Letter from Increase S. Smith, Dorchester, [Boston, Massachusetts], to William Lloyd Garrison, 1848 Jan[uary] 22

Item Information

Title:
Letter from Increase S. Smith, Dorchester, [Boston, Massachusetts], to William Lloyd Garrison, 1848 Jan[uary] 22
Description:
Increase S. Smith writes to William Lloyd Garrison stating that he has read the call for an Anti-Sabbath Convention in the Liberator "with close attention & deep interest." He comments that "the popular idea that any particular portion of time, is, in itself, more holy than any other portion, I consider to be philosophically absurd ..." Smith states that while he is in favor of Sabbath ceremonies, he wants them "to grow out of the real wants of the people, & not imposed by the iron hand of legislation." He grants Garrison permission to use his name to advance the call but declares that, "Truth doesn't depend on numbers." In the postscript, Smith discusses, "How queer it looks to see Esq. appended to your name. Well it doesnt mean much, if it did, I wouldn't put it there", and compares its usage to its traditional meaning as an "armor-bearer".
Author:
Smith, Increase S.
Addressee:
Garrison, William Lloyd, 1805-1879
Date:
January 22, 1848
Format:
Letters/Correspondence
Manuscripts
Location:
Boston Public Library
Rare Books Department
Collection (local):
Anti-Slavery Collection
Subjects:
Abolitionists--United States--19th century--Correspondence
Antislavery movements--United States--History--19th century
Sabbath legislation--United States--History--19th century
Social reformers--United States--History--19th century
Abolitionists--United States--History--19th century
Antislavery movements--United States
Sabbath legislation
Social reformers--United States
Smith, Increase S.
Anti-Sabbath Convention (1848 : Boston, Mass.)
Garrison, William Lloyd, 1805-1879
Liberator (Boston, Mass. : 1831)
Extent:
1 leaf (4 p.) ; 26 x 21 cm.
Permalink:
https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/2v23x534x
Terms of Use:
No known copyright restrictions.
No known restrictions on use.
Place of origin:
Dorchester, [Boston, Massachusetts]
Language:
English
Notes:
Holograph, signed.
Title devised by cataloger.
Boston Public Library (Rare Books Department) manuscript composed in black ink on white paper. In the head- spine corner of the first page, a checkmark and the number "13" have both been drawn in pencil, while above the first line of the letter, there is a purple, oval stamp containing the words "Garrison MSS.". On the verso, the letter is addressed to "William Lloyd Garrison, Editor of the Liberator, Boston." and there is a red wax seal bearing the initials, "ISS".
Identifier:
4836794
Call #:
MS A.1.2 v.18, p.13
Barcode:
39999085439089