Letter from Charles Marriott, Hudson, N[ew] Y[ork], to William Lloyd Garrison, 1837 [December] 21st
Description:
Charles Marriott writes to William Lloyd Garrison sending him ten dollars to pay for a number of Liberator subscriptions. He then comments on recent events like the Clerical Appeal as causing him "sadness & some degree of despondency," noting the "grievous departure from the pacific character of the National A[nti] S[lavery] S[ociety]." Marriott predicts a division between "Fighting & pacific abolitionists," praising the conduct of the "Mass[achusetts Anti-Slavery] Society ... Benj[amin] Lundy, W[illia]m Goodell, H[enry] C[larke] Wright, and some other individuals." He warns about abolitionists who support war and "A Hireling Mercenary Prieshood" who charge money for religious instruction, stating that he believes "the clergy are the most grossly ignorant on spiritual subjects" in a community. He then quotes from Job Scott and recommends Garrison read Scott's "Salvation by Christ." Marriott also discusses his religious views, asserting that "man comes from the hand of his Creator Innocent, not virtuous nor vicious," and that "man knows right from wrong either instinctively, or by outward means ..." In the postscript, he comments on the "indisposition of our dear sisters Grimkie [sic]" and says, "the charge that abolitionists are persons of but one idea is pretty well passed off."
Holograph, signed.
Title devised by cataloger.
On verso, the letter is addressed to "Wm L Garrison Editor of 'the Liberator' Boston Massachusetts," and it is postmarked with a brown, circular stamp reading, "Hudson N.Y. Dec 21."