Copies and extracts of correspondence of Mess. Chamerovzow and Pillsbury and others from Mary Anne Estlin, [Bristol, England?], to Samuel May, [1855?]

Item Information

Title:
Copies and extracts of correspondence of Mess. Chamerovzow and Pillsbury and others from Mary Anne Estlin, [Bristol, England?], to Samuel May, [1855?]
Description:
The first extract is titled [by Miss Estlin], "Mr. Webb's observations on the correspondence between Messrs. Pillsbury and Chamerovzow." It is dated March 5, 1855 from Dublin and is directed to Mrs. [Emma] Michell. Webb describes Pillsbury and Chamerovzow and says that he now has no hope of getting any help from the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society. The second extract is from a letter written by Webb to Miss Estlin, dated March 20, 1855 from Dublin in which Webb censures Pillsbury for his attack on Chamerovzow. He says that Pillsbury cannot withstand criticism. The third extract is from a letter written by Francis Bishop to Miss Estlin on May 6, 1855, from Liverpool. Bishop thinks that Pillsbury had good reason for writing as he did to Chamerovzow, but he admits that American abolitionists lack tact and diplomacy. The fourth extract is from from a letter written by Bishop to Miss Estlin, dated May 30, 1855 from London. Bishop regrets that Pillsbury wrote so harshly to Chamerovzow, but admits that Pillsbury had great provocation as he feels Chamerovzow's letter is false in spirit. The fifth extract is from a letter written by Pillsbury to Miss Estlin and her father, John Bishop Estlin. It is dated Feb.18, 1855 from Manchester. Pillsbury sends the Estlins a copy of Chamerovzow's letter and his own proposed reply to that letter. Miss Estlin transcribes Pillsbury's drafted response and notes the suggestions that she and her father made. The sixth extract is from a letter written by Pillsbury to Miss Estlin in response to the Estlins' suggestions. It is dated February 23, 1855 from Manchester. Pillsbury states that he adopted most of Miss Estlin's suggestions and incorporated some of his own changes. The seventh extract is from a letter written by Pillsbury to Miss Estlin and John Bishop Estlin, dated March 2, 1855 from Headingley, [England]. Pillsbury comments on Chamerovzow's letter to Miss Estlin. He points out contradictions and anachronisms and is glad to be absolved from further dealings with Chamerovzow. There is a bracketed note by Miss Estlin in which she says that she suggested the terms used by Pillsbury were only used in England to denote a thief or with the intention of provoking a duel. The eighth and final extract is from a letter written by Pillsbury to the Estlins, dated March 6, 1855 from Headingley. Pillsbury tells the Estlins that he wishes no further dealings with Chamerovzow and that "it was a great mistake" that he ever visited England. In a note, Miss Estlin comments on Pillsbury's unhealthy state of mind and says he claimed to know more about the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society than her and her father. Lastly, Miss Estlin explains how the correspondence came to be collected and sent to Samuel May. / The first letter is from Chamerovzow to Parker Pillsbury and is dated 15 Feb 1855 from 15 Gloster Terrace, Camberwell, [London]. Chamerovzow writes that he had hoped to be better acquainted with Pillsbury during his time in London and asks for data to support Pillsbury's claims concerning the number of slave importations in the southern states. The second letter is the reply of Pillsbury to Chamerovzow and is dated Feb. 23, '55 from Manchester, [England]. Pillsbury says that nine or ten thousand slaves are annually imported into the United States and references a speech made by Congress. He says that he was not aware that Chamerovzow expected reports to be published of his speeches at the conference. Pillsbury indicates that he was widely available to visitors during the London conference and complains openly to Chamerovzow of his rude conduct. The third is an undated letter written in Camberwell by Chamerovzow to Mary Anne Estlin. Chamerovzow encloses Pillsbury's letter of February 23, 1855 and appeals to Miss Estlin, George Thompson, and Frederick William Chesson for confirmation of his hospitable conduct toward Pillsbury. He wanted to remove the causes of the dissension between the English and the American abolitionists. He mentions an affair involving William Wells Brown. He says that he had been unable to find Pillsbury during the London conference and had asked Thompson and Chesson for Pillsbury's address. He complains that Pillsbury has insulted him and claims to be "done with him forever." The fourth letter is from Miss Estlin to Chamerovzow and is dated Feb. 25, 1855 from Bristol. Miss Estlin explains that Pillsbury was annoyed at "being unexpectedly conducted into the presence of Messrs. [Joseph] Sturge and [William Edward] Forster, neither of whom had showed any desire to make his acquaintance." She explains the American method of concluding correspondence. The fifth letter is undated and written from Camberwell by Chamerovzow to Miss Estlin. Chamerovzow thinks that Pillsbury ought to be more careful in what he says. He states that he was unable to meet Pillsbury during the conference owing to pressure of other business. He discusses Pillsbury's insulting language at considerable length and says he will no longer trust Pillsbury's judgment of other people. / This manuscript consists of a series of five copied letters and eight copied extracts from letters concerning an altercation between Louis Alexis Chamerovzow and Parker Pillsbury that occurred in 1855. It was previously cataloged as thirteen separate letters in the card catalog, as MS B.1.6 v.5, p.43 through MS B.1.6 v.5, p.55.
Author:
Estlin, Mary Anne, 1820-1902
Addressee:
May, Samuel, Jr., 1810-1899
Date:
[1855?]
Format:
Letters/Correspondence
Manuscripts
Genre:
Excerpts
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
Abolitionists--United States--History--19th century
Antislavery movements--United States
Bishop, Francis, 1813-1869
Chamerovzow, Louis Alexis
Estlin, J. B. (John Bishop), 1785-1855
Estlin, Mary Anne, 1820-1902
May, Samuel, Jr., 1810-1899
Michell, Emma
Pillsbury, Parker, 1809-1898
Webb, Richard Davis, 1805-1872
British and Foreign Anti-slavery Society
Extent:
6 leaves (20 p.) ; 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 in. + 1 envelope
Permalink:
https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/dv144k417
Terms of Use:
No known copyright restrictions.
No known restrictions on use.
Place of origin:
Bristol, England?
Language:
English
Notes:
Holograph, signed.
Samuel May's handwriting on the envelope reads, "Correspondence of Mess. Chamerovzow and Pillsbury and others. Copies by Miss Estlin, at her father's special desire, for a few friends in America.- Please return it to S. May Jr."
Title supplied by cataloger.
Identifier:
4534647
Call #:
MS B.1.6 v.5, p.43
Barcode:
39999063859308