Letter from George Thompson, 8 Duncan Street, Newington, Edinburgh, [Scotland], to William Lloyd Garrison, 1839 January 5

Item Information

Title:
Letter from George Thompson, 8 Duncan Street, Newington, Edinburgh, [Scotland], to William Lloyd Garrison, 1839 January 5
Description:
George Thompson writes to William Lloyd Garrison discussing his illness which has prevented him from writing to friends or working, so that his "debts have been continually increasing, and I am at last obliged to declare myself insolvent, and ask my friends fully to forgive me, having nothing to pay." He tells Garrison, "Your friend is an invalid, with a weak stomach & a weak head." Thompson congratulates Garrison on his success expanding the anti-slavery movement in the United States and promises that he is still following the progress of the movement in America. He claims, "I devour with eagerness every thing in the shape of information respecting your Anti-Slavery movement" and credits his "short residence in the United States" with allowing him to understand the significance of events. He describes his work with the London Aborigines Protection Society, "a most praiseworthy and valuable institution, founded ... with a view to the improvement of the condition of the native inhabitants of our Colonies, and the world at large." He says he has sent Garrison newspapers containing "a pretty full exposition of the principles and plans of this society." Thompson links his work on behalf of the slave with speaking against the "oppressions practiced by British rulers upon one hundred million of our fellow subjects in our Eastern empire" in India, hoping his efforts will "effect an early alteration in the administration of public affairs in India." He then discusses the "case of Mr. W.H. Bushby" stating that it is "by no means easy to find employment for such persons as Mr. Busby" and would "counsel him against leaving America." Thompson also shares news of his family and asks Garrison to tell Maria Weston Chapman that they have recently found "the splendid present of an embroidered apron [given] to Mrs. Thompson" and that his next letter will be to her. He then asks Garrison "for the what I should esteem the greatest favor you could confer upon me - viz the regular transmission of your paper [the Liberator]?"
Author:
Thompson, George, 1804-1878
Addressee:
Garrison, William Lloyd, 1805-1879
Date:
January 5, 1839
Format:
Letters/Correspondence
Manuscripts
Location:
Boston Public Library
Rare Books Department
Collection (local):
Anti-Slavery Collection
Subjects:
Abolitionists--England--19th century--Correspondence
Abolitionists--United States--19th century--Correspondence
Antislavery movements--Great Britain--History--19th century
Antislavery movements--United States--History--19th century
Social reformers--Great Britain--History--19th century
Social reformers--United States--History--19th century
Abolitionists
Abolitionists--United States--History--19th century
Antislavery movements--Great Britain
Antislavery movements--United States
Social reformers
Social reformers--United States
Aborigines Protection Society (Great Britain)
Thompson, George, 1804-1878
Garrison, William Lloyd, 1805-1879
Chapman, Maria Weston, 1806-1885
Liberator (Boston, Mass. : 1831)
Places:
United Kingdom
England
Extent:
1 leaf (4 p.) ; 34 cm.
Permalink:
https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/2z1101704
Terms of Use:
No known copyright restrictions.
No known restrictions on use.
Place of origin:
8 Duncan Street, Newington, Edinburgh, [Scotland]
Language:
English
Notes:
Holograph, signed.
Title devised by cataloger.
An edited version of this letter was printed in the Liberator of March 1, 1839 (Vol. IX, no.9).
On verso, the letter is addressed to "William Lloyd Garrison, Esq. Boston U.S.. It includes postmarks reading, "Paid at Edin A Jan 8 1839" and "New-York Ship Feb 18".
Identifier:
5827686
Call #:
MS A.1.2 v.8, p.3
Barcode:
39999085838850