Letter from J.S. Stafford, Cummington, [Massachusetts], to Samuel May, 1849 April 12

Item Information

Title:
Letter from J.S. Stafford, Cummington, [Massachusetts], to Samuel May, 1849 April 12
Description:
In this letter to Samuel May, J.S. Stafford relates a discussion he had about capital punishment with a clergyman in Cummington. Stafford says that he was assisting a "a fugitive slave from Baltimore ... to solicit almes [sic] to help himself, wife & 4 children" when he discovered "to my astonishment I found that unprofessors of religion were more humane than professors in this thing at least." He then paraphrases a conversation he had with a clergyman in town who insisted the law is "a Divine institution" and so are human governments. "He said tis Rebellion not to obey Rulers," Stafford says of the clergyman, and Stafford, "replied, my friend, there is a great gulph [sic] between you & me." Stafford says that a public discussion about capital punishment has been proposed and he is writing May since he is "a friend to humanity, therefore you will be gratified to hear of all that favors it."
Author:
Stafford, J. S.
Addressee:
May, Samuel, Jr., 1810-1899
Date:
April 12, 1849
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
Capital punishment--United States--History--19th century
Christianity--United States--19th century
Fugitive slaves--United States--History--19th century
Social reformers--United States--History--19th century
Abolitionists--United States--History--19th century
Antislavery movements--United States
Capital punishment--United States--History
Christianity--United States
Fugitive slaves--United States
Social reformers--United States
May, Samuel, Jr., 1810-1899
Stafford, J. S.
Extent:
1 leaf (2 p.) ; 26 cm.
Permalink:
https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/2z110d88v
Terms of Use:
No known copyright restrictions.
No known restrictions on use.
Place of origin:
Cummington, [Massachusetts]
Language:
English
Notes:
Holograph, signed.
Title devised by cataloger.
Identifier:
5906764
Call #:
MS A.1.2 v.18, p.55
Barcode:
39999085840914