancipa-
tion. (Great applause.) It was not alone the
cause of Anti-Slavery in which he was embark-
ed ; it was the cause of Anti-Ignorance — the
cause of anti-every-thing which degrades, crush-
es, withers, and destroys the spirits of mankind.
Again, once more ; the question was interesting,
because in its developement it made us acquaint-
ed with the men and women engaged in it; their
principles and their conduct; and thus called
upon us first to admire them, next to commend
them, next to imitate them, and adopt the princi-
ples by which on the other side of the Atlantic
they advance the great work. The Anti-Slavery
question in this country was very different from
that in America; the struggle was never so sub-
lime here as he had witnessed in America — our
sacrifices weie never so great; our temptations
to swerve were never so strong; our interests
when at the closest were never so close, as in the
United States. It was never necessary that we
should suffer in our reputation ; that we should
lose our friends ; the value of our property dete-
riorated ; or that we should be deprived of the
substance and amount of our profitable trade.
But hard as this was, those now engaged in car-
rying on this cause in America — men and women
without exception — were subjected to it, and sus-
tained by high religious principle, they firmly
bore up against all these accumulated evils :
and nothing lower, and nothing les3, than that
EDINBURGH. G9
mighty principle could sustain thorn in a cause,
by espousing which they had everything- to lose,
and nothing hut infamy to gain. (Chpers.) IJe
stood there not to defame America. 'Twas true
they persecuted him, but that was a small matter ;
'twas true they hunted him like a partridge on the
mountains; that he had to lecture with the assas-
sin's knife glancing before his eyes; and his wife
and his little ones in danger of falling by the
ruthless hands of murderers. All this was true,
and much more, but he came not there to tell of
aught that he had suffered or done, except in so
far as it illustrated the progress of the mighty
reformation to which he had alluded. (Cheers.)
Tie d:ired not speak slightingly of America.
'Twas true he hated her sins — but 'twas not less
true he loved her sons. His object was not to
overthrow the institutions of America, and bring
her constitution into disrepute. Slavery might
sink, and that constitution still live; shivery
mi'jht fall, and that constitution stand ; slavery
might die and be buried in a grave of infamy,
eovered with the execrations of mankind, and
witness no resurrection ; yet the constitution of
America might stand out in unsullied, and more
than pristine beauty, because of the blessing of
the world. (Great cheers.) He should like to
have an opportunity to speak of America in oth-
er respects ; to speak of her as being exalted in
arms, and as rich in wealth ; to speak of her ex-
tended commerce — of her agriculture — of her un-
paralleled means of education — with the volume
of Revelntion in the hands of all her families but
those of her degraded bondsmen : with the ordi-
nances of religion in abundance; of her 50,000
ministers, and of her Missionary exertions; on
all those he could dwell with pleasure, after bo
4\J MEETING AT
discussed the question of slavery. But the dam-
ning plague spot of America, Christian America,
Republican America ; America, the land ot'bibies,
and tracts, and missionary societies ; America,
who boasted herself on being the freest country
on the face of the globe, America had her slave
ships — types of Pandemonium — gliding on the
surface of the ocean, and put forth her presump-
tuous hand and traded in the lives and the souls
of men ! (Cheers.) Would it be believed that
the slaves formed a sixth part of the American
population; every sixth man and woman were
slaves — their bodies, their souls, their skill, their
energy, their posterity, their every thing was un-
der the dominion of slavery.
It was not true that the slave-trade was abol-
ished in America; slave auctions were still to be
seen — men and women were still to be seen sold
like so many cattle. It was to abolish that system
he went to America. He did not deny that the
weavers of Paisley, that the peasantry of Ireland,
and many others of our countrymen were border-
ing on starvation. He could not deny this ; but
these individuals, poor and miserable as they were,
were still free ; to them the wheel of fortune was
still revolving; the starving of to-day were not
the starving of to-morrow ; hope beamed on all ;
they may die, but they bequeath liberty to their
children, and they, guided by the way-marks
which their parents had missed — became the fa-
vorites of fortune, and rose to honor, competence
and prosperity. He did rot seek to exempt the
slaves from poverty : he wanted only to give them
freedom. (Great cheering.) But this was not
his only mission to America ; he went also to at-
tack a sin not surpassed by slavery — the inherent
prejudice that prevails against color. So deep
EDINBURGH. 71
was this prejudice, that the colored people were
denied a pew in the church, a place in the steam
boat or coach ; his body is even denied a corner
in the usual place of repose for the dead; and
they would deny his soul a place in heaven if
they could. The first thing to be done in Amer-
ica, is to plead for the slave as for a man ; to es-
tablish his title to humanity ; and make him stand
before their eyes as a human being. There was
one test which he always applied to a man about
whose title to the full honors of human nature
there was some dispute. He asked not of his
clime, his color, or his stature, of the texture of
his hair, or the conformation of his limb ; he ask-
ed not if he issued from the majestic portals of a
palace or from the humble door of a miserable
wigwam — he asked but one question, — 'Could
he love his God?' And if he answered that in
the affirmative, then he recognised his humanity,
claimed him as a brother, and elevated him to the
position which he himself occupied. (Tremend-
ous cheering.) Well, how did he go to Ameri-
ca? He went without name and without influ-
ence, and without wealth. Well, did he flatter
them ? No. He could not call them the freest
people, for he did not believe it; he did not call
them the wisest people, for he had left Edinburgh,
and he could not say so. (Laughter and cheers.)
After describing the reception he had received,
Mr. Thompson proceeded to say, he had been
punned upon, sneered at, and pitied. Even in
Edinburgh, he understood, he had been called an
amiable enthusiast — a title which he begged to
disclaim. An enthusiast was one who sought to
obtain an end without using the means ; and
therefore the term applied more to the person
rZ MEETING AT
that used it than to him. He (Mr. Thompson?)
went leaning upon the arm of the Almighty, and
trusting in the enunciation of truth, believing that
God is ever with the truth, and that truth is God.
He was not an enthusiast, therefore, who by the
enunciation of truth seeks to overcome prejudice^
and interest, and superstition, but he is an enthu*
siast who seeks those ends without using the
means. (Cheers.) Mr. T. went on to show the
degraded state of the American slaves, and that
even Church dignitaries and ministers were slave-
holders. One of the Professors, he said, put to
some slaves the revolting question, not of who are
are you ? but ivhose are you ? One answered, I
belong to Mr. , and another said I am Mr,
such a one's, and another said I am the Congre-
gations. This was explained by stating that cer^
tain pious persons bequeathed their slaves to the
Church by way of endowment, to keep up the
preaching of the Gospel! And it was well known
that no slaves were so wretched as those that be-
long to the Congregation, which arose from their
being hired out like hacks for short periods of
three or six months to persons, who, having no
interest in their future welfare, only strived how
they could make most out of them for the time..
He affirmed also that the slaves were denied the
blessings of religion, and that in the State of Lou-
isiana the second ' offence ' of teaching a slave to»
read the Bible, was punished with death. To
show that the slave trade still existed, he stated
that in the District of Columbia, the license for
dealing in slaves was 400 dollars, and that the
revenue derivable from this source was applied
to the formation of canals and the education of
the white youth of America, In this same dis-
EDINBRRGH. /J
trict, a poor man was taken up on suspicion of
being 1 a slave ; he was advertised as such, but no
one came forward to claim him. In these cir-
cumstances what did his oppressors do ? Did
they give him compensation for false imprison-
ment? No, he he was put up to public auction,
and sold to be a slave for life to pay his jail fees !
After some further illustrations of American sla-
very, Mr. Thompson turned from what he called
the dark side of the picture, nnd showed the rap-
id progress which the principle of slave abolition
was making in the number of Societies embarked
in the cause, and the extensive funds raised in
collections for promoting it, into which particu-
lars we have neither time nor space to enter.
At the conclusion of the lecture, the Rev. Dr.
Ritchie stated that the committee, instead of call-
ing upon the meeting to adopt any formal reso-
lutions on that occasion respecting the character
and conduct of Mr. Thompson, considered it bet-
ter to draw up the resolutions leisurely, and brin<r
them forward at tbe next meeting.
The meeting then separated about half past
nine o'clock.
GEORGE THOMPSON.
This highly esteemed and intrepid advocate of hu-
man freedom, arrived in this city last Tuesday even-
ing, and on Wednesday he was met by the Ladies and
Gentlemen forming the Committees of the Edinburgh
Emancipation Society, in the Saloon of the Royal Hotel.
The statement then given by Mr. Thompson with
regard to himself, throughout his visit to the United
States, was to every one present far more than satis-
factory. Of his every movement they highly approv-
ed, while his account of America in regard to the sub-
ject of slavery, and the pro-pect of its ultimate extinc-
tion, was at once deeply affecting, and most encourag-
ing. At the close of his narrative, the following Res-
olutions were proposed, and unanimously adopted by
both the Committees in union, as conveying their sen-
timents on the first occasion on which they enjoyed
the pleasure of meeting with their friend.
1. That it is with feelings of sincere delight and
satisfaction, mingled with those of the most poignant
regret, that we have listened (o the statements now
given, by our most esteemed friend, Mr. George
Thompson — of delight and satisfaction, on seeing him-
self amongst us once more, in perfect safety and in
health — but of painful regret at the occasion of his
returning so much sooner than it was intended, both by
himself and by us, from the United States of America.
2. That while we have deprecated from the begin-
ning, as we now do once more, the most remote idea of
MEETING AT EDINBURGH. < O
interfering with any single state, or city, or village
throughout America, in the arrangement or manage-
ment ot their own institutions, still, as we consider it at
once <m act of duty and of kindness, to hold up before
all men the great principles of truth and justice, and
humanity, and regarding as we do the prevalence ot
slavery, to involve the habitual violation of a law infi-
nitely above all human arrangements; we cannot but
deeply deplore, that in a country where our comnwjn
language is spoken, and loudly demanding to be ac-
knowledged as the home of the free, the spirit of
persecution against those who merely plead the cause
of the oppressed, should have risen to a height which
has abridged, il not endangered, all freedom of discus-
sion.
3. That as God hath made of one blood all nations of
men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath
Himself determined also the bounds of their habitation,
we regard the prejudice against color, which has been
nursed and cherished for ages throughout the United
States, with greater pain and abhorrence than ever —
as not merely the fruitful and disgusting source ot
crime, but of itself alone a daring and contemptuous
provocation of our common Creator and final Judge.
4. That the signal preservation of our valued friend
Mr. Thompson, amidst all the violence and malignity
of the abettors of American slavery, and the measure
of success by which his faithful, and zealous, and un-
wearied efforts have been crowned, call alike for our
devout acknowledgments, regarding them as equal
tokens of his having been engaged in a righteous
cause ; and that we can now entertain no doubt of the
day approaching when, far from being stigmatised as
an intruding foreigner, or a foe to harmony and peace,
he will be hailed by the moral and upi ight, the humnne
and christian citizens of America, a- a man who sought
only to avert a catastrophe from which his native land
had happiiy been delivered, and which America, with
all her resources, has now such just reasons both to
dread and to deprecate.
76 MEETING AT EDINBURGH.
5. That with regard to the great cause of human
freedom, from the statements given by Mr. Thompson,
as well as from other sources of information to which
we have had access during his absence, even in the
United States we not only find many encouragements
to persevere, but in the pure spirit of devotion to the
cause evinced by many in that great country, we dis-
cover sufficient ground to hope that the progress of
America towards universal emancipation, will proceed
with accelerated steps till the rod of the oppressor
shall be broken, till there is not one house of bondage
on her 6oil, and America, in the judgment of other
nations, becomes fairly entitled to her claim of being
the Land of the Free.
6. That with feelings of strong sympathy, respect,
and increased affection towards all those American
citizens, both male and female, who, far from shrink-
ing, have remained firm and undaunted, — we feel
called upon to remember them before the God of
righteousness and peace, with whom all the swellings
of human passion are as nothing, that He may continue
to preserve them, and enable us to persevere in the
great cause of universal emancipation, to which we
now stand, more than ever, bound to adhere.
At the close of the meeting, thanks were returned
to God, for his most merciful preservation of Mr.
Thompson and his family, as well as their safe return,
after his having accomplished so much in such a lim*
fted period,
MR. THOMPSON'S
SECOND LECTURE.
On Monday evening, an adjourned meeting or
the members and friends of the Edinburgh Eman-
cipation Society, took place in the Rev. Dr.
Browne's Chapel, Broughton Place, to hear Mr.
George Thompson deliver his second address on
the subject of his anti-slavery mission to the
United States of America. The Church was full,
but the number present was not so great as at
the last lecture — probably from the price of the
tickets having been raised — Mr. John Wigham,
jun. was again called to the chair.
Mr. Thompson, who, on his appearance in the
pulpit, was rapturously applauded as usual, pro-
ceeded to take up the subject where he had left
off on the former night. He went on to describe
the fierce opposition which the question and its
supporters had met with from the Americans. —
He stated, that the Senate of Georgia had offer-
ed a reward of 5000 dollars for the head of Mr.
\V. L. Garrison, for promulgating what was de-
scribed in the American constitution as self-evi-
dent truths, that God made all men equal, and
78 MEETING AT
endowed them with equal rights, any infringement
of which, obedience to the laws of nature and of
God called upon them to resist. These doctrines
the Americans were the first to enunciate to the
world, and yet the Senate of Georgia offered
5000 dollars for the head of Mr. Garrison, for ad-
vocating them. Mr. T. then described the dis-
turbances which took place in New-York, in the
month of July, 1834, in consequence of an anti-
slavery meeting having taken place, at which a
few colored people attended. The mob, he said,
rose upon them, and governed the city for three
days and nights; a great deal of property was
destroyed ; the houses of the most respectable
citizens sacked ; and a catalogue of outrages per-
petrated which would take him all the evening
but to refer to. Riots of asimilar description had
also taken place at several other places. Such
was the state of things when he went to America.
For several months his labors in the Northern
States excited little attention. Several paragraphs
concerning him appeared in the Northern papers,
but the papers in the Southern States carefully
excluded all notice of his movements. In the
month of May following his arrival, however, a
large meeting of the National Anti-Slavery So-
ciety took place in New- York, at which the Re-
port of the Society was read. This Report, which
gave an account of no fewer than 250 active aux-
iliary Societies, scattered up and down the coun-
try, fell like a thunder-bolt upon the pro-slavery
advocates. They rose like one man, with the
determination of pulling down the abolitionists
by every m^ans in their power; and mutilation,
plunder, and murder, became the order of the day
throughout more than half of the United States.
The mail-bags were rifled in open day ; and no
EDINBURGH.
79
vessel was allowed to send their letters to the
post-office without the previous inspection of the
* Committee of Vigilance,' which had been ap-
pointed by the mob ; and every paper, letter, and
pamphlet in any way bearing upon the abolition
question, was seized and destroyed.
Mr. Thompson read numerous quotations from
the anti-abolition newspapers, to shew the abu-
sive language which was applied to the advocates
of slave emancipation, whom they recommended
should all be hanged, or otherwise disposed of
in an equally summary manner. The quotation
of the liberal motto's of some of these papers,
along with the intolerant sentiments of their lead-
ing articles, created considerable sensation in the
meeting, as indeed did the whole of the details
of the disgraceful conduct of the pro-slavery ad-
vocates in that land of boasted freedom. He
stated that a Grand Jury in the county of Fred-
erick, had presented the Anti-Slavery Society
and the colored population, as nuisances that
ought to be abated by every possible means ; and
a Grand Jury in Alabama had voted Geo. Thomp-
son a nuisance, (great laughter,) along with J. G.
Birney, W. L. Garrison, Arthur Tappan, and
Daniel O'Connell, the great Irish orator— (renew-
ed laughter and cheers)— for impertinent and un-
authorized interference with the slaveholders in
America. Mr. T. remarked that one part of the
American constitution — the liberty of speech, and
the liberty of the press — was held to be unalter-
able by Congress ; notwithstanding which, there
was nothing more common than for public meet-
ings to recommend the legislature to put down
certain prints, and to put to death certain individ-
uals, who advocated the right of the slave, and
put up their voice in behalf of the oppressed. —
©U MEETING AT
He had also to arraign the Christian ministers of
America as the most efficient supporters of sla-
very — (cries of 'shame.') He blushed to bring
that charge forward ; but they would not have a
proper view of American slavery without it.—
They had to hear perhaps for the first time, that
the ministers and elders of the respective bodies
of Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists and Con-
gregationaiists, were the main pillars of that biood
stained fabric which it was the object of the abo-
litionists to pull down — (repeated cries of shame.)
If these parties would withdraw their counten-
ance from slavery, if they would cease to preach
the doctrines they now preach ; if they would
cease to participate in the gains of the system
by which God's image is bought and sold in Amer-
ica, slavery would not remain one year. (Great
cheering.) This was a grave charge, and might
appear strange to them, but that was not his fault,
but the fault of the Americans, and the fault of
Englishmen who had gone there, and come back
here, and said nought about it. (Cheers.) There
wa3 no want of persons to toll all that was good
about America, but why did they not give both
sides of the question ? It was time that men
should learn to tell not only the truth but the
whole truth. While he should be ready to give
America praise for being before us in many
things, in this he must say they were far behind
us, in that the clergy of all denominations were
not only with the oppressor in sentiment, but were
found the worst of oppressors. Mr. Thompson
then went at some length into the proof of these
charges, of which it will be sufficient for us to
say, that it was ample and unequivocal enough in
all conscience. He then proceeded to change
the picture, and to show the astonishing altera-
EDINBURGH. 81
tion which had been effected recently, and the
rapid progress which the cause was still making.
More than 1000 ministers had already renounced
their sentiments, and declared themselves in favor
ofimmediate emancipation, (cheers.) There were
already no fewer than 320 societies established
in 14 or 15 of the American States. So great
was the change among the Presbyterian body,
that many Synods and Presbyteries were making
abolition sentiments a condition of church mem-
bership ; and were refusing to allow a minister,
being a slaveholder, to mount their pulpits. (Great
cheering.) An equally gratifying change had
been effected in the sentiments of the Episcopal
Methodists, the Baptists, and Congregation alists,
large numbers of whom were already acting effi-
ciently in the cause. The Unitarians were also
rising in favor of the question ; and the celebrat-
ed Dr. Channing had recently come out with a
work in favor of immediate and entire emancipa
tion. One of the most cheering evidences of the
progress of the cause was perhaps to be found
in the fact, that many of the students in the
colleges and seminaries of learning in America,
were abolitionists. (Cheers.) Mr. T. also pro-
duced a number of newspapers which were favor-
able to the cause, besides monthly and quarterly
periodicals, annual?, and even almanacs of every
shape and size. There were also, he said, anti-
slavery pictures and poetry published; anti-sla-
very fancy sales held ; and petitions got up in all
parts of the north. There were also anti-slavery
church Conferences, and prayer meetings in abun-
dance ; and 50 anti-slavery agents were travel-
ling through the country and lecturing on the
subject. In this country wo had never had above
tour or five agents. Mr. Thompson concluded
82 MEETING AT
by earnestly urging upon one and all the neces-
sity of being active in the work of universal
emancipation, by prayer to God, by the exersise
of their personal influence with their friends in
America, and with the Americans who come to
this country. Seven years he believed would not
elapse ere slavery would be abolished in America
— for the die was already cast, the blow w;is
struck, the day had dawned : and so sure as God
reigns, so sure would the principles which He
had already blessed — so marvellously blessed —
so surely would those principles overthrow the
accursed system of slavery. (Great cheering.)
The Rev. Dr. Ritchie then moved a series of
resolutions, which were seconded by Mr. R. Al-
exander, Leith, and unanimously carried.
The meeting then adjourned till Wednesday
evening.
RESOLUTIONS.
The following resolutions were unanimously
adopted at a public meeting of the members and
friends of the Edinburgh Emancipation Society,
held in Dr. Brown's Chapel, Broughton Place,
on Monday, 1st February, 1836, immediately after
an Address by Mr. George Thompson, giving a
detail of his late visit to the United States.
John Wigham, Jr. Esq., in the Chair.
1. After what has been now and formerly stat-
ed by Mr. George Thompson, we are fully per-
suaded that he has in spirit, procedure, and suc-
cess, exceeded the most sanguine expectations of
the Emancipation Society — that by his firmness
and prudence, zeal and perseverance in advocat-
ing the cause of the bondsmen in the United
EDINBURGH. S3
States, lie has amply redeemed every pledge giv-
en by him to the friends of human freedom, by
whom he was deputed — that, amidst obloquy, peril,
and physical violence, he continued to persevere
until, by the verdict of transatlantic friends, the
best judges in this matter, his remaining longer
would, without promoting the cause, have com-
promised his own safety. We acknowledge the
good hand of Providence that has been around
him, bid him cordial welcome to his native shore,
renew our expressions of confidence in him as a
talented advocate of the liberties of man, and
trust that a suitable field may soon be opened for
the renewal of his exertions.
2. We deeply sympathize with our anti-slavery
friends in the United States, under the persecu-
tions to which they have been subjected. We
would remind them, that their persecutors are the
libellers of the American Constitution, which
proclaims the equal rights of all mpn, while they
withhold from 2,000,000 of their fellow-citizens
every natural right, and persecute the preachers
of the doctrines of the Constitution. That they
are the libellers of their Maker, since they found
their injustice on that color of the skin which
God has given to the negro. That in this, if in
any cause, our friends may boldly say, greater is
1 He that is with us, than all that can be against
US.' We congratulate them on the rapid advance
of their cause, exhort them to press onwards, and
bid them God speed.
3. We remember with delight the claims of
common parentage, language and interests, and
rejoice in the many institutions, religious and
philanthropic, by which America is signalized;
and view with corresponding regret and condem-
nation, the support given to slavery by Christian
84 MEETING AT EDINBURGH.
professors, ministers, and churches, and would
adjure them by our common Christianity and the
public shame, thus put upon it, to weigh their
conduct in the balance of the sanctuary— to give
up their horrid traffic in the bodies and souls of
men — to put away from among them the accursed
thing, to redeem the past, by awaking to righteous-
ness, by emancipating and evangelizing their sa-
ble fellow-citizens, and thus do homage to Him
who hath made of one blood all nations of men.
4. For ourselves, we hail the speedy answer of
our prayers, and realization of our hopes, in the
emancipation of all the slaves in the United States
— we discern it in the fears and wrath of the
slaveholders — in the absence of moral argument,
and in the melancholy substitute, riot and blood-
shed. We descry it in the labors of a Garrison,
the sacrifices of a Tappan, the fermenting leaven
of Theological Seminaries, the christian heroism
of female advocates, and in the 3"20 Anti-Slavery
Societies that have grown to maturity within the
short space of a year, and especially in the moral
character of the cause as that of Truth — of Pat-
riotism — of Man — of God — and we pledge our-
selves, by every moral and Scriptural motive, to
adjure every friend of ours beyond the Atlantic,
and all that may occasionally visit our land, to
use every exertion to bring to a speedy and peace-
ful termination, a system so fearfully anomalous
and sinful, and Heaven-provoking in a land where
Gospel light so much abounds — for the past, we
thank God, and for the future we take and bid all
others take courage.
JOHN WIGHAM, Jr., Chairman,
PUBLIC MEETING
AT EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND.
February 8, 1836.
AMERICAN SLAVERY.
On Monday, a public meeting of the inhabit-
ants was held in the large Waterloo Room, Re-
gent Bridge, for the purpose of expressing their
sense of the evils of Slavery, as it exists in the
United States of America. The Lord Provost
■was called to the chair. On the platform, we
observed the Honorable Henry David Erskine ;
Rev. Drs. Dickson, Peddie, and Ritchie ; Rev.
Messrs. Gray, Bennie, Liddle, Johnston, French,
C. Anderson, *Robertson, Innes, Peddie, Gould,
W. Anderson, Wilkes, Alexander, Thomson,
&c. ; James Crawford and James Moncrieff, Esqs.
advocates ; Bailies Macfarlan and Sawers ; Trea-
surer Black ; Councillors Duncan, Jameson, and
Deuchar, Dr. Greville, G. M. Torrance, Esq. of
IfCilsaintninian ; William Wemyss, Esq. ; A.Mil-
lar, Esq. Master of Merchant Company ; Patrick
Tennant, Esq. W. S. ; Henry Tod, Esq. W. S.;;
Captain Rose; John Wigham, Jim. Esq.; Alex.
Cruickshank, Esq.; Geo. Thompson, Esq.; and
between 40 and 50 other gentlemen.
The Lord Provost shortly stated the objects of
the meeting, declaring that it had no nartv ob-
8
86 MEETING AT
ject in view, and was simply to be confined to the
objects which was set forth in the placard.
Mr. Crawford, advocate, then rose and said he
had been requested to move the first resolution,
and while he regretted that it had not fallen to
the lot of some one more competent to do it jus-
tice, he claimed this much of merit for himself,
that no one could do it more sincerely or more
cordially. (Cheers.) He begged to read the
resolution, for he thought that the mere reading
of it would relieve him from the necessity of
making many remarks.
Resolved, That this Meeting consider slavery un-
der every modification, and in every country, as op-
posed to the dictates of humanity, the prosperity of
nations, and especially to the principles of the Chris-
tian religion. That deeply sensible of their obliga-
tions to Providence for removing from this nation the
stigma of maintaining slavery, this Meeting feel call-
ed on, as free citizens of a Christian State, to use eve-
ry lawful means for promoting the entire abolition of
slavery in every quarter of the world.
He could not commence his address, without
expressing the gratification he felt, at seeing so
very numerous and respectable a meeting assem-
bled on that interesting occasion. It was en-
couraging and in the highest degree refreshing,
to see men of every variety of christian persua-
sion, and of every shade of political opinion, for-
getting all minor differences, and meetingon that
occasion on a common ground, for the mainten-
ance of a common principle, and for the promo-
tion of a common cause ; and it was one of the
many excellent consequences which resulted
from meetings like the present, that is tended to
smooth the asperities and sweeten the inter-
EDINBURGH. 87
course of society, by reminding each other of the
points upon which we are agreed, and teaching
us charity respecting points upon which we dif-
fer. (Great cheers.) The learned gentleman
then proceeded to say that the time was not long
gone by, since the question they were then met
to consider presented itself in a very different
aspect. Many then present might remember the
time when the slave trade itself, with all the abom-
inations attending on it, was encouraged, sanc-
tioned and protected by British law ; and when
those who ventured to assail it were derided as
visionary dreamers, and idle enthusiasts; yet in
course of time, a patriotic government put down
the slave trade for ever. (Cheers.) A degrad-
ing system of slavery, however, continued to ex-
ist in our West India colonies until a very recent
date ; and when Britons met to express their hor-
ror at the evils of slavery and the guilt of slave-
ry, they met to condemn themselves ; they met to
denounce a system in the maintenance of which
they themselves participated, they met to sympa-
thize with the bondage and degradation which
they aided in perpetuating. But at length the
cry of 800,000 human beings kept by this coun-
try in a state of bondage, awakened public feel-
ing; and a small but patriotic band, burning to
wipe away that stain from our country, and anx-
ious to vindicate our outraged humanity, com-
menced a system of agitation against slavery.
(Great cheers.) The learned gentleman then al-
luded to the unwearied efforts of Wilberforce and
his friends, whose labors had happily been crown-
ed with triumphat success, by the passing of the
British Colonial Slave Emancipation Act two
years ago — the noblest enactment which a Min-
ister ever proposed, or a Monarch ever sanction-
08 MEETING AT
ed — an enactment which had wiped away the
stain from the character of British justice, and by
which the plague spot which rested on our con-
stitution, had been destroyed forever; and now
the sun saw not one single slave within our wide
realms. (Great cheering.) The peaceful and
satisfactory working of that measure too, had put
to silence the evil forebodings which were utter-
ed respecting its effects. The latest accounts
proved that these colonies were never more pros-
perous; that the laborers never more contented ;
and that moral and religious improvement were
never making such rapid progress. (Great
cheers.) He might also state what had only
lately come to his knowledge, that his Majesty's
Government had granted the handsome sum of
£10,000 to be expended in educating the eman-
cipated negroes in our West India colonies ; an
apt and beautiful sequel to the good work which
they had formerly accomplished. (Great cheers.)
After we have succeeded therefore in accom-
plishing the successful issue of slavery in this
country were we to sit still, to wait calmly, and
see slavery in its most unmitigated form main-
tained in America? (Cheers.) He admitted
there were some views of this question, in which
they were not entitled to express their opinions
on the subject of American slavery. There were
two classes of men who had no such right. Those
of our countrymen who viewed the question of
slavery as one of worldly policy, had no right to
interfere with slavery in America. On the other
hand, there was a class of persons who were now
loud in protesting against American slavery, who
had never protested against it in this country,
who now joined in the cry against slavery, not
because they abhorred it, but because they dis-
EDINBURGH. 89
liked America. (Hear, hear, and cheers.) With
neither of these classes of men did he mean to
co-operate. So far from entering on the ques-
tion, from dislike to America, he considered ihe
laws and institutions of that country as vener-
able in the eyes of England ; and that the land
of Washington, Franklin, Jay, Abbot and Chan-
ning, could never be otherwise than interesting
to us. (Cheers.) It was for the sake of Ameri-
ca herself, that he protested against slavery as
being to them as it had been to us, a clog upon
its future career of improvement and as being
enough to call down the vengeance of heaven
upon them, for maintaining so foul a crime.
(Great cheers.) It was not because of its impol-
icy and inexpediency however, or of its inconsist-
ence with republican institutions, or even with
humanity, that he would feel himself entitled to
interfere with America. It was from a deep con-
viction of the sinfulness of slavery, that he con-
sidered we were entitled to enter upon the ques-
tion. (Cheers.) There were others present, far
better able than he was, who would explain how
grievously inconsistent slavery was with the prin-
ciples of religion. He might point to many such
expressions in the scriptures as 'the bondage of
sin ' and ' the glorious liberty of the sons of God,'
to show that slavery must be something exceed-
ingly detestable when it was used to express the
heinousness of sin ; and that liberty must be some-
thing inexpressibly delightful when it is employ-
ed to denote the blessings and the value of holi-
ness. (Great cheering.) He might also explain,
that no sooner did the principles of Christianity
enter into the breast of men, than, if a slave, he
panted and burned for freedom: and that, if not
a slave, no sooner did the principles of religion
8*
90 MEETING AT
enter into his breast, than he panted to bestow
freeaom upon all the human race. He might
also advert to that simple and beautiful rule,
' Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto
you, do ye even so to them ; ' a rule which ex-
cluded every man from having- a slave who was
not willing himself to become one — but without
entering on these grounds, he would take up the
single argument, that the Americans founded ev-
ery one of their own rights upon the equality of
man ; and he would say, where was their boast-
ed freedom and equality when the independent
citizens were seen planting their foot on the
prostrate body of his fellow-men on account of
his difference of color? (Cheers.) After some
farther remarks to the same effect, the learned
gentleman concluded by remarking, that if we
wished to be successful we must proceed to our
great duty by proper means, for that he alone was
a freeman whom the truth made free, and all were
slaves beside. (Great cheering.)
The Rev. Mr. Bennie then rose to second the
resolution brought forward by Mr. Crawford. He
said he had great pleasure in meeting his fellow-
citizens to declare his abhorrence of the sin and
misery of slavery ; and yet he could not suppress
a feeling of shame to think that, after all that was
done to improve society, for the cultivation of the
human mind, and the diffusion of knowledge, it
was still necessary to repeat, to justify and de-
fend the proposition, that ' Man is free, and that
his fellow man has and can have no right of
property in him.' (Great cheering.) There were
some questions of so complex and subtle a na-
ture, that men of the calmest judgment and the
most candid temper might reasonably differ; but
most certainly slavery was not one of these —
EDINBURGH. 91
upon that question, every man was qualified to
judge. The Rev. Gentleman then proceeded to
show that slavery, under whatever modification it
might exist, was subversive of morality and re-
ligion — was opposed to the dictates of humanity
— brutalized the people — placed a barrier against
the progress of knowledge, and consequently a-
gainst the improvement of society. After refer-
ring to the struggle which had taken place in this
country upon slavery, and its triumphant success,
lie said still there were many parts of the world
where slavery prevailed, and though he did not
wish to mingle political feelings with moral and
religious sentiments, yet he could not help say-
ing that the existence of slavery in a land call-
ing itself free, rendered the name of liberty dis-
trusted, and the boast of it disgusting. (Cheers.)
In sitting down, ho would say that they ought not
to rest till every link of the fetters had ceased to
clink upon the heels of every slave, for
' 'Tib liberty alone
That gives to life its verdure and perfume,
And we are weeds without it.' (Great cheering.)
The Rev. Mr. Alexander, of Argyle Square
Chapel, moved the second resolution.
Resolved, That this Meeting view with sincere re-
gret the existence of unmitigated Slavery in Ameri-
ca, a country connected with Grent Britain by many
interesting ties ; and conceive it to be their duty pub-
licly to express their sentiments on the subject, and
to record their detestation of this inhuman and un-
christian system.
He would not take up their time with any re-
marks on the evils of slavery, in general, that
having been well handled by the Rev. Gentleman
92 MEETING AT
who had preceded him. He wished to argue th«
question of American slavery upon the ground of
our common humanity. He admitted that the
strongest ground was our common Christianity ;
but he still thought they might speak to the Ame-
ricans on the ground of their common humanity,
and take up the question as one of pity and kind-
ness. They were entitled to say to the Ameri-
cans — I am a man, bearing within my breast a
human heart— nothing connected with humanity
is foreign to me — I am an English Gentleman ;
and by these ties I am bound to defend the weak-
er party — I am bound to stand forth in the de-
fence of woman — the weaker party is oppressed
by you — woman is degraded, insulted, tortured.
Tell me not of the Atlantic that rolls between us
— my spirit passes over the Atlantic ; tell me not
of your constitution — I tear your charter to
pieces. (Great cheering.) I speak as man to
man ; you have no right to lacerate my feelings ;
withhold your hand : as long as there is might in
my arm, and power in my tongue, smite not my
brother, smite not my sister. (Great cheering.)
He would not describe the horrors of American
slavery, though slavery never wore a darker form
than in America, but he would ask who taught
America the abominable traffic in human flesh ?
It was Britain. We had no objection atone time
to barter our slaves for their coffee ; and it beho-
ved us, therefore, as a matter of justice to un-
teach them what we had so unjustly taught them.
(Loud cheers.) But it might be asked, will Ame-
rica listen to us whpn we speak? Aye, that she
will — the voice of Britain is not so weak but that
h^r voice will be heard across the Atlantic.
(Great cheers.) We could hardly calculate, he
said, the influence which the expression of En-
EDINBURGH. })ti
glish feeling had upon the Americans. Talk of
having no influence ! — There was not a speech
made in our Parliament with reference to Ame-
rica, which did not go from end to end of that
mighty country, and produce an influence which
the speeches of no other nation could produce.
In conclusion, the Rev. Gentleman remarked,
that America was full of incongruities upon this
subject. She was at once a land of Bibles and
of blood — a land of Christianity and of cruelty —
a land of missions and murders — a land which
boasted of unbroken freedom, and yet where man
placed his foot upon the neck of man. Such a
state of things could not long continue.
Mr. MoncriefF, advocate, seconded the motion.
In urging the principle of abolition upon other
nations, we were not speaking of evils which we
had never known — we were not preaching tenets
which we had not ourselves practised ; nor did
we advise a system, the dangers and consequen-
ces of which we had not already encountered.
It might be said that this meeting would have no
effect on America. He did not care, so far as
they were individually concerned. It was at
least a relief to his conscience, to testify to the
truth, though it should have no effect at all. It
was still the duty of every Christian man, on eve-
ry opportunity, to protest against the guilty phan-
tasy, that man could hold property in man. It
was true that slavery still existed in many parts
of the world ; but our voices could not be heard
in Constantinople or St. Petersburffh, for they
did not feel in common with us. But America
shared with us in a comr;jon Christianity and a
common freedom, and arguing with them upon
the principles of eternal right, it was impossible
it should be without effect. Whatever there was
94 MEETING AT
in America of patriotism and philanthropy — what-
ever of enlightened zeal — whatever of exertion
— and it was much — for the diffusion of Christian
truth — all was held in conjunction with a load of
slavery, and they must either cast it from them,
or perish along with it. (Loud cheers.)
Bailie Macfarlan moved the third resolution.
Resolved, That the accounts lately received from
America regarding the progress of this great question
and the formation and extension of Anti-Slavery So-
cieties in that country, are most satisfactory, and af-
ford strong ground for hope, that the peaceful efforts
of Christian philanthropists may, by the blessing of
God, be successful in effecting the abolition of slave-
ry, and rescuing the vast colored population from de-
gradation, ignorance and vice.
Mr. Thompson then rose to address the meet-
ing in support of the last motion, and was receiv-
ed with tremendous applause. He described in
his usual felicitious manner, but much to the same
effect as in his recent lectures, the state of feel-
ing in America on the subject of slavery ; and
showed the propriety, if not the absolute neces-
sity of Britain sending her voice across the waters
in condemnation of that anomalous feature of the
American constitution ; and went over the various
grounds for believing that the slaves in the Uni-
ted States would, in the course of a few years
be completely emancipated.
On the motion of the Rev. John Ritchie, D. D.
seconded by Adam Black, Esq., Treasurer of the
City,
Resolved, That the thanks of this Meeting be cor-
dially given to George Thompson, Esq. for his intrep-
id, able, and successful services in the cause of
EDINBURGH. 95
Universal Emancipation, and particularly for his ar-
duous and persevering exertions during his recen
mission to the United States of America.
Thereafter, upon the motion of R. K. Greville,
L. L. D., seconded by the Hon. Henry David
Erskine, the thanks of the Meeting were given
by acclamation to the Lord Provost for his con-
duct in the Chair, and for the interest he has uni-
formly shown in the cause of Emancipation.
JAMES SPITTAL,
Lord Provost of Edinburgh.
Mr. THOMPSON'S LECTURE,
AT GLASGOW, SCOTLAND.
On Tuesday, April 21, Mr. Thompson de-
livered a lecture in Dr. Wardlaw's chapel. The
admission was by tickets, on the usual terms. —
There was a numerous and highly respectable
audience. Besides the Committee, there were
on the platform a number, of other gentlemen of
respectability. The topics discussed were : — 1.
The present condition and prospects of the West
Indies ; 2. Prejudice against color in America ;
and, 3. The progress of the anti-slavery cause,
and the growing triumphs over prejudice in the
United States. On these subjects, Mr. Thomp-
son spoke for upwards of two hours and a half.
The Rev. Dr. Wardlaw was voted to the Chair
by acclamation. Dr. Wardlaw observed, that
though it ever gave him the sincerest pleasure to
be present on such occasions like that on which
they then met, yet he could not take the Chair,
without regretting the absence of the venerable
President, Robert Grahame, Esq., and his col-
leagues as Vice Presidents, Drs. Heugh and Kids-
ton. The absence of his much esteemed friends,
was occasioned by no want of love for the cause
about to be pleaded — far from it. The first-nam-
ed gentleman was still in London, and the other
MEETING AT GLASGOW. 97
two were attending a meeting of the Secession
Synod in Edinburgh. Knowing, as he did, the
views of liis excellent friend who was about to
speak, he could not help feeling that a cause was
to be advocated which was closely allied with the
doctrines regularly taught in that house. He had
a few Sabbaths since remarked, that the first Gen-
tile to whom an Apostle was specially commis-
sioned to declare the Gospel, was a man of color,
an Ethiopean Eunuch. (Applause.) Into his char-
iot, the servant and the successor of Christ en-
tered, without pride, and without prejudice, and
preached unto him Jesus. (Applause.) He thought
that the text, 'God hath made of one blood all
nations of men, for to dwell on all the face of the
earth,' might very appropriately be chosen as the
theme for the night ; but he would not forestall
the remarks of the lecturer, nor longer occupy
the time of the meeting. Without further pre-
face, he would once more introduce his (Dr. W's)
and their beloved friend, Mr. George Thompson.
(Applause.)
Mr. Thompson rose, and was received with ev-
ery demonstration of approbation. In attempting
a sketch of Mr. Thompson's very lengthened and
animated address, we can only profess to give a
few of the facts with which the various topics
brought forward were illustrated and supported.
We cannot transfer to paper the glowing lan-
guage or vivid thoughts of a speaker delivering
himself with the rapidity and energy of Mr. T.
The Lecturer observed, that he rose, oppressed
by the magnitude and importance of the work
before him. To describe the extent, force, cruel-
ty, and wickedness of prejudice against color in
Arnsrica— the sorrows and sufferings of the three
9
98 MEETING AT
millions who were its patient, unrevenging, and
enduring victims — or rightly to advocate the
claims of his hrother, so foully and fiercely per-
secuted by the demon, prejudice ; either of these
was a task requiring powers far greater than any
he could pretend to employ. All that he could
do, however, in that, and in every other place, he
would do, to disseminate the doctrine of a uni-
versal brotherhood, and obtain the recognition,
as a practical principle, of the beautiful text al-
ready quoted, 'God hath made of one blood all
nations of men.' Before he proceeded to take a
view of the nature, operations, and cure of prej-
udice, he should ask the attention of his auditory
to a few facts respecting the West Indies. Doubt-
less all who heard him, could remember how many
were the predictions of ruin, desolation, the anni-
hilation of commerce, the shedding of blood, &c.
&,c, utterred by our West Indian opponents, who
were wont to sit like ill-omened birds upon the
crumbling battlements of their blood-cemented
fabric, and croak forth their prophecies and male-
dictions, if so be they might scare the timid, the
wavering, and the credulous, from the work of
mercy then in progress. Had these prophecies
been verifid ? No ; all, all, utterly falsified, and
the oracles who uttered them, h« (Mr. T.) thank-
ed God, had lived to see the reverse of all they
had so confidently foretold. Instead of ruin —
prosperity; instead of desolation — verdure and
fertility; instead of pillage, spoliation, and rapine
— honesty, truth, and attachment ; instead of a
relapse into barbarism — a sudden merging forth
from darkness and despair, with all their accom-
panying misdeeds and miseries, into the hopes,
occupations, and energies of civilized and useful
life ; instead of servile commotion, pale fear, and
GLASGOW. 99
midnight assault — a free and grateful peasantry,
a secure and unsuspecting propriety, a tranquil
and well ordered community ; instead of the
glancing knife, the uplifted hatchet, the prowling
bandit, and the shrieking vi6tim — were seen the
implements of willing husbandry, the negro seek-
ing at eve the bosom of a happy family, and those
who once were visited by the tortures of conscious
guilt, and fears of Vengeance from an oppressed
people, now rejoicing in security and anticipating
the rapid approach of still better days and more
beautiful harvests. Such was the state of things
in the West Indies with the abatement of the
inconveniences, acts of injustice, cases of indi-
vidual suffering, &c. &c, (and he confessed they
were not few) that had grown out of that clumsy,
unphilosopbical, and iniquitous piece of machin-
ery, by some called Stanleyism, but by my Lord
Stanley and his abettors, called Apprenticeship.
Mr. Thompson then proceeded to lay before the
meeting a mass of evidence in support of his as-
sertions. The following is an extract of a des-
patch from the Marquis of Sligo, Governor of
Jamaica, to Lord Glenelg: —
The- following are a few memoranda respecting Jamai-
ca, ilie result of some consideration and observation,
combined with the best information tliat could be procur-
ed : —
1. The quality of the sugar made this year, is bona
fide far superior to what has been heretofore made by
night work on the majority of estates in this island.
2. There has been by far less slock lost in this year's
crop than in that of preceding years, and in many places,
it has been taken oil' by a smaller number.
3. The slock are. generally speaking, in much belter
condition tins year, than they were at the close of any
former year's crop, when they liavo been so weak that
many of them have died in consequence.
100
MEETING AT
4. Thai the apprentices generally are evidently becom-
ing- more reconciled to the system, and work cheerfully lor
money hire, both night and day, and that they are becom-
ing better behaved every day,
5. That they may be expected still further to improve,
as soon as the} begin to feel the natural impetus ol edu-
cation and religion, and as they get rid of the system of
deceit which Slavery occasioned, in order to save them
from oppression.
6. That several estates will exceed the present crop in
the next year, and the majoiily will equal it.
7. That when this is not the case, it can be traced to
sufficient causes, independent of the loss of labor, which
of course must have considerable effect, when it is recol-
lected that on many esiaies the slaves were compelled not
only to work day and night as long as nature would allow
of it, and in such manner as their bodilv endurance would
permit, for the six week days, but were often compelled
to pot sugar on the Sunday.
On the whole, I come to the conclusion, that the perfect
success of the new system during the continuance of the
apprenticeship, depends entirely on the conduct of the
while people, and that if it fails, on them will rest the en-
tire blame. (Signed) SLIGO.
In proof of the truth of what he had said re-
specting the produce of the islands, Mr. T. would
submit, from official documents sent to the home
government , the amount of suo-ar imported into
the United Kingdom from the West India Tslands,
from 5th January, 1833, to 5th January, 1836.
From Jan. 5, 1833.
to Jan. 5. 1834.
cwt. qr.
3,656,611 2
From Jan. 5,1834,
to Jan. 5. 1835.
cwt. qr.
J71 3
From Jan. 5.1835,
to Jan. 5, 1836.
cut. qr.
3.5:1.388 -
I'..
26
Let it also be remembered that in some of the
colonies last year they had had much wet, and in
others extreme drought. Mr. Thompson referred
to certain returns from various parishes in Jamai-
GLASGOW. 101
ca, furnishing particulars respecting the condition
of the past crop (1835,) and the prospects of the
coming crop. In the vast majority of instances
the crop of last year was reputed to be 'over'
that of the previous year. In some cases 12,000
and 15,000 lbs. of sugar extra had been made. —
With reference to the coming crop, and the con-
dition of the plantations, the accounts were in
general to the following effect: — 'Much improv-
ed latterly.' ' Improvement.' ' Much improve-
ment.' ' In most satisfactory condition.' ' Great
prospect of abundance.' ' In fair forwardness.'
* Unusual crop expected ; plough introduced for
the first time, and much approved.' 'Property in
better state than last year.' In other and smaller
islands the effect has been equally striking and
satisfactory. What were the brief but gratifying
accounts from the Governors as furnished to the
Colonial Secretary at home ? He (Mr. T.) held
in his hand extracts from these despatches —
Montserrat — 'Perfect state of tranquility.'
Bahamas — ' Continued tranquility.'
Nevis — 'Tranquility and good order.'
Virgin Islands — 'Orderly and peaceable.'
Dominica — 'Continued quiet.'
St. Vincent — 'No insubordination.'
Tobago — 'I am inclined to believe that the is-
land of Tobago will be found second to none in
point of good conduct on the part of the Appren-
tices.'
Trinidad — 'Realizes the most sanguine hopes
of the promoters of the important change.'
Honduras — ' Never behaved better, or so well
before.'
St. Lucia — 'Tranquil and orderly.'
Demerara — 'I deem it my duty farther to re-
mark to your Lordship, that since the 1st of Au-
9*
102 MEETING AT
gust there has not been an instance of a white
man upon an estate being struck or ill-treated by
a negro ; nor has a single building or corn-field
been maliciously set fire to.'
In reference to the comparative state of crime
amongst the free inhabitants (white) and the ap-
prentices, the colored population of the island, Mr.
Thompson quoted the following extract from a
letter published in Jamaica in January last : —
I have been a keen observer of passing events since the
1st of August — I have noted almost every circumstance
that reached the light, so far as the freed man and the
apprentice are concerned, and on this head of crime I
will give you my notes.
From the 1st of August, 1834, to the meeting of the last
Assizes, eighty-one apprentices have been tried before the
three Courts in the island.
For the same period and before the same courts, 35 free
men.
I will furnish you with a table of offences.
Free. Apprentices.
Cutting and maiming
1
Manslaughter
7
2
Larceny
5
35
Assaults
20
8
Riot
1
Felony
2
Receiving stolen goods
3
1
Obstn. of Magistrates
2
Murder
2
1
Burglary
7
Horse and Cattle stealing
8
20
Sheep and Goat stealing
5
Highway robbery
Embezzlement
1
1
Forgery
1
Rape
1
53 81
In the above you will observe, that in the atrocious
crimes of murder, manslaughter, felony, cutting and maim-
ing, the poor apprentices, without the aid of education,
GLASGOW. 103
without the dawn of religion beaming on their souls, and
lighting them to her ' paths of peace,' are considerably in
the minority, and that the freemen with more adventitious
advantages which their condition afford, stand foremost,
and exhibit a lamentable contrast in the eommital of hei-
nous crimes, when arrayed with the poor, ignorant, forsak-
en apprentices.
Now, I will show the proportion of crime that each class
bears on its population.
The Militia Return of 1834, which is composed
entirely of free persons, is 10,000
Supposed not doing duty, including women and
children, little more than 4-5ths 9,000
19,000
This makes crime, on the side of the free, about one in
357.
The last Registration of Apprentices 310,000
Supposed to be manumised 2,000
308,000
This makes crime on the side of the apprentice, about
1 in 3,802.
In happy and enlightened England, ' 700 persons were
put on their trial in the winters of 1830 and 1831, charged
with rioting and arson, and of those 700, how many could
read and write ? Only 150 — all the rest were marksmen.'
Now, if nearly one-fifth of the number, or 214 in a 1000
could read, and commit crimes in a country where educa-
tion is rife, is there not a legitimate ground of excuse for
the apprentices, when we consider that education among
them is in the ratio of about 19 in a thousand.
Prejudice against Color. — One of the distin-
guishing sins of America was prejudice against
color — a negro-hating spirit. An unutterable
loathing of the colored man, no matter what his
virtues, his talents, his christian graces. An odi-
ous aristocracy, founded upon the hue of the skin,
the texture of the hair, the conformation of the
shin-bone. Yes! there was a strait-haired, pale-
skinned, short-heeled, high-nosed aristocracy in
America — more exclusive, more oppressive, more
104 MEETING AT
tenacious, and more offensive than any aristocra-
cy of Rome, or Venice, or England, or France. —
He (Mr. T.) firmly believed that there were thou-
sands of professing christians in the United States,
who would renounce Christ if it were demonstrat-
ed that when on earth he tabernacled in the body
of a colored man. In illustration of his subject,
Mr. Thompson quoted a number of documents
put forth by the American Colonization Society,
the professing friends of the free colored race, in
which they were described as 'a greater Nui-
sance than even slaves themselves;' 'a horde of
miserable people ;' ' a vile excrescence upon So-
ciety ;'' a curse and contagion wherever they
reside.' 'An anomalous race of beings, the most
depraved upon earth ;' 'a mildew upon our fields,
a scourge to our backs, (this, I think, said Mr. T.
must be a misprint, it certainly should read a
scourge to their backs,) — (great laughter,) and a
stain upon our escutcheon ;' 'scarcely reached in
their debasement by the heavenly light.' This
prejudice, and the treatment occasioned by it, was
vindicated by such men as the Rev. R.R.Gurley,
Rev. Leonard Bacon, and the Hon. Mr. Calhoun,
United States Senator, on the grounds of* neces-
sity,' 'divine ordination,' 'a primitive, inherent,
invincible antipathy,' &c. &c. &c. It required
no argument to prove the tendency of this preju-
dice to blunt the sympathies ; to call off the at-
tention from the woes and wants, and claims of
the colored people ; to paralyze benevolence ; to
darken the mental vision, and to injure the moral
sense. Indeed he (Mr. T.) had been filled with
sorrow and astonishment, to perceive the awful
lengths to which otherwise good men would go
in the perversion of Scripture, and the destruc-
tion of the moral obligations, under the influence
GLASGOW. 105
of this prejudice against color. One of the fruits
of prejudice, was the Colonization Society — an
institution called into being by prejudice; based
upon prejudice; appealing to prejudice; acting
in accordance with the demands of prejudice ;
ever seeking to gratify prejudice, and incapable
of existence, without the aid of prejudice. The
white man did not more loath, shun, and detest
the colored man, than did the colored man abhor
the Colonization Society. It was equally abhorred
by all the enlightened and sincere friends of the
colored people. Mr. Thompson dwelt at length
upon the sufferings, physical and mental, inflicted
upon the colored people by this prejudice, and
related a great number of anecdotes, of the most
affecting nature. These we cannot find room to
report. They produced a deep impression upon
the meeting, and filled all with sorrow and indig-
nation, at the existence of so cruel and crushing
a feeling amongst a people professedly christian.
* Who are they,' enquired Mr. Thompson, ' who
are thus treated? ' Do they want intellect. No.
Here the lecturer dwelt upon the past greatness,
and present capacity of the African, and gave
some touching and sublime illustrations of the
intellectual and moral character of the negro. —
Mr. Thompson here read an extract from a work
the Costume of the Ancients — by Thomas Hope,
2 vol. — London, 1812, page 1. 'The ancient
Egyptians were descended from the Ethiopians,
ami while their blond remained free from any mix-
ture with that of European or Asiatic nations,
their race seems to have retained obvious traces
of the aboriginal negro form and features. Not
only all the human figures in their colored hvero-
glyphics display a deep swarthy complexion, but
every Egyptian monument whether statue or bass-
106 MEETING AT
relief, presents the splay feet, the spreading' toes,
the bow-bent shins, the high meagre calves, the
long swinging arms, the sharp shoulders, the
square flat hands, the head when seen profile,
placed not vertically but obliquely on the spine,
the jaws and chin consequently very prominent,
together with the skinny lips, depressed nose, high
cheek bones, large unhemmed ears raised far
above the level of the nostrils, and all the other
peculiarities characteristic of the negro confor-
mation. It is true the practice prevalent among
the Egyptians of shaving their heads and beards
close to the skin, (which they only deviated from
when in mourning,) seldom aliens their statues
to shew that most undeniable symptom of negro
extraction, the woolly hair ; the heads of their
figures generally appearing covered with some
sort of cap, or when bare, closely shaven. In the
few Egpytian sculptured personages, however, in
which the hair is introduced, it uniformly offers
the woolly texture, and the short crisp curls of
that of the negroes ; nor do I know a single speci-
men of genuine Egpytian workmanship, in which
are seen any indications of the long sleek hair, or
loose wavy ringlets of Europeans or Asiatics.' —
Do they want gratitude ? No. Here also Mr.
Thompson introduced a number of interesting
facts detailing his own experience in America,
and shewing the brave and generous attachment
of the free colored people to his person. Are
they sanguinary ? No. Here Mr. Thompson
referred to their conduct under the most cruel and
unprovoked persecutions, and challenged Ameri-
ca to point to one instance of bloody retaliation.
Mr. Thompson also read some highly interest-
ing extracts from a letter of the Rev. N. Paul and
his lady. We have only room to notice one state-
GLASGOW. J 07
ment, that the Colored people of Albany, in the
state of New-York, had formed an Anti-Slavery
Society of 300 members, and had called it the
* Thompson Abolition Society.' The reading of
Mr. and Mrs. Paul's letter excited much interest,
this truly estimable and pious couple having left
many friends behind them in this city.
Mr. T. concluded his lecture by urging his au-
ditory to continued and zealous efforts in the
cause of Emancipation ; which called forth enthu-
siastic applause.
Mr. Thompson stated his intention to deliver,
in a few days, a lecture to the ladies of Glasgow
and its vicinity, on the subject of American Sla-
very, with a view to stimulate them to exertion in
support of the great work which the Emancipa-
tion Society contemplates. The meeting then
separated.
MEETING AT NEWCASTLE.
We take the following account of Mr. Tliomp'
son's visit to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and a sketch
of that gentleman's speech at the Peace Meeting,
from the Tyne Mercury of April 32.
Mr. Thompson, during the last two weeks, has
afforded to the inhabitants of Newcastle a high
intellectual treat. He is one of the most power-
ful and accomplished orators that ever graced a
platform ; but, above all, his modest demeanor,
his christian beneficence towards all, and particu-
larly his ardent and well directed advocacy of the
oppressed Negro in our Colonies and in America,
have left an impression on the minds of his nu-
merous and crowded audiences that will not read-
ily be effaced, and has given such an impetus to
the Anti-Slavery Societies of Newcastle, as it is
hoped will not be abated until the last link of the
last chain of Slavery throughout the world is
broken. Mr. Thompson also delivered speeches
at two Missionary meetings and at meetings of
the Temperance and Peace Societies, crowded
almost to suffocation. It is impossible to describe
the pleasing and fascinating effect of his elo-
quence ; it must be heard to give a correct idea
of it
MEETING AT NEWCASTLE. 109
SOCIETY" EOR THE PROMOTION OF PERMANENT
AND UNIVERSAL PEACE.
On Thursday evening last, the anniversary
meeting or the above society was held at Bruns-
wick Place Chapel the Rev. Mr. Pengilly in the
chair. The Chairman, in opening the business,
briefly commented on the horrid nature of war, as
being opposed to the spirit of Christianity ; and
intimated to the meeting that their respected friend
Mr. Pilkington, and the able and eloquent advo-
cate of Universal Emancipation, Mr. George
Thompson, would address them on the occasion.
The Rev. Mr. Orange then read the report,
which congratulated the nation on the preserva-
tion of peace ; and Mr. Priestman having read
the treasurer's account, which left a balance of
£G in the society's hands, the Rev. Mr. Reid mo-
ved that the report read be adopted, which was
seconded by Mr. Priestman.
Mr. Geo. Richardson moved the second reso-
lution, in an appropriate speech, which was sec-
onded by Mr. Pilkington.
The Rev. Mr. Orange moved the next resolu-
tion, and complimented the nation, on its com-
mercial prosperity, and stated that since peace
had been established taxes to the amount of elev-
en millions of money had been repealed ; alter
which
Mr. Thompson rose to second the motion, and
was received with enthusiastic applause. When
recently invited to visit Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
(said Mr. T.) he had no idea of being so fre-
quently called upon to appear before public as-
10
110 MEETING AT
semblies — nor of the variety of benevolent enter-
prises, it would be his privilege to recommend
to the countenance and care of those whome he
had the honor to address. He gladly consented
to plead the cause of Education amongst the Ne-
groes of the British Colonies — as gladly did he
stand forth as the advocate of Universal Emanci-
pation, and he rejoiced that Societies had been
formed to advance that glorious object. He had
also with much readiness appeared as the advo-
cate of the immediate and entire abolition of the
guilty, degrading and voluntary bondage of intem-
perance. He could, however, truly say, that
with equal pleasure, he stood forth as the advo-
cate of the principles of permanent and universal
peace. Though he had oniy once before appear-
ed on the platform of the Peace Society, he had
frequently introduced the subject, incidentally,
into his public addresses, and he trusted he should
suffer no opportunity of recommending the prin-
ciples of the Society to pass unimproved. He
(Mr. T.) carried his Peace principles to the fullest
possible extent. He considered war unlawful,
under all possible, all conceivable circumstances.
He denied the right of any mortal man to
take the life of another. (Approbation.) In tak-
ing these views of war, and punishment, and
self defence, he of course, stood upon Christian
principles. He spoke as a christian to christian
men. He asked ' what is it to be a christian ? '
the reply was to be like Christ. In reference,
therefore, to any circumstances in which he
might be placed he had but to set the example of
his divine Redeemer before him, and ask 'How
would he have acted in such circumstances?'
So doing he (Mr. T.) seldom found any difficulty
in deciding. He confessed, that in looking over
NEWCASTLE. Ill
the face of his beloved country, he cnuld not join
with those who called it a christian country.
In every direction he saw the paraphernalia of
war, offensive and defensive. Our history was
a history of bloody wars. The demon of desola-
tion had deprived us of £400,000,000 sterling of
treasure, and of 200,000,000 of our sons. Call us
a nation of civilized savages, of wholesale butch-
ers, of sanguinary, unappeasable murderers, but
call us not a nation of christians till we have
more consistently exemplified the doctrines of
the prince of peace! He might if he had time,
dwell upon the causes, preliminaries, progress,
consummation, and consequences of war, and
show that in its principles, participations, and ef-
fects, it was 'evil' and 'only evil.' This work
he believed, however, had been done thoroughly
by his friend, Mr. Pilkington. He regretted that
such false views of honor and glory were enter-
tained by youth generally. He believed, howev-
er, that the patriotism and courage of our modern
warriors were in most instances inspired by the
extrinsic blandishments of the profession. See
yonder troop exciting the admiration of a gap-
ing crowd — every female sighing for a hero as
her lover, and every bumpkin panting to share
' The glory and the guilt of war/
What is it thus steals away their hearts ? Is it
love of country ? No. Is it hatred of their coun-
try's foes ? No. What then ? The martial mu-
sic — the stately tramp — the nodding plume — the
waving banner — the crimson sash — the worsted
epaulette; — these were the things in which the
charms of a military life were found. Instead of
the ordinary aids, and garnishings, and imple-
] 12 MEETING AT
ments of war, let them be sent into the field in
ordinary apparel, with no other weapons but those
which nature has given them ; and let them, at
some signal, fiy at each other's throats, with tooth
and nail, and gnaw and claw, and beat and bruise,
until they were tired; and he believed that ware
would be less frequent, less popular, less destruc-
tive, and certainly less expensive. The fact was,
that war depended very much for its attraction?,
upon worsted, and broadcloth, and parchment, and
Day & Martin's blacking. All these things he
considered vain, guilty, and anti-Christian. Chris-
tianity was the same now in spirit as it was of old,
and he adverted to the opinions of some men of
the most celebrated piety and learning, whose
declarations against war were, 'that as christians,
they could not, dare not, or would not fight,' and
were they then at this present period still
upholding a system that our fathers of old so bold-
ly denounced ? The principle of the christian
was not to resist evil, but to overcome evil with
good — to love their enemies, and love them even
as friends. Who could stand on more elevated
ground ? Mr. Thompson then cited a case arising
from the supposition of some valiant youth being
then present who was thirsting for glory, and
might think that he (Mr. T.) was a coward and a
pretty fellow to be a defender of his country. He
would say to that young person that it required
more courage to be a man of peace than a man of
war. He wwuld tell him that he could walk on
the most barren and lonely heath at night, where
the gibbet swung and the footpad lay in ambush,
with a calm and steady purpose, without a single
weapon of defence; while others armed them-
selves for their protection. Still pursuing his
solitary course, the footpads mark his coming, and
NEWCASTLE.
113
by the beams of the moon they mark his person.
Having come up they demand his purse or life.
The man of peace gives up his purse as trash, and
is permitted to pass without further harm. Not
so with the person armed — the footpads note his
weapons, and lie concealed lest they should be
the injured instead of injuring; they mark him for
their deadly aim, and both murder and rob him.
Thus we see the man of peace succeeds, and
quietly passes on, trusting in the potency of his
principles. Mr. T. cited one or two more cases
where the man of peace trusted not on worldly
assistance for protection, and observed that he re-
lied on the promises of God, who had numbered
the hairs of their heads, and permitted not a spar,
and the first man that was killed on the settle-
ment was shot by an Indian who thought the man
was going to kill him. In the Irish rebellion the
dwellings of 'The Friends' were spared; and in
America any one acquainted with its history would
see that those persons possessing peace principles
conciliated the Indians. In Massachusetts, lie
learned the history of a farmer, whom the Indian
savages never harmed, while they pillaged and
murdered his neighbors around — they never pass-
ed his cot without calling hirn the man of peace.
While the lamented Richard Lander was wan-
dering in the interior of Africa, he was suddenly
surrounded by hundreds of savages, who at the
sign of their chief levelled their arrows dipped
with poison at our countryman, and at another sign
the arrows would have pierced his body, but that
Lander had the presence of mind to fling instant-
ly from him on the ground his arms, and with
open hands approached the chief, who at another
given signal caused the arrows to be pointed to
the ground. Thus he had the practical uses of
10*
114 MEETING AT
the society developed fully in those facts. It had
teen said, that if England did not fight she was
liable to be invaded by every ambitious tyrant.
He (Mr. T.) would like to see an Armada ap-
proaching our isle to .attack a nation of peaceful
men and women. The principles of peace should
be disseminated and cultivated all over the world;
nations should act as individuals, and that time
would soon approach — the triumphs of the Mille-
nium. The passage of scripture referred to by
Mr. Pilkington, viz: — ' whosoever sheddeth man's
blood by man shall his blood be shed,' was now,
he considered, as a law merely to gratify the am-
bition of man. Some would go on doubting, al-
though 999 points out of a thousand were made
clear to them, yet, who would still act upon the
one that was doubtful ; and although that doubt
might be resolved, yet still they would go on kill-
ing all the time. Man for his purposes would go
as far back as the antediluvian times, to quote for
authority to kill. Mr. T. then contended that the
milder the laws were, the more efficient would
they be found, and related an interesting fact
which occurred in America, in a prison at Con-
necticut, the master of which was noted for his
mild discipline, and kind and benevolent disposi-
tion. It happened that some prisoners, who had
been employed in some public works that had just
been finished, were removed into the custody of
this gaoler. Previous to their arrival he had re-
ceived a book of their names, detailing the nature
of their character and eonduct. Among them
was a very old man, who had been 17 years a
prisoner, and who was set forth to be incorrigible
and totally irreclaimable. This old man was
brought to him heavily laden with irons, and when
the master cast his eyes upon him, lie instantly
NEWCASTLE. 115
ordered them to be knocked off, and going up to
him, said, ' Old man, you are old enough to be
my father, and tiiose chains are not lit lor you.'
The man stood stupified and amazed, but did not
utter a word. The master of the gaol after this
sent for the old man to come into his private room,
to hear the orders and discipline of the prison
read over. He was then sent to work; and for
two months this man conducted himself with sat-
isfaction. After this period, however, the master
had twice observed some faults committed by him,
and again sent fur him and remonstrated with him
in kind terms. The master charged him with a
breach of the prison laws, and told the old man
that he might punish him for the offence by send-
ing him to a cell where the light of heaven never
entered, and the human voice was never heard ;
but to an old man like him he could not do it. —
The old man again stared in astonishment, and
at last ejaculated ' what did he mean — for he had
never for 17 long years heard tones of kindness
used towards him ; he could bear the whip, the
irons, and even the gallows itself, but this mark
of kindness he could not bear,' and he burst into
tears. Let us learn from this fact to try the mild-
er system before the severe and harsh one. It
was natural for them to be ruled by love more
than by fear; every thing in creation showed this
fact. If this principle was taken up, how soon
would it spread into their system of educa-
tion, and even into their legislature, for he re-
gretted to say, they had not as yet received this
groat moral and religious principle. Mr. T. then
ridiculed the idea of chivalry and deeds of fnmc>
and illustrated the state of feelings which per-
vaded the breasts of thousands the moment be-
fore the battle, when the trumpet's shrill blast
11G MEETING AT NEWCASTLE.
was echoing from line to line, the drum rolling
and the banner waving, and all arrayed —
' Big wilh the fate of Cato and of Rome.'
At that moment what thoughts of home have oc-
cupied the soldier's breast, and of his fate wheth-
er he would return or not. Mr. T., after a few
more remarks, concluded a highly interesting,
powerful, and eloquent speech, by exhorting the
audience as christians to support the propagation
of peace, — for if all societies acted upon the truth
of the gospel they would all become peace socie-
ties. Let the cruelty of slavery and the despot-
ism of war be linked together, and banished into
that hell whence they originated. He would now
part from them in peace. He had first come to
appeal for the oppressed slave, however feeble
his efforts had been, and he now left them advo-
cates of the cause of universal peace.
MR. THOMPSON'S
FIRST LECTURE,
BEFORE THE GLASGOW EMANCIPATION
SOCIETY.
A meeting of the members and friends of the
Glasgow Emancipation Society was held in the
Rev. Dr. Wardlaw's chapel, on Friday evening-,
Jan. 29, when Mr. Thompson delivered an address
on the subject of his Anti-Slavery mission to the
United States. Owing to the great anxiety to hear
Mr. Thompson, the Committee considered it prop-
er that the admission should be by tickets only,
in order to prevent injury to the chapel and to
preserve order. The doors of the chapel were
opened at G o'clock, before which time a large
crowd, anxious to obtain good seats, were waiting
outside. Long before seven the church was filled
with a most respectable audience, among whom
we observed many of our fellow-citizens, well
known for their active philanthropy. At 7 o'clock,
Mr. G: Thompson, accompanied by the Com-
mittee, entered the Chapel. Ho was immediate-
ly recognised, and was received with repeated
and enthusiastic bursts of applause.
James Johnston, Esq., moved that the Rev.
Dr. Ileugh take the chair as Vice-President of
IIS MEETING AT
the Society. The motion was agreed to by ac-
clamation.
The Chairman, (Dr. Heugh) said — Ladies and
gentlemen, in common with all who hear me, I
regret the absence of our respected president,
"whom no obstruction which it was in his power
to overcome could have kept from occupying his
place among us this evening. His ardor in the
cause of humanity and freedom is not less intense
in his old age, than in the best days of his youth
and manhood ; and the hoary head of Robert
Grahame will not be the less honored on this
account by his friends and fellow citizens of
Glasgow. (Long and loud cheering.) We must
all deeply regret too, the absence of our senior
Vice-President, Dr.Wardlaw, who has stood for-
ward in the cause of negro freedom with so much
Christian principle, fervor, and intrepidity; who
has lent the aid of his great talents to this sa-
cred cause, amidst good report and bad report,
and who would have filled the chair this evening,
as he fills every public situation he is called to
occupy, with honor to himself and delight to all
who hear him — (cheers.) Ladies and gentlemen,
you are assembled this evening to see again — and
that is no small privilege — our well-known friend
before you, (cheers) of whom, in his presence, I
cannot trust myself to speak as I would were lie
absent, but whoso eulogium it is unnecessary
for me to attempt to pronounce in a meeting of
my fellow-citizens of Glasgow assembled in this
place, the well remembered scene of his former
eloquent pleadings, protracted conflicts, and de-
cisive and splendid triumph. Mr. T. returns to us
from the American shores, with his name and his
well earned fame untarnished. He has neither
been defeated nor dishonored. He lias retreat-
GLASGOW. 119
ed, not fled, from America. He has retreated,
by the urgency of friends, from lawless physical
violence ; but he has never fled, and, if I mistake
him not, he never will flee from any field of fair
intellectual conflict. (Cheers.) He never went
thither for the purpose of physical warfare, to fight
the pro-slavery men with the fist, or the poignard,
or the firelock ; he went to proclaim in the ears
of America the voice of truth, and humanity ; and
thousands and tens of thousands of the best and
most enlightened citizens of that country bear
him witness that he has nobly fulfilled his
Mission; fori am confident, that documentary
evidence, of the most unquestionable charac-
ter, will support me, when I say, that when brute
violence was not interposed against his per-
son, and in every instance in which the conflict
was mental alone, his success has not been less
signal in America, than at any period of his career
in Great Britain. (Cheers.) But I shall not do vi-
olence to my own feelings, and to your wishes by
detaining you longer from hearing "Mr. Thompson.
Mr. Thompson, on advancing to the front of
the platform, was loudly cheered. It was with
unspeakable joy, he said, that he once more rose
to address the friends of freedom and humanity
in this city — within these walls — these walls
where they had so often met before to fight the
battle of universal freedom, and tooverconn' with
spiritual weapons the foes of human rights. —
(Cheers.) He appeared before them to surren-
der into their hands the trust they had reposed in
him — to give a faithful account of his Steward-
ship, during nearly two years he had been their
representative in a foreign land, and to render a
strict account of all his words, all his actions, all
his plans, and all his purposes, since he bade fare-
120 MEETING AT
well to his kind friends in this country, and sailca
across the Atlantic for the United States of Amer-
ica, there to represent their wishes and prayers,
and to preach tidings of humanity. When they
first commissioned him on this errand of mercy,
they promised to assist him with their sympathies
and prayers. They bestowed upon him an unre-
served and a generous confidence — they pledged
themselves to co-operate with him zealously and
unremittingly, while laboring" in a distant and
dangerous field, grappling with the monster, Sla-
very — face to face, and nobly they had redeemed
their pledge ; they had been true to their cause —
true to him ; they were still true to their cause,
they still abode by the standard which had been
planted in this city, and which, he hoped, would
never be deserted while a single shackle remain-
ed on the mind or the body of a living being,
(Tremendous cheering.) They were still true to
the negro's humble but sincere advocate ; they
still greeted him with smiles, still animated him
by applause. Thank God, he was able to appear
before them with clean hands ; lie had done his
duty as far as he could, and now, returning from
the field of conflict, he had nothing to conceal —
nothing to disguise — nothing to extenuate — noth-
ing for which to ask forgiveness. He had only to
deliver a plain unvarnished statement of what his
eyes had seen and his ears had heard. He would
give an account of the astonishing progress of the
cause, and he doubted not that before the end of
his addresses, they would be convinced that, since
the amelioration ot the moral and physical condi-
tion of the human race had first engaged the at-
tention of philanthropists, never had a greater
work been accomplished, unaided by miracles, in
so short a period. (Immense cheering.) If there
GLASGOW. 121
be any individual present who may think that he
(Mr. Thompson) had accomplished nothing — that
his enunciation of those principles which these
walls have so often echoed, was altogether fruit-
loss — he would only ask him to return again and
again to these lectures in order that he might be
undeceived. The history of the abolition ques-
tion was interesting and important on many
grounds.
1st, as an exhibition of contemporaneous events,
appertaining to the freedom and happiness of a
largo portion of the human race.
!<5d, as connected with the history of Republi-
can America, which in its fate was ordained deep-
ly and widely to affect all other nations — (cheers.)
3d, as connected with that particular branch of
human freedom, lor which we have struggled, and
for which we will be found struggling while a fet-
ter remains on the limbs or on the conscience of
a human being. The question was also interest-
ing from its developing, as had never been done
before, the method by which a great moral revo-
lution might be carried on, and prejudices the
most stubborn and deep rooted, might be utterly
destroyed.
It might be asked what interest had they in
this question ? He would answer that the ques-
tion was interesting to all, in so far as it proved,
more fully than any other modern reformation,
the potency of truth — or, in words which would
be understood by every one, it showed what mar-
vellous results had been effected by what wa3
afore-time called the * foolishness of preaching.'
It was interesting, as bringing them to an ac-
quaintance with some of the finest specimens of
the human race, or, as their worthy Vice PresL
dent on a late occasion had styled them, the
11
122 MEETING AT
'Grandees of nature.' The speaker hero, allud-
ing to the American Abolitionists, broke out into
a highly-wrought and splendid apostropliy which
we need not attempt to report^ He then proceed-
ed: — The topic was also interesting, from its be-
ing connected with those benevolent and religious
enterprises in which the christians of this country
were so closely united with those of America, and
in which they would perse\ ere till the last idol
tumbled to the ground, and every human spirit was
illuminated with the light of divine truth. It was
finally interesting on account of its exhibiting
conduct, on the other side of the Atlantic, which
we would do well to imitate. Yes! they would
do well to follow the noble example of those who
fought the battle of humanity against the despot-
ism of the western hemisphere. But he stood
not there to traduce America — God forbid. It
was true that he had been persecuted, reviled,
and hunted from its shores ; he trusted, however,
that those who had so acted towards him would
yet see their error, and would discover that
he had never been their enemy. It was true,
he was not accustomed to call things other-
wise than by their proper names. He always
called a spade a spade, because it was always
a spade. Slavery he would call by itsown name,
wherever it was, were it even at the horns
of the altar; and he would call a despot, a
despot, though by profession a republican, lie
would call America a wicked nation — a hissing
and a bye-word throughout the whole civilized
world. In the statements he was about (o make,
he would draw his facts entirely from American
documents — from newspapers and other periodi-
cals written and printed by Americans. It was
with regret he stated these things regarcliue
GLASGOW. 123
that country. He admired and loved America —
he hat nl not her sons, but her sins — he only war-
red against those customs which endangered her
institutions — he wished to remove that foul blot
which marred her beauty, that excrescence in the
body politic, which, if removed, would restore
that nation to more than pristine grandeur and
beauty, and enable it to stand forth a beacon and
a blessing to the world.
He could sincerely say in Scotland of America,
what on the other side of the Atlantic he had de-
clared to America.
I love thee . — witness heaven above,
That I this land, this people love ;
And rail my slanderers as they will,
Columbia, I will love thee still.
Nor love thee less when 1 do tell
Of crimes that in thy bosom dwell,
O ! that my weakest word might roll,
Like heaven's own thunder through thy souJ !
There is oppression in thine hand —
A sin corrupting all the land ;
There is within thy gates a pest,
Gold, and a Babylonish vest 5
Not hid in shame-coneealing shade,
But broad against the son display'd ;
Repent thee then, and swiftly bring
Fortb from the camp the accursed thing ;
Consign it to remorseless fire,
Watch till the latest spark expire,
Then strew its ashes on the wind,
Nor leave an atom wreck behind,
So shall thy power and wealth increase:
So shall thy people dwell in peace !
On thee the Almighty's glory rest,
And all the earth in thee be blest !
He had now expressed his worst wish towards
America. Thank heaven, those who knew him
loved him. There were but two parties in Amer-
ica. The one loved him, and would die for him ;
124 MEETING AT
the other hated him, and would very willingly,
were they able, toss him into the bottomless pit.
Looking to America, the greatness of its present
state, and its yet greater prospects, who would
Botsay that it was a nation well worth caring for;
exalted in arts, invincible in arms, secure from in-
vasion, almost illimitable in territory, there was
scarcely a nation to compare with it; possessing
extensive commerce, rich in cultivation, with a
vast and increasing population, powerful in for-
eign relations, and having a constitution so ex-
cellent that he, though attached to a monarchical
form of government, considered it the noblest
constitution in the world. Look again to her
granaries overflowing with the produce of the
country; her custom-houses teeming with the
merchandise of the world ; and they would not
consider it exaggeration should he say that Amer-
ica was scarcely second to any country on earth.
Should there be an American present in this
meeting he hoped that while he bore away his
reproaches, he would also bear witness that he
spoke well of his country. Yet America was
more guilty — ay, greatly the more guilty, on this
account. Not content with al! the natural advan-
tages which She possessed, with the blessings of
free industry and honest trade, America — Chris-
tian America — Republican America, traffics in the
souls and bodies of men. More than a 6th of the
population of America were the most abject
slaves that crawled on the face of the earth — they
were mere chattels ; they could do nothing but
what their masters permitted; they possessed
nothing but what their masters could claim. Nor
was the slave trade at an end. He needed not
to point to those infamous and brutalising scenes,
the slave auctions which took place at Charles-
GLASGOW. 125
ton, and Alexandria, Richmond and New-Orleans
— to the honors of the slave ship, that nearest
resemblance to a pandemonium — or to speak of
200 infants born daily to v.o better portion than
to tlie most abject and unmitigated thraldom.
And all this was in America, with her wealth, her
merchandise, her floating navies, her invincible
volunteers, her missions, her bibles, and her boasts
on the 4th of July, and on every other day, and
hour, and minute, and moment, throughout the
year, that she was the freeest nation on the face of
the earth, (cheers.) Before going farther (said
Mr. T.) it might not be amiss to state precisely
what was the object he had sought to obtain in
his late mission. That object was two fold; first,
to bear faithful testimony against prejudice of
color, a crime not surpassed by that of slavery.
To treat human beings with coldness or unkind-
ness, on account of their difference of color, was
the greatest offence of which man could be
guiltv. It was blasphemous for man thus to ad-
dress the Deity, as it were, and say, you have
made this man of a different hue, and, therefore,
he shall not sit in the same pew, nor travel in the
same coach, nor sail in the same steamboat ;
there shall be a gulph betwixt us as wide and im-
passable as that -betwixt the Soodrah and the
Brahmin. This prejudice was the foundation of
slavery ; it was infused by mothers into the minds
of their children, it grew with their growth, and
strengthened with their strength. But were an
end once put to this prejudice, the demon of sla-
very would soon flap its black wings and fly to that
nethermost hell where it was born and nurtured.
Another object was to wage a war of extermina-
tion with slavery. He went to America, and when
he got there he found every possible prejudice ar-
11*
126 MEETING AT
rayed against him. These prejudices had given
rise, in the minds of some, to a very strange kind
of patriotism, which sought to break the heads of
all those who were laboring to break the bonds
of slavery. He had to wage war with the tyrani-
cal and bigoted slaveholders of the Southern
States, and with their minions in the north. He
went with no party connection, without wealth,
no arms, no diplomatic appointment, no introduc-
tion to great men. He had resolved to identify
himself with no political party, but to cry aloud,
' open the prison doors and let the oppressed go
free.' He had no seals, but those so kindly pre-
sented to him by his friends in this city, and these,
though precious to him, were of no value in
America. He went, however, with the prayers
of the friends of freedom, the ridicule of his en-
emies, and the pity of many who thought him well
meaning, perhaps, but not overwise. It might be
asked, whence then did he look for success, see-
ing that he went so unsupported ? His answer
was, that he looked for support from the invinci-
ble nature of truth. He had ever been of opin-
ion that the truth of God, without the mixture of
human wisdom, must bring forth good fruits. To
near sighted men, the immediate result might
seem dreadful ; but he felt satisfied that in all
such cases the ultimate consequence would be
beneficial. He would recommend all apostles of
freedom in this country not to become back stairs
suplicants to a minister. First let them try the
effect of truth on the mass. First affect the base
of the pyramid, and the apex would soon be made
to topple. This was the mode he had followed
in America, and with astonishing success. Some,
indeed, had told him he was mad. Public opin-
on was against him. He had asked what made
GLASGOW. 127
public opinion. Was it not talking? was it not
listening to what was said by wives and mothers,
and by those who expected, if not already wives
or mothers, to become so ? Those were the ma-
kers of public opinion. These had made it what
it was, and they could unmake it if it was wrong".
Ministers, Legislators, and Lawyers, made anoth-
er sort of public opinion. As a noble example of a
single individual warring with public opinion, and
finally overcoming it, by his individual, unaided
energies, Mr. Thompson, in a brilliant passage,
referred to the case of the famous Martin Luther.
For his own part, he said, he was not fond of
rowing with the tide. He preferred having some-
thing to row against. If he was called to argue,
give him an opponent; if to grapple, let hirn not
fiwht the air. Public opinion was against the
fishermen of Galilee. Indeed, public opinion has
ever been against reformers. The question is
not whether public opinion is or is not against us,
but whether we be right or wrong. He might
be told, then, that in going to America he had no
prospect of succeeding. lie could only answer
that he did not go to gain popularity. Had he
(the eloquent Lecturer) wished to become popu-
lar, he knew, at least he thought, it was not yet
too late for him to get into favor with the Amer-
icans. Had he only recanted — had he but chang-
ed his opinions with regard to immediate abolition,
he might have rode on the high tide of popularity
from the one end of the United States to the
other. But why should he have wished to be-
come popular, unless for the purpose of gaining
ease or lucre? With regard to ease, no man
who set a value upon it would advocate abolition.
He had, during thirteen months, delivered be-
tween 200 and 300 public addresses; and as for
128 MEETING AT
affluence, had he wanted a morsel of bread he
could have got it at home. Why then did he go ?
and why did they send him? It was because
they loved mankind — it was because they loved
liberty; — it was because they pitied the slave; —
it was because they had tested the power of truth
when plainly spoken, to overcome the most gigan-
tic interests, and to bow a nation, a parliament,
and a throne, before the dictates of truth and hu-
manity. He went to America, because he was
likely there to find a field of labor in the sacred
cause of abolition. Glasgow had said, go: Edin-
burgh had said, go ; England had said, go ; and
Jreland had said, go — {Loud cheering.) The
friends of emancipation in America cried, come
over and help us, — Therefore, said Mr. T., I went;
therefore, you sent me — (cheers.) He would be
pardoned for making these preliminary remarks ;
in his next lecture he would enter into details.
He would now, however, state what principles he
sought lo establish. He maintained that the hold-
ing of a human being as property — the bringing
down the image of God to be bought and sold —
was sin. That slaveholding was a sin in all sup-
posable cases, and being sin, ought to be aban-
doned immediately, entirely, and forever. The
prejudice of color was also a sin. This prejudice
was manifested in a thousand ways. Such was
the misery to which it gave rise that he had often
heard respectable colored men say of a colored
mother, she rejoiced to witness the deatli of her
child as a relief from that misery to which it
would otherwise be subjected. Mr. Thompson
here adverted to the difficulty which some pro-
fessed to feel in deciding as to when the brute
creation ended and humanity began. This Mr.
T. said, had never been a* difficulty with him.
GLASGOW. 129
He asked not where the individual \va3 born,
what was his complexion, what his form or fea-
ture, what the texture of his hair ; he asked but
one question ; he applied but one test — can he
love his God? If this can be answered in the
affirmative, he did homage to him as man, and
would tremble lest by coldness or indifference
towards him, his spirit should be lost forever.
A great deal was said in America about conse-
qences — about what came of saying this or say-
ing that; no question was put as to the truth or
falsehood of a statement, but the most anxiety
was directed towards the consequences likely to
spring from it. Now his doctrine was to speak
the truth, and leave the consequences to God,
who, he believed, would do much more if men
would let him do — if they would not attempt to
go into copartnery, with the Deity, but would con-
fine themselves to the strict line of duty. Such,
however, was not the opinion of the Anti-Aboli-
tionists of America. Doctors of Divinity, Profes-
sors of colleges, lawyers and senators, were all
terrified for the consequences of immediate eman-
cipation. What! said they, would you set the
slaves loose immediately to cut our throats. Oh !
the consequences — the consequences.
But he (Mr. T.) said, the emancipation ought
to be immediate, because it was the immediate
right of the slave, because it was the immediate
duty of the master, because they had no right to
compromise between right and wrong. It was
then asked, did they expect immediate emancipa-
tion — the answer was, that they did not, because
many difficulties lay in the way, but still it was
their duty to preach and to declare the path of
duty. Mr. T. then, in a peculiarly happy man-
ner, illustrated what was meant by immediate
130 MEETING AT
emancipation. Suppose, said he, that you are
called up iu the middle of the night on account of
the illness of a friend, and asked to run immedi-
ately for the doctor. Although you know that
the doctor lives two miles off, and though you see
the snow storm beating against the window, you
do not say the man must surely be mad because
he desires you to get the doctor immediately. —
No — you immediately understand what he means?
— you immediately rub your eyes, immediately
jump out of bed — immediately hurry on your
clothes — immediately run to the stable — immedi-
ately saddle the horse — immediately ride off, and
though you tumble into a wreath of snow on the
road, you immediately extricate yourself, (cheers
and laughter,) and reach the Doctor's house, who
immediately comes off with you — immediately
feels the patient's pulse — immediately prescribes
appropriate medicine, which the patient immedi-
ately takes, and is almost immediately cured —
(great laughter.) This was the method adopted
■with regard to American Slavery ; the great ob-
ject was to rouse the doctor — that powerful doc-
tor to whom he had already alluded — public opin-
ion. In this object they had been strikingly suc-
cessful. Already 300 societies, and hundreds of
ministers of the gospel, were engaged in dissem-
inating the principles of freedom. The doctor,
public opinion, travelled faster in America than
here. There might be a thunder storm occasion-
ally, and perhaps some lightning, but that was
nothing — on the doctor went to effect a certain
cure. Mr. T. then went on to speak of the meas-
ures which had been adopted in order to advance
the cause of emancipation — these were not "war-
like as regarded the whites; holy ends could be
advanced only by holy means, but as it had been
GLASGOW. 1U1
one of the chief charges brought against him, by
the partizans of slavery, that he incited the slaves
to rebellion, he would now read from an Ameri-
can newspaper, the views which he promulgated
in that country. Mr. T. here read the following
extract from a speech delivered by him in Boston,
on an occasion, when the right of the slaves to
rebel was the subject of discussion : —
' He (Mr. T.) regarded the question as both ne-
cessary and opportune. The principles of aboli-
tionists were only partially understood. They
were also frequently, wilfully and wickedly mis-
represented. Doctrines the most dangerous, and,
designs the most bloody, were constantly imput-
ed to them. What was more common, than to
see it published to the world, that the abolitionists
were seeking to incite the slaves to rebellion and
murder? It was due to themselves and to the
world, to speak boldly out upon the question then
before the meeting. Christians should be told
what were the real sentiments of abolitionists,
that they may decide whether, as Christians, they
should join them. Slaveholders should know what
abolitionists thought and meant, that they might
judge of the probaple tendency of their doctrines
upon their welfare and existence. The slaved
should, if possible, know what their friends at a
distance meant, and what they would have them
do to hasten the consummation of the present
struggle.
' If any human being in the universe of God
would be justified in resorting to physical vio-
lence to free himself from unjust restraints, that
human being was the American Slave. If the
infliction of unmerited and unnumbered wrongs
could justify the shedding of blood, the slave
would be justified in resisting to blood. If the
132 MEETING AT
political principles of any nation could justify a
resort to violence in a struggle against oppres-
sion, they were the principles of this nation,
which teach that resistance to oppression is obe-
dience to the laws of nature and God. He re-
garded the slavery of this land, and all Christian
lands, as 'the execrable sum of all human vil-
lages' — the grave of life and loveliness — the
foe of God and man — the auxiliary of hell — the
machinery of damnation. Such were his delib-
erate convictions, respecting Slavery. Yet, with
these convictions, if he could make himself heard
from the Bay of Boston to the frontiers of Mexi-
co, he would call upon every slave to commit his
cause to God, and abide the issue of a peaceful
and moral warfare in his behaif. lie believed in
the existence, omniscience, omnipotence and
providence of God. He believed that everything
that was good might be much better accomplish-
ed without blood than with it. He repudiated the
sentiment of the Scotish bard —
' We will drain our dearest veins,
But we wiil be free.
Lay t'nt! proud oppressor 1 .\ .
Tyrants tail in every foe,
Liberty's in every blow,
Let us do or die.'
He would say to the enslaved, 'Hurt not a hair
of your master's head. It is not eonsistent with
the will of your God, that you should do evil that
good may come. In that book in which your God
and Saviour has revealed his will, it is written —
Love your enemies, bless them that curse you,
do good to them that hate you, and pray for them
which despitefully use you and persecute you ;
that ye may be the children of your father which
is in heaven. Avenge not yourselves, but rather
give place unto wrath.'
GLASGOW. 133
'He (Mr. T.) would, however, remind the mas-
ter of the awful import of the following words :
* Vengeance is mine ; I will repay, saith the Lord.'
'To the slave he would continue — 'Therefore,
if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst
give him drink. Be not overcome of evil, but
overcome evil with good.'
'Mr. Thompson also quoted Eph. vi. 5; Col.
iii. 22 ; Titus ii. 9 ; I. Peter ii. 18—23. In pro-
portion, however, as he enjoined upon the slave
patience, submission and forgiveness of injuries,
he would enjoin upon the master the abandon-
ment of his wickedness. He would tell him
plainly the nature of his great transgression — the
sin of robbing God's poor — withholding the hire
of the laborer — trafficking in the immortal crea-
tures of God. He did not like the fashionable,
but nevertheless despicable practice of preaching
obedience to slaves, without pleaching repent-
ance to masters. He (Mr. Thompson) would
preach forgiveness, and the rendering of good for
evil to the slaves of the plantation ; but before he
quitted the property, he would, if it were possi-
ble, thunder forth the threatening of God's word
into the ears of the master. This was the only
consistent course of conduct. In proportion as
we taught submission - to the slave, we should en-
join repentance and restitution upon the master.
Nay, more, said Mr. Thompson, if we teach sub-
mission to the slave, we are bound to exert our
own peaceful energies for his deliverance.
'Shall we say to the slave, ' Avenge not your-
self,' and be silent ourselves in respect to his
wrongs ?
' Shall we say, ' Honor and obey your masters,'
and ourselves neglect to warn and reprove those
masters ?
12
134 MEETING AT
•Shall we denounce 'carnal weapons,' which
are the only ones the slaves can use, and neglect
to employ our moral and spiritual weapons in
their behalf?
' Shall we tell them to beat their 'swords into
ploughshares,' and their 'spears into pruning
hooks,' and neglect to give them them the ' sword
of the spirit, which is the word of God ? '
'Let us be consistent. The principles of peace
and the forgiveness of injuries, are quite compat-
ible with a bold, heroic and uncompromising hos-
tility to sin, and a war of extermination with eve-
ry principle, part and practice of American sla-
very. I hope no drop of blood will stain our ban-
ner of triumph and liberty. I hope no wail of the
widow or the orphan will mingle with the shouts
of our Jubilee. I trust ours will be a battle which
the ' Prince of Peace ' and curs a victory which
angels can applaud.'
Mr. T. then proceeded. He had not incited
the slaves to insurrection, neither had he inter-
fered with the politics of the country. He had
indeed seen and heard a great deal of Whigism,
and Jacksonism, and Van Burenism, and other
isms, (laughter,) but he had never been ambitious
to have a seat in Congress, the more especially
as when sitting in deliberation, the members
might hear the slaves, passing by, clanking their
chains, and singing 'Hail Columbia.' His ambi-
tion had been to go into the parlors — the stage
coaches— and the" steamboats ; into the Churches
of the Methodists — the Friends — the Baptists —
tho Congregationalism — and the Presbyterians,
telling tJip truth, and asking those whom he ad-
dressed to open thp prison doors and let the op-
pressed go free. Still, public lectures were the
principal means by which he endeavored to fulfil
GLASGOW. 135
the object of his mission ; these other little things
he gave in and charged nothing for. He had de-
livered 2'20 public addresses, and atsome of these
he had been well mobbed. After leaving his
friends at Liverpool he had got over the Atlantic,
and into the Atlantic, and was turned out of the
Atlantic. So soon as he landed lie got into an
Inn named the Atlantic. (Great Laughter.) lie
kept himself very quiet, but the brass plates on
his trunks divulged his name, and next day the
landlord was beset by some southern gentlemen,
who demanded his expulsion. He was brought
to the ' bar,' in the literal sense of the word, and
was there told by the landlord that he would con-
sult his own safety by changing his quarters. He
subsequently went forth to lecture, but this was
not effected without danger. lie had addressed
as large and attentive audiences as that before
which he now stood, and had poured the princi-
ples of abolition fifty fathoms in their souls, while
the brickbats and other missiles were flying
around him. Another object of his mission was
to arouse the country, and the country was rous-
ed, as country never was roused before. Fifteen
hundred newspapers were circulated in the Uni-
ted States, and of these not one which docs not
speak of Abolition. Every one there now speaks
oftlie humble individual who now stood before
them, from the President, who had honored him
by special notice in the Message to Congress,
down to the humblest demagogue who sought to
r>de into a despicable popularity, by pouring out
the most unmeasured abuse on that ' most horrid
miscreant, and worst of all conceivable black-
guards, George Thompson, the Abolitionist. But
some cautious friend may exclaim, that he is not
to be taken in by these declarations. If all tho
136 MEETING AT
journals are unfavorable to Abolition, what is
•rained by making them speak on the subject ?
Nut so fast, good friend, he would reply. Amer-
ican newspapers were not all against Abolition ;
on the contrary there were now fifty in favor of
it for one — that was when he went first to Amer-
ica. And in on'er that they might see the im-
portance of this, he might remind them that re-
forms or changes did not proceed so slowly in
America as in this country. There they proceed-
ed in everything by a geometrical ratio, not an
arithmetical, not by one, two, three, four, but by
one, two, four, eight, sixteen. (Cheers.) If lie
were asked what his object was in all these ef-
forts, he would answer simply, that it was to
awaken public opinion. This object had been
fully accomplished, and the conjoined influence
made to flow into one grand channel — the Amer-
ican Abolition Society. This mighty engine was
fairly in operation, and its results would be incal-
culably great. In the Northern States, and in
New England, especially, the people were well
educated — they could enter upon an argument,
and conduct it pretty fairly ; all thoy needed was
just that the matter should be set before them.
He was particularly anxious that the mass should
be moved on this subject. Were it taken up by
the unwashed, as the working classes wore called
by those who, but for that very class, would never
have been washed perhaps, (great laughter,) ho
was sure that it would soon be brought to an end.
In talking of the various modes which ought to
be adopted for advancing the cause of abolition,
Mr. Thompson recommended that the question
should be made a test o^ church membership ;
and that no one having property in slaves, or ad'
GLASGOW. 137
"be allowed to enter any of their pulpits. This
was already done by the Society of Friends, and
also by that of the Reformed Presbyterians, these
two were worthy exceptions to the general prac-
tice, and had done honor to themselves by their
active exertions in the cause. (Great applause.)
The slave owner might ask what he could do in
the cause? Let him emancipate his slaves,
would be his answer. But the slave owner would
reply that he could not — the laws would not per-
mit him. But who made the laws ? it might be
asked. Why, this very slave owner himself had
possibly a hand in making the very law he com-
plained of. Such a petty mode of excuse was
very much like that of a child of whom he once
heard. A little girl was left at home one day by
her mother, who, on going out, gave her daugh-
ter some particular work to have finished by the
time she returned. On entering the house she
found that the girl had not obeyed her orders.
Why did you not do what I bade you, said the
mother? Oh! because I was tied to the mahog-
any table, said the child. But who tied you to
the mahogany table, asked the mother ? Oh, it
was just myself. This was the way with the
slave owner. He had tied himself to the mahog-
any table and then pretended to be helpless.
(Loud laughter and cheers.) But the best way
with a bad law was to resist it. Obedience to
bad laws had been a curse to the world from the
beginning of time. It was only by passively re-
sisting a bad law that its gross injustice could be
made fully manifest. In illustration of the mode
in which passive resistance to bad laws might be
carried on, he referred to the Friends, who, rath-
er than serve in the militia, pay the fine, (or pre-
fer suffering the penalty,) imposed on them by
\Z
133 MEETING AT
Government. Women might ask what they could
do in the cause? He (the eloquent Lecturer)
would answer, they could do everything to mould
the spirit of the age. It was women alone that
could play on that mysterious instrument — the
infant mind, she only could touch aright its stops
and keys, and teach it to discourse most skilfully.
He then referred to the noble exertions of the
Glasgow ladies in the cause of abolition, and
gave a glowing account of the Christian heroism
displayed by the ladies of Boston, when threaten-
ed by the mob of gentlemen in that city. It had
been often asked what good you could effect
though you were able to convert the whole of the
Northern States. To this he had answered —
— Why so many speeches about Poland ? about
the suffering Greeks ? about the glorious three
days of Paris? about the freedom earned by the
Belgians? Mr. Thompson then related an anec-
dote exposing in a most happy manner the false
philanthropy often manifested in professing great
sympathy with distress at a distance, while dis-
tress at home is totally overlooked. He pictured
out the females of a Virginia family as enthusias-
tically engaged in providing clothes for the suf-
fering Greek, Avhen a straight forward friend
makes his appearance amongst them. The friend
of course enquires what it is that takes up so
much of their attention, and is told that they are
anxious to ameliorate the condition of the poor
Greeks, suffering under the tyranny of the slave
dealing Turks. The stranger walks out, but
speedily returns. I am happy to inform you, said
he, that you have Greeks at your door. Greeks
at the door, shouted the overjoyed philanthropists?
Yes, said the friend ; and immediately pointed
out to his astonished and abashed acquaintances,
GLASGOW. 139
the poor, ragged, wretched negroes, who were
tnade to lead a life of misery in the land of their
birth, but to whose sufferings, the accursed influ-
ence of their evil habits had rendered their mis-
tress callous. He (Mr. T.) had endeavored to
•show that we have Greeks at our own doors —
suffering fellow beings, well entitled to our sym-
pathies, and our helping hand. Public opinion,
that excellent doctor would lend his assistance,
and he was a friend that no obstacle could inter-
rupt. With his seven league boots he proceed-
ed on his rapid march ; no river or mountain
could stay his course, he would ascend the Ohio,
and descend the Mississippi ; travel a lone road,
and penetrate every jungle, with a speed which
nothing could equal and a form which nothing
could resist. Mr. T. then adverted to the annual
emigration of the rich inhabitants of the South-
ern States to the North, which takes place during
the warm and unhealthy months of summer and
autumn. Sixty, seventy, or eighty thousand
Southerners, Ministers of the Gospel, Legisla-
tors, Planters, and Merchants, with their families
emigrate in this journey in quest of health.
Every boarding house is filled with the strangers
during those months, and scarcely a family but
has some friend come to lodge with them during
the season from the South. Scarce a church but
has several pews filled with these interesting
strangers ; and very beautiful most of the ladies
and children are. It was impossible, he said, if
the doctrines of abolition were widely diffused
over the non-slaveholding states that this inter-
course could take place without the slaveholders
acquiring juster notions on this all-important sub-
ject. They would hear its truths from the pulpit,
and in the lecture room. This would impart the
140 MEETING AT GLASGOW.
influence as of a moral infirmary, and they would
return, not only with their bodies in health, but
with their minds imbued with a renovated moral
sentiment. Mr. T. concluded his address with
an eloquent peroration.
The Chairman, in closing the meeting, said he
was sure all present would respond to what had
been said by those around him, that they approv-
ed of all they had heard from their excellent
Missionary. (Great cheering.) The Rev. Dr.
observed that it was impossible to foresee what
even one man could do by undaunted persever-
ance in a good cause. (Renewed cheering.) He
concluded by urging the meeting to furnish them-
selves with tickets of admission for the next lec-
ture, as no tickets would be sold, nor money
taken, at the doors.
ADDRESS,
BY THE COMMITTEE OF THE
GLASGOW EMANCIPATION SOCIETY,
To the Ministers of Religion in particular, and
the Friends of JVegro Emancipation, in gener-
al, on American Slavery.
Esteemed Christian Friends,
It is in no spirit of hostility to America, that we
now solicit your co-operation in striving to expe-
dite the extinction of its Slavery. There may be
those who denounce the £uilt of its oppressions,
in hatred and terror of its liberal institutions.
But with these Ave have no sympathy. Nor is
it to these we now principally address ourselves ;
for it will be found, if we mistake not, that they
took little part in attaining 1 emancipation for the
Slaves of our own Colonies, and are no way dis-
posed to exert themselves for the suppression of
those evils in America, through which alone they
can, with any hope of success, assail its disrelished
virtues.
Perhaps it may be thought by some, that we
should rather veil than expose the errors of our
trans-Atlantic brethren, with which their exalt-
ed principles arc practically associated, lest we
142 ADDRESS.
involve good and bad in the same common oblo-
quy. But such temporising expediency, such de-
reliction of duty in apprehension of consequences
is the very prop and stay of that hateful and hat-
ed system which we desire to overthrow; and for
ourselves, we fear nothing in vindicating the
cause of him who was annointedto proclaim liber-
ty to the captives.
But why, it may be asked, were not such rep-
resentations and remonstrances employed sooner ?
American Slavery is of long standing ; why then
are we only now bestirring ourselves for its abo-
lition ? This sort of objection might be reasona-
bly urged were we defending the immaculacy of
our past conduct ; but if we have been reprehen-
sibly negligent hitherto, that is no reason for ne-
glecting duty still : on the contrary, we are the
more bound to improve, promptly and indefatiga-
bly, what opportunities remain for its vigorous
performance. If additional obligations, however,
were necessary, they are not wanting. The
emancipation of all Slaves in the British Empire,
precludes other nations from now meeting us with
the reproach. Physician heal thyself; and arms
us with a moral influence, for the use of which
we are solemnly responsible. It is true our Col-
onial negroes are not wholly free, but wherein
our example is here deficient, our experience is
the more admonitory, and we can assure all whom
the assurance may reach, that our Emancipation
Act has wrought well in all but its qualifications
— that in Antigua and the Bermudas, where the
boon of freedom was bestowed, unmodified, all
is contentment and comparative prosperity ; and
that as the result of the whole, we desire all ex-
patriated Africans to be as our's now are, except-
ing their Apprenticeship.
ADDRESS. 143
The ample and accurate intelligence now pos-
sessed, as to the state of American Society, like-
wise augments the obligation to exert ourselves
for its amendment. We knew there were Slaves
in the United States, but we did not know till late-
ly that nearly two millions and a half of the in-
habitants are in a State of Slavery. We knew
that people of color, even though free, were re-
garded with prejudice, but we did not know that
they are subjected to a ceaseless and systema-
tized ignominy from which the sanctuary itself,
and even the table of the Lord, afford them no
retreat or protection. It was matter of notoriety
that Abolitionists in America shared the jealousy
of all magnanimous philanthropists; but the threat-
enings and slaughters breathed out against them
by the periodical press, by ministers and magis-
trates, Presbyteries and States, have incalcula-
bly exceeded our darkest suspicions, and filled
us not less with astonishment than abhorrence.
But what have you to do with us, our Ameri-
can brethren may ask ? Why, being foreigners,
intermeddle with our domestic institutions ? And
what have you to do, we reply, with the heathen
nations, to whom, on a scale so magnificent, you
are sending devoted, undaunted, Missionaries?
Why molest their household economy by aspers-
ing their household gods ? Is it alleged that
the cases are different? Our reply is — the same
word which condemns idols condemns instru-
ments of cruelty, and furnishes the maxim alike
applicable to both: — Thou shalt in any wise
rebuke thy neighbour, and net suffer sin upon
him. The cavil, however is so weak, as to be
unworthy of refutation. Were we reasoning
with idolators who say, keep your gods and we
shall keep ours, we might patiently expound our
144 ADDRESS.
conviction that there is but one true God, and
one true religion, and plead the consequent ne-
cessity laid upon us,to press the universal adoption
of that faith and fulfilment of that law, which alone
we account divine, and acceptable, and saving.
But how can we composedly dilate on these first
principles of the oracles of God to American
Christians, who are at the very moment prosecut-
ing efforts of gloriously aggressive benevolence ?
Such works are to us more expressive than words,
and adopting the former as our model, in prefer-
ence to the latter, we shall extend the same fidel-
ity to America as America to other nations.
Will you not, esteemed Christian friends, aid
us in this work and labor of love ? Think what
is due to the gospel of Jesus, which slavery in all
its forms obstructs, outrages and defies. Con-
sider what we owe to the subjugated, and, even
when liberated, still abused negro. Suppose him
all that malevolence would pronounce him, are
we not equally with an apostle, made debtors to
the barbarians as well as to the Greeks, by that
holy religion, which proclaims God to have made
of one blood all nations that dwell on the face ot
the earth, which enjoins to loose the bands ot
wickedness — to undo the heavy burdens — to let
the oppressed go free — to break every yoke ; and
whose comprehensive commission, as delivered
by a once crucified, but then risen Redeemer, is
— Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to
every creature ? But many of these stolen, en-
slaved, insulted strangers, are accredited follow-
ers of the Lamb of God. They are not merely
bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh, but mem-
bers of that one whole family, that is named in
Christ, bought with the same blood as ourselves,
sanctified by the same spirit, crying on the same
ADDRESS. 145
footing of adoption, Abba Father. How then
shall we behold unmoved, the anguish of their
souls, and not be verily guilty concerning our
brethren ? How shall we hear of their cruel
bondage, and imagine while acting, as if we knew
it not, that we are remembering those that are in
bonds as bound with them, and them that suffer
adversity as being ourselves also in the body ?
Think what claims the Emancipationists of
America have on our resolute co-agency. Among
these are to be found some of the noblest spirits
of the age — the brightest examples of humanity
and religion. In naming some, we may be wrong-
ing others, but these will the most readily excuse
us, for instancing Lundy, Garrison, Tappan, Bir-
ney, Cox and Jay — men who have not only en-
gaged their superior powers, and not only sacri-
ficed their time and their property, but braved a
hurricane of obloquy and danger, placing life it-
self in jeopardy to effect the liberation of the op-
pressed African. Our efficient interposition would
strengthen the hands and gladden the heart of
such men — would enhance the credit of the un-
dertaking with their countrymen — increase the
number of its supporters, enfeeble the hostility of
its opponents, and every way hasten their ulti-
mate victory. What, then, nre all our lauded
principles — what our high-sounding professions,
if wo deny to such benefactors a fraternal alli-
ance at once bo easy to us and pernicious to them ?
At the same time to be precious it must be im-
mediate. One year hence, these regenerators of
their country may less need our assistance. In
a few years hence their names will certainly be
honored by the very classes who now execrate
them. But if they live to see the effect of their
exertions in this transformation of public opinion,
146
ADDRESS.
they will look back from amid the admiring mid-
day throng to remember and acknowledge those
earliest allies who first joined their imperiled
standard, helping them when they needed help,
approving and supporting them while yet viliried
and assailed.
In a word, reflect what is duty to the slave-
holders themselves. Are they not objects of
Christian philanthropy, the victims of a bondage
so much worse than that which thry inflict, as
voluntary sin is more dreadful than is voluntary
suffering. It is true they may disrelish our ex-
postulation, but the more it is disliked the more
it is needed, and to wink at the oifence is to con-
tract its guilt.
In whatever light, then, we contemplate the
subject it imperatively requires us to be up and
doing. There is no escape from the responsibil-
ity. The opinion of this country will be estima-
ted by its expression, and wherever it is not cx-
pressed, silence will be construed into consent.
Such a construction would be, indeed, utterly
groundless. Tiiere are some, who deplore, and
others who deride, and a few, it may be, who pal-
liate, but who are they of our population that de-
fend the Slavery of America ? If any speak of
gradual cure, it is not so much as being necessary
to the negro, a dogma which the recent history
of our colonies has signally exploded, but to the
masters, who cannot be expected, it seems, to act
righteously all on a sudden, after being so long
habituated to extreme unrighteousness, and must
needs themselves go through an apprenticeship
to prepare them for dealing justly and loving mer-
cy ! This is the highest pleading proffered in our
country to trans- Atlantic, Slavery. And will high-
minded America accept of th is vindication? It
ADDRESS. 147
cannot be, and next, therefore, to earnest remon-
strance, we desire nothing more earnestly than a
publication of this defence from our neutrals of
non-interference; for, if such be the vindication of
America, what is its condemnation ? It any, how-
ever be speechless, their taciturnity will be mis-
construed, and all, therefore, who do not inter-
pose to dissever, are powerfully, though indirectly
confirming the delusions of the oppressor and the
calamities of the oppressed. The question then,
is not whether we shall be actionless, but
whether we shall do good or evil ; not whether
we shall take a side, but which side we shall take ;
for, whosoever in this cause is not with Christ, is
against him, and he who gathereth not with him,
scattereth. Surely Christians cannot waver be-
tween these alternatives. They came to a de-
cision in relation to our own colonies, and how
glorious is the result! As a political question,
the abolishing of slavery has been agitated for
half a century in vain, the strongest arguments
from expediency achieving no perceptible ad-
vancement; but no sooner was it discussed as a
religious question, than the mountains were lev-
elled and the valleys filled before the resistless
march of christian principle. How animating is
the encouragement afforded by this success.
And let it not be said that the influence so avail-
ing here is insusceptible of extention to foreign
shores. Were we reasoning on merely civil
grounds, we might be told of the difference of
civil condition : but we argue on spiritual grounds,
and derive our arguments from the World which
owns no distinction of kindred or of clime.
Already our Christian influence with America
has been tested and established. What good has
been already effected by Mr. G. Thompson, our
148 ADDRESS.
eloquent and devoted deputy.* ! Once we sent
thousands to subjugate America, and with all the
prowess of British arms and courage, and tactics,
they failed in the enterprise. More recently we
sent our combatant, and him unarmed, to liberate
America's oppressed millions by speaking the
truth. And what lias been the result? He has
fled. Yes, as Paul fled from Iconium and Lystra,
to escape the jealousy and hatred consequent up-
on conquest. He has retreated, leaving behind
him nearly f300 immediate abolition societies, in
great part the fruit of his benevolent mission.
Were Britain then to exert fully its moral power,
or rather by individual fidelity to call down the
full blessing from on High, American Slavery, we
are free to anticipate, could not withstand the on-
set. Let ministers, and Elders, and Deacons,
exert their appropriate influence with the flocks
of which they are the responsible overseers. Let
the several churches and ecclesiastical courts and
congregational unions proclaim, in affectionate
but faithful accents, their deep and painful and
universal impression of America's blame-worthi-
ness. These means, though simple, are invinci-
ble — they must prevail.
Before the first shock of weapons, not carnal,
wielded by a mighty and united people, the surest
strong hold of oppression, will rend, and shake,
and fall. And when Slavery expires in America,
where shall it survive ? With such desertion
from its ranks and accession to its assailants,
where and with what resources shall it mantain its
ground ? We are bold to reply nowhere and
* The services of Captain Stuart deserves also to be
acknowledged as most arduous and valuable,
t There are now above 500.
ADDRESS. 149
nohow. The battle now fought in Columbia de-
cides for the world. All nations, accounting it
final, look on with generous hope or interested
fear ; and when victory declares, as it shall de-
clare, so surely as God is true, for the friends of
injured humanity, all the ends of the earth must
speedily participate in the joyful consummation
— transcendent Jubilee, inferior only to that which
it shall accompany and promote, the admission ot
all the tarnilies of the earth into the glorious InV
erty of the children of God,
Glasgow, April 10th, 183G.
13*
SECOND ANNUAL MEETING
OF THE GLASGOW EMANCIPATION SOCIETY.
On Tuesday evening, March 1st, 1830, the
Second Annual Meeting of the above Society
was held in the Reverend Dr. Hough's Chapel.
At seven o'clock, the hour of meeting, the church
was filled to excess, with a highly respectable
audience. In the absence of Robert Grahame,
Esq., President of the Society, Mr. Beith propos-
ed that Dr. Wardiaw should take the chair, which
was agreed to by acclamation.
The Chairman expressed his regret at the ab-
sence of their respected President. He loved to
see that worthy individual among them, embued
as he was with a fervent hatred of oppression un-
der every form. — (Cheers.) If wrath ever anima-
ted his bosom, it was only when he looked at the
conduct of those who would prevent mankind
from enjoyinsr that freedom which is their natural
birthright. They saw in him the ruling pcssion
strong a- ever — long might it be before they saw
it, as the poet said, strong in death, but long
might they witness its strength and vicror in a
good old age. (Loud cheering.) With these re-
MEETING AT GLASGOW. 151
marks he would sit down. As he saw from the
programme of the evening's proceedings, whicli
he held in his hand, that there were many excel-
lent speakers to move the various resolutions, it
would therefore be highly improper in him to
occupy that time which belonged to those who
would follow.
Mr. William Smeal, Jun., one of the Secre-
taries, then read portions of the annual report of
the Society. The report referred at length to the
labors of Mr. Thompson in the cause of abolition
in the United States ; but as the particulars have
been already before the public, it is not necessary
to go over them. In reference to the signal care
with which Providence had watched over the life
of Mr. Thompson during his labors in America,
the committee express their deepest thankful-
ness. Mr. Thompson had gone out from this
country to the United States on one of the most
important missions that ever had been undertaken
by man. He had labored zealously in the cause ;
nor did he think of leaving that country till strong-
ly urged to do so by the friends of abolition.
While engaged in his hazardous enterprise he was
exposed to all the calumny and vilification which
could be heaped on his head by those whose inter-
est or prejudices made them supporters of slavery .
This was to be expected ; but he had also to suf-
fer from the desertion of those who were deemed
the friends of liberty. The liberal press of this
country had but feebly seconded his efforts. With
few exceptions, the newspapers assuming that
name, had stood aloof, and some had even joined
the malignant outcry against him. A few, how-
ever, had stood out, and among these the commit-
tee could not refrain from mentioning, amongst
152 MEETING AT
others, tha London Patriot, and, in our own city
the Glasgow Chronicle. A long panegyric was
here passed on the exertions of the latter journal,
for its long advocacy of the claims of the Negro,
and in particular for its bold defence of Mr.
Thompson, when exposed to the calumnies of his
opponents. In conclusion, the committee refer-
red with pain to the conduct of certain members
of the deputations from the Baptist and other So-
cieties of this country to the United States, in re-
gard to their treatment of Mr. Thompson. Dr.
Cox of Hackney, was a member of the first named
deputation. He was a member of that society
which had sent Mr. Thompson to America ; and
it might have been expected that he would glad-
ly have assisted him in his arduous labors. In-
stead of that, however, he had flatly refused to
attend the annual meeting of the American Anti-
Slavery Society, in New- York, where he was ex-
pected to move one of the resolutions, on the
ground that his coming forward in that manner
would interfere with the political bearings of the
questions of Slavery. Reference was made
also to the travels of Reed and Matheson, a work
which, although written by two Independent
Ministers, friends of abolition, from this country,
had furnished arguments against the cause which
were triumphantly quoted by the enemies of im-
mediate emancipation. In reference to the fu-
ture proceedings of the society, the committee
recommended that Mr. Thompson should be em-
ployed to lecture on the cause in the various
towns throughout Great Britain and Ireland, in
order to rouse public feelings in favor of the im-
mediate Abolition of Slavery in America. An
abstract of the receipts and expenditure for the
last year was then read, from which it appeared
GLASGOW. 153
the amount of receipts was £247 15s. 5 l-2d ; of
expenditure, £249 14s. 2d ; leaving a ballance
due the Treasurer, £1 18s. 8 l-2d.
The Rev. T. Pullar moved the first resolu-
tion, but in doing so, he begged to be understood
as entering his decided protest against that part
of it which expressed disapprobation of the con-
duct of the English Clergymen in America.
The resolutions which he held in his hands, re-
commended that the report now read be printed
and circulated, and with the exception he had
just mentioned, he would give the motion his
most cordial support. The Rev. Gentleman, in a
very excellent speech, expressed his deep abhor-
rence of the inhuman conduct of the Americans,
and his sorrow that a land so full of gospel light,
and abounding so much in the missionary spirit,
should suffer Slavery, in such a horid form, to
exist among them. It was almost enough to
make any one doubt whether those wonderful ac-
counts of religious revivals which they had heard
of as taking place in America, were actual ev-
idences of true religion.
The Rev James PATTERSo.v,while he seconded
the resolution, also entered his protest against
that part of it relating to the Baptist Deputation.
He expressed his strong disapprobation of the
conduct of the Baptists in America, for their op-
position, covert or open, to the cause of Aboli-
tion.
Mr. George Thompson, on rising, was receiv-
ed with long, continued, and enthusiastic cheer-
ing. He rose, he said, to take a very independ-
ent course with regard to the protest which had
been entered by the two speakers who had im-
154 MEETING AT
mediately preceded him. He knew no man
after the flesh, except he were of the same mind
as regarded the great question of Emancipation.
(Cheers.) His object in rising at present, was to
say that he thought his friends had failed in their
duty to the Slave, in entering their protest against
a part of the report which he reckoned most im-
portant of all. (Enthusiastic Cheering.) It was
well known to all, that from Reed's book, passa-
ges had been quoted with approbation, in support
of their doctrine, by the vilest Slavery Journals
of New York. The Abolitionists were in that
book blamed for having taken two steps, when
they ought to have taken but one ; they were
charged with demanding Amalgamation as well
as Emancipation. Was it right, to remain silent,
when such calumnies were circulated by one who
ought to have been a friend ? He could assure
them that all the sufferings and dangers and pri-
vations he had endured in their service, were as
nothing; he felt them not, they troubled not his
rest by night, nor his mind by day, they were
light as a feather compared with what he had
suffered from the publication of Dr. Cox's letter.
And why should they be ashamed or afraid of
expressing their disaprobation of what was done
amiss by their brethren on the other side of the
water. He would rather reprove those on this
side the Atlantic, than those on the other side, if
both were equally wrong. (Cheers.) With re-
ference to Dr. Cox, he would have them to remem-
ber that that clergyman had been sent out by the
Emancipation Society, and that, when that body
spoke of who should go it was agreed that who-
ever was sent should be one who would express
himself freely on the abolition question. Know-
ing all this, and knowing also, that Dr. Cox had
GLASGOW. 155
often and publicly expressed himself warmly in
favor of immediate abolition, he (Mr. T.) had ex*
pressed his confident expectation, that when Dr.
Cox should arrive, he would give all that aid to
the cause which his fame and talents could afford.
He needed not to tell them how much he had
been disappointed, but he might mention that the
slavery papers of New York, which had one day
been heaping upon Dr. Cox the vilest terms
which language could furnish, were, the very
next day — the day after his declining to[appear
at the abolition meeting, filled with the encomi-
ums of Dr. Cox, and calling on him (Mr. T.) to quit
the country, founding their arguments for it on
the very letter which Dr. Cox had written. Ho
would ask then if this should not have been men-
tioned in the report? (Cries of yes, and cheers.)
He had no wish to occupy the time of the meet-
ing in details which merely regarded his own
personal feelings, were it not that his character,
and that of their society, were equally involved
in them ; and he could not but say, that all the
calumnies, all the virulence with which he had
been assailed by the slavery press, was nothing,
compared to the withering scorn which had fol-
lowed the publication of that letter. (Cheers.)
When he thought of this, and when he remem-
bered that Read and Matheson's book was in the
hands of almost the whole of the religious public,
when he saw the passages in it in which they
speak of the cause of emancipation having been
thrown back by the abolitionists, when he read in
the New York Herald an extract from that book,
in which the abolitionists were spoken of as too far
advanced for the age in which they lived, where
they are said to have injured the cause through
their inattention to expediency, having left in
156 MEETING AT
their plans nothing to prejudice, nothing to inter-
est, nothing to time. When such things as these
were said, was it right they should remain silent
concerning them ? (Cheers.) He would call on
Mr. Reed, if he was there present, though he had
meant to call on him first in the presence of as-
sembled thousands in London, he would call on
him to show if ever there had been any thing un-
holy, or even inexpedient in the right sense of
the word or the term, in the conduct of the con-
stitution of a single one of the three hundred
and fifty Anti-Slavery Societies which had been
formed in the United States. As to the charge
brought against them that they demanded amal-
gamation after emancipation, he repudated it as
false and unfounded. They never spoke of amal-
gamation, or if they did it was only of putting an
end to that wicked and awfully debasing amal-
gamation which existed among the planters of the
south, and their slaves. Mr. Reed had, without a
shadow of proof, brought a charge against the so-
ciety which was sufficient of itself to ruin the cause
in the minds of all who read without enquiry, far-
ther. He had spoken of the agents of abolition
in the most disparaging terms, comparing the so-
ciety to a wedge. Mr. Reed said, they had at-
tempted to force the broad end first, and thus their
efforts had been worse than useless, and set
against them the very best friends of the cause.
Now, who were these best friends of the cause ?
Were they the men who would first set about
satisfying the grasping cupidity of the planterwhile
they lent a deaf ear to the complaints of the suf-
fering negro, men who would attend to the claims
of interest before those of humanity, men who
would not stir a single step in the work till they
had satisfied the claims of these dealers in bu-
GLASGOW. 15#
man cattle? (Cheers.) And these were to l»e
called the best friends of the negro. (Laughter
and cheers.) lie would again ask, before sitting
down, if these things were to be passed over un-
noticed in the report of their society ? He would
enter his protest against any such shameful
silence. They might talk as they pleased of Dr.
Cox having occupied the dignified position of
neutrality; he envied no such dignity; he detest-
ed neutrality ; he had almost said that God de-
tested neutrality. It was this false virtue which
stood in the way of every great improvement, it
was the barrier against the most needed reforms,
a shield which stood betwixt the conscience of
the slavery advocates and the pointed rebuke
which the abolitionists aimed at it. He trusted
that the report would be allowed to stand in its
original state. He would not alter a word, he
would not misplace a single comma of what had
been said with regard to the members of the Bap-
tist deputation, he would rather that all the rest
of the report were struck out, all that had been
said laudatory to himself, than that any change
should he made on this. Mr. Thompson sat
down amid long continued and renewed cheers.
The resolution to adopt the whole report, was
carried nearly unanimously, amid tremendous
cheers.
The Rev. Dr. Ritchie of Edinburgh rose to
propose the next resolution. It relieved him to
find, he had said, that on this occasion he was not
called on to speak a speech, nor yet to read one
prepared by himself. What he had to read to
thorn was a petition proposed to be sent to Parli-
ament, and the Memorial addressed to Lord Mel-
bourne. Havino- read these documents, Dr.
14
158 MEETING AT
Ritchie said he believed he might safely lea7e
them to speak for themselves. They contained
the sum, and even the detail?, of all he had to
say. Nevertheless, he would address a few
words to them, in the hope that, by so doing, he
might forward the grand movement, for he could
not help thinking-, that even he, in his own place,
might be useful in that cause which he had so
deeply at heart — the cause of immediate and to-
tal abolitioa. (Cheers.) The contest was one, no
«loiibt, of a formidable nature ; but when he con-
sidered that he spoke in Glasgow — the Geneva
of the north, — when he saw before him their ven-
erable Chairman whose hand was at every good
work, and on his right their friend Mr. G,
Thompson, who had not hesitated to descend
into the lion's den. — (Cheers.) When he felt him-
self thus placed, how could he be afraid to speak ?
(Cheers.) What was the subject ? He could
not tell. It was called slavery ; but he could not
express the misery, the degradation, the consum-
mate wretchedness, that was comprised within tbe
meaning of that word. Could he suppose the
fiends of Pandemonium, assembled in cooncil, in
order to find out what Was most fruitful in every
crime, he would see these fiends coming forth as
slaveholders. (Cheers.) He (Dr. R.) had, in
early years, been convinced of the evils of sla-
very. His convictions had been deep dyed — they
had been dyed in the wool, (Larrrrhter.) When*
at the grammar school, hi? soul had been harrow-
ed by the description given by Clarkson nf that
floating hell — a slave ship. His sleep had been
harassed by dreams of the misery of th n slaves,
pent up together, close as his fingers and in ap-
partments only two feet in height." Keenly as he
had felt, however, he still knew that no one could;
GLASGOW. 159
propeily estimate the miseries of slavery, but he
who had been atone time himself a slave. It was
a disgrace to the age, that at this time of day — in
the nineteenth century — it was necessary to vin-
dicate the rights of the slave. Had a seruph been
Laid that in our world we had been lectured for
5000 years on the immense value of truth and hon-
esty, and that for nearly 2000 we had been taught
to do unto others as we would that they should do
unto us— had a seraph been told ofthis, and theo
asked where he was likely to find an aristocracy
of the skin or to hear of the right of the white
man to hold his black brother as a chattel, he
should certainly have sought any where but
on this earth, for such a spectacle. Dr. II. spofce
of the early advocates of negro freedom- -of Gran-
ville Sharpe, of Clarkson, and of Wilbcrforce —
bat while lie did this, he said he did not speak of
these champions merely because they wcie old —
he at all times liked a coin of yesterday's mint
better than one of Julius Ccesar — he spoke of
them because their labor of lovo had been great
and successful ; and they had been succeeded by
those — by Favvell Buxton and George Thompson
— (cheers) whose names would be familiar as
household words, when those whose fame rested
on the false glories of war would be totally for-
gotten. The Slave question had now assumed a
new aspect. The friends of the negro had lately
sent deputations to London to aid their cause.
And why had they been so late in doing so?
Because it had been formerly felt needless to peti-
tion a parliament of slave owners— a parliament
bent only on enslaving oursclvei. Scotsmen were
not the men to go on so thrivelcss an errand as to
urge on such a parliament the rights of the negro.
But now times were changed. We had effected
160 MEETING AT
our own emancipation, and we were resolved also
to effect that of the negroes. He felt proud
when he reccollected his going with a sturdy
phalanx of 339, to wait upon Lord Althorp in
Downing Street, to urge the policy of immediate
emancipation. He told his Lordship that Scot-
land had taken up the subject on bible ground?,
and he was answered by a Lillipu statesman at
his Lordship's side, that he did not doubt of the
Apprenticeship's leading to a satisfactory settle-
ment. Yes, said I, continued the Rev. Doctor,
it will no doubt lead to a satisfactory settlement
— so will the crossing of your threshold lead to
Edinburgh; but the mischief is that it's alang way
till't. He (Dr. Ritchie) considered the Apprentice-
ship as a. system to be put an end to as speedily as
possible. Liberty might be considered Elysium,
slavery Tophet, and the Apprenticeship Purgato-
ry. He could not even say as the Papist said —
when jawed by a Protestant regarding Purgatory
— that he might gang far'er and fare waur — (a
laugh)— he thought that even to go the length of
positive slavery, would scarcely be found worse
than the Purgatory of the Apprenticeship.
(Cheers.) He had heard a great deal said of the
support given to the slave system by Baptist and
Presbyterian Ministers ; he would only say that
the conduct of these men was most eondemnable.
It was worthy of remark, however, that Ministers
of the Gospel had been called Angels, and that
fallen Angels become Devils. Dr. R. then point-
ed out the situation in which the stipendiary ma-
gistrate was placed under the new system in the
West Indian Colonies. On the one hand there
came forward seekingjustice the poor and degra-
ded negro ; on the other the wealthy planter ap-
proached upon his nng. The magistrate was in-
GLASGOW. ]G1
vited into the house of the plainer and there regal-
ed with the best that the land affords. After the
feast lie is called on to decide between the par-
ties, and fur the life of him, said Dr. R., he could
not decide against his host. These magistrates
had been also brought up in a bad school. They
had served their apprenticeship in a standing ar-
my, and had been familiar from their youth with
the infliction of the lash. lie had heard within
these few days, of an officer in the army who was
so extremely humane as to superintend the inflic-
tion of the lash in person. (Cheers and laughter.)
Nine out often of these stipendiary magistrates
were in the interest of the planters. Ought this
to continue? lie would hand them over to tho
Scripture text for an answer — wo be unto them
who establish iniquity by law. For his part when
he saw that those from whom the negroes had
justly anticipated they would find protection,
were in league with their oppressors, he was as-
tonished at the patience with which they had
borne their injuries. Some might say — some had
paid — that five years of apprenticeship was a mere
trifle. Would any one present like to suffer for
five years all those miseries which experience
had already proved to be identified with negro
apprenticeship? The Americans endeavored to
bamboozle us by saying that they got negro
slavery from Britain ; but he would ask them, did
they hesitate to throw off the yoke of Britain
when they found themselves likely to be subjected
to a tax on their tea, and why not as well throw
from them the disgrace of slavery? For his part,
when he found a parchment law go contrary to the
law of God, he would feel it to be his duty to tear
it in pieces. At that day when the world would
be in flames, and when the parchment itself
14*
162 MEETING AT
would be crackling, the soul would stand naked
before the throne of the Judge to answer for the
deeds done in the body. There was a talk of
property in the slave. He would ask to whom
belonged the 800,000 negroes in the West Indies?
Did they not belong to the people of Britain,
who had paid for them no less a sum than £20,
000,000. (Cheers.) And was it not intolerable
that those whose freedom had been thus bought
should still be subjected to the ignominy of the
lash and the cattle chain ? (Cheers.) There had
also been a talk of being in advance of the spirit
of the age. The people of Britain, he was
aware, had always been in advance of the Gov-
ernment. (Cheers.) When £500,000,000 was to
be borrowed, in order to carry on a war crusade
against France, the Government was sure to take
the lead ; but in a moral crusade against iniquity
the people were always to be found foremost.
The people ought, therefore, to depend upon
themselves. They should not look even only to
Lord Melbourne. His Lordship might do much
better than he had done, though he admitted that
he had done wonderfully well. (Cheers.) There
was another to whom they would naturally look
as a leader — the great O — who had done more
than any other man to advance the cause of hu-
man freedom. He could easily picture to him-
self that great O when a boy running about Der-
rynane Abbey, and conversing with the dairy-
maid while she was working at the churn. She
would doubtless explain to him the nature of the
operation in which she was engaged — that with-
out agitation she could not expect to produce but-
ter, and he would thus be instructed in the art
which he had since turned to so excellent an ac-
count. He (Dr. R.) would urge upon the meet-
GLASGOW. 1G3
ing to use the same means. He would call upon
them to agitate in their respective circles in be-
half of the negroes. He would address himself
particularly to students, some of whom he saw
present, and bid them raise the muirhurn of Anti-
Slavery agitation throughout the country.
Mr. J. M'Cune Smith, (colored,) of New-York,
seconded the motion. The apprenticeship, he
said, was wrong in principle, ruinous in practice,
and dangerous as a precedent. It had been said
that immediate emancipation was likely to be
productive of the most pernicious results; but in
refutation of this it Avas only necessary to turn to
St. Domingo,to Columbia, and to Antigua, to prove
the reverse. The apprenticeship was ruinous
in practice, in as much as from the colonial gov-
ernment, composed as they were wholly of slave-
owners, no measure could be expected or calcu-
lated to ameliorate the condition of the negro. But
the dangerous precedent afforded by the appren-
ticeship was particularly to be regarded. The
people of Britain had nobly led the way in the
abolition of slavery, and other nations might be
willing to follow the example ; but they might
be tempted by our adoption of the seven years'
apprenticeship, to fold their arms and say, we shall
wait to see what is the result of this experiment.
Mr. S. then inculcated the propriety of calling
for immediate emancipation. Let not, he said,
the British Statute Book be stained with the as-
sumption that man in any state is not fit for free-
dom. The horrors of the apprenticeship ore
more galling to the negro, than absolute slavery,
as they are inflicted on them by the British peo-
ple ; and they are still further aggravated by the
sound of the anthems heard from the neighbour-
164 MEETING AT
ing shores of Antigua, -where the slave has been
completely released from his bonds.
Mr. Geo. Thompson rose amidst universal
cheering to move the next resolution. He said
as there were yet several other resolutions to be
moved, he would not take up a large portion of
their time in reccommending one which recom-
mended itself. A more potent instrumentality
could not be employed in favor of the abolition
cause in America, than the communication of a
public declaration of the sentiments of the Chris-
tian people of this country. They were there on
a firm footing; they were there on solid ground.
They might assemble and express their opinions
of what was cruel and unjust, they might, they
ought, as christians to interfere with the brethren
on the other side of the Atlantic — to tell them
Arhat were their opinions. This was their only
interference; this was the height of their inter-
ference. They had sent their living agent, who,
through the breadth of the land, had declared their
sentiments, and now that he had returned they
were adopting the next most powerful instrumen-
tality to forward the cause, by sending abroad
their written remonstrances on the result and
demoralizing tendency of slavery. (Cheers.)
Americans there were who might affect to sneer
at the remonstrance of Britain aria Ireland, but
thousands and tens of thousands would feel
strongly on the subject, and many of them with a
proper feeling. Were there no other means than
by writing? The newspapers went there. The
360 Abolition Societies would find out a way to
make them circulate. Give then, (continued Mr.
T.) publicity to every syllable that you pen, to
every word that you utter. Put your prayers,
GLASGOW. 1G5
your wishes, your reasonings, into print ; give
tllem 'line upon line, precept upon precept,' and
so will you awaken the best portion of the
American community, (approbation.) He had
now to advert to the clergy in America. Ue was
happy to state that there were from twelve to fif-
teen hundred pledged to the cause, notwithstand-
ing he had said so much on former occasions res-
pecting the corruption of the church. It was true,
that among the professors of religion in America,
who were opposed to them, were the Ministers
of religion. Among the Presbyterians in Vir-
ginia, a great number of the ministers were
not only slaveholders, but planters, and divided
their duties between attending to the holy office
of the ministry, and planting rice, cotton, and su-
gar. The highest dignities of the Methodist
Connection, and the chief office bearers of the
Episcopal Church, were connected with the slave
trade. In South Carolina, the ministers upheld
the determined, inveterate, unmitigated slavery
of the South. The clergy preached what they
called Christianity, which sanctioned slavery.
But the church was rising, and without even the
aid of a State connection, would continue to rise,
and the church would yet be the redemption of
America. Public feeling would keep time with
the voice of the sanctuary, and they would ac~
company each other in a final triumph. The
question of slavery was to the present moment,
exclusively religious, and so it would continue;
but the politician would come in, and in his own
place be an effective agent. In order to give a
better idea of the progress of the cause in Amer-
ica, as he had said enough in support of the res-
olution, he would direct their attention to a dis-
play which was made in the State of New York,
166 MEETING AT
nt a time when there was nothing but slaughter
breathed out against the abolitionists. The ef-
forts of the abolitionists were not however paral-
ised. A convention was held and notwithstand-
ing all the threaten! ngs, there were now 350 socie-
ties in the United {States. The deputations to
the Ministry and their myrmidon at Downing
Street, had been adverted to; that circumstance
occurred at the moment of highest excitement in
favor of the question. Never was there such a
parade of those gentlemen called black coats,
seen going up Downing Street, and seldom was
Lord Stanley in such juxta position. The excite-
ment in New York was, however, of another kind.
It was said if the meeting were held, it would be
equal to a declaration of war, an attemnt to bring
about the dissolution of the Union. One thous-
and of the cream of the State of New York at-
tended, however, and among them were 100 min-
isters of the gospel. Britain waited to second
these efforts. Let the friends of liberty in Brit-
ain endorse these proceedings. Let their remon-
strances against slavery come from all quarters,
and wind their way through the United States of
America, which one after another would join in
ihe cause.
One word, continued Mr. T., with regard to
prejudice against color. If there was one thing
more than another he delighted to hear, it was
the address of a stranger who came among them,
a brother who differed from them only in the col-
or of his skin, listened to with attention and ad-
miration by an audience like the present. Not so
was it in America. To show the state of feeling
on the part of the whites towards the blacks, be
would narrate an anecdote which he had learned
after a lecture in Edinburgh, regarding this pre-
GLASGOW, ]()7
judico against color. A lady who had butn con-
versing with an acquaintance of her own, a Vir-
ginia-ised Frenchman, now in Edinburgh, hap-
pened to ask him if he knew Mr. Thompson. —
4 Oh' said the Frenchman, 'that man Thompson
— he be all humbug, humbug, humbug,' and in or-
der to convince the lady he recited an anecdote
of a Frenchman, who courted a lady the fifth re-
move by birth from a black family. The French-
man said she was 'a beautiful, very beautiful la-
dy,' but at a dinner party it being whispered that
the beautiful lady was connected by birth with a
black family, the company left the room, all but
the French gentleman and the fine lady, and they
were obliged to take dinner in a private apart-
ment. The fine lady cried and wept, but the
company went b;ick to dinner again, after siic
bad left the room. If I had not gone out ton, con-
tinued the Frenchman, I would have lost all cred-
it and respectability in society. Mr. Thompson
then wont on to mention the circumstance of a
partition having been erected in Dr. Spraguc's
church in Albany, separating the blacks, many of
whom had been members of the church for a long
time under the ministration of Dr. Sprague's pre-
decessor, from the whites of the same congrega-
tion, lie also stated that the whites were not
satisfied till a green curtain was put. up to hide
the negroes' faces, but that th^ro was now not a
colored man in the church. The learned lectur-
er said there was reason to guard against the evil,
which professedly (food men did. Where could
a man look for equality of rights if it was not in
the church? If a practice like this was not ex-
posed, how ronld they justify the anathemas which
they hurled against the system? Mr. T. next
alluded to the anomaly of the American coRstit'W-
1 68 MEETING AT
lion, holding equality of rights, freedom of con-
science, and freedom of speech, and the Govern-
or of Alabama sending to the Governor of New-
York for the delivery of a Mr. Williams, who was
indicted for publishing in his newspaper a sen-
tence to the effect that 'God commands, and na-
ture cries aloud, against the sin of man holding
property in man.' An advertisement, continued
Mr. Thompson, appeared in an American paper
in Charleston, offering a reward of fifty dollars,
to any person who would bring to ' Liberty Hall '
the servant of the proprietor, named Bill, who
would be known by the marks of the whip on his
back, and who having eloped without provocation,
was said to be on the road to his wife and five
children, sold to a neighboring planter, by the
master of 'Liberty Hall.' — (Laughter.) Another
anecdote was told by Mr. Thompson, of a Mr.
Wallace, who married in the South a lady who
was governess in an institution. Sometime after
the marriage, a person called on Mr. Wallace,
and demanded his wife or 1,000 dollars, as she
was his slave. The husband was indignant, lie
turned the individual out of doors, and communi-
cated the circumstance to his wife, who, after
hearing a description of the visitor, told her hus-
band, that she was not only his slave but that he
was her father. (Shame.) As a farther proof of
the evils of slavery, Mr. Thompson stated as a
fact, that a father in Kentucky, where gambling
is carried on to a great extent, had actually given,
after he had lost all his money, his three children
as a stake for the last game. He lost the game ;
the planter went to the mother demanding the
bet, but she, after hearing an explanation of the
matter from her husband, went into another apart-
ment, and she and her three children were found
GLASGOW. 169
there with their throats cut. (Oh, and shame.) —
Mr. T. said, be had sat in stage-coaches, and lis-
tened to the recital of atrocities committed on the
blacks, which were made a matter of jest to the
whites. He had heard his own name branded
with foul-mouthed malignity, when those who
spoke of him did not know that he was present.
He concluded by commenting upon the appren-
ticeship system, and by denouncing the stipendi-
ary magistrates as leagued with the planters in
the oppression of the negroes.
The Rev. Mr. Thompson, of the Methodist
connexion, seconded the resolution. He said,
the most humbling consideration they had had
before them that evening was that the professors
and the ministers of religion were the main props
of slavery in America. The immortal Locke had
said that what was morally wrong could not be
politically right; and he would sny that what was
morally wrong could not be ecclesiastically right.
Whether, therefore, the system was supported
by Baptists, Presbyterians, or Methodists, it should
ever meet with his unqualified reprobation.
The motion was carried unanimously.
The Rev. D. Hf.ugh rose to propose four reso-
lutions of which he would shortly state the sub-
stance. The first contained a pledge that the
Glasgow Emancipation Society would not give
over iheir humble efforts, till freedom, the birth-
right of the species, was universal, and slavery
wa3 banished from the whole caith. The 2d con-
tained an expression of their approbation, and, not
only of their approbation, but of their admiration,
of their honest, and talented missionary, Mr. Geo.
Thompson. The 3d was that they would do all
13
I/O MEETING AT
in their power to influence public opinion in Amer*
ica on the subject. America presented the most
monstrous anomaly in jurisprudence and in mor-
als to be witnessed on the earth, and they would
be wanting in their duty were they not to send
remonstrance after remonstrance, till not a sing?e
manacled human being- was to be found on the
American territory. The people of Britain were
as responsible for the proper exercise of the in-
fluence they possessed, as for the money they had
at their command ; and they could not answer
satisfactorily to their consciences, to the negro,
to their American brethren, nor to God, were
they to retrain from putting that influence forth
for the abolition of slavery. The 4th resolution
which he had to propose was one calling on their
friend, Mr. Thompson, to vociferate ie the ears of
British christians the duty of making a long pull,
a strong pull, and a pull altogether, till the ac-
cursed system of slavery was altogether abolished.
Rev. 1). Kljfw seconded the resolutions with-
out remark, and they wore carried unanimously.
Mr. G. Tuo.Mrso.v acknowledged the kind man-
ner in which he had been alluded to in the reso-
lutions just read. lie felt himself unable, he said,
to acknowledge their kindness as he ought. When
contradicted he could occasionally reply, but
win n commended he could say nothing. lie then
read a list of names, which he would propose as
the committee for the next year; and took occa-
sion, on mentioning the Rev. Mr. Paul, of Wil-
berforcq Settlement, Upper Canada, as an Hon-
orary member of the Committee, to oulogisr that
gentleman's Christian spirit, in enthusiastic terms.
The Committee was appointed amid acclama-
tion.
GLASGOW. 171
The Rev. Dr. KrosfoN rose to move a vote of
thanks to the Ladies' Auxiliary Society. In eve-
ry good work, the Ladies had been found ready
to take the lead, and in this case their Society
had been greatly assisted by the energetic efforts
of the Ladies' Auxiliary.
The motion was seconded by Mr. M'Laren, and
carried amid great applause.
Thanks were then voted to the Rev. Dr. Hough
and the managers of the Chapel, and to the Rev.
Dr. VVardlaw for his conduct in the Chair; after
whleh the meeting broke up, about 1-9 past 11.
GLASGOW EMANCIPATION SOCIETV.
Glasgow, 1st March, 18^36.
This Evening, at 7 o'clock, agreeably to adver-
tisement, the Second Annual Meeting of the
Glasgow Emancipation Society was held in Dr.
Hough's Chapel.
Fn the absence of the venerable President of
the Society, Robert Grahame, Esq. of Whitehill,
Dr. VVardlaw, one of the Vice President?, was,
on the motion of James Beith, Esq. called to the
Chair. The Chairman, after introducing the busi-
ness, called upon Mr. William Smeal, Jr., one of
the Secretaries, to read an abridgement of the
Annual Report. It was then
Moved by George Thompson, Esq. and second-
ed by the Rev. Robert Thompson, Wesleyan
Methodist Minister: —
1 That this meeting, in the conviction that the
only means that can now be employed, by tho
friends of emancipation in this country, for pro-
moting the abolition of Slavery in the United
172 MEETING AT
States of America, is by the Christian public re-
monstrating with their Christian brethren in
America, on their sin and guilt in the sight of God,
as well as scandal to their profession as Christians,
in keeping their colored fellow men in bondage —
therefore
Resolved, That an address to the friends of
slave emancipation, and to ministers of religion,
especially, on the importance and duty of so re-
monstrating, be drawn up by the Committee of
this Society, and printed and circulated as speed-
ily as possible.'
Moved by the Rev. Dr. Heugh, and seconded
by the Rev. David King, both of the United Se-
cession Church: —
' 1. That this Society, convinced of the many
and enormous evils connected with Slavery, af-
fecting the temporal and spiritual interests, both
of the enslaved, and of those who hold them in
bondage, and the essential contrariety of the sys-
tem to the dictates of benevolence and justice, as
■well as to the spirit and letter of the religion of
Jesus Christ, renew their pledge to persevere in
their exertions, in union with kindred Societies iu
Britain and in other lands, with a view to effect
the abolition of Slavery and the Slave Trade,
universally and forever.
2. That the Society, in compliance with the
invitation of many philanthropists in America, and
in connection with other Societies in this country,
having deputed Mr. George Thompson as their
Agent to the United States, to co-operate with
the friends of the Abolition of Slavery there, in
their efforts to awaken their countrymen to a sense
of their duty towards more than two millions of
their brethren held by them in cruel bondage, ex-
press their cordial approval, and high admiration
GLASGOW. 173
of the power, intrepidity, and devotion, with
which, in the face of formidable opposition, un-
sparing abuse, and great personal hazards, Mr.
Thompson was enabled, by the grace of God to
pursue, and in a good measure to accommplish
the great object of his very arduous mission.
3. That this Society express the delight with
which they have contemplated the zeal, self-de-
nial, energy, and liberality which so many indi-
viduals and Societies, male and female, in Amer-
ica, have displayed in favor of the abolition of
Slavery — cordially congratulate these American
brethren on the auspicious prospects of success
which a gracious Providence is now opening,
tending to cheer and revive their exertions — and
pledge themselves to employ the best means in
their power to encourage these devoted friends in
their great and hopeful struggle in this cause of
enlightened humanity.
4. That, aware of the favorable effects which,
under the blessing of God, may be produced in
America, by the transmission, faithfully and affec-
tionately, of the sentiments entertained by Chris-
tians in this country, respecting the evils of Amer-
ican Slavery, and that prejudice against color by
which Slavery is so greatly strengthened there ;
and knowing the eminent fitness of Mr. Thomp-
son, from his knowledge, experience, and proved
ability and zeal, to rouse British Christians to the
discharge of this duty which they owe to their
American brethren, this Society agree to request
a continuance of Mr. Thompson's invaluable la-
bors, by visiting the chief towns of Britain and
Ireland, and delivering addresses on those topics,
of such momentous interest to both countries.'
George Thompson, Esq. having spoken in re-
ply, proposed, and it was carried by acclamation :
15*
174 MEETING AT
That the following gentlemen be the Office
Bearers, and Committee of Management, for next
year : —
PRESIDENT.
Robert Grahame, Esq., of WhitehiH.
VICE PRESIDENTS.
Rev. Dr. Wardlaw,
Dr. Heugh,
Dr. Kidston,
Anthony Wigham, Esq., Aberdeen.
TREASURER.
James Beith, Esq.
SECRETARIES.
Messrs. John Murray, and William Smeal, Jr.
COMMITTEE.
Rev. Wm. Anderson, Messsrs.Thos. Grahame,
Win. Auld, James Johnston,
Wm. Brash, Robert Kettle,
Patrick Brewster, Henry Langlands,
Paisley, Patrick Lethem,
John Duncan, Colin Macdougall,
John Edwards, Donald Macintyre,
Greville Ewing, Jno. Maxwell, M. D.
Alex. Harvey, Ninian M'Gilp,
David King, Anthony M'Keand,
William Lindsay, David M'Laren,
James M'Tear, * John M'Leod,
James Patterson, John M'Leod, Ar-
Thomas Pullar, gyle Street,
Robt. Thompson, Wm. P. Paton,
Michael Willis, John Reid,
Messrs. D. Anderson, Robt. Sanderson,
Hugh Brown, Jr. J. M'Cune Smith,
GLASGOW. 175
Wm. Brown, David Smith,
Robt. Connel, James Stewart,
Win. Craig, Patrick Thompson,
G. C. Dick, George Thorburn,
Wm. Ferguson, Archd. Watson,
•John Fleming, George Watson,
Archd. Fullerton, James Watson,
George Gallie, Andrew Young.
HONORARY AND CORRESPONDING MEMBERS.
George Thompson, Esq.
Wm. Lloyd Garrison, Boston, N. E.
Arthur Tappan, Esq., New York,
M. George Washington Lafayette, ? p •
M. Victor de Tracey, $ raris '
Rev. Thomas Roberts, Bristol,
Daniel O'Connell, Esq. M. P.
Joseph Sturge, Esq., Birmingham,
Rev. Nathaniel Paul, Wilberforce Settlement,
Upper Canada.
Moved by the Rev. Dr. Kidston, and seconded
by David M'Laren, Esq.: —
' That the cordial thanks of this meeting are
due to the Committee of the 'Ladies Auxiliary '
to the Glasgow Emancipation Society, for their un-
remitted and zealous exertions in aid of its funds.'
Moved by Patrick Lethem, Esq., and carried
by acclamation :
'That the thanks of the meeting be given to
Dr. Heugh and the Managers, for the use of their
Chapel.'
Moved by the Rev. James M'Tear, and carried
also by acclamation:
'That the thanks of this meeting be given to
Dr. Wardlaw, for his conduct in the Chair.'
RALPH WARDLAW, Chairman.
MEETLNG AT LONDON.
[From the London Patriot of June 1, 1836.]
On Thursday evening last, a very numerous
auditory assembled at the Rev. T. Price's Chapel,
Devonshire Square, for the purpose of hearing a
lecture, to be delivered by George Thompson,
Esq., illustrative of the character of American
slavery, and the principles and progress of the
American Anti-Slavery Society. An intense de-
gree of interest was excited ; it being under-
stood that the lecturer would justify the course
pursued by him towards the Baptist deputation.
On the motion of Mr. Edward Baldwin, sec-
onded by Mr. Scoble, William Knight, Esq.,
was called to the chair.
The Chairman, in opening the proceedings,
said, that five minutes ago he had not the least
idea of occupying the situation to which he had
been called. He felt himself almost incapable
of introducing the business of the meeting, but
he would read the advertisement by which it was
convened. The worthy Chairman then read the
advertisement contained in the Patriot of the
25th ult., and said, that in reference to the latter
MEETING AT LONDON. 177
part [an invitation to Drs. Cox and Iloby to at-
tend the meeting] he had not the pleasure of
knowing these gentlemen, but if they should pro-
sent themselves to the meeting, he was sure that
a British audience would treat them with the
greatest respect. He happened to know a little
of the state of the slavery question in America
himself, having been almost nursed in the anti-
slavery cradle; for Thomas Clarkson, Esq., had
been his intimate friend from his boyhood. A
short time ago he received a communication from
a friend in America, giving some horrid details of
the present state of slavery there. It was a most
lamentable fact, that a nation, professing the
most unbounded sentiments of liberality, should
tolerate a system of slavery so horrid. In the
letter to which he alluded it was stated, that un-
der the simple apprehension of danger from the
insurrection of the slaves, they had, without any
trial or examination, been executed by tens,
twenties, and even thirties. (Hear, hear.) If
such a system as that was not a disgrace to any
nation professing itself civilized, and in the least
decrree regulated by the Jaws of justice and
righteousness, he knew not what was. He would
now call on Mr. Thompson to commence his lec
ture.
Mr. Thomspox waa about to rise, — when
Ma. Pkwtress stood up, and begged to offer
a suggestion. He had come there in conse-
quence of the public notice, and he would most
respectfully suggest, whether it was necessary
in the information to be communicated that even-
ing, to introduce the names of Drs. Cox or
Hobv, or their delegation to the United States of
178 MEETING AT
America. Those gentlemen did not go out from
the Anti-Slavery Society, and for one, he must
protest against any allusion being made to them.
(Applause.)
The Chairman stated, that he saw a state-
ment in the Patriot about a fortnight ago, signed
by those two gentlemen, in which the character
of Mr. Thompson was seriously reflected upon
— (hear, hear) ; and he thought, that common
justice at least, required that lie (Mr. T.) should
have an opportunity of remarking upon it. (Hear,
hear, and applause.)
Mr. Thompson then rose, and was received
with slight marks or disapprobation, which were in-
stantly drowned in loud bursts of applause. lie
begged that no interruption might be afforded to
those who wished, on the present occasion, to
give utterance to any sounds of disapprobation
relative to himself personally, or to any remarks
which it might be his privilege and his duty to
address to that assembly. He should not be
shaken from syiy purpose which he had formed
by any thing which could take place within or
without those walls. He stood there to accom-
plish no party purposes, to gratify no pri-
vate feelings, to make no attack upon private
character. He stood there as the undaunted ad-
vocate ot suffering and enslaved humanity all
over the world. (Cheers.) lie held a book in
his hand [The Baptists in America,] which was
full of insinuations in reference to his general
policy, and to certain particular acts, and no gen-
tleman had a right to find fault with him for intro-
ducing any names he might find in that book.
(Hear, hear,) That book was public property;
he would take it littra gcprita manel, and with it
LONDON. 179
he would have to do till lie had rescued himself
from every insinuation, direct or indirect, — every
charge, expressed or implied, contained within
the ^ages of that volume. (Cheers.) He had
not come there without giving full and respect-
ful notice to his respected friends — for so he
would call them. If he rebuked them it was in
friendship, and he would do it with affection also.
He would now come to the question immediately
before them, but he desired it might be under-
stood that he had no wish to traduce America.
Those who hated the greatness of America would
never point out that which was the mildew, the
canker-worm, the all-absorbing*, all-operating
cause of loss of character, loss of strength, and
loss of glory in the eyes of all who were ac-
quainted with her history, and her professions.
He was the man who loved America, who mourn-
ed over that one giant abomination that stained
and defiled that land, — who, going there, did not
disguise the truth— (Cheers)— did not confine to
private circles those rebukes which should be
given on the house-top. Such were the feelings
which animated him when he went to America.
He went not there for fame or wealth. He left
those shores far poorer than he went, having sac-
rificed all that he had to the great object of ad-
vancing -the car of freedom, then rolling with
such slow and most sorrowful paces in that land
of liberty— that its triumphant wheel might grind
to powder the usurping institutions of despotism,
and leave that land without a tyrant, and without
a slave. (Loud cheers.) And what was his re-
ward after 14 month* of toil, and peril, and per-
secution almost unparalleled ? To be branded
as a calumniator. (Cries of ' Shame, shame.')
He went there to reuse that country. He want-
130 MEETING AT
ed it to be known by every man, from the Presi-
dent downwards, that not George Thompson,
but that an Englishman representing the wishes,
prayers, and religious sentiments of England, was
there; and that he had arrived freighted with
blessings, and not breathing out threatening and
slaughter, — that he had come a messenger of
peace — that he had come to grapple, in common
with all the sincere friends of the negro there,
with the direst monster that ever preyed upon
the honor, the justice, or humanity of that coun-
try. (Cheers.) What did he find there ? Two
million five hundred thousand slaves — slaves in
the fullest sense of the word! (Hear, hear.)
He found every sixth man, woman, and child in
America an abject slave, in a state of unmitigat-
ed thraldom. (Hear, hear.) He would not give
his own assertion merely, but he would give the
words of the Hon. Wm. Jay, the son of the cele-
brated John Jay. Mr. Thompson then read sev-
eral extracts from ' Jay's Inquiry,' &c. The au-
thor stated, that according to the code of Louisiana,
the slave could not acquire any thing but what
must bolong to his master. According to the
laws of South Carolina, a slave was adjudged to
be a chattel personal in the hands of his master.
At pige 130, Mr. Jay stated, that, according to
the above definitions of a slave, ' The master has,
in point of fact, the same power over his slave
that he has over his horse.' The slave is at all
times liable to be punished at the pleasure of his
master, and, although the law does not warrant
him in murdering the slave, it expressly justifies
him in killing him if he dare to resist. At page
132, Mr. Jay remarks, that *A necessary conse-
quence of slavery is the absence of the marriage
relation. A slave has no more legal authority
LONDON. 181
over bid child than a cow over her calf.' Several
laws were passed inflicting corporal punishment
on slaves meeting for mental instruction, and im-
posing fines on those who attempted to instruct
them. He (Mr. T.) might dwell upon the condi-
tion of the slave, as it had been brought out by
a mass of evidence, which, with great care lie
had collected during his sojourn in the United
States, but he would only mention one or two cir-
cumstances. The District of Columbia was ced-
ed to the United States for ever by the States of
Maryland and Virginia. It consisted of a terri-
tory JO miles square, in which stood the city of
Washington, in the centre of which was the cap-
itol, on the summit of which was the flag-staff
surmounted by the cap of liberty, and under
which might be seen the banner, with the all-in-
spiring word 'Liberty' upon it. The meeting
would imagine, and justly so, that if in the Unit-
ed States of America, slaveholding America,
there were one spot where freedom reigned —
consecrated to the genius of Liberty, where man
might be seen delighting in the blessings which
she poured from her cornucopia, it would be the
District of Columbia, where assembled the rep-
resentatives of the freest people in the world,
where declamatory harangues were everlast-
ingly delivered in the praise of liberty, in the
fullest and highest sense of the word. And yet
what was the fact? Let it be known , let it be
told throughout the world, that in that ten
miles square, over which Congress exercised un-
limited control, was the slave market of the en-
tire nation. (Hear, hear, and applause.) It had
a population of 7,0C0 slaves, and the slave-trad-
ers, from all the slave-rearing States, brought the
collies into Washington itself, and into Al< xan-
16 '
183 MEETING AT
dria, and there the very members of Congress,
while speeches were being made within the
wails of the capitol, were outside the doors en-
gaging with the vilest race of men on the face of
the earth for the sale of the bones, and the sin-
ews, the life, and the blood, the liberty and fertil-
ity of God's rational and immortal creatures.
(Immense applause.) And yet he was told, that
he was a 'calumniator,' because he said that
America was 'a wicked nation.' (Cries of 'Shame,
shame,' and long continued cheers.) What would
the meeting think, when he told them that Wash-
ington city itself was infested by kidnappers,
prowling about to arrest men of color, if they had
not their fres papers with them? A respectable
colored man was thrown into the city jail of
Washington on suspicion of being a slave. He
demonstrated his freedom — and what then? Was
the man who captured him punished, and he him-
self set free ? No ; He was sold into everlast-
ing bondage to pay his jail fees ! (Cries of
'Shame, shame.) He (Mr. T.) stated that fact on
the authority of the Hon. Mr. Miner, and a peti-
tion signed by 1,000 most respectable inhabitants
of the District, and yet he was told, that he was 'a
caluminator,' because he said that America waa
* a wicked nation.' (Deafening applause.) The
Corporation of Washington, by virtue of an Act
passed by Congress, granted licenses to any one
in the District of Columbia, who wished to trade
in slaves, for the sum of ><400 per annum. IJo\r
was the money appropriated ? One portion for
the purpose of cutting canals f<>r the benefit of
white citizens, and the other for the support of
schools for the education of the white youth of
the city of Washington. (Loud cries of Shame,
ahame.') And yec he waa toid he was 'a caJum-
LONDON. 183
viator, 1 because he said that America was 'a
wicked nation.' (Great cheering.) He might
stand on a missionary platform and pour execra-
tion upon Hindooism, he might deprecate the
scenes upon the banks of the Ganges, he might
brand the acts of the Brahmin, the New Zealan-
der, and the wandering Bushman, as infamy
itself, and yet if ho spoke of slave-trading
America — America, christianised, and republican'
ised — and sent on the wings of the wind, that
declaration to the first nation in the world, he
was doing wrong, he was ' a calumniator.'
('Shame, shame,' and applause.) If he must re-
buke sin, he preferred rebuking it in a white man.
(Cheers.) If he must rebuke enormity, if he re-
buked a slave-trader, he would hunt him out in
a Christian country, in a republican country.
(Cheers.) He would not brand the chiefs of Af-
rica with being bloody monsters, when he could
find well-dressed and well-educated men of a
Christian country, embruing their hands in the
blood of their brethren. (Cheers.) He knew
the secret — the secret was out, a mans at at an-
other's table, he put his feet under that table,
shared its hospitalities, and came 1 home to brand
as 'a calumniator' the man who told that host he
was a sinner. (Long continued cheers, with some
faint signs of disapprobation, which were instant-
ly lost in renewed cheering.) He hoped that the
friends present would find a better way of argu-
ing than they had done that night. (Cheers and
laughter.) He took the guilt of this system, and
he laid it — where ? On the church of America.
When he said the church, he did not allude to
any particular denomination. He spoke of Bap-
tists, Presbyterians, and Methodists — the three
great props, the all-sustaining pillars of that blood-
1S4 MEETING AT
down to the lowest members of the congrega-
tions belonging to those denominations, thry
were slave-owners. (Hear, hear, hear.) He
would relate one anecdote illustrative of the sub-
ject. When Drs. Cox and Iloby were in Rich-
mond, Virginia, they lodged at the house of a
wealthy planter, and were in the daily habit of
visiting another gentleman in similar circumstan-
ces, where the Rev. John O. Choules was enter-
tained. Mr. Choules, taking his host aside one
day, said to him, ' When you look around you
upon the system that every where prevails, and
see that light is breaking in upon the minds of
the slaves, are you not alarmed ? Do you not ap-
prehend at no distant day a terrible convulsion
that shall overwhelm you in ruin, and issue in the
extinction of the whites and the supremacy of
the blacks?' 'Why,' said the gentleman, who
was an officer in a Baptist church, and had an
unsullied reputation for piety and consistency, 'I
used to apprehend such a catastrophe, but God
has made a providential opening, a merciful safe-
ty-valve, and now I do not feel alarmed in the
prospect of what is coming.' 'What do you
mean,' said Mr. Choules, ' by Providence open-
ing a merciful safety-valve?' 'Why,' said the
pious Baptist, * I will tell you ; the slave-traders
come from the cotton estates of Alabama, and the
sugar plantations in Louisiana, and are willing to
buy up more slaves than we can part with.
(Hear, hear.) We must keep a stock for the
purpose of rearing slaves, but we part with the
most valuable, and at the same time, the most,
dangerous, and the demand is very constant and
likely to be so, for when they go to these south-
ern States, the average existence is only five
LONDON'. 185
years.' (Shame, shame.) Mr. Thompson then
adduced the testimony of the General Assembly
of the United States, in reference to the con-
nection of the Presbyterian church with the sin
of slave-holding-. At a General Assembly held
at Pittsburg, in May, 1835, several speeches were
made on the subject of slavery. There were
only two immediate abolitionists in the Assem-
bly ; yet, notwithstanding all those ' efforts which,
however well meant,' it was stated in the book
published by the Baptist deputation, 'he (Mr. T.)
had rolled back the cause,' at a future meeting
of the Assembly, instead of being two, there
•were forty-eight immediate abolitionists. (Cheers.)
So that it was not possible, as on a former occa-
sion, to burke the question ; hut it was broadly
raised and discussed by the Rev. J. H. Dickey, of
Ohio, and Mr. Stewart, of Illinois. Mr. Thomp-
son then quoted some of the observations made
by the Rev. gentlemen on that occasion. Mr.
Stewart said, 'In this church a man may take a
free born child, force it away from its parents, to
whom God gave it in charge, saying, ' Bring this
child up for me,' — and sell it as a beast, or hold it
in perpetual bondage, and not only escape cor-
poral punishment, but really be esteemed an ex-
cellent Christian.' There was a case in point
on that platform. A young man was present, of
the name of Moses Roper, the son of an Ameri-
can General, by a slave woman, once a slave him-
self, but who had run away, and was now free,
because he Avas on British, and not on American
soil. (Loud applause.) 'I trust,' said the lectur-
er, 'that Mr. Roper will allow me to give him
my hand, though I have " rolled back the cause "
of emancipation.' (Immense cheering.)
16*
180 MEETING AT
Mr. Hare rose, and said, that Mr. Roper was
a member of Dr. Cox's church, and was partly
supported by the Doctor.
Mr. Hoskins said, 'He would have been a
slave now, had it not been for Dr. Cox.' (Cries
of ' No, no.')
Mr. Thompson begged it then to be under-
stood, that Moses Roper was now enabled to
prosecute his studies, in consequence of the lib-
eral contributions of Dr. Cox and Dr. Morison.
(Cheers.) Mr. Thompson then read two extracts
from the New York Evangelist, of March 12,
1836, showing that the Methodists were equally
involved with the Presbyterians in the sin of
slaveholding. He also read an extract from the
speech of J. A. Thome, Esq., of Kentucky, de-
livered at the first annual meeting of the Ameri-
can Anti-Slavery Society, giving a lamentable
picture of the licentiou-ness prevalent among the
slaves in Kentucky, where Mr. Thompson observ-
ed, slavery existed in its mildest form. He held
in his hand some excellent letters from the Rev.
John Rankin, pastor of the Presbyterian church-
es of Ripley and Strait-creek, Brown county,
Ohio, in which the writer pointed out how unfa-
vorable the system of slavery was, in its conse-
quences, as well as in its nature, to the extension
of Gospel influence. He would merely say of
the Baptist denomination, that in the Southern
States of America there were upwards of 3,000
churches, containing more than 157,000 members,
almost all, both ministers and members, being
slaveholders. (Hear, hear, hear.) He would state
one fact, on the authority of the Rev. Baron Stow.
A Baptise minister tied up his female slave on a
Sabbath morning with his own hands, and flogged
LONDON. 187
itor on her naked back. He went and preached I
his sermon — came back, and flogged her again! '
(Loud cries of ' Shame, shame,' from all parts of
the building.) But he (Mr. T.) was anxious to
put the meeting in possession of high authority
with regard to the state of the public mind in the
United States on the subject of slavery. He
would, therefore, introduce to its attention Gen-
eral George M'Dufne, Governor of South Caroli-
na, one of the most eloquent and distinguished
men in that country. In his address to the two
Houses of Legislature, at the opening of their
last session, he observed, respecting the subject
of abolition, 'It i.3 my deliberate opinion that the
laws of every community should punish this spe-
cies of interference by death, without benefit of
clergy, regarding the authors of it as enemies to
the human race. Nothing could be more appro-
priate than for South Carolina to set the example
in the present crisis, and I trust the Lpgislature
will not adjourn till it discharges this high duty
of patriotism.' (Loud laughter.) He (Mr. T.)
would now show what the General's theology was
— 'No human institution, in my opinion, is more
manifestly consistent with the will of God, than
domestic slavery,' ('Oh, oh.') He would look at
his political sentiments — 'Domestic slavery, in-
stead of being a political evil, is the cornerstone
of our republican edifice.' (Laughter.) Such were
the views of General George M'DufiV, Governor
of South Carolina ; and yet, he (Mr. T.) was call-
ed a ' calumniator,' because he had said of Amer-
ica, that she was ' a wicked nation.' (Immense
applause.) Mr. Thompson having reprobated in
strong terms the sentiments of General M'Duffie,
then alluded to a small work published by A. D.
Sims, A. B., in which that gentleman represent-
188 MEETING AT
ed the slaves in the Southern States as the hap-
piest people on earth ; and their masters as pay-
ing the utmost care and attention to the comfort
and the morals of their slaves. ' Were it the
habit of the author ever to use his pen, in decking
themes of declamation, or in presenting, in pol-
ished phrase and ornamental language, subjects
to delight the taste,, or amuse the imagination, he
knows of none connected with human happiness
on which he would sooner try his skill than negro
slavery.' (Loud laughter.) Mr. Thompson then
pointed out the absurdity of that gentleman's
views, and proceeded to charge upon the minis-
ters of religion in America the guilt of slavery.
He read the following extract from a letter ad-
dressed by the Rev. R. N. Anderson, to the Ses-
sions of the Presbyterian congregations within
the bounds of the West Hanover Presbytery.
'If there be any stray-goat of a minister among
us, tainted with the bloodhound principles of ab-
olition, let him be ferreted out, silenced, excom-
municated, and given over to the public to be
dealt with in other respects. — Your affectionate
brother in the Lord.' (Strong marks of indigna-
tion.) A young man, who was prosecuting his
studies for the ministry, but who found that his
pecuniary means were nearly exhausted, endeav-
ored to recruit, them by going to Tennessee, sell-
ing cottage Bibles. Suspicions were excited that
he was connected with the Anti-Slavery Society ;
his boxes and papers were examined, and himself
apprehended. Some of the Bibles were found
wrapped up in papers, containing some remarks
favorable to Anti-Slavery principles. They also
found a letter from a lady, who stated that she
had 'talked a stream of abolition for 200 miles.'
(Cheers,) Besides these, they discovered a let-
LONDON. 189
tor from the gentleman who had furnished him
with the Bibles, in which he had advised him
jocularly ' not to spend more than half his time
among the Niggprs.' The young man was tried
before a Lynch Committee, and upon that testi-
mony alone was found guilty of 'an intention to
speak on behalf of the abolitionists,' (' oh, oh,'
and laughter,) and was sentenced to receive 20
lashes with a raw cow-hide ; which sentence was
immediately carried into execution. Upon rising
from its infliction, he praised God that he had
been counted worthy to suffer in his cause; but
his voice was drowned by the cries of the infuri-
ated mob, ' him, him,' 'Stop his pray-
ing.' Would it be believed, that on that Lynch
Committee, there sat seven elders and one min-
ister, some of whom had sat with the young man
at the table of the Lord the preceding Sunday ?
(Cries of ' Shame ! ') And yet he (Mr. T.) was
called ' a calumniator,' because he said America
was 'a wicked nation.' (Immense cheering.)
Mr. Thompson was then about to enter upon what
he termed the 'bright side of the picture,' when
it was suggested that he should retire, and rest a
few minutes. In the interim,
Ma. M. Roper* addressed the meeting, and
stated a number of facts which had ccme under
*This man escaped from Florida, came to this city
where he remained several months. His complexion was
so light, and his features so ' European ' that he passed
for a white man — was warned to do and actually did mili-
tary duty. He expressed a strong desire to obtain an edu-
cation — hoping that it might in some way afford him the
means of procuring the liberation of his mother and sister,
who are still in slavery.
190 MEETING AT
his own knowledge, demonstrative of tlie horrors
and cruelties of American slavery. Oni case
which he mentioned, was that of a slave who oc-
casionally preached to his fellow-bondsmen. His
master threatened that if he ever preached on the
Sabbath again, he would give him 5C0 lashes on
the Monday merning. He disobeyed the order,
however, and preached, unknown to his master.
He became alarmed, ran away from Georgia, and
crossed the river into South Carolina, where he
took refuge m a barn belonging So a Mr. Garri-
son. Mrs. Garrison saw him in the barn, and in-
formed her husband of it. Mr. Garrison got his
rifle and shot at him. The law required that they
sliouild call upon a slave to stop three tinaes fee-
fore they fired at him ; Mr. Garrison called, but
he did not stop. The ball missed him, and Mr.
Garrison then struck him with the gun and knock-
ed him down. The slave wrested it from him,
and struck him [Mr. G.] with it. The slave was
taken up for it ; his master went after him ; Mr.
Garrison purchased him for 500 dollars, and burn-
ed him alive.
Mr. TnoMPSox then resumed, and gave an in-
teresting detail, through which our limits will not
allow us to follow him, of the rise and progress
of the anti-slavery cause in America. At one
meeting in New York, after the other religious
and benevolent societies had held their anniver-
sary meetings, 15,000 dollars were collected ; an
immense number of ministers in all parts of the
country had joined the Society, and the students
of many colleges he had visited received him with
the utmost cordiality. His accounts were heard
with frequent expressions of applause. He would
now come to the ' vexed question,' the agitating,
Xke affecting question, and to the book which ha
LONDON. J'Ol
held in his hand, 'The Baptists in America.' He
was glad that he had talked thus far 5 tor he had
talked away every lingering feeling of a person-
al nature which he might have had when lie en-
tered that place, lie would give a plain and
faithful statement of the steps which led to that
conduct on his part, which had been particularly
animadverted upon by certain individuals in this
country. He knew the position in which the
Baptists stood in \h is country before toe went out,
and what they had done in the last greatstruggle
for the emancipation of the slaves in the British
colonies. It had been his pleasure to introduce
Mr. Kuibb to more than one auditory where he
had himself heen lecturing. He loved and hon-
ored the Baptists, he carried with him a good re-
port of them to America, and sincerely rejoic«d
when they had appointed two delegates to visit
that country. lie would, in the first place, ex-
plain the reason why Dr, Hoby was not invited to
attend the Anti-Slavery meeting in N-ew York*
The meeting must understand, as a preliminary
observation, that the Colonizationists and the
Abolitionists of America were at antipodes. The
former rested upon expediency, the latter upon
the uncompromising principles of justice a*xl re-
ligion. Any man who had the least, feeling for
the Colonizationists, would not be received with
confidenoe by the black population, who consid-
ered every man as practically their enemy who
advocated colonization. He was aware, from in-
terviews which he had had with Dr. Hoby, that
that gentleman was friendly to the plan of com-
pensation and colonization. W'hercver Tie wont
in America he Avas questioned respecting the
views of the delegates, and he stated what were
Dc. lloby's sentiments. With regard to Dr. Cox,
192 MEETING AT
he stated, that that gentleman was a member of
the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, and
pledged to the question, and he believed that he
repudiated colonization. Tins he stated before
the delegates arrived in America. The Rev,
Mr. Choules was passing through Boston, and
said that he would, if possible, see Drs. Cox and
Hoby at New York, before they went to Rich-
mond ; for if they fell into the hands of the colo-
nizationists and slave-owners in Virginia, the ab-
olitionists would lose them; Mr. Choules missed
them, they were gone in the steam-boat to Rich-
mond. Mr. Lewis Tappan, and other members
of the American Anti-Slavery Society, asked him.
(Mr. T.) whether they should invite both Drs. Cox
and Hoby to their meeting, but he told them that
they could not invite the latter for the reasons he
had already stated, but that they might and ought
to invite the former. They sent an invitation ad-
dressed to him at Richmond, but three weeks
elapsed without any answer being received. He
heard that Dr. Cox was to preach at Philadelphia
on the Sunday, and arrive at New York on the-
Monday preceding the day of holding the meet-
ing. A deputaton was appointed to see the doc-
tor, he (Mr. T.) being one of the number. John
Rankin, Esq., commenced the conversation by
asking Dr. Cox whether he had received the let-
ter. He stated he had ; but they did not press
for the reason why he had not answered it. They
told him that it would be a full meeting, and that
they expected he would be present. Dr. Cox re-
plied that it was a delicate question (laughter.)
and that he had been told, within half an hour,
that if he went to the meeting it would ho ntthe
risk of his life. (Laughter.) Pie (Mr. T.) re-
marked, that he had been in America nine mouths.
lONDON. 193
that wherever he went he had been pursued by
calumny and persecution, but he was alive, cheer*
ful, courageous, hopeful, and that ho (Dr. C.)
might do Ins duty and be safe. (Hear, hear.)
' VVell,' said Dr. Cox, 'but I have been told that
if I go to the meeting I shall get a jacket of tar
and feathers.' (Loud laughter.) tie (Mr. T.)
told Dr. Cox that he would go too and share it
with him (loud applause,) it would honor them
both. (Laughter and great cheering.) The con-
versation was then carried on principally by John
Rankin, Esq., and the Rev. Mr. Winslow, a Bap-
tist minister, and Dr. Cox's replies were to the
effect, ' You know there is a political bearing in
the question.' With that they assured him they
had nothing to do, they stood upon the high
ground of humanity and religion; they did not
wish him to appear as a Baptist delegate, but to
come as a man and a Christian. (Cheers.) When
those gentlemen had finished their conversation
with Dr. Cox, he (Mr. T.) said to him, ' Dr. Cox,
you know what are the expectations of our com-
inoH country (hear, hear) — you know what your
denomination has done in England for this cause,
and I beseech you come For the sake of humanity,
for the sake of our country, for the sake of that
religion whose minister you are.' The doctor re-
plied, ' I cannot give an answer now (laughter and
hisse •) ; send at half pafl nine in the morning and
I will give an answer.' lie again assured the
doctor that they would have a splendid meeting,
and said, 'Yon will have the elile of all parties ;
pray deliver your soul, and bear a fearless testi-
mony for Cod against the iniquity of the land.'
That was the language he had held to Dr. JLeed
some months before, but without effect:— but of
(hat more hereafter. It was with a sorrowful, and
17
194 MEETING AT
almost broken heart, he (Mr. T.) left. He could
truly say before his Maker, it was the severest
infliction, the most keen and cutting event that
had occurred to him since his landing in the Uni-
ted States. On quitting the house, John Rankin,
Esq., observed, ' H these be the men you send
from England, we shall pray Guil that no more
may ever cross the Atlantic' (Immense cheer-
ing.) The same afternoon it was proposed, in a
meeting of delegates, that another deputation
should wait upon Dr. Cox ; but one of the gen-
tlemen present said, 'iNo! if Dr. Cox does not
deem it his honor to be here, I say send no depu-
tation to him.' He (Mr. T.) however, urged them
to send another deputation, for he believed the
doctor to have been worked upon, and that he
was the dupe of colonizationiats and slaveholders.
Ten gentlemen were appointed to wait upon Dv.
Cox, most of whom were men of high standing,
and all of whom were men of piety and general
influence. Dr. Cox again promised, if he did not
attend, to send his reasons fur not corning, at half
past nine on the morrow morning. The next day
he (Mr. T.) left the house of Mr. Rankin to pre-
(Teed to a public meeting, and he never went to
a meeting with such a heavy heart. When he
went to meet an opponent, ho went strong in the
justice of his cause, strong in the blessings and
prayers of the suffering and oppressed negro r
strong in the invincibility of truth, strong in the
omnipotence of God. But when halting between
two opinions, doubting whether Dr. Cox would*
be there, but at the same time rather inclining to
believe that he would not, he did blush for hi*
country, and felt it that day dishonored. (LoufP
cries of hear, hear.) lie went to the meeting,
and took his seat on the platform; the business
LONDON. 195
commenced by prayer ; during the reading of the
report he saw Mr. Rankin coming down the aisle ;
he (Mr. T.) looked anxiously towards him, and at
length caught his «ye ; Mr. R. knew what lie
meant, and shook his head. He (Mr. T.) knew
nothing of that note which Dr. Cox spoke of in
his book: he pledged his honor and his credit,
that there was no intent to suppress that letter —
no intention of tampering with Mr. Rankin ; it
was purely ' accidental and unintentional ' that
the letter was not produced; if it had, it would
have been the text on which he '(Mr. T.) should
have spoken*, he should have vindicated himself
to his country, his constituents, and the abolition-
ists of America, from the foul charge of making
this a political question. (Hear, hear, and loud
cheers.) Mr. Rankin's shake of the head was
enough to sadden him for the remainder of the
day. The first resolution was moved by Mr. Bir-
ney ; the second by the Rev. Baron Stow, who
took that resolution which it was intended to give
to the Rev. Doctor, should ho have come unpre-
pared with one of his own. Mr. T. then quoted
the speech of the Rev. B. Stow, and stated that
he was then called on to speak. He conjured his
Baptist brethren, by their love to truth, and their
hatred of compromise and expediency, to imagine
the circumstances in which he was then placed.
( Hear, hear.) What did he say on that occasion ?
He would give his language verbatim, taken down
by Mr. Stanshury, a celebrated stenographist,
brought from Washington to report the proceed-
ings of the May meetings in the New York Ob-
server, a paper unfavorable to immediate aboli-
tion, and a paper, the very number of which that
contained his speech, contained an editorial arti-
cle, censuring him (Mr. T.) for the severity of his
196 MEETING AT
strictures on the conduct of Dr. Cox. Consider-
ing all the circumstances of the case, then, what
T?as the measure of his guilt in uttering the fol-
lowing words ? Mr. Thompson then read from
the JVeiv York Observer, extracts from his speech
on that occasion : the following is the concluding
passage :
'Two of his countrymen had been- deputed to visit this
country — one of them a member of the Committee of the
British and Foreign Society for the Extinction of Slavery
and the Slave Trade throughout the World, and belonging
to a Christian denomination which had actually memorial-
ized all their sister churches in this land on this subject.
My heart leaped when I learned that they were to be here
— especially that one of them whose name stood before the
blank which is to be left in the record of this days pro-
ceeding. Where J^ he now 1 He is in this city. Why
is he not here 1 The reason I shall leave for himself to
explain. Sir, (said Mr. T.) in this very fact, I behold a,
new proof of the power, of the omnipotence of slavery;
by its torpedo touch a man has been struck dumb who was
eloquent in England on the side of its open opposers.
What ! is it come to this 1 Shall he, or shall I, advocate
the cause of emancipation, of immediate emancipation,
only because we are Englishmen 1 ! Perish the thought!
— before i can entertain such a thought, I must be recre-
ant to all the principles of the Bible — to all the claims of
truth, of honor, of humanity. No, Sir; if a man is not
the same in every latitude — if he would advocate a cause
•with eloquence and ardor in Exeter Hall, in the midst of
admiring thousands — but, because he is in America, can
close his lips, and desert the cause he once espoused — I
denounce, I abjure him, as a coadjutor in the cause in
which I am engaged. Let him carry his philanthropy
home again ' — (loud cheers) — ■ there let him display it in
the loftiest or the tenderest strains ; but let him never step
his foot abroad, until he is prepared to show to the world
U\ac he is the friend of his kind of every country.' (Loud
and long-continued cheers.)
'This,' said Mr. T., ' is the very head and front
of my offending ! Judge ye whether I do not
LONDON. 19?
only stand excused, but stand justified?— (hear,
hear, and cheers-)— whether I should not have
shared the guilt, if guilt there be, of deserting
this cause, had 1 not said what I did say ? (Loud
cheers.) I stand not here to palliate or to con-
ceal ! No! I glory in what I have done; and
J have said in the Committee of the British and
Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, in the presence of
Dr. Cox, that if I had to do it over again, I should
do it as I have done — with this difference only,
that if my poor vocabulary would furnish me with
words in which more strongly to express my re-
gret, my abhorrence for such conduct as that I
have described, I would use them. (Hear, hear,
and cheers.) I do not ask the meeting to look
critically at the words themselves, but to the sen-
timents they convey, and either to justify or dis-
approve my conduct.' (Loud cheers.) But now
he must advert to the letter which Dr. Cox -had
sent, upon the suppression of which so much
stress had been laid. The meeting had heard
the report of his (Mr. T's) speech read from the
JYttv York Observer; but Dr. Hoby, instead of
taking that report — which, though furnished by
an opponent, he (Mr. T.) preferred to a friend's
— (laughter) — he (Dr. H.) made a speech for him:
and he would wish the meeting to compare that
speech with the report lie had just lead. Dr.
Hoby said, 'Mr. Thompson commenced his
speech with a reference to the disappointment he
felt at the absence of Dr. Cox, mi temperate lan-
guage, and such as could not give offence ; but
lie ought also to have read the sliort letter which
was omitted. At the close of his address, he re-
sumed, in a very different strain and spirit, the
language of denunciation; and, though he chiefly
referred to Dr. Cox, by speaking in the plural
17*
i98 MEETING AT
number of the delegates, he included both when
he said they were ' men of whom their brethren
and country ought to be ashamed, whom he blush-
ed to own as countrymen, and who, as recreant
to their principles, and acting under the influence
of disgraceful motives, were unfaithful represent-
atives, and would be scorned on their return."' —
'Now, Sir,' (said Mr. Thompson) 'as Heaven is
to be my judge, 1 uttered not a word of that ! '
Mr. Hare rose, and said that he recollected
reading that part of Mr. Thompson's speech in
the New York Evangelist.
Mr. Thompson : Which ?
Mr. Hare : That in which the word 'recre-
ant' occurs; — which you have just read from the
book. Mr. Thompson has said that Dr. Hoby
made a speech for him. (Considerable confu-
sion.)
Mr. Thompson begged the meeting would not
think that these interruptions would be at all in-
jurious to him, or comfuse in the slightest the
train of his remarks. He would rather that ob-
servations should be made at the moment at
which they occurred to the persons present. Mr.
Hare had said that the words which Dr. Hoby
put into his (Mr. T's) mouth, he (Mr. H.)had read
in the New York Evangelist ; and therefore he
supposed Mr. Hare meant to infer that Dr. Hoby
had taken the words in question from that jour-
nal ? J
Mr. Hare. — Certainly.
Mr. Thompson. — But what said Dr. Hoby ?
* These words, or words of a similar impott, are
l.OKDON*. 109
not given in the printed reports of the speeches,
which differ much from one another ' (loud laugh-
ter, and longf continued cheering;) 'but enough
is given with the direct sanction of the Society ;'
and then came a note of his speech, taken almost
verbatim from the report which lie had just read
in the New York Observer: — 'Enough is given
with the direct sanction of the Society, to justify
the interruption occasioned by my advancing to
the front of the gallery, and, apologizing for such
interference, requesting Mr. T. to forego all such
censure, as both unjustifiable and injurious.' Such
a report might have appeared in the Neiv York
Evangelist, but both the Evangelist and Observer
were sent to him with a note, begging he would
choose the best report, to be furnished for inser-
tion in the official report of the meeting, and he
could not remember that he had seen in the
Evangelist nny thing like the language attributed
to him by Dr. Iloby. If Mr. Hare could find in
the JYeiv York Evangelist a copy of that speech,
he [Mr. Thompson] would bo obliged by its be-
ing forwarded to him, and he would see that it
should he published in the pamphlet he was about
to lay before the world. Thus they had arrived
at the close of that day's proceedings. But he
had yet to read the letter which I)r. Cox had sent
to the American Anti-Slavery Society ; and were
he disposed to censure the Doctor, he should say
that that letter was the most unkind, unchristian
letter that a man could frame. He would ask his
brethren around him, who had been his honored
coadjutors in this cause, Did they ever place it
upon political principles? [Loud cries of ' No,
no.'] Did they ever make any way, was not the
vessel of abolition ever retarded, by its own vis
inertire, until they assumed the high ground, that
200 MEETING AT
slaveholding was a sin in the eye of God?
[Cheers.] What did the Doctor say in this let-
ter ? — 'If I decline the honor of appearing on
your platform this day, on occasion of your anni-
versary meeting, I must be understood to assume
a position of neutrality.' ■ Neutrality ! ' [said Mr.
T.] 'If there be a word in the English language
that I loathe more than another, it is that, word
'neutrality.' [Loud cheers.] 'Neutrality!' God
abhors it ! ' Neutrality ! ' ' Choose ye this day
whom ye will serve' — 'Why halt ye between
two opinions'? ' Why stand ye, motionless as a
pendulum, with weeping, suffering, bleeding hu-
manity, here, and frowning despotism there ?
[Immense applause.] ' Neutrality'!' with the Bi-
ble in your hand — with your ecclesiastical honors
thick upon you [loud laughter and cheers] — with
your ecclesiastical appointments in your pockets,
and the pledges remembered, or which ought to
have been remembered, why stand ye neutral?
[Tremendous cheering.] ' I must be understood
to assume a position of neutrality, not with re-
gard to those oreat principles and objects which
it is well known Britain in general, and our de-
nomination in particular, have maintained and
promoted, but with regard solely to the political
bearings of th<? question with which, as a stran-
ger, a Foreigner, a visitor, I could not attempt to
intermeddle." 1 ' Now, Sirs,' [continued Mr. T.]
'this was 'the unkind est cut of all ! ' Suppose
I had had that letter, should I have been afraid to
read it? [Hear, hear.] Think vou that the indi-
vidual who has come here to-night with the threat
before his eyes, that if he dares to speak honestlv
lie 'shall be crushed,' [' Shamc.shame !']— think
you that such an individual would have feared to
read that letter?' ["Loud applause.] Oh, '1 mu*t
LONDON. 201
have had 'some covert, powerful, all-sufficient
motive,' for suppressing that letter. — [laughter,
and cheers,] — enough to induce Dr. Cox to piny
upon the word with dray-horse wit, going most
sluggishly along, [loud laughter,] harping contin-
ually upon it, that the concealment of that, letter
was, ' perhaps, purely accidental and uninten-
tional,' and intimating, hut in Latin, that my ve-
racity ought to be, and cannot but be, doubted.
[Cheers.] What was there in that letter that I
should wish to conceal ? If I had been tempted
to conceal it, it would have been under a very
different motive from that which has been insinu-
ated. I do say, that, branding me, ns it docs,
most unequivocally, as an ' intermeddler,' — for I
was ' a foreigner,' I was 'a stranger,' I was 'a
visitor,' — I say, without hesitation, that letter
marked me out for immolation. [Enthusiastic
cheering.] There were thousands in that city
waiting to rejoice over my destruction ; there
were paid myrmidons, seeking my blood; and
here was my countryman, branding me as a for-
eigner, a stranger, a visitor, and, therefore, as an
1 intermeddler.' [Loud cries of ' Shame, shame.']
Think you that, for these reasons, I should have
withheld it? Oh, that T had had that letter ! One of
old exclaimed, k Would that mine enemy would
write a book!' Had he lived in these days, he
would have said, 'Would that mine enemy would
write a note ! ' — [Immense cheering,] — would that
mine enemy would print a note! [Laughter and
renewed cheering.] 'The political bearings of
the question,' ' with which, as a stranger, a for-
eigner, a visitor, I could not intermeddle.' Now,
was Dr. Cox called on to intermeddle ? Yes !
When he was selected as one of the Baptist del-
egates was he expected to advocate tUe anti-sla.-
202 MEETING AT
very cause ? He wa^. When the appeal was
laadc to the Baptist churches to support the mis-
sion, were they led to expect that the Deputation
would advocate the anti-slavery cause ? They
were. When Dr. Cox was in the midst of his
brethren, was this question put to hi us— ' Dr. Cox^
you know the pnjudices that exist in .America
against colored people, — what will you do ? ' and
what did he reply?''
The Rkv. Mr. Belchjer asked, Where? [Par-
tial cries of 'Hear, hear,' and some confusion.]
The Rev. T. Prick rose and said, 'I stated at
a meeting at Fen-court, in the presence of Dr.
Cox, that I had put that question to him, and Dr.
Cox never denied it.' [Loud cries of * Hear,
hear.']
The Rev. J. Be&cbsb : That was not my ques-
tion. Where was the question put? [Great
confusion.]
The Rev. T. Price : T did not intend to speak
to-night, but there is something so exceedingly
disingenuous — I might use a stronger term — iu
this attempt of Mr. Belcher's to throw dust in the
eyes of the Assembly, that I must state these
facts. I stntod two or three months ago, in the
presence of Dr. Cox, at Fen-court, the questions
I had -put to him before he went to America ; and
I stated further the answers which Dr. Cox had
given to me. It was then asked where I had put
them. I replied that T thought it was at a cer-
tain place, but I cnnld not exactly remeoiber
where; k wai however at one of the meetings of
the Committee of the Baptist Union, and Dr. Cox
Aje-ver denied that those questions were so put U
turn and answered by him. Same of the Com-
mittee said they heard me put the questions,
though they could not remember the room where
they were put. [Loud cheers.]
Mr. Law, who rose amidst great confusion,
was understood to observe that as this discussion
Would be greatly protracted, so as probably to ex-
clude any possibility of a reply, he thought it
would bu well to observe that the remarks of Mr.
Price seemed to intimate that the entire body of
ministers of the Baptist denomination concurred
in the questions which he had proposed to Dr.
Cox.
Mr. Thompson said, these interruptions were
out of order, and he perhaps should have stated
before, that he was not bound to hear remarks
from any individual present; the only person's
with whom he had to do were Drs. Cox and Hoby.
He hud written to Dr. Cox the following letter :
'Ret. Sik, — The Baptist Chapel in Devonshire
Square having been kindly offered me for die delivery of
a lecture on American Slavery} ami the principles and pro-
greM of the Anti-Slaveiy Society in the United States;
and also for the purpose of giving information relative to
the course I felt it my duty to adopt in reference" to your-
self and* co n V ng we, Dr. Hoby; 1 beg to inform you that I
have accepted the offer, and decided to hold a public meet-
ing 011 Thursday evening next, the 26th inst. I deem it
an act of justice to acquaint you with this intention, and
to say that full opportunity will be afforded you of demand-
ing any explanation of my public conduct in the United
States, in reference either to yourself or the cause which I
advocated, and to reply in detail to any of the statements
1 may consider it necessary to make.'
This letter was dated May 20. Dr. Cox ac-
Inowk-d the receipt of that letter in the Patriot
204 MEETING AT
of yesterday, (Wednesday, the 25th ;) he said he
'had employed his pen, and he meant to save his
breath.'
Mr. Baldwin : I rise, sir, upon a point of or-
der. I submit, that no person can address this
assembly, except Drs. Cox and Hoby, or some
persons delegated by them to act on their behalf.
[Hear, hear, hear.]
Mr. Pewtress rose to move the adjournment.
[Cries of ' No, no.']
Mr. Thompson: Sir, this is my lecture ; it is
not competent for any person to move an adjourn-
ment. [Loud cries of Hear, hear.']
The Rev. T. Price : I have given Mr. Thomp-
son permission to deliver his lecture in this
chape!, and he can occupy it as long as he pleas-
es ; no other person has a right to move the ad-
journment. [Cheers.]
Mr. Thompson, after a short discussion, pro-
ceeded. He had written to Dr. Hoby also; and
as the Dr. had requested that his letter should he
read at the lecture, he should read it, whatever
might be afterwards decided as to the adjourn-
ment, respecting which he was completely in the
hands of the audience. He would merely ob-
serve, that the letter to Dr. Hoby differed scarce-
ly in any thing from that sent to Dr. Cox. The
following is the letter of Dr. Hoby, dated at
Ledbury, May 24, 1830.
'Sik, — I duly received your letter of the 20ih, comitin*
locating your intention to hold a meeting on the 2Gll» insi.,
for the purposes therein explained, and inviting my attend-
ance, for reasons therein specified. In reply> I have only
LONDON. 205
to sny, that to be in London at that time, is entirely out of
my power; I write this while on my way to our Associa-
tion at Coleford, and to undertake so long a journey, ex*
press ly for such a purpose, would he altogether out of the
Question. JN T o previous conference having taken place to
ascertain what would suit my convenience, is of course
evidence that any concurrence on my part as to the desira-
bleness of such a meeting was quite immaterial. As yon
gay, * you deem it an act of justice to acquaint me,' &c, I
have only to add, that if the same sense of justice dictates
your statements at this meeting) nothing will he said, ' au
explanation ' of which 1 shall at all he solicitous to demand,
or about which I shall he in the least concerned to ' reply
in detail.' You well knew, sir, that to the great cause
of abolition, — immediate, total, universal abolition, — I
was as much pledged as yourself when in America, and
that I advocated it ceaselessly upon principles, and in a
way, which my own judgment approved. If my course of
proceeding did not altogether approve itself to your judg-
ment, and that of some of our friends, I presume I was,
nevertheless, at liberty to pursue my own course, actuated)
as I know I was, by as righteous au abhorrence of the in-
iquitous system of slavery as yourself. When you bear in
mind, that I was not so much as invited to attend the
meeting at New York, nor even referred to in the imita-
tion addressed to Dr. Cox, you will perceive that 1 have
some reason to complain of uncourteousness there, and of
the extreme readiness of many here to pour their anony-
mous vituperations upon a course of conduct which they had
Hot given themselves the trouble to inquire into and un-
derstand. I have only further to express my most earnest
hope, that, notwithstanding the intemperance and indis-
cretion which appear to me to have characterised many of
the efforts to awaken hostility against American Christians,
Cod will overrule, so that the torpor and apathy of too
many of all denominations, respecting this awful iniquity of
slavery, will speedily give: place to a holy, philanthropic,
and righteous sensihdity 9 which shall hasten both to confess
and to compensate the wrongs inflicted on injured A I'rica.
I hereby express my entire concurrence in the course my
colleague pursued relative to an invitation which had noth-
ing to do with our obligation, and request, in conclusion}
that your letter to me, and this reply, may l«? read at lh«
meeting of the 2(iih.'
IS
206 MEETING AT LONDON.
Dr. Cox had availed himself of the Patriot
newspaper. Mr. Thompson then read the con-
eluding paragraph of Dr. Cox's letter contained
in the Patriot of Wednesday, the 25th inst. He
conceived that, after these letters, no person had
a right to address that assembly, on behalf of
either Dr. Cox or Dr. Hoby, unless they had au-
thority to do so from them. [Cheers.]
Some discussion then arose as to the propriety
of an adjournment, and it was ultimately agreed,
that Mr. Thompson should defer the conclusion oi"
his observations until Monday evening, the 3Qtk»
ult.
The audience then separated.
ADJOURNED MEETING.
The adjourned meeting- was held at Finsbury
Chapel, on Monday evening last, the attendance
at which was very numerous. At half-past six,
William Knight, Es^., took the chair, and
said, that having been requested to preside over
the meeting held in Devonshire Square, last
Thursday evening, and this being only an ad-
journment of that meeting, of course it was his
duty to take the chair on the present occasion.
Notices had been sent to Brs. Cox and Hoby of
the present meeting, and if they appeared, of
coarse they would be heard. But he begged it
to be understood, and he hoped the meeting
would support him in that decision, that no other
individual could be heard, unless he was deputed
in writing by those gentlemen to address this as-
sembly on their behalf. [Hear, hear.]
Mr. Thompson then rose to address the audi-
ence, and was received with leud applause. After
again assuring the meeting, that he was not ac-
tuated by any personal feelings in reference to
the remarks he was about to make, he observ-
ed, with regard to slavery and the slave-trade,
that at the present moment 5,500,000 human
208 MEETING AT
beings were held in bondage by Christian nations,
and that Africa was still robbed of 200,000 of her
children annually. It was therefore necessary
that this nation should be as alert upon the sub-
ject of the slave-trade as she had ever been. He
believed that not 1,000 less slaves had been car-
ried from the coast of Africa, in consequence of
all the eloquence of a Wilberforce, and all the
untiring labors of a Clarkson ! Let it be granted,
as it was sometimes said, that it was England
who had fastened the horrid system of slavery on
America; that it was England who had planted
that upas here, and that, from age to age, the
Anglo-Americans had watered its roots, given
fertility to its branches, and circulation to its
fruit. Let that be granted, and he would say to
America, 'If you criminate us, and if this charge
bo brought home upon us, in penitential acknowl-
edgment for our sin, we go forth, wishing to
bring forth fruits meet for repentance, to that
land where we have sown the seed, and brought
up the crop, in order that we may tear up the tree
by its roots, and brandish it in triumph over the
heads of the tyrants. [Loud and long continued
cheers.] If America wanted England to bear
the disgrace of doing the deed, England wanted
to have the honor of undoing the deed. [Loud
cheers.] In the slave estates of America it was
a common occurrence to see a coffle, which was
a gang of GO, 80, or 100 slaves, with the women
huddled up in a waggon, taken to different parts
of the country, with the 'star-spangled banner of
America' floating over their heads, and with the
music playing to cheer them, while being driven
to the Capital of Washington.' M. T. then read
a dialogue which had taken place between a Car-
olinian and a Mississippian planter on board a
"LONDON. 209
Steamboat, which was well authenticated by the
gentleman who heard ft. The topic of conver-
sation was the value of slaves; and it was stated
that, if under a cerlain weight, (501bs.) the young-
boys were sold at nine dollars per pound ; so that
children were, by religious men, weighed in
scales, and sold by the pound like meat. [ l Shame,
shame.'] Every paper published in Washing-
ton and Alexandria was filled with advertise-
ments of slaves, stating the terms, and inviting
purchasers to come in and look round ' the stock.'
Mrs. Child, the authoress of several works on edu-
cation, had informed him [Mr. T.] of the follow-
ing fact, which came under her own knowledge.
A physician, named Wallace, had married a young
lady from the South, with faint traces of a very
remote connexion with the negro race. He took
her to Alexandria, and placed her at the head of
his establishment. They had not long been there
when a person called upon the physician, and
told him that his wife was his female slave, and
demaded $800 for her, saying, at the same time,
that she was ' honestly worth 1,000.'' [Laughter.]
On inquiry, he found that his wife had been a
slave ; but she further informed him, that the man
who claimed her as his slave was her father.
['Shame, shame.'] That was a specimen of
American slavery, and yet Doctors of Divinity,
with both hands, and Englishmen too, said, for-
sooth, that he [Mr. T.] was ' a caluminiator,' be-
cause he said of America, that she was a wicked
nation. [Loud Cheers.] The statements con-
tained in the book to which he had formerly re-
ferred, The Baptists in America, reminded* him
of the couplet of Hudibras —
* They who drive fat oxen
Should themselves be fat.' (l-au^hter.)
18*
210 MEETING AT
The author who had charged him [Mr. T.] with
being a calumniator, because he had called Amer-
ica a wicked nation, in speaking" of France, had
used this singular expression : ' I rejoice that Ave
are uniting- in sending missionaries to the wick-
ed, infatuated, and infidel country of France.'
[Cheers.] When he [Mr. T.] said America was
a wicked nation, he had told it to the Americans
themselves a hundred times ; and it would be his
consolation, that, whatever he had said of them,
he had said before their face. [Cheers.] The
slaves of America were, almost without excep-
tion, without religious instruction. There were
not twelve men in the United States exclusively
devoted to the religious instruction of the slave
population. He stated that on the authority of
the Synod of South Carolina and Georgia. "He
had never taken up the -question of slavery as
connected with their bodies only: he had always
taken his stand upon the ground, that slave-hold-
ing was in itself unjustifiable. In America, the
Bible Society had offered, in concert with other
nations, to give the sacred Scriptures to every
individual upon the face of the earth, in his ver-
nacular tongue, in 20 years, while there were
4(10,000 familes, at the lowest estimate, of slaves
in the United States, who were not comprehend-
ed in their design. [Hear, hear, hear.] Yet, if
he should say that, and put at the end of it, that
America was a wicked nation, oh, he was told,
he was ' a calumniator.' [Loud cheers.] The
city of Charleston, had given $500 to the Tract
Society, and the very next year had sent a citi-
zen to a dungeon for having given a tract to one
of the slave population. ['Shame shame.'] He
must say of American slavery, that it was a eys-
tem of blood, — of soul murder : it put out the
LONDON". 211
•eyes of the soul ; it darkened, and covered with
•leprosy and disease, the already depraved facul-
ties of human nature ; and it left 2,560,000 persons
*-to grope their way through darknes and degrada-
tion here, to everlasting darkness beyond the
•grave. [Cheers.] It had been confessed by ec-
clesiastical authorities, that there were 2,000,000
«of slaves in America who never heard the name
<of Christ. (Hear, hear,) Mr. T. then entered
into a number of details, for the purpose of shelv-
ing the prejudice which was entertained in Amer-
ica against free persons of color. What was the
excuse sometimes made for that prejudice ? 'Oh,
they have a disagreeable smcl!.' (Laughter.)
lie (Mr. T.) could never detect any such smell ;
and, indeed, it was never found that they did have
such a ' smell ' so long as they continued slaves.
(Hear.) It was when they had obtained their
freedom that the ' smell ' was perceived. (Laugh-
ter.) And he did not wondei at it; for nothing
stunk so much in the nostrils of a tyrant as liber-
ty ! (Loud and long continued cheering.) When
travelling in one of the American steamboats, a
.gentleman and lady of color came on board in
their carriage; and he (Mr. T.) resolved upon
watching the mode in which they were treated.
When tea was announced, he went into the
cabin, and being some time engaged in conver-
sation with an individual of great eminence, Dr.
Graham, he lost sight of his colored compan-
ions. About seven in the evening, he (Mr. T.)
went upon deck, and there observed the lady
seated upon a heap of luggage, her husband
standing by her side : the night was dark and
cold, and a mist descended which would wet any
person through to the skin in an hour. He (Mr.
T.) returned to the cabin, and said to Dr. Graham,
212 meetin'g at
1 Come on deck, Dr. G., and if yon have a blush
for your country let me see it now!' (Cheers.)
On their return to the deck, they found the gen-
tleman interceding with the cook to allow his
lady to sit in the kitchen, as he feared the cok$
would cause her death, if she were compelled to-
be exposed to it all night ! (Hear, hear, and
shame I) Dr. G. asked the gentleman why it
w r as that he had not paid for his passage in the
cabin, — to which he replied, that he had offered
to pay for it — that the captain would not take the
money, and that he would gladly have given
twenty times the fare, that he might obtain that
comfort for his lady ! fLoud cries of ' Shame I
shame \) That lady was obliged to continue in-
kitchen — the most disagreeable place on board
the steam-vessel, while ministers of the gospel,,
lawyers, merchant?, were lolling upon sofas in the
cabin, and not one of them would show kindness-
to a woman under such circumstances. That
was the character of American slavery, and yet
a mm was a calumniator, 'because he called
America a wicked nation.' ("Cheers. ) It was
the prejudice entertained against the free people
of color, which led to the establishment of the
Colonization Society, which had been based upon
prejudice, which made its appeal to prejudice, but
which could not continue to exist, the abolition-
ists having shown the wickedness of that preju-
dice. The effect of prejudice against the color-
ed population had been to crush their spirit;
nevertheless, he (Mr. T.J had found among them
intellect of the highest order, virtue of the most
resplendent kind, and piety as sincere and fer-
vent as that which distinguished the wisest, and
best, and holiest of the land. If a white man
were to be seen shaking hands with a man of
LONDON. 213
•color,hc himself would never be respected again ;
ifhe took his arm he would be less respected
than if he had taken the arm of Beelzebub.
(Liughter.J There was no justice in America
for the colored man. If he knew how to make
a bow and was dressed like a gentleman, with a
■ring- on his finger, then, — ' how proud these col-
ored people are ! ' — If he did not dress well, ' they
are degraded, — utterly irreclaimable ! ' If he
appeared dejected, 'the whole race is sullen
and revengeful ! ' If they were inclined to be
cheerful, 'they are so saucy and impudent!''
^LaughterJ If one of them were seen intoxi-
cated, then the whole was a race of drunkards ;
if one were to be found dishonest, they were all
•called thieves : if one was slothful, then they
uore all lazy : if one was profane, all were blas-
phemers! fflear, hear.j 'J his prejudice even
existed in religious privileges of the colored peo-
ple, and also deprived them of their political
rights. In a large village called Salem, i fa colored
man, he was assured on good authority, took a
house in one of the principal streets, the value of
the property in that street became depreciated
75 per cent. The predecessor of Dr. Sprague
had treated the colored people with great re-
spect ; he was a kind-hearted man; he had a
considerable number of colored people in his con-
gregation, with whom he lived in the greatest
cordiality; and they were exceedingly attached
to him. When Dr. Sprague succeeded to the
•pastoral charge, it was proposed that the colored
■people should be placed by themselves, m here,
it was said, • they would be more comfortable*
Ten pews were set apart for them in the gallery,
*a nice comfortable partition' ran along this por-
tion of the chapol, with 'a nice green curtain to
214 MEETING AT
prevent them from seeing the other parts of the
congregation.' The colored people remonstrated
a gainst this invidious distinction, but it was vain.
What was the consequence ? Every colored
man, woman, and child, left that chapel immedi-
ately ! (L >ud cheers,) — and there was not at this
moment, in all Dr. S's church, one colored wor-
shipper ! What would that minister be able to
Bay when God demanded at his hand these pre-
cious souls with whom he had been intrusted?
("Hear, hear. ) Theodore S. Wright, a minister in
New York, a man of color, had increased the
numbers of his church from 17 to 376; he had
given $100 to the anti-slavery cause, but having,
in conjunction with his son, to travel in the steam-
boat from New York to Washington, they were
compelled to remain on d^ck during the voyage ;
indeed they were not allowed to pass the paddle-
boxes ! fCries of ' Shame ! ') The avenues to
learning had been closed to the colored people ;
but he (Mr. T.) rejoiced, that at the present day
there were four colleges open for them. (Cheers.)
Air. Tappan had himself given 820,000 to a col-
lege on the express condition that it should ad-
mit colored people to its privileges and advanta-
ges. When a person wished to join an antu
slavery society in America, it was a sine qua nan
that he had discharged all his prejudice against
the colored population. (Cheers. J
One word with regard to the character of the ab-
olitionists of America. He felt astonished at the
amount of mind which had been thrown into tbe
cause. William Lloyd Garrison had been particu-
larly active and prudent; he had been condemned for
havinsr shot a-head with seven-lea ?ue boots, the
superannuated tortoise speed of his reverend
brethren around him. (Laughter./ That hadj how*
LONDON. 215
ever, ever been the reproach of reformers. (Loud
and general cheering.,) The question of Amer-
ican Slavery had been branded as a political
question, not only by the enemies of freedom in
America, but from some whom they might have
expected better things. ('Hear, hear., 1 Mr. T.
then read an extract from a lecture delivered in
connection -.villi the British and Foreign Anti-
Slavery Society, together with the constitution
of the National Society of New York, iti order
to prove that there was nothing pol.tieal in the
objects contemplated. The missionary who went
from this country to any foreign land, might be
said, to a certain extent, to interfere with the
politics of that country, inasmuch as the tendency
of Christianity was to disturb the system which
there prevailed. To brand this cause as a polit-
ical question was to pronounce a censure 0:1 every
missionary who ever went on a foreign shore to
preach the gospel of Christ. If it were a politi-
cal question, how came it that at the prcsentday
the churches in America were taking up the sub-
ject, and fasting, and holding prayer meetings in
reference to it ? It was too bad for a man to go
0,000 miles to brand the Anti-Slavery Society as
politicians. (Immense cheering. ) Mr. T. was
then about to continue his narrative relative to
the conduct of Dr. Cox in America, when it was
suggested that it was desirable he shuuld take
a few minutes' rest.
The Chairman expressed a wish, that the ilcr-
im should be filled up, by Mr. M. Roper's stating
some facts with which he was conversant.
Considerable opposition was made to this sug-
gestion. One gentleman exclaimed, ' Mr. Roper
is Dr. Cox's protege? Another gentleman rosej
£16 MEETiftc At
and pertinaciously persisted in attempting to ad->
dress the meeting.
The Chairman reminded him of the remark*
he had made at the commencement of the meet-
ing ; but it was not till marks of disapprobation*
and cries of ' Turn him out,' issued from every
part of the building, that he resumed his seat.
The Rev. A, Fletcher, stated that when Mr.-
Roper was brought over into this country, he earner
with a letter of introduction to him, and had since
been supported by some other ministers.
A Gentleman, whose name we could not
learn, said, that Dr. Cox bore a part in the ex-
pense of Mr. Roper's education. (Hear, hear,
and faint applause.,)
Mr. Roter then stood forward, and observed
with considerable warmth, that Dr. Cox did pay
a portion towards his education, but that should 1
not hinder him from advocating the cause of his
mother, brethren, and sisters, now in bondage.
(Loud cheers.,) lie was grateful to Dr. Cox for
that which he was doimr for him ; but at the same'
time his principles were not to be bought.
(Cheers.,/ There was not a Christian society in
America, which did not hold slaves, except the
Society of Friends. (Cheers.,) In Salem, a town
in South Carolina, containing perhaps 20,000
Quakers, there was not a single slave, though
they were surrounded by a slave holding popula-
tion. (Cheer.-.,) He had run away from his mas-
ter, and was going to see his mother in North
Carolina. He had to pass through the town of
Salisbury, where there was a Quaker in jail, who
was to be executed en the following Friday, for
LONDOtf. 217
having given a slave a free pass. ('Shame,
shame.') Mr. Thompson had given them an ac-
count of some bad slaveholders ; he (Mr. R.)
would tell them of some good ones. A master
with whom he once lived, Mr. Beveridge,in trav-
elling from Apalache to Columbia, having to pass
through the Indian nations, it was necessary for
him to take arms. He was taken exceedingly
ill, and could neither stand up nor sit down. He
had a trunk with him containing $20,000, and he
(Mr. R.) took the pistols and protected his mas-
ter and his master's property. When he arrived
at Columbia, his master becoming embarrassed
in circumstances, sold him on a block ; that was
his kindness to him, (Mr. R.) for saving his mas-
ter's life and protecting his property. Another
good master, was Colonel M'Gillon, a Scotchman,
who held about 300 slaves, and who used to boast
that he never flogged them. His mode of pun-
ishing them, was to get a rice hogshead, info
which several nails were driven about a quarter
of an incli through, and the slave then being
fastened in, he used to roll them down a very
steep hill. ('Shame, shame.') At one of the
revival meetings, of which he had heard so much
since he came to this country, two ladies of color
came in and took their seats in the pew for in-
quirers. Holding down their heads they were -
not observed ; but some ladies coming in, and
noticing their color, left the pew directly. (Hear,
hear.)
Mr. Thompson thon resumed his lecture. It
might be asked by some, why he made this a per-
sonal question ? Why he did not content him-
self by merely bringing forward the subject of
American Slavery, without alluding to any indi-
19
£13 MEETING At
viduals, or any denomination ? His answer to
that was, that he held in his hand a book, [The
Baptists in America] containing from rive to six
hundred pages, in the beginning, the middle, and
the latter end of which he (Air. T.) was most
grossly injured ; in which he was charged with
having calumniated great and good men in Amer-
ica, and with ' rolling back the cause ' by his ' un-
measured vituperations,' by his ' exasperating ex*
pressions,' and in a variety of other ways. Jn
which book he was charged with gross injustice,
fur having, at a public meeting in New York,
thought fit to denounce a countryman of his own.
He was told on a certain occasion, that the wri-
ter would ' spare him,' and it had been said, that
he (Mr. T.J manifested considerable irritability
when that expression was used. ' Sir,' said Mr.
T. 'I manifested no more then, than I manifest
now, and which I shall continue to manifest, a
just indignation. (Cheers.) When any individ-
ual tells George Thompson, who has put iiis life
into his hands, and who has gone where slavery
is rife; when I, George Thompson, am told that
I am to be 'spared,' — in a book written by a
man, who deserted, in the hour of danger, the
cause lie was pledged to support ! (Loud cheers.)
I say to my foes, ' Come on! a fair stage and
no favor! ' (Immense cheering.) ' Come on to
do anything but spare me!' (Deafening ap-
plause.) ' Spare me ! ' I ask not to be spared !
I ask for justice to my cause ! I take up this
cause on public grounds. Were I not a public
man, these things might pass by as idle tal^s.
But when, in this book, and elsewhere, I am
branded as ' a calumniator ; ' when it is asserted,
through that book, that I have ' rolled back the
cause' to an 'almost irretrievable distance,' in
LONDON. 219
America, T am called upon to take this book and
redeem myself, as a public advocate of a public
cause, from every charge which directly or indi-
rectly affects my reputation or character as a
qualified agent of the Anti-Slavery Society.
(Loud cheers.) But what right had they to expect
that Dr. Cox would advocate the cause of eman-
cipation in America ? Dr. Cox had, before he
went ont, said, in the presence of gentlemen,
who were now present ' I go in the spirit of u
martyr.' What was the spirit of a martyr ? It
was not the spirit of compromise — it was not
the spirit of silence — it was not the spirit of
timidity. (Loud cheers.) What was the spirit
of a martyr? It was the spirit displayed by
Luther, by Cranmer, by Paul, and the Lord and
Maker of them all! (Loud cheers.) Was Dr.
Cox called upon to advocate the anti-slavery
cause ? He was. No man ever crossed the At-
lantic, on any mission, more pledged to advocate
the cause than was Dr. Cox. He would quote a
letter contained in the Baptist Magazine for the
month of November, 1834, which had been sent
forth by the Baptist Union, from whom that gen-
tleman went, to various churches, calling upon
them for pecuniary aid to support that mission :
« But whilst we admire their vigorous efforts for the
spread of the gospel, and those free institutions under
whose influences those exertions have been made, we do
not shut our eyes to the fact, that in this land of libertv,
negro slavery is legalized, and is Buffered to remain a find
blot <>n their national character. It is, perhaps, within
your recollection, that at the commencement of last win-
ter, the Baptist Board in London, sent to their brethren
a memorial on this subject, which they requested mi^ln be
laid before the Triennial Convention. To what extent
the brethren thus memorialized are partakers of this na-
tiunul sin, we are utterly ignorant. We are qlad to feat H
220 MEETING AT
that the voice of many of them is lifted up against it, and
-we send our deputation to promote most zealously, and to
the utmost of their ability, in the spirit of love, of discre-
tion, and of fidelity, but still most zealously, to promote
the sacred cause of negro emancipation.'
What was the conduct of one of that deputa-
tion ? The business of the Triennial Convention
was done, and the deputation returned to New
York ; one of them was respectfully invited .to
attend the anti-slavery meeting to be held in that
city, to mingle with men with whom it was an
riionor to be associated — nature's nobles (cheers ;)
and how did he reply ? While he wished the
honor of being an abolitionist, he shunned the
.work. He stated that he was with the. meeting
in heart, but that he did not go because of the
political bearings of the question. (Applause.)
And what did he do then? Having written a
brief apology, he went back to a most appropri-
ate meeting for a gentleman who had resolved
to be dumb on negro slavery. Where did Dr.
Cox go to ? He had said, ' Having written this
brief apology to the Anti-Slavery Society, I
went to the meeting for the deaf and the dumb:'
(Laughter, and loud cheers.) A very fit subject
for the benevolent operations of that Society-;
would that they had cured him. (Laughter, and
great applause.) The doctor went from New
York to Boston, and was again invited to attend
an Anti-Slavery Convetion there, but again de-
clined. He would now come to a particular part of
tthe narrative, to which he begged the special at
tention of his friends. The doctor would not
open his lips in the Triennial Convention of
Richmond, on the subject of slavery, though it was
expected by the ministers in the slaveholding
States that he would bring forward that subject.
LONDON. 221
The doctor assigned as his reason, that if he had
opened his lips on that subject, one of two things
would have happened. The Convention would
have been broken up by magisterial interference,
or his brethren would have spontaneously with-
drawn. The doctor gave the most glowing des-
cription of the heavenly state of the atmosphere
in which he breathed in that Convention. At
page 49 of his book, he said, when speaking of
the Convention, ' If doubts had arisen in any
mmds as to the course the deputation from Eng-
land intended to pursue, in their public intercourse
with their brethren, with respect to subjects of
vital importance,' — that was to say, if any num-
ber of individuals belonging to the Convention
expected that the doctor or his colleague would
have introduced the agitating question respect-
ing the negroes and people of color — ' It was only
like the cloud ofa summer morning, which speed-
ily disappeared in the brightening sunshine.'
How did they remove those doubts? Certainly
not by speaking out. So soon as the Convention
were convinced that their clerical brethren meant
to be deaf and dumb, then every cloud passed
away, and all was cordiality and union. (Cheers.)
What was to be thought of such an union as
that ? (Hear, hear.)
From Boston the doctor proceeded to New
Hampshire, and amongst the green hills a meet-
ing of free-will Baptists was held. They were
almost all abolitionists; an anti-slavery meeting
was held, there was no fear of a jacket of tar and
feathers, and there Dr. Cox supported a resolu-
tion, the preamble of which ran thus: — 'Where-
as the system of slavery is contrary to the law of
nature and the law of God, and is a violation of
the dearest rights of man, resolved, that the prin-
19*
2*22 "MEETING AT
ciples of immediate abolition are derived from
the unerring Word of God, and that no political
circumstances whatever can exonerate Christians
from exerting all their moral influence for the
suppression of this heinous sin.' That utterly
annihilated his own letter in New York, and he
[Mr. T.] had some reason to believe that the
word political, was introduced as a reproof to the
doctor. The doctor had assigned three totally
different reasons for not attending the meeting,
and his friends assigned a fourth. He had said
that he did not attend at New York on account
of the political bearing of the question, with
which, as a stranger, a foreigner, a visitor, he
could not attempt to intermeddle. There the
'doctor made a grand attack upon him [Mr.'T.] —
there he set the mob upon him [cries of Shame,]
and justified all they had ever said about his be-
ing an intermeddler. (Loud applause.) The very
vilest pi pers in the Union had announced, on the
12th of May, that Dr. Cox would be at the anti-
slavery meeting; and he (Mr. Thompson) wish-
ed it to be known that it was only in the opposi-
tion papers, and not in those favorable to aboli-
tion, that the doctor's presence at the meeting
had been announced. They said that he could
not help being there, and yet he did help it. (A
laugh.) In New Hampshire the doctor assigned
a totally different reason, and said, that it appear-
ed that he could do more good in a private way.
In his book, he said he did not go because he
should have been obliged to have spoken with
disapprobation of the measures of the anti-slave-
ry agent, and therefore he did not go. His
friends assigned a fourth reason, and said he did
not speak upon the question because he was not
-sent there for that purpose, and because if he had
LONDON. 223
spoken he would have compromised the object
which he went especially to promote. He (Mr.
T.) would like to know how these four reasons
could be blended into one, and made a sufficient
reason for Dr. Cox's non-attendance. But why
did he mention those circumstances? In order
to justify himself from the vile calumnies which
the Dr's. book cast upon him. If he had not
i been honest to Dr. Cox, would there have been a
single impugning of his (Mr. T's) measures ? He
trowed not. If Dr. Cox believed that he was
* rolling back the cause,' it was his duty as a mem-
ber of the Committee which sent him out to write
home to that effect ; it was his duty as a minister
of Christ, as a man, and as a countryman, to have
taken him aside, and told him of his faults. It
was still more his (Dr. Cox's) duty, when he (Mr.
T.) faced him before the Committee, to call for
an explanation of his conduct. He had the best
.reason for pledging himself in America on behalf
of Dr. Cox before he arrived, and it was his duty
to denounce him as an abolitionist when he did
not attend the meeting. (Cheers.) Why should
Dr. Cox have been at the Anti-Slavery Meeting ?
Because he was a member of the British and For-
eign Society for the extinction of slavery and the
slave trade throughout the world ; because he
was a member of the Baptist denomination, and
the Baptist churches throughout the land had
been told that he was sent with all fidelity to
promote the sacred cause of negro emancipation ;
because he had solemnly pledged himself to dr>
all that he could, and had said, in the presence of
his ministerial brethren, that he was prepared to
go to the prison and to the gallows in the cause.
He should have gone — because he was a man,
And because he owed it to mankind to be there.
224 MEETING AT
(Applause.) He should have gone because he
was a Christian minister, and it was his duty to
rebuke the crying abomination of the land. To
take a journey of 3,000 miles to say, • How do
you do? I am very glad to see you; very nice
wine ; very nice mutton— [loud laughter] — and
not to say a word on behalf of the bleeding, suf-
fering, oppressed slave, lest the heavenly-mind-
edness of the meeting should be destroyed !
(Cheers.) 'Heavenly-mindedness !' (said Mr. T.)
O that I could have brought all the chains and
whips in the United States around that ecclesias-
tical convention, and made them echo and rattle
in the ears of that 'heavenly-minded' assembly.
(Loud and long continued cheers.) Harmony! —
harmony in sin. (Hear, hear.) Harmony 1 — har-
mony depending upon silence in behalf of God's
poor. (Hear, hear.) Harmony and union ! — a
union for each other's destruction. Had Dr. Cox
gone to the meeting, laid his letter on the table,
commenced an affectionate and faithful address
upon the subject, and had he been checked, and
gagged, and dismissed in the middle of the first
sentence, he would have returned to this country
with honor. (Immense cheering.) He called
upon the people of England to set their face
henceforth and for ever, against any man, no mat-
ter what his station or his talent, unless they
knew that he would unflinchingly lift up his voice
for the oppressed. (Cheers.) It should not lie
owing to his negligence if either the Congrega-
tionalists or the Baptists ever sent out a tempori-
zing deputation to America again. Dr. Cox had
said that he had already stated his opinions on the
subject in England, and that they had reached
America. They were or they were not known
there. If they were known already, he had tlia
LONDON. 225
more reason to be at the meeting, to maintain his
character as an anti-slavery man. On the 12th
of May Dr. Cox and himself v/ere coupled in the
New York Inquirer, and the editor recommended
the citizens to give them a jacket of tar and
feathers; and on the 13th out came the same pa-
per, with two columns — one column with the vi-
lest abuse ever penned, levelled at his (Mr. T's}
devoted head; and the other, the most fulsome
compliments ever bestowed on an individual. It
was his (Mr. T's) honor to have the calumnies;
it was Dr. Cox's to have the compliments.
(Cheers.) How did he know that Dr. Cox had
served the cause of slavery ? Because he was
praised by every pro-slavery paper in America.
(Hear, hear.) How did he know that Dr. ,Reed
had served the cause ? Because his book had
been quoted by all the pro-slavery papers in that
country. The vilest pro-slavery papers had sung
Dr. Cox's praises throughout the land. Why
should Dr. Cox have been at the meeting? Be-
cause the abolitionists of America wore the
weaker party, and it would have been magnani-
mous to have been there. (Hear, hear.) Dr. Cox
said very significantly, in one part of his book,
' I found scarcely any of the influential Baptist
friends abolitionists.' He (Mr. T.) had no doubt
that there was a great deal of meaning there. It
was common of old to put this question— -' Have
any of the rulers believed on him?' (Cheers.
Very much on a par with them was the quotation
from Dr. Cox. Had he found many of the influ-
ential Baptists among the abolitionists, no doubt
he would have found himself there. (Cheers.) But
during the whole time that he was in the United
States lie never identified himself with them,
But he did more. After havimr declined to be at
226 MEETING AT
the meeting at New York and at Boston, and had
supported the resolution which he (Mr. T.) hud
read, Ire (Dr. Cox) came down to Boston, the pro-
slavery party in that city got up a requisition to
the Mayor for a meeting to traduce the abolition-
ists, and the most vHe elements in the city were
put in motion. On the day the meeting -was f
be held the leading abolitionists were marked
out for destruction, and were obliged to leave the
city with their wives and children, believing that
the speeches made on that day would lead to the
destruction of their houses at night. And wbo>
sat on the right hand of the chairman while the
speeches were made? Dr. Cox. (Loud cries of
''Shame,' and hisses.) Mr. Thompson inquired
whether those marks of disapprobation were di-
rected against the actor against him (Mr. T.?)
(Cries of ' The act/>
Ttie Ret. Geo. Evans inquired on what au-
thority Mr. Thompson made that statement?
Mr. Thompson replied, — the book published
by Dr. Cox, in his account of the meeting at Fan-
ueil Hall. While Dr. Cox was sitting at Lb*
right hand of the chairman, the Hon. Peleg
Sprague rose and made a speech. The 'vittpe-
ration' which he (Mr. T.) had poured out on Dr.
Cox was compliment compared with the venom
which he (Mr. S.) spewed forth upon our common
country. Dr. Cox sat by the side of the chair-
man ; ' but would I,' said Mr. Thompson, 'have
sat and heard it ? ' (Immense cheers.) No: but
I do not wonder that the man who dare not plead
the cause of the poor slave, dare not defend his
country. (Long-continued cheering.) The Hon.
Mr. Sprague, in the presence of (he venerable
London. \M7
author, Dr. Cox (a laugh,) pointed, in the course
of" his speech, to the portrait of General Wash-
ington, for the purpose of sanctioning slavehold-
ing. Dr. Cox was there, but he was not at the
anti-slavery meeting in New York. Why he
(Mr. T.) had been calumniated in that book, was,
because he had had the faithfulness, in the Uni-
ted States, to denounce that conduct. Was he
sorry for it? No; he would repeat it again that
night. If a man could be eloquent on this bide
of the water — if in Finsbury Chapel or Exeter
Hall, and amid admiring and applauding breth-
ren, 3,000 miles from the scene of slavery, he
■could eloquently denounce the system, and when
he crossed to the shores where it was found,
could desert the cause, lie would desert him as a
coadjutor in the cause of abolition. {Immense
cheering.) Mr. Tnompson compared the conduct
of Dr. Cox with that of a director of a Mission-
ary Society going to visit a Missionary station,
and when he arrived, being apprised of a Mis-
sionary meeting to be held there, but refusing to
attend it because he was not expressly sent out
for that purpose. He might go over overcharg-
es, but he would not do so. lie would leave the
Christian world to judge between himself and
Dr. Cox. He would rather have broached this
subject auy where than at a public meeting, bo-
cause he did not wish to make it a matter of pub-
lic animadversion. But Dr. Cox had made et
frtrlc statements of a most injurious character,
[e (Dr. C.) had put on record on the committee
books statements which he (Mr. T.) hud been
obliged to contradict in tola. In fact, lie was
charged with rolling leick the cause; and there-
fore he owed it. to the friends of England, Scot-
land, and Ireland, who were looking with intense
228 MEETING AT
anxiety to every thing that was said and done on
this subject, to vindicate his character, on public
grounds, from every thing contained in Dr. Cox's
book. (Cheers.)
He must notice one statement utterly at vari-
ance with the fact. In a letter which Dr. Cox
had published in the Patriot of Wednesday last,
he made the unqualified assertion, that he (Mr.
T.) was sent forth by three individuals. What
effect was that likely to produce in America be-
fore he could send his voice thither to counter-
act it? It would be said that he (Mr. T.,) who^
had stated that he represented thousands in Scot-
land and London, had, after all, been sent forth
by three individuals only. What was the fact ?
It was his honor in 1830, to become the agent of
the Agency Anti-Slavery Society, and from that
hour to the present moment, his connection with
that Society had never been dissolved. (Loud
cheers.)
He was present when the Society took its new
name ; there was a full committee, and it was
then that his mission was decided upon, and an
appeal was made to the public on the ground of
that mission. How was it, then, that Dr. Cox
said, that he was sent by three individuals?
There was a little truth in it, and it was but a
little. Several meetings of the committee were
held, and were fully attended r and at last he left
London, visited Scotland, and then went to Liver-
pool for the purpose of embarking for America.
At that juncture, news reached his country, that
there had been serious riots in New York; that
the house of Mr. Tappan had been sacked, and
the furniture burned by the mob, and that the col-
ored people had been persecuted to an unequal-
led extent. (Hear, hear.) Several of the com-
LONDON. 229
mittee deemed it advisable to send him special
instructions, and to put him on his guard against
mixing himself up with any party in America. A
special committee was summoned, but, from the
shortness of the notice, and the pressing engage-
ments of the members, only a quorum were able
to attend, and they sent special instructions by
Mr. Scoble, that they might be certain of reach-
ing him. Dr. Cox, on the day on which he
wrote the letter to the Patriot, examined the min-
ute book, saw that meeting after meeting had
been held, that this was the last prior to his de-
parture, and then he wrote the unqualified asser-
tion that he was sent by three persons. [Cries
of 'Shame.'] He could appeal to those in that
assembly, whether he had not been sent by 3,000
ay, by 30,000. He had been travelling for six
months in England and Scotland, and wherever
he had gone, he had been freighted with the
blessings and the confidence of the abolitionists ;
and then America was told, through the medium
of the Patriot, that he had been sent forth by
three individuals. He would ask, was it just? —
was it truth ? [Cries of 'No, no.'] Was it Chris-
tianity ? [Cries of ' No, no.'] Here was an act
calculated to injure a man in his dearest place —
in his reputation. What should he call it? ' Do
not,' said Mr. T. ' let us call it at all. Let us
hope that he will repent and acknowledge it,
and I will be the first to say then, what I say
now, but with still greater emphasis — I freely
forgive you.' [Loud and long continued cheer-
ing.] There was another assertion of Dr. Cox'g
to which he must advert. He stated in the Pat-
riot, (and he — Mr. T. — answered it because it
was there,) ' I was in the chair when Mr. Thomp-
son was giving in his report, by a kind of com-
22
230 MEETING AT
pulsion.' What would the assembly think when
he [Mr. T.] told them, that Dr. Cox was invited
to take the chair in the committee while some pro
forma business was gone through, and that the
moment it was done, the Dr. stated that he had a
question of privilege to bring- forward? The
Secretary said, that as the Dr. was going to bring
on a question of privilege, he should quit the
chair. The Dr. chose to remain in it. His words
were — 'I think I can accomplish the business I
have to do, and retain the chair.' As the ques-
tion referred to some harsh expressions used by
a certain individual in a letter on Dr. Cox, the
person who was implicated rose and said, 'Do
you mean rae to reply to the statement you are
making ? ' Dr. Cox replied in the affirmative.
And then the individual suggested the necessity
of the Dr. leaving the chair, that they might stand
on equal terms, and submit the whole matter to
the committee. But Dr. Cox, in the face of all
delicacy and good feeling, persisted in keeping
the chair. [' Shame, shame.'] Yet Dr. Cox, in re-
plying to his [Mr. T's] statements, said he had
few opportunities of investigating his conduct,
because he was in the chair by a kind of compul-
sion. It was indeed 'a kind of compulsion.' He
[Mr. T.] should rather be inclined to call it 're-
pulsion.' [Loud laughter and cheers.] Mr. T.
then pressed upon the audience that a great work
remained yet to be accomplished. He had lately
called upon Daniel O'Connell, Esq., for the pur-
pose of introducing to him a gentleman from
America. Mr. O'Connell said he had made it
a rule never to see any person from that country
who was not a member of the Anti-Slave-
ry Society. [Immense cheering.] But in this
case, when he found who attended the gentle-
LONDON. 331
man, [Mr. Thompson,] he at once admitted him,
remarking that he knew what kind of man he was
from the company he kept. [Laughter and
cheers.] Mr. O'Connell had informed him [Mr.
T.] that the present Archbishop of Charleston
was a particular friend of his, and a gentleman
from that country had lately called upon him [Mr.
O'C] with an introduction from his friend. But
finding that he was a slaveholder, he refused to
see him. [Deafening applause.] Not even an
introduction from the Archbishop of Charleston
would introduce a slaveholder to the hand, the
heart, the hearth of Daniel O'Connell. [Reiter-
ated cheers.] In conclusion, Mr. T. remarked,
that if Dr. Cox would express his regret at the
statements he had made, if a second edition of
his work should be called for, and he would ex-
punge the attacks which had been made upon his
character, and confess that he had been in error,
he [Mr. T.] should be glad, as Dr. Cox could be
desirous he should be, to give him the benefit of
any explanation, any concession, any contradic-
tion of the statements which he might choose to
make. But until that, he should feel it his duty
to take that book wherever he went, to counter-
act its influence, and justify his own measures.
[Loud cheers.]
E. Baldwin, Esq. said, he felt it due to Mr.
Thompson, that the meeting should express their
opinion with regard to that gentleman's conduct
in America. Without further preface he should
therefore move —
'That having heard Mr. Thompson's justifica-
tion of the course he pursued in America, this
meeting is decidedly of opinion, that, in the per-
ilous position in which he was placed, and under
132 MEETING AT
the circumstances of great difficulty and trial, he
fulfilled his duty as a man and a Chrislian, and is
deserving the commendation of every friend of
humanity.'
Judge Jeremy, in seconding the resolution,
bore his testimony to the able exertions of Mr.
Thompson in promoting the cause in which he
was engaged, and to the courageous manner in
which he had advocated those principles which
he had ever maintained. He approved of the
resolution on this account, and also fur another
reason, — that while it vindicated his friend [Mr.
T.] from the imputations which had been cast
upon him, it threw aspersions on no other party.
The resolution was then put, and carried by
acclamation.
Mr. Thompson briefly acknowledged the com-
pliment, and avowed his determination to perse-
vere in his efforts in this cause while God should
continue his life and strength.
The Rev. George Evans moved, and thp Rev.
T. Price seconded a vote of thanks to the Chair-
man.
The Chairmak returned thanks, and the meet-
ing separated.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR OF THE
LONDON PATRIOT.
Sir, — I wish, through you, to intimate to the British
public my deep conviction, in concurrence with that of
many others, that Mr. Thompson's procedure, in holding
meetings under the name of 'Anti-Slavery Lectures,' for
the purpose of attacking my conduct in America, and the
publication I and my colleague have issued, is a most im-
pertinent interference, and a mean attempt to prejudice
the public mind. The platform may suit a mob orator,
and his self-degrading ahettors, hut truth and character
will ultimately prevail. As the statements that have been
given may probably (in part at least) pervade some of
your pages, and as I did not choose to come down to the
level of meetings so convened, I beg to assure my friends,
who may see uncontradicted and untenable representa-
tions, to keep in view that at the proper time, and by the
proper medium — the press, I pledge myself to the refuta-
tion of the calumnies which I understand to have been ut-
tered.
Yours, respectfully,
Hackney, May 31, 1836. F. A. COX.
Sir, — Allow me to insert in your columns a very brief
remark on two words used by Mr. Thompson in his letter,
which is headed 'Slavery in America,' in your paper of
Mav 23. 3
234 MEETING AT
Mr. Thompson states, that ray version of his concluding
remarks, at the New York Abolition Meeting last year, is
an ' entire misrepresentation.'
I had not seen your paper of the above date when I ad-
dressed to Mr. Thompson a letter from Ledbury yester-
day, which I presume will be read by him at the meeting
advertised for to-morrow, the 26th, and probably find its
way into your pages. Had I seen the above uncourteous
remark, I should certainly not have troubled myself to send
an answer to his invitation.
I have not designedly misrepresented any thing. As
Mr. Thompson stands pledged to prove such misrepresen-
tation 'from the book itself/ the public, of course, will
be enabled to decide.
It is a little singular that the proof sheet was at my
house when a mutual friend from America, a most deter-
mined Abolitionist, who was present at the meeting, was
visiting me. I expressed to him my doubt about one ex-
pression, and requested him to read what I had written.
He did so, and his reply immediately was, ■ Oh, it is true
enough, there is no doubt but he said all that.'
I remain, your obedient servant,
Coleford, May 25, 1836. JAMES HOBY.
P. S. Perhaps I ought to add, thatl nevertheless struck
out the expression on which I entertained a doubt.
Sir, — At the extraordinary meeting held in Devonshire
square Chapel on last Thursday evening, some persons ap-
peared somewhat displeased with me, inasmuch as, when
Mr. Thompson stated that Dr. Cox had pledged himself,
' in the midst of his brethren,' as to the line of conduct he
would pui sue on the subject of American slavery, I took
the liberty of asking, ' Where J . ' Mr. Thompson refer-
red to the Rev. T. Price as his authority, and that gentle-
man stated that it was in a committee-meeting of the Bap-
tist Union, Ittit lie bad forgotten where.
The minute-book of that Committee, Sir, now lies be-
fore me, and I find that, from April 28, 1834, when it was
resolved to recommend to the Annual Meeting to send a
deputation to America, until the period of their departure,
fourteen meetings of the Committee were held, at one only
of which Mr. Price was present. This meeting was held
LONDON. 235
at ■ Stepney College, August 27, 1834, present— the Her.
W. H. Murch, in the chair; the Rev. Dr. Cox, the Rev.
Messrs. Trice, Stovel, Thomas, Belcher, and the Rev.
Thomas Edmonds, A. M., of Cambridge, and the Rev.
S. Green, Jim., of Thrapstone, as visitors.' Now, will
Mr. Price have the kindness to say whether the * pledge '
was given at that meeting 1 Certainly nothing of the kind
can be learnt from the minutes.
I am. Sir, very truly yours,
JOSEPH BELCHER.
27, Paternoster-row, May 30, 1836.
Sir, — In Dr. Cox's reply to Mr. Thompson, inserted
in your paper of the 25th, an allusion is obviously made to
myself, which I cannot permit to pass unnoticed. "When
specifying his reasons for not meeting Mr. T., the doctor
remarks, ' I say nothing of the kindness or piety of the
parties who have prepared the arena.' I ha\e no dispo-
sition to carp at the terms here employed. The doctor
was at liberty to select such as he pleased, though his vo-
cabulary might, possibly, have supplied others more per-
tinent and suitable. My object, Mr. Editor, is to state,
for the information of your readers, what Dr. Cox un-
doubtedly felt assured of, while penning this passage, that
I am the only person who had any thing to do with the
affair. I granted the use of the chapel to Mr. Thompson,
on my own responsibility, without consulting an individ-
ual, and am not now disposed to shrink from any of the
consequences which this step fairly involves. 1 am the
more desirous of this being known, because it has been in-
timated to one of my deacons, by a gentleman officially
connected with the doctor, that the granting of the place
to Mr. Thompson would be regarded a?- an act of hostility
on the part of the Devonshire-square church towards that
meeting in Mare-street, Hackney. Nothing can be more
groundless or absurd than such an insinuation, as the above
statement must clearly show.
1 granted the place to Mr. Thompson on public grounds,
for the delivery of a lecture on the character of American
Slavery, and the progress of the abolition cause in that
country, fully aware that these topics would, of necessity
involve a reference to the part which had been acted by
236 MEETING AT
the Baptist deputation. The only condition I required
from Mr. T. was, that he should immediately announce
his intention to the two gentlemen constituting that depu-
tation, and proffer them an opportunity of replying to his
statements. To this he most cordially assented, stating
that it was perfectly coincident with his own views of what
was right : I stood in a similar relation to both parties,
being a member of the Baptist Union from which the Drs.
Cox and Hoby had proceeded to America, and of the Brit-
ish and Foreign Abolition Society, by which Mr. Thomp-
son was sent to that country. I entertained an unfeigned
respect for all these gentlemen, and when I found that
there were points in dispute between them, affecting their
public character, and bearing directly en the interests of a
cause, to which, in my more healthful and vigorous days,
I had devoted my best energies, and when I knew that
these matters were already public, I felt assured, and I do
still feel assured, that it was alike due to Dr. Cox, to Mr.
Thompson, and to the noble-minded men whom God has
raised up on behalf of suffering humanity in America, to
give to the two parties a fair opportunity of stating their
case before the public and in the presence of each other.
I cheerfully granted my chapel to Mr. Thompson, and I
should have been equally ready to grant it to Dr. Cox on
the same condition. The interests of truth and righteous-
ness were never yet promoted by the concealment of facts
respecting the public proceedings of public men. Nor did
it once enter into my mind that Dr ('. would hesitate to
be present on such an occasion, as I had heard him prior
to the return of Mr. T. say, ' Mr. Thompson has threat-
ened me with a meeting at Exeter Hall; I am ready to
meet him there or elsewhere.'
Here, Mr. Editor, I should be glad to close my com-
munication; but a regard to Mr. Thompson, and to the
Society which he represents, compels me very briefly to
advert to two or three ver\ gross inaccuracies into which
the doctor has fallen. I am the more surprised at these in-
accuracies, as Dr. C.j I am informed, called at Alderman-
bury only a few hours before drawing up his letter, and ex-
amined the minute-book of the Sock ty.
1. Dr. Cox states that Mr. Thompson was sent to
America by three persons. Here he is entirely mistaken,
as the slightest attention to the minute-book was sufficient
to have shown bim. The Committee Meeting, to which
LONDON. 237
Dr. Cox refers, when only three persons were present, was
held after Mr. T's departure from London for America.
He was then at Liverpool, waiting for a favorable wind, to
proceed on the Mission to which he had been invited by
the American Anti-Slavery Society.
The Scottish Abolition Societies had united with that
in London, in urging him to accept this invitation, and had
contributed liberally towards the expense which would be
involved. Mr. T's mission to the United States was con-
templated by the Society from the moment that its title
was changed from the Agency Anti-Slavery Society to that
of the British and Foreign Society, &c. I moved in the
Committee the adoption of the new title, and America
was at once fixed on as the first scene of our operations,
and Mr. T. as the agent who should carry out our plans.
The fact is, Dr. Cox has most strangely mistaken the ob-
ject of the Committee Meeting to which he refers, and
when three persons only were present. It was summoned
under the following circumstances: — After Mr. T. had
left for Liverpool, on his way to America, news arrived
of the destruction of the Chapels at New York. Mr.
George Stephen immediately called at Aldermanbury, and
entreated the Secretary to get a few members of the Com-
mittee together instantly, that additional instructions might
be drawn up for Mr. T. This was done, on the spur of
the moment; and three gentlemen met; and Mr. Scoble
was sent to Liverpool by the speediest conveyance that
could be obtained. In confirmation of my statements, I
refer to Mr. Scoble, our esteemed Secretary, and to the
Minute-book of the Society, which, I am sure, he will
freely exhibit to any gentleman desiring satisfaction on
this point.
2. Mr. Thompson having referred to Dr. Cox's silence
at the special meeting of the anti-slavery committee, on the
16th of March last, Dr. C. replies, ' Mr. T. has not told
the public that I not only attended, but was, and that by a
kind of compulsion, placed in the chair. Perhaps this
concealment resembles that of my note at New York, un-
intentional and accidental.' The Doctor afterwards refers
to the delicacy of his situation as chairman, as one of the
circumstances which imposed silence on him. I was not
present at this committee, but having attentively examined
the minute-book, and having received a detailed account
of what passed, from the secretary, I am competent to »ay
that the facts of the case are simply these :—
238 MEETING AT LONDON.
When the committee met, there were but three or four
gentlemen present. One and another excused himself
from taking the chair. Dr. Cox being requested to occu-
py it, remarked that he had a question of privilege to
bring on, which might render it inexpedient that he should
be in the chair. He was then asked to occupy it while
the pro forma business was transacted, by which time, it
was remarked, some other gentleman would arrive that
could take his place. He consented to this request — the
pro forma business was gone through, and the Doctor
being then asked by the secretary to vacate the chair, de-
clined to do so, stating, that he thought he could do more
justice to his views in his present situation. At a subse-
quent part of the proceedings of the committee, he was
again requested by the secretary to leave the chair, but
again declined. So much for Mr. Thompson's conceal-
ment, and the delicate situation of Dr. Cox. Here I
again appeal to Mr. Scoble and the minute-book.
3. Mr. T. having requested his readers to compare Dr.
Cox's version of the speech of the Rev. Baron Stow with
the report of that speech in the New York Observer, Dr.
Cox replies, ' Well, let the reader compare,' &c. adding
* Behold them, then in parallel columns.'
Now, Mr. Editor, would any of your readers imagine
otherwise than that the Doctor's report, taken from his
own book, and that of the New York Observer were here
before him, whole and entire 1 Such certainly was my
impression, and I cannot express my surprise, when, on
comparing them, I found that the Doctor had omitted the
two most material sentences from the report of the New
York Observer, merely remarking, ' He talked, it is true,
of an ' unpleasant blush,' and wished me to till it up with
reasons for die omission,' &c. The sentences omitted are
the following, and formed the first and the last of Mr.
Stow's speech, which contained three others : — Mr. Stow
said, that in offering this resolution, he stood before the
society, in circumstances which mantled his cheek with a
most unpleasant blush. Let the gentieman himself fill it
up with reasons for the omission, that would be satisfac-
tory to himself, to his own country, and to his brethren
throughout the world.' Here, Mr. Editor, as in the for-
mer instance, I have to do with facts only; and no one
of your readers will be better pleased than myself to re-
ceive a satisfactory explanation. THO. PRICE.
Finchley Common, May 28, 1836.
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