Letter from Anne Warren Weston, Boston, to Deborah Weston, January 30th, 1837, Monday

Item Information

Place of origin:
Boston
Language:
English
Notes:
Holograph, signed.
Anne Warren Weston describes the Anti-Slavery meeting which was held in the stable-loft of the Marlborough Hotel. Garrison read the Annual Report, which was a "most masterly production." Moses Thacher stated that he had received a letter from "a lady" who had been a slave, indicating that "it was one of the women who ran away from the [Boston] Court House." Other speakers were "Brother [Samuel J.] May," Mr. Cyrus Pitt Grosvenor, Henry Brewster Stanton, and [William Lawrence?] Chaplin. More than a thousand were present and many could not get in. Amos Dresser told "the Nashville story. He is a small delicate, pretty looking young man... Great sobbing was heard all over the room." Anne also describes the evening meeting at the State House. After Orange Scott, Ellis Gray Loring spoke in his "little happy quiet soft way." First describing [Thomas] Clarkson, he spoke of Garrison--"...this brought down a tremendous clap, interspersed with a few hisses." Henry B. Stanton made a speech on slavery in the District of Columbia. "It was one of those Free Discussion flourishes, in which his soul so much delights." Mr. Dresser retold his story, because the audience clamored for his immediate appearance. "He was clapped uproariously." Anne describes the meeting the next morning, again in the stable. Mr. [David] Root, Mr. Philemon R. Russell, Amasa Walker, and Mr. [Charles] Fitch spoke. Then Robert Williams, a black man living in Boston told his story, of which part of "the scene was laid in Weymouth." The problem of a building for free discussion and the Free Church were discussed. The Free Church was turned out of Congress Hall for allowing the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society to go in. The Ladies' Anti-Slavery meeting was held at the Artists' Gallery. Mrs. Lydia Maria Child dined at the house of Mrs. Maria Weston Chapman. Anne describes the ladies' meeting. Some villains had thrown Cayenne pepper into the stove, which made the audience cough. The [Ladies'] Society pledged $100 to New York. Anne describes the guests and conversation at Mrs. Chapman's. At the next morning's meeting, "a eulogium had been passed on Henry Benson, which had drowned the whole audience in tears." Anne describes the evening party at her house. Tells of the "Monthly Concert," which Wendell Phillips attended. "He is beginning to be quite an Abolitionist."
There is cross writing on the first page that is very difficult to read.
Identifier:
3132226
Call #:
MS A.9.2 v.9, p.9
Barcode:
39999063210387
mq8391071