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SPECIAL REPORT
OF THE
BRISTOL AND CLIFTON LADIES'
ANTI-SLAYERY SOCIETY;
DURING EIGHTEEN MONTHS, FROM JANUARY, I85I, TO JUNE, ir-2;
WITH A STATEMENT OF THE
EEASONS OF ITS SEPAKATION
FROM THE
BRITISH AND FOREIGN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY.
First pure, then peaceable." — James, iii. 17.
LONDON:
JOHN SNOW, PATERNOSTER-ROW.
BRISTOL: W. WHEREAT, CORN-ST.
1852.
l4^(r^. /? 4"
SPECIAL REPORT
BRISTOL AND CLIFTON LADIES'
ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY ;
DURING EIGHTEEN MONTHS, FROM JANUARY 1851 TO JUNE, 1852
WriH A STATEMENT OP THE
REASONS OF ITS SEPARATION
BRITISH AND FOREIGN ANTLSLAVERY SOCIETY.
First pure, then peaceable. " — Jame.s, iii. 17.
LONDON:
JOHN SNOW, PATERNOSTER-ROW
BRISTOL: W. WHEREAT, CORN-ST.
COMMITTEE AND OFFICERS
OF THE
BRISTOL AND CLIFTON LADIES' ANTI-SLAYERY SOCIETY,
FOR THE YEAR 1852.
PRESIDENT :
Mrs. Tribe, 9, Portland-street, Kiugsdown.
TREASURER :
Mrs. Emery, Highbury Terrace, Kingsdown.
SECRETARY :
Miss F. N. Tribe, 9, Portland-street.
LIBRARIAN :
* Miss Thomas, 2, IQngsdown Parade.
COMMITTEE :
Miss Godwin, Aubmn Villa, Gotham.
Miss Mathews, 9, NaiTOw Wine-street.
Mrs. P. Ovens, Old Market-street.
Miss Parminter, Upper Gheltenham-place.
Mrs. Richard Rowe, St. James's Parade, Kingsdown.
Mrs. Stephens, Ashley Down.
Mrs. Waterman, Gotham, New Road.
* Miss Estlin, 47, Park-street.
* Miss Leonard, Kingston Villa, Glifton.
* Miss Norris, 17, Pembroke-place, Glifton.
* Miss Stephens, Ashley Down.
* Members who have joined the Society during the last year.
Circumstances having arisen in the course of the last two
years, which have brought this Society more under public notice
than was at first contemplated, it is considered desirable that
a Eeport of its proceedings during the last eighteen months
should be published ; giving, at the same time, a brief sketch
of its previous history, suflicient to account for its past inaction
and present vitality.
Bristol, June 2ith, 1852.
CONTENTS.
Page
Formation of the Society, and its progress during the first six years ... 5
Visit of Messrs. Garrison and Douglass to Bristol 7
Influence of Mr. Scoble's statements on the action of the Society ... 9
Visit of William Wells Brown lU
William and Ellen Craft 30
Claims of the American Anti-slavery Society examined 14
Visit of William and Ellen Craft 16
Anticipated arrival of American ministers ... ... ... ... 16
Labours of other Societies appropriated by the Broad-street Committee 21
Testimony of William and Ellen Craft respecting the Boston Abolitionists 22
Extracts from letters of Mr. Scoble in reply to enquiries 23
Extracts of letter from the Rev. Mr. Young 26
Further enquiries, and the conclusions they led to 28
Anti-slaveiy meeting addi-essed by Mr. George Thompson and the Rev.
Edward Mathews 31
Visit of Mrs. Chapman and Miss AYeston of Boston, and its influence on
the views of this society ... ... ... ... .. ... 32
Secession from the British and Foreign Anti -slavery Society ... ... 35
The London " Morning Advertiser" 39
Modification of the rules of the Society ... ... ... ... 40
Boston Anti-slavery Bazaar ... ... ... ... ... ... 41
The influences hostile to Anti-slavery action ... ... ... ... 42
Consequent labours of the Society ... ... ... ... ... 43
Aims of the Society ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 49
Present position of the Society .. . ... ... ... ... ... o2
Subscriptions and Donations ... ... ... ... ... ... 59
Statement of Accounts ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 60
Appendix 61
REPORT Ui.L:>'. fifS-
OP THE
BRISTOL AND CLIFTON LADIES'
ANTI-SLAVEEY SOCIETY.
formation of the society.
The Bristol and Clifton Ladies' Anti-slavery Society
was instituted in September, 1840, and the following rules
were adopted for its guidance : —
1. That the Society be called " The Bristol and Clifton
Ladies' Anti-slavery Society," auxiliary to the British and
Foreign Anti-slavery Society.
2. That its object be to collect and circulate information
relating to slavery throughout the world, and in every possi-
ble way to aid in its extinction.
3. That all ladies subscribing to the funds of this society,
be considered members.
4. That the management of this society devolve on a trea-
surer, two secretaries, and a committee of not less than twelve
ladles, any five forming a quorum.
5. That the committee meet on the first Thursday in every
month, and that the annual meeting be held in December,
when a report shall be presented, and ofiicers chosen.
Although removals and other causes have deprived the
society of many of its early members, including one of its
secretaries, who has for some years ceased to reside in the
neighbourhood ; its original officers, (or those elected Avithin a
G Report of the Bristol and Clifton
short period of its formation,) still retain tlicir posts, and some
of its first adherents continue to be its active supporters.
It was established under tlic auspices of Captain Charles
Stuart, who advised co-operation with a society in America
called " The American and Foreign Anti-slavery Society,"
which, he said, " was formed in December, 1833; but took its
present name in May, 1840, when a division occurred, caused
by the other branch of the society intruding new and injurious
views; this other branch retaining the original name of the
society, but having adopted a fundamentally different principle."
He represented the American and Foreign Anti-slavery Society
as embracing the Christian abolitionists of the United States ;
and the American Anti-slavery Society, from which it had
separated, as composed chiefly of persons who were infidel
in their sentiments, opposed to all that is deemed Christian,
and unfaithful to the cause of the slave ; making it subsidiary
to the promotion of their infidel views, and introducing
for discussion on the anti-slavery platform the questions of
*' woman's rights," " anti-sabbath," " no human government,"
and such like.
Fully relying on this information, we carefally avoided any
intercourse with the members of the American Anti-slavery
Society ; and, at the recommendation of Captain Stuart, entered
into correspondence with Miss Martha V. Ball, of Boston,
secretary of the Massachusetts Abolition Society, requesting to
be informed of any way in which we could aid the cause we
liad so much at heart. It was proposed that we should con-
tribute to a bazaar, which was to be held in Boston for the
benefit of the Massachusetts Abolition Society. We did so
for two successive years, and received in acknowledgment the
second annual report of that society. After a time, however,
we found that the bazaar was discontinued ; in consequence, as
wc understood, of the death of its chief manager f and no suc-
* A short time ago, we discovered that this impression -was eiToneous ; but that
the lady referred to, instead of being known as an actor in the anti-slaveiy cause, was
a regular attendant at the church of Rev. W. Rogers, notorious for his advocacy
of the Fugitive Slave Cill, and his opposition tJtlie abolitionists.
Ladies Anti-slavery Society. 7
ceecling report of tlic Massachusetts Abolition Society was sent
to Bristol. The American and Foreign Anti-slavery Reporter
was taken in by the society, and some other anti-sLavery papers
w^ere recommended to us, but these w^ere discontinued one after
another. Occasionally letters from Eev. Nathaniel Colver, Mr.
Levns Tappan, and Eev. Joshua Leavitt w^ere forwarded for
our perusal from other anti-slavery societies. But gradually
all these sources of information ceased, and we could not learn
that much effort was being made in America on behalf of
emancipation, or that any way existed for us to aid in promo-
ting it.
The British and Foreign Anti-slavery Eepovter was regu-
larly circulated amongst our members ; but it failed to keep
alive our interest, or to point out modes of action.
We made repeated applications to the secretary of the
British and Foreign Anti-slavery Society, for instructions as
to what we in Bristol could do to promote the cause ; but the
suggestions were so vague and unsatisfactory, that with the
exception of occasionally contributing to the support of schools
and other institutions for the emancipated negroes and free
coloured people, (which objects, though philanthropic, are not
anti-slavery) we could find no occupation beyond that of col-
lecting funds for the British and Foreign Anti-slavery Society.
This, indeed, w^e w^ere told by the secretary of that society, was
the most useful anti-slavery work in which we could engage ;
and the rip-ht to exercise an independent control over our
funds w^as disputed.*
VISIT OF MESSRS. GARRISON AND DOUGLASS TO BRISTOL.
In the year 1846, Messrs. Garrison and Douglass visited
Bristol, and addressed crowded meetings. Their eloquent and
touching appeals rekindled, in the minds of such of our com-
* Some years afterwards, tlie same complaint having been repeated by our secretary
to j\Ir. Scoble, he stated that there were numerous anti-slavery objects engrossing tlie
attention of the parent society ; but that so strong a feeling was understood to exist
in Bristol in ilxvour of ]\rr. Garrison, that the Committee in London were afraid to
solicit our co-operation in the v,-ork with v.hicli they supplied their other auxiliaries !
b2
8 Re2:>ort of the Bristol and Clifton
iTiittee as listened to tliera, the anti-slavery feeling wliich for
want of exercise liad declined or was lying dormant. Once
more the inquiry was made, " What can we do?"
AVe now first became aware that, year after year, persons of
all creeds and all ranks, sent contributions from Bristol to a
bazaar held in Boston, in aid of the American Anti-slavery
Society. Members of the established church, of every deno-
mination of dissenters, the inmates of country mansions, trades-
people, labourers, pupils of ladies' boarding-schools, charity-
schools, and the blind asylum, were all uniting in this labour
of love. We felt prompted to take our part in the work, and
summoned a special meeting of the committee, to which we
invited a gentleman who was understood to have paid con-
siderable attention to the abolition movement, and had just
published a tract upon the subject. We made many enquiries
of him respecting the two anti-slavery societies of America.
He assured us that the American Anti-slavery Society w^as
very active, and was in fact the only efficient anti-slavery
organization in the United States; and he urged us to give
some proof of our interest in its eiForts to emancipate the
slave. All our predilections and our religious sympathies
were, however, so much on the side of the American and
Foreign Anti-slavery Society, tliat we could not at once change
our views ; nor could we relinquish the unfavourable opinions
we had always entertained respecting Mr. Garrison and his
associates. At last we determined that we would this year
send a contribution to the Boston Bazaar, and we again wrote
to Mr. Scoble, begging for such information as might guide us
respecting the right course to adopt in future. At the same
time we wrote to Mr. George Thompson, requesting him to
give us some particulars respecting the American Anti-slavery
Society, (the party represented by Messrs. Garrison and Doug-
lass,) and the new Anti-slavery League, lately formed in
London, of wliich he had been elected president. We were de-
sirous of learning from Mr. Scoble and Mr. Thompson, whether
we could with propriety join the " League" while retaining
our connexion with the " British and Foreign Anti-slavery
Ladies' Anti- slavery Society. 9
Society ;" but no answer was received to eitlier of our applica-
tions, so that we were left without sufficient data to enable us
to arrive at a satisfactory conclusion.
INFLUENCE OF MR. SCOBLE'S STATEMENTS ON THE ACTION OF
THIS SOCIETY.
The following year, it was again proposed to aid the Boston
bazaar; and a letter was written to Mr. Scoble, requesting that
a notice of this bazaar might appear in the Reporter, and
offering to pay for it as an advertisement if necessary. The
notice was refused insertion ; but Mr. Scoble remained silent as
to the ground of its rejection, as well as on all the other points
on which we had solicited information. At a subsequent
period, in a personal interview with some of the officers of
the society, he assigned as a reason for this silence, a determi-
nation on the part of the British and Foreign Anti-slavery
Society, to have nothing to do with the question of different
anti-slavery parties in America. He reiterated his former state-
ments, that " good reasons could be given" in proof of the
impropriety of the Bristol and Clifton Society's affording
any countenance to the American Anti-slavery Society ; he
excited very uneasy and unfavourable impressions respect-
ing the personal character of its most active members ; and
again affirmed that they were using the anti-slavery platform
as a vehicle for disseminating dangerous and infidel views.
We felt that if matters were as he represented, we should by
aiding this party be sacrificing truth and righteousness without
really serving the cause of humanity.
The only testimony of an opposite nature which we had
heard, was given by individuals whose religious opinions were
not orthodox, and we did not place confidence in its impartial-
ity or its weight. Continuing fearful that we should do wrong
by any sort of co-operation with the American Anti-slavery
Society, and the American and Foreign Anti-slavery Society
presenting us with no channel through which we could aid
the cause, we were left destitute of any field for anti- slavery
labour. As an inevitable consequence, our efforts were para-
10 Beport of the Bristol and Clifton
lyscd, and our zeal nearly extinguished. Attendance at our
committees could not be secured. These meetings were at
iirst changed from monthly to quarterly; they were then held
only once a year ; and at last the number had so dwindled
away, that it was impossible to form a quorum. Subscriptions
fell off, and it was in serious contemplation to dissolve the
society, appointing a collector to perform the only duty de-
volved upon it — that of gathering and transmitting to London
contributions to the parent society.
VISIT OF ^VILLIAM WELLS BROWN.
In the year 1850, one of our members having received
intimation that JMr. W. AVells Brown, a fugitive slave, was
lecturinsf in the various towns in Enodand with o-reat effect on
the subject of slavery, he was, at the suggestion of our com-
mittee, invited to Bristol. He delivered a most impressive
address, and excited so much interest, that a soiree was given
at the Broadmead Eoom, April 3, 1850, for the purpose of
expressing sympathy with him. At this assembly some
earnest resolutions were passed. (See Appendix No. 1) They
were sent to the A7iti- slavery Re])orter, but were refused
insertion on the ground that I^.Ir. Brown was a member of the
American Anti-slavery Society, and did not bring letters of
introduction to Mr. Scoble.*
Yv^LLIAM AND ELLEN CRAFT.
In the month of January, 1851, the following letter from
the general agent of the Massachusetts Anti-slavery^ Society,
to a friend in Bristol, (commending the fugitives William and
* Altliough Mr. Brown has been for eight years arousing attention to the sinfulness
of slaveholding, has delivered upwards of four hundred lectures on the subject in this
country, and addressed not fewer than 200,000 persons ; and although accounts of
most of his meetings have been published in the United States, his name has never
come before the readers of the " Reporter ; while attempts have been repeatedly made
lo excite prejudice against him, through the private circulation of unfounded
statements, which have impeded his usefulness in the cause of his oppressed
brelhren.
Ladies Aiiti-slavery Society. 11.
Ellon Craft to British sympathy,) Avas sent to our secretary for
the perusal of the Committee : —
*'21, Cornhill, Boston,
November 6th, 1850.
" My clear
" I trust that in God's good providence this letter will
be handed to you in safety by our good friends, William and
Ellen Craft. They have lived amongst us about two years,
and have proved themselves w^orthy in all respects of our
confidence and regard. The laws of this republican and
christian land (tell it not in Lloscow nor in Constantinople)
regard them only as slaves — chattels personal — property.
But they nobly vindicated their title and rights to freedom,
two years since, by winning their way to it ; at least so they
thought. But now the slave powder, with the aid of Daniel
Webster and a band of lesser traitors, has enacted a law
which puts their dearly bought liberties in the most imminent
peril ; holds out a strong temptation to every mercenary and
unprincipled ruffian to become their kidnapper; and has
stimulated the slaveholders generally to such desperate acts
for the recovery of their fugitive property, as have never be-
fore been enacted in the history of this government.
" Within a fortnight, two fellows from Macon, Georgia, have
been in Boston for the purpose of arresting our friends Wil-
liam and Ellen. A writ was served against them from the
United States District Court ; but it was not served by the
United States marshal; why not, is not certainly knowm:
perhaps through fear, for a very general feeling of indigna-
tion, and a cool determination not to allow this young couple
to be taken from Boston into slavery, was aroused, and per-
vaded the city. It is understood that one of the judges told
the marshal, that he w^ould not be authorized in breaking the
door of Craft's house. Craft kept himself close within the
house, armed himself, and awaited with remarkable composure
the event. Ellen, in the meantime, had been taken to a retired
place out of the city. The Vigilance Committee, (appointed
at a late meeting in Faneuil Hall) enlarged their numbers, held
an almost permanent session, and appointed various sub-com-
mittees to act in various ways. One of those committees
called repeatedly on Messrs. Hughes and Knight, the slave
catchers, and requested and advised them to leave the city.
At first they peremptorily refused to do so, ' 'till they got
hold of the niggers.' On complaint of different persons,
12 Report of the Bristol and Clifton
tliese two fellows were several times arrested, carried before
one of our county courts, and lield to bail on charges of
'conspiracy to kidnap,' and of 'defamation,' in calling William
and Ellen ' slaves.'' At lengtli tliey became so alarmed, that
they left the city by an indirect route, evading the vigilance
of many persons who were on the look out for them. Hughes
at one time was near losing his life at the hands of an infu-
riated coloured man. While these men remained in the city,
a prominent whig gentleman sent word to William Craft, that
if he would submit peaceably to an arrest, he and his wife
should be bought from their owners, cost what it might.
Craft replied, in effect, that he was in a measure the represen-
tative of all the other fugitives in Boston, some 200 or 300 in
number ; that if he gave up, they would all be at the mercy
of the slave catchers, and must fly from the city at any sacri-
fice ; and that if his freedom could be bought for two cents,
he would not consent to compromise the matter in such away.
This event has stirred up the slave spirit of the country, south
and north ; the United States government is determined to try
its hand in enforcing the Fugitive Slave law ; and William and
Ellen Craft would be prominent objects of the slaveholders'
vengeance. Under these circumstances, it is the almost unani-
mous opinion of their best friends, that they should quit Ame-
rica as speedily as possible, and seek an asylum in England !
Oh shame, shame upon us, that Americans, whose fathers
fought against Great Britain, in order to be FREE, should
have to acknowledofe this dism^aceful fact ! God o^ave us a
fair and goodly heritage in this land, but man has cursed it
with his devices and crimes against human souls and human
rights. Is America the ' land of the free, and the home
of the brave ?' God knows it is not, and we know it too. A
brave young man and a virtuous young woman must fly the
American shores, and seek, under the shadow of the British
throne, the enjoyment of ' life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness.'
" But I must pursue my plain, sad story. All day long, I
have been busy planning a safe way for William and Ellen
to leave Boston, and in raising funds for their passage, &c.
We dare not allow them to go on board a vessel, even in the
port of Boston ; for the writ is yet in the marshal's hands, and
lie may be waiting an opportunity to serve it; so I am expect-
ing to accompany them to-morrow to Portland, INIaine, wdiich
is beyond the reach of the marshal's authority, and there I
hope to see them on board a British steamer.
Ladies Anti-slavery Society. 13
" This letter is written to introduce tliem to you. I know
your infirm health ; but I am sure if you were stretched on
your bed in your last illness, and could lift your hand at all,
you would extend it to welcome these poor hunted fellow-
creatures. Henceforth England is their nation and their
liome. It is with real regret for our personal loss in their
departure, as well as burning shame for tlie land that is not
Avorthy of them, that we send them aAvay, or rather allow
tliem to go. But with all the resolute courage they have
shown in a most trying hour, they themselves see it is the
part of a foolhardy rashness to attempt to stay here longer.
" I must close ; and with many renewed thanks for all your
kind words and deeds towards us,
"I am,
*' Very respectfully yours,
" Samuel May, Jun."
Until this announcement, we had been entirely ignorant of
the eventful history of these interesting fugitives. The
Anti-slavei^y Reporter^ for December, 1850, had incidentally
mentioned their names in connection with the defeat of the
slave-hunters by the Vigilance Committee;* but made no
further allusion to them, although the President of the United
States considered their case of sufficient importance to threaten
the employment of the militia, army, and navy (if requisite)
for their arrest. In Scotch and English daily journals, how-
ever, these and many other interesting particulars were made
known to tlie public ; and from these sources we learned that
the Crafts were now engaged, in company with their friend,
Mr. Wm. Wells Brown, in disseminating anti-slavery informa-
tion in Scotland ; that wherever they went, they produced a
deep impression; and were welcomed in various towns by
enthusiastic public meetings.!
By the help of some American anti-slavery papers, which
* The Reporter for December, 1 830, spealcs of the Boston Vigilance Committee
as having enlarged its numbers to 130; and the Annual Eeport of the American
and Foreign Anti-slavery Society for 1830, contains in addition, tlie whole history of
the escape of the Crafts from their threatened recapture ; but in neither case is tliere
any intimation that the cliief actors in this perilous \York were members of the
American Anti-slavery Society.
■j- See Appendix, No. 2, p, 61.
14 Report of the Bristol and CVifl
on
Avere lent to us at this time, we were enabled to gain a clearer
idea of the nature of the agitation created in the United States
bj the passage of the Fugitive Slave Law, of tlie unremit-
ting labours of the Boston abolitionists, and the dangers to
which the lives of many among them were subjected, on
account of their courageous opposition to the law.
CLAIMS OF THE AMERICAN ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY EXAMINED.
All these incidents thoroughly roused our society, so that
we determined to study the whole history of the anti-slavery
struggle in the United States from its commencement ; and
beinor aware that our sources of knowlcdo-e had hitherto been
o o
very limited and one-sided, we procured a series of the reports
and oihcial documents of the American Anti-slavery Society,
and compared them with some reports of the American and
Foreign Anti-slavery Societ}^, and the single report of the
Massachusetts Abolition Society, which v/cre in our pos-
session. By this means, we ascertained that while scarcely
any evidence of vitality was perceptible in the American
and Foreign Anti-slavery Society ; and that the Massachusetts
Abolition Society, with which it had co-operated, had long
ceased to exist ; the American Anti-slavery Society, which we
had been repeatedly assured " did very little for the cause
of the slave," was in most active operation, and had numer-
ous branches in different parts of the land, supporting weekly
organs, travelling agents, etc. ; " that it holds hundreds of
public meetings in the year in many parts of the Free States ;
that it employs as lecturers many men and one or two women
of great ability and unimpeachable characters, who devote
themselves to the work of enlightening the public mind; and
could readily, if they pleased, obtain an ample income by
other modes of life, instead of the mere subsistence they are
contented with for the slave's sake ; tliat it publishes, with its
own funds and by the assistance of subscribers, a large, ably-
conducted, and handsome weekly paper in New York, which
is solely devoted to the promotion of the anti-slavery cause ;
that it includes a large majority of the earliest, ablest, most
Ladles Anii-shiverij Societij. 15
eloquent, most acconiplislied, and devoted abolitionists ; tliat
it imposes no sectarian tests, and welcomes every one to tlic
work who feels for liis country and liis country's slaves, and is
willing to labour for tlie removal of this giant iniquity."
We now procured tlie consent of tbe subscribers to our
employment of tlie funds of the Bristol and Clifton Ladies'
Anti-slavery Society in such ways as we might deem most
beneficial to the cause ; instead of sending them to the British
and Foreign Anti-slavery Society, New Broad-street, London.
Committee-meetinfrs were held, at which the rules and consti-
tution of the American Anti-slavery Society were formally
examined, and on February 13th, 1851, the following resolu-
tions were unanimously adopted : —
" That this society, sympathising in the aims and eitorts of
the American Anti-slavery Society, resolves to co-operate
with it, by sending a contribution to the Anti-slavery Bazaar,
to be held in Boston, jMassachusetts, next December.
" That for the sake of being more fully informed respect-
ing all anti-slavery movements in America, this committee
subscribe for a copy of the Anti-slavery Siandard, and of the
North Star^ to be circulated amongst its members."
VISIT OF WILLIAM AND ELLEN CRAFT.
The interesting reports which continued to reach ns of the
progress of W. and E. Craft and W. W. Brown in the North
of England, awakened our desire to profit by their presence
amongst us; and it was resolved (February 27th) that an
attempt should be made to induce them to visit Bristol. We
were in hopes of obtaining aid from a gentlemen's committee,
(the name of which, as an auxiliary of the British and Foreign
Anti-slavery Society, had long been known in the city) in
making arrangements for a public meeting to v/elcome the
fugitives. Finding, however, that this association was no
longer in active operation, we were forced to depend on such
help as was afforded by individuals friendly to the cause.
Several ministers kindly consented to take part in the proceed-
inofs, and as soon as a favorable answer to the invitation had
16 Report of the Bristol and Clifton
been received from tlie fugitives, tlie meeting was appointed
for April 9tli.
ANTICIPATED ARRIVAL OF AMERICAN MINISTERS.
In tlie latter part of tlie month of February, our attention
was drawn, by a forcible article in the Morning Advertiser,
to tlie anticipated arrival of numerous American ministers du-
ring tlie approacliing spring. In tliis article, beaded, " Ameri-
can Slavery — lier Clergy at tlie Great Exhibition," the support
afforded to their iniquitous system by the churches of America
was prominently set forth ; and an earnest appeal made to the
religious bodies of this country, to let it be known among the
ministers of the United States, who were likely to visit us at
the approaching exhibition, that we were not ignorant of the
complicity of their churches with slavery; and that such Ame-
rican clergymen as could not show that they had done some-
thing to oppose the slave system (especially by denouncing the
late Fugitive Slave Law,) must expect to receive no welcome
to our pulpits.*
The provincial papers made copious extracts from this docu-
ment. Soon after, the British Banner and Standard of Freedom
addressed their readers in similar language, and within three
weeks after its appearance in England, it was reprinted in the
American journals. It was also, as we afterwards ascertained,
widely circulated among the dissenting clergy of England and
Scotland.
We watched with great anxiety, hoping to see the British
and Foreign Anti-slavery Society employ its influence and
pecuniary resources in some such strenuous course of action
as the crisis in America, caused by the Fugitive Slave Law,
seemed to demand; but finding no indication in the IMarcli
number of the Reporter^ of any decided measures being con-
templated, we determined not to neglect the opening made
* Even in this early call to anti-slavery exertion, a hint was given to the Broad-street
Committee, that the Reporter had not shown much fidelity to the cause in withholding
from its readers all notice of the interesting and crowded meetings that were being held
in Scotland by W. Wells Brown and William and Ellen Craft.
Ladies Anti-slaver ij Society. 17
by the above-named journals, for urging the religious bodies of
EiKdand to testify their regret at the conduct of their brethren
in America, many of whom were at this time openly advoca-
ting the Fugitive Slave Bill.
Accordingly, at a committee meeting, March 27th, the fol-
lowing preamble and resolution were unanimously adopted : —
" The members of this society, having contemplated \yith
pain and deep regret, the course of the clergy in the United
States, which, (with a few honourable exceptions,) affords
more or less support to the system of slavery ; and having been
especially grieved by the low views of Christian duty recently
proclaimed by ministers in the Free States, in regard to the
Fugitive Slave Bill, —
" Resolved— That such ministers of this city as may be
about to attend annual conferences in London ,^ during the
month of May, be respectfully but earnestly solicited to deli-
berate with their brethren, on the expediency of adopting
some line of conduct to prevent their pulpits being occupied
by any clergymen from the United States, visiting England
ut the approaching exhibition, wdio have not borne testimony
to the unrighteous character of the Fugitive Slave Bill: and
further, to take into consideration the desirableness of urging
those religious societies in America, with whom they _ sympa-
thize in doctrine and discipline, not to depute any ministers to
this country upon religious or philanthropic missions, who
have not publicly manifested their disapprobation of this law,
wdilch Judge Jay declares to be ' as palpable a violation of the
constitution, as it certainly is of the principles of justice, the
rights of humanity, and the religion of Jesus Christ.'
" Signed, on behalf of the Committee,
" F. N. Tribe, Secretary''
This, toirether with a collection of extracts from recent
American sermons, denominated " Clerical Teachings on Sla-
very," we sent without loss of time to thirty-two dissenting
ministers in Bristol.
By one of these ministers, the Eev. J. Burder, the subject
was introduced at the half-yearly meeting of the Bristol and
Gloucestershire Congregational Union, on April 1 0th, where
a resolution framed upon it was adopted, which was afterwards
18 Ileport of the Bristol and Clifton
inserted in the Patriot^ British Banner, Christian Times, and
Bristol Examiner.
" That the grief and shame which we have long felt on ac-
count of the slavery which prevails in several of the United
States of North America, are greatly aggravated by the fact,
that not a few of the Christian churches and Christian minis-
ters, so called, plead for the continuance of that wretched sys-
tem ; that our sorrow has been recently still further deepened
by the atrocious Fugitive Slave Law, which the legislature
of the United States has enacted ; that, while it would pain us
to do anything which should even seem inconsistent with
international hospitality, especially towards our transatlantic
kinsfolk, during the approaching congress in London, we deem
it right to express our unanimous determination not to admit
to our pulpits any minister of religion, whatsoever may be his
reputation in the States, who hesitates to avow his abhorrence
of slavery, and his earnest desire for its speedy abolition ; but
that, on the other hand, we regard those American ministers
and others, who boldly declare their anti-slavery principles, to
be ' worthy of double honour.' "
On April 9th, the meeting to welcome "W. and E. Craft
and W. W. Brown, was held at the Broadmead Rooms. A
crowded audience assembled, who listened with deep interest
to thrilling details of slavery, and of the escape of the Crafts,
and also to impressive speeches by Eev. J. A. Pearsall, T.
Crisp, G. H. Davis, and W. James, Messrs. W. W. Brown,
Estlin, and Neild. Several important resolutions were passed
at this meeting. The following, in particular, respecting the
duty of English ministers towards their American brethren,
(which was proposed by Eev. T. S. Crisj^, seconded by Rev.
W. James, and passed unanimously), was of great service to
the cause.
" The course which tlie American clergy generally have
taken with reference to the Fugitive Slave Bill appearing to
this meeting to be inconsistent with the claims of Christianity,
and with the duty of ministers of the Gospel towards the op-
pressed:— Resolved, That it be earnestly recommended to the
ministers and congregations of this city, to take such steps as to
them may appear effectual for bi'inging this important subject
under the consideration of their several religious bodies at the
approaching anniversaries in the month of May; both for the
Ladies Ariti- Slavery Society. 19
purpose of urging tlic propriety of not admitting into tlicir
pulpits any American clergymen wlio have either directly or
indirectly given their sanction to the unrighteous Fugitive
Slave Law ; and of expostulating with the brethren of their
respective denominations in the United States, upon the
lamentable fact that the wdiole system of American Slavery,
with all its terrible and demoralising conse||iences, is now
unquestionably receiving its main support from the churches
of that country."
The resolutions, with full accounts of the proceedings at the
meeting, appeared in the Bristol Examiner of April 12th,
and also in the Bristol Mercury^ and the Bristol Gazette.
Numerous copies of these papers were forv\rarded to the
United States; and the Neio York Herald o^ May 9th con-
tained quotations from them, together with indignant com-
ments made by Dr. Cox of Brooklyn at a meeting of the
Colonization Society.
In order to secure co-operation, w^e wrote on March 28th
(the day after our ow^n resolution was passed) to the Anti-
slavery Society in London, asking for a complete list of the
associations that were affiliated to the Parent Society. We
enquired at the same time, what steps were meditated by the
London Society in reference to the important objects of our
circular. The list w^as not supplied, and the reply of ]\Ir.
Bolton was " that the subject would be taken into considera-
tion at a committee meeting on the following Friday, April
4th."
The resolution of our society v^as sent to the secretaries of
fifty-three anti-slavery associations, with an invitation to each
to take up the subject, and an offijr of some copies of
the paper headed " Clerical Teachings," (which had been
reprinted by a friend to the cause in Bristol, at his own
private press,) to all wdio would help forward the move-
ment. The Ladies' Anti-slavery Societies of Birmingham,
Edinburgh, Newcastle, Manchester, Chelmsford, Liverpool
and Kendal, promptly responded to the call ; and some of these
reprinted the " Clerical Teachings," and passed resolutions of
their own ; others were supplied from Bristol. In the course
20 Report of the Bristol and Clifton
of the following fortnight, we forwarded the resohitions of our
committee, and of the public meeting, together with some
copies of the *' Clerical Teachings," extracts from the British
Banner^ the Standard of Freedom^ &c. to the secretaries of
twenty-four Baptist, sixty-four Congregational, two Missionary,
and several otl^gr religious associations, with a request to each
that the subject might be brought before their next district
or annual meeting. The printed papers were also sent to
123 influential ministers among the Independent, Baptist,
Presbyterian, Unitarian, Free Church, and other denomina-
tions, most of whom were expected to attend the May con-
ferences in London.
Kesolutions based upon these statements, and containing
many of their words, were passed by the South Cambridge
Independent, the Bridgewater Baptist, and the Colchester
Independent Unions, by the Lancashire and Cheshire Con-
gregational Union, the East-Kent Congregational Association,
and the Bristol Baptist Association. The secretaries of the
three first of these, in acknowledging the Bristol Anti-'slavery
Society's communication, ascribed the resolutions of their
meeting to it. The secretaries of the Dawlish, Workingham,
Devonport, Caistor, and Andover Unions, assured us that if
their district meetings had not been passed, advantage would
have been taken of them to remonstrate with American apolo-
gists for slavery, and they regretted the suggestions having
arrived too late. At the annual meeting of the Baptist Union,
April 25th, an anti-slavery resolution was passed, and attributed
by a minister present to the document from Bristol ; it was fol-
lowed by a similar one at a meeting of fifty-one members of
Baptist colleges, April 29th, and also by one from the Blooms-
bury Chapel Congregation, May 2nd.
The subject was brought forw^ard at fourteen district or
Annual Associations among the Unitarians ; and eight local
meetings, as well as one of their general body in London,
were convened for the express purpose of taking the question
into consideration.
The Congregational Union, at its annual meeting, May 16th,
Ladies' Anti-slavery Society. 21
passed the following important anti-slavery resolution, wliicli
is still exerting a beneficial influence upon the cause.
*' Annual Assembly of the Congregational Union in London,
May 16th, 1851, the Rev. John Kelly, of Liverpool, in the
chair: — Moved by Josiali Conder, Esq., seconded by Eev.
William Owen, supported by Eev. Dr. Campbell, and carried
unanimously ; ' That this Assembly, Avhile most anxious to
reciprocate sentiments of fraternal regard and unity towards
the pastors and churches of the same faith and order as those
in connexion with this Union in the United States of America,
— more especially towards the- descendants of the venerated
Pilgrim Fathers in the New England States, — deem it their
duty to renew their solemn and indignant protest against
slavery as it now exists among the American cliurches ; and,
in particular, to express their great surprise and deep sorrow
at the conduct of those ministers of various denominations,
who have given either direct countenance or tacit support to
the Fugitive Slave Law, recently passed by the American
legislature ; inasmuch as they cannot but regard that wicked
and accursed statute as being, in the language of the eminent
patriot and philanthropist, Judge Jay, ' a palpable violation of
the principles of justice, the rights of humanity, and the reli-
gion of Jesus Christ ;' a law to which no one who would obey
God rather than man can consistently or righteously submit.
And this Assembly would earnestly pray, that the Divine
Head of the Church, in whom there is neither bond nor free,
would open the eyes of all Christian ministers and churches
in the United States, to the aggravated guilt of participating
in the sin of man-stealing, or holding their brethren in unjust
and cruel bondage — a sin which, in the opinion of this
Assembly, raises an insuperable barrier to church fellowship
with them, on the part of all who in this particular reverence
the authority of God and respect the inalienable rights of their
fellow-men.'"
LABOURS OF OTHER SOCIETIES APPROPRIATED BY THE BROAD-
STREET COMMITTEE.
We have recorded thus minutely the steps taken to bring
about this anti-slavery action in the religious bodies, from
no desire to magnify our own share in the work, but simply to
show how little the various demonstrations which ensued can
be attributed to the exertions of the British and Foreign Anti-
22 Report of the Bristol and Clifton
slavery Society, altliougli claimed by it as tlie fruits of a cir=
cular issued by its couimittce. This circular bears tlie date of
April 21st; but, as far as we can ascertain, it did not
appear in print until tlie 1st of ]\Iay, after a large proportion
of the resolutions ascribed to its influence had been passed.
It was then published in the Reporter, together with the reso-
lutions of the Baptist Union, which it professes to have
originated ; and several others, the words of which it has par-
tially adopted.
Having given the foregoing details, we now beg particular
attention to the following extract from the Annual Keport
of the British and Foreign Anti-slavery Society, for 1851 : —
" The anticipated arrival of large numbers of Americans
to attend the great exhibition of the arts and industry of
various nations, has furnished the Committee with a favourable
opportunity of calling upon their countrymen at large, to
bear a practical testimony against American slavery. In an
address which they have widely circulated, and in a circular
letter which they have sent to the various religious bodies
and organizations throughout the kingdom, they have called
upon them to refuse all American slaveholders, and their
abettors, access to their platforms, their pulpits, and to church-
fellowship ; and to receive with ' double honour' all who are
faithful to the cause of the oppressed slave, and labour to pro-
mote his freedom. It is with sincere satisfaction that the Com-
mittee report that the Evangelical Alliance, the Baptist Union,
the Congregational Union of England and Wales, man}'- county
associations, bodies of ministers, and particular churches have
responded to the call, and have passed resolutions of a suitable
character, which the Committee have no doubt will tell on
corresponding bodies in the United States. As a specimen of
the spiiit and sentiment of these resolutions, they give the
following, which was passed unanimously, on the 16th of May
last, by the Congregational Union." [See p. 21.]
TESTIMONY OF ^YILLIAM AND ELLEN CRAFT EESPECTING THE
BOSTON ABOLITIONISTS.
Our Committee, as well as many other friends of the cause,
availed themselves of the visit of William and Ellen Craft,
and W. W. Brown, to obtain accurate information respecting
Ladies' Anti-slavery Society. 23
the present position of anti- slavery parties in the United
States. We found that the Crafts had never heard of the
American and Foreign Anti-slavery Society until they came
to Bristol. On their escape from slavery, they had stopped at
New York, the seat of this society, but were not informed
of its existence ; they were told that Boston was the head
quarters of the abolitionists, who had created by their labours
in that locality a public sentiment sufficiently strong to guard
fugitives from recapture; and they were advised to hasten
thither for safety.
The Crafts described with much emotion the constant, self-
denying labours of the Boston abolitionists; the great per-
sonal kindnesses they had received on first settling in that
city; and the unwearied, generous exertions of these same
friends in their behalf at the fearful period when the slave-
hunters attempted to seize and return them to slavery. To
William and Ellen Craft, and to their fugitive brethren, the
names of Messrs. Phillips, May, Garrison, Parker, Jackson
and many others were especially dear: and great was their
surprise and grief to discover in this country, — instead of the
universal love and sympathy with which they presumed their
generous protectors would be regarded, — bitter feelings and
distrust existing in many parts of Scotland and England
against these, the only white people who had ever treated
them as friends and equals.
These prejudices and misconceptions had greatly distressed
them, and their origin was to them perfectly inexplicable.
They told us they had tried to disabuse persons with whom
they had conversed, of a strange notion that the abolitionists
mixed up other subjects with their anti-slavery advocacy; but
that they found to their sorrow that in many minds hostility
to the slave's best friends was more deeply rooted than hatred
of slavery or zeal for its extermination.
EXTRACTS OF LETTERS FROM MR. SCOBLE IN REPLY TO
INQUIRIES.
In the month of May, a fresh attempt was made to learn
c2
24 Report of the Bristol and Clifton
from ]\Ir. Scoblc some ground of complaint against Mr. Garrison
and liis fellow-labourers, sufficiently definite to warrant us in
witliliolding assistance from tlie American Anti-slavery Society.
This application was caused by a tract* (recommending the
withdrawal of aid from tlie Boston Bazaar) wliicli Mr. Scoble
had given to the daughter of a member of our Committee, being
forwarded to our secretary, with the urgent advice that par-
ticular inquiries should be made of Mr. Scoble, concerning
the abolitionists of Boston.
The following was received in reply. The letter from
which it is extracted is in the handwriting of Mr. Bolton,
signed by Mr. Scoble : —
*' 27, New Broad-street, London,
10th of June, 1851.
^'I am much obliged for the tracts written by Mrs. Chap-
man and Mr. Estlin which your note enclosed. I had not
read them until you directed my attention to them, though I
had heard of their existence. Though written with great
abiHty, they do not in the slightest degree alter my judgment
in reference to the position which I have taken for many
years past, in relation to the American Anti-slavery Society,
its modes of operation, and its bearing on the abolition of
slavery in the United States.
" The conversation which I had with was explana-
tory in its character, and arose out of circumstances which I
did not create, and, I may add, was purely defensive in its nature.
If the impression left upon her mind by that conversation
was such as you represent, and should that impression, after
further inquiry, be rendered permanent, I certainly shall not
* This circular, issued by nine ladies of Glasgow, contained extracts from letters of
Mr. H. C. Wright, published in the Liberator, with an inference drawn from them
that these were the exponents of the views of the society of which the editor of the
Liberator is president, and consequently that the funds of the Boston bazaar were
used to propagate infidelity. The inconclusiveness of this argument had been shown
in Eeplies to the Glasgow tract by Mrs. M. W. Chapman of Boston, and Mr.
Estlin of Bristol, in both of which it was stated :
That the Liberator is not the organ of the American Anti-slavery Society ;
That Mr. H. C. Wright is not an agent or officer of that society ; and
That the funds of the Boston Bazaar are devoted to the support of the Society's
organ, the National Anti-slavery Standard,
Ziadies' AnU-slavery Society. 25
regret it ; but you must excuse me wlien I say tliat no tliird
parties have a right to cliallenge me to vinclicate^J a private
conversation, unless they are implicated in it ; and without
stating the precise points in that conversation, the correct-
ness of which they deny or dispute. If, therefore, I decline
to comply with your request, it is not from discourtesy, but
from a feeling of the serious inconvenience attending all dis-
cussions got up in this way. You have evidently taken up,
conscientiously no doubt, a position in favour of Mr. Garrison
and the American Anti-slavery Society, and have done so
for many years past ; and it is quite evident, from the tone of
your note, that if we were to have an epistolary controversy,
it would end just where it began, if it did not branch out
into collateral tissues, and become almost interminable.
" Should any of the facts I brought under the attention of
be denied or disputed, I am prepared to vindicate
them, and to establish the veracity of my statements."
Allusions having been made to the absence of any signs of
vitality in the American and Foreign Anti-slavery Society,
and a request again preferred for a notice of the Boston Bazaar*
to be introduced into the Reporter, Mr. Scoble observes : —
*' In reference to the American and Foreign Anti-slavery
Society, I am sorry that your search for its doings should
have been so fruitless. I would respectfully remind you,
however, that as it derives no funds from Bristol, and is
treated with almost insolent contempt by some among you, it
can scarcely be worth your while to scrutinize its proceedings
so closely. Now I will just venture one remark on the sub-
ject, and it is this, that where there is one abolitionist paper
in the United States which advocates the American Anti-
slavery Society's operations, there are ten which sustain
the movements of the American and Foreign Anti-slavery
Society; and that where there are tens who rally round the
American Anti-slavery Society, there are hundreds who are
attached to the American and Foreign Anti-slavery Society .f
* Through the liberality of Mr. Williamson, the appeal here referred to was pemiit-
ted to appear for many successive weeks in the Bristol Examiner, by which means
much attention was attracted to the object, attended by an accession of contributions.
f This admission of the popularity of the latter society, in a community interested
in the maintenance of slavery, convinced us that the American and Foreign Anti-slavery
Society could not be doing much for its overthrow.
26 RtfOTt of the Bristol and Clifton
" You ask me to insert tlie paper enclosed in your note,
extracted from W. W. Brown's Narrative. Most readily
would I comply with any request of yours if I could do so
with propriety, but as our society has no official connexion
with the American Anti-slavery Society, and thinks itself
justified in keeping aloof from it, any appeal of the kind you
have sent me cannot be inserted. We observe a neutral posi-
tion towards the American Anti-slavery Society, and shall
continue to do so unless forced into one of hostility by its
indiscreet friends."
The Secretary had also drawn ]\Ir. Scoble's attention to some
warnings respecting Mr. Josiah Henson, which had appeared
in several American papers, and especially to an extract (given
in the Appendix, No. 3) which we learnt had been already
sent to ]\lr. Scoble by the Secretary of the Edinburgh Ladies'
Emancipation Society. He replies : —
" I have read the Report of the American Anti- slavery So-
ciety, and that part of it which refers to the Dawn Institute
and Mr. J. Henson, and attach but little importance to it in
face of the real facts of the case, and the credentials that Mr.
Henson brings with him to this country, both as it respects his
character as a Christian, and his integrity as a man. My letter
to Miss Wigham contained a full reply to her inquiries. I was
enabled to contradict ' the charges' brought against him in
the Ariierican Baptist Recorder and the Liberator, and to give
to each and all of the alleo^ations a decided neo-ative. But it
appears you are not content with the contradiction, but require
that the charges shall be ' disproved.' ....
" I quite agree with you, that on the supposition that Mr.
Henson is an impostor, unworthy of credit, such cases ' do
harm to the cause we have so much at heart ;' and I pledge
myself to the exposure of the man in the Reporter, when either
you or any one else shall furnish the necessary proofs that he
is so. Those wdio bring accusations should prove them, and
not throw the burden of disproof on the accused."
EXTRACTS OF LETTERS FROM THE REV. MR. YOUNG.
At the public meeting on April 9th, some remarks were made
by Mr. Estlin (on moving a vote of sympathy with the Ame-
rican Anti-slavery Society) [sec Appendix, No. 4], relative to
Ladies Anti-slavery Societi/. 27
the secession of the American and Foreign Anti-slavery Society
in 1840, and the injury which had resulted to the cause from the
British and Foreign Anti-slavery Society having taken the side
of the seceders. This led to a correspondence in the Bristol
Examiner between Rev. >C. G. Young and Mr. Estlin, and
afterwards to some letters from ]\Ir. R. D. Webb of Dublin and
Mr. Lewis Tappan of New York, which greatly aided us in
forming an estimate of the comparative merits of the two
anti-slavery societies in America. While this controversy
was going on, a letter was addressed by Rev. C. G. Young to
the secretary of the Ladies' Anti-slavery Society at Bristol,
" That he finds from various authentic sources that there
is a total misapprehension existing in many minds respecting
the character and influence of the American and Foreign
Anti-slavery Society ;" adding, " I have had letters from the
secretary of the American and Foreign Society, and from
Messrs. Scoble and Sturge, which show, I think conclusively,
that a great deal of misconception prevails at Bristol on the
abolition movement in the United States. You seem in Bristol
to hear only one side of the question ; the result, no doubt, in
great measure, of Mt. Scoble's, or rather the Committee's
silence, for he says that he cannot act witliout their sanction,
else he would have answered Mr. Estlin. On system, the new
society employ only Christian means and instrumentalities;
they seek to attain their object more effectually by acting,
rather than violent denunciation."
Mr. Young proceeds to give some quotations, the first of
which, from Mr. Lewis Tappan, he afterwards published in the
Bristol Examiner, and circulated in slips. It contains a con-
tradiction of Mr. Estlin's account of the causes of the secession
of the American and Foreign Anti-slavery Society, and gives a
version similar to that in the Massachusetts Abolition Society's
Report, with which we had long been familiar. It also describes
various missionary operations, which some of the members of
the American and Foreign Anti-slavery Society aid in promo-
ting, and enumerates various anti-slavery agencies in America
with which that society sympathises.
28 Report of the Bristol and Clifton
The second extract was from a letter of Mr. Scoble's. Of
tlie American and Foreign Anti-slavery Society, lie states
that :—
** Its executive committee is composed of some of the
best men of the United States ; and although it is not so noisy
as its co-temporary, it has vastly more influence, and is doing
more good. The Liberty Party sprang from it, and the Free-
soil Party from the Liberty Party. There are not half-a-dozen
anti-slavery papers, the Liberator and the Anti-slavery Standard
included, which sympathise with the American Anti- slavery
Society, whereas there are forty or fifty which advocate the
views of the American and Foreign Anti-slavery Society.
The great body of the abolitionists of the United States will
have nothing to do with ]Mr. Garrison ; and I firmly believe
that if his partisans were polled, they would count not by
thousands but only by hundreds ; and that but for the sup-
port derived from this country, the society which he leads
would be greatly embarrassed for means to carry on its opera-
tions."
Mr. Young next gives some information derived from Mrs.
H. Richardson, of Newcastle: —
" That though the American and Foreign Anti-slavery
Society, have not auxiliaries strictly so called, (not em-
ploying a paid agency, of which they seem to disapprove
in most cases,) their constituents in all the large cities
are formed into Vigilance Committees, for the express pur-
pose of helping and forwarding fugitives. The old society
do not identify themselves with such committees, nor do they
at all encourage the Free-labor movement, which the new
society considers of vital importance ; in both cases, it would
seem that the constituents of the old society defer too much to
the views of Mr. Garrison. The radical difference between the
two societies is, that the new one practises moral and political
means for the overthrow of slavery, and disapproves of being
implicated in the views of Mr. Garrison, to whom they con-
sider far too much homage is paid."
The fourth quotation was from Mr. Joseph Sturge, who
considers that : —
" The British and Foreign Anti-slavery Society is right,
Ladies Anti-slavery Society. 29
(under all the circumstances of tlie case, and with a due regard
to the welfare of the cause,) in making no reference to the pro-
ceedings of the American Anti-slavery Society one way or
another, considering the course pursued by their representa-
tives ; and adds, ' Some of the committee of the British and
Foreign Society think, that the fugitive slaves who obtained
notoriety in this country do not at all stand in need of our
help, while the multitudes who are nnknown do. It is also
doubtful to me, whether any public movement here will help
the cause in the United States, unless it embraces the disuse of
slave-grown produce.' " Mr. Young adds, " As far as I can
learn, the most effectual means for us in this country, to aid
in the abolition of slavery, is by supporting our own society ;
and as to special objects, none seems more deserving than the
settlement near Canada for fugitive slaves. Mr. Henson is, I
am assured by Mr. Binney and Mr. Scoble, sustained by the
best testimonials and credentials ; and is supported by a com-
mittee of Christian gentlemen of the very first standing, and
any money for the Canadian refugees may therefore be confi-
dently entrusted to his care.
"Please to lay these statements before the Ladies' Com-
mittee."
FURTHER INQUIRIES, AND THE CONCLUSIONS THEY LED TO.
"VVe were somewhat at a loss to discover the purport of this
communication. Having until the last four months heard
almost exclusively the same " side" as that now presented,
there were not many points which had escaped our scrutiny.
We, however, took fresh measures for enlarging our stock of
information ; entered into correspondence with leading mem-
bers of the American Society ; made minute enquiries from a
lecturer, formerly an agent for the New York Vigilance Com-
mittee, who came to Bristol at this time ; also from a member
of the Liberty party; and from these, all whose testimony coin-
cided, and other sources, we collected the following facts : —
That, with the exception of the New York Vigilance Com-
mittee, which is almost synonymous with the American and
Foreign Anti-slavery Society, no vigilance committees are in
connexion with this society ; but that those existing " in
various large cities" are to a great extent composed of and
so Report of the Bristol and Clifton
sustained by tlie members of the American x\nti-slavery
Society.
That a large proportion of tlie members of this society also
encourage the free-labor movement, and endeavour to abstain
from slave produce; and that the subject is frequently dis-
cussed in the society's weekly organ.
That the religious opinions of Mr. Garrison, never having
been introduced upon the anti-slavery platform, can in no
respect compromise the independence of any who act with
him. That his influence is such as extensive experience and
unwavering fidelity naturally command ; and that the fact of
his being the founder of the Anti-slavery Society, and having
ever since kept foremost in the right course, leaves other true
abolitionists no alternative but to follow him ; that to do other-
wise would be to desert the cause ; and that these constituted
the inevitable " homage" rendered by his fellow-workers.
That the American Anti-slavery Society numbers about
ten thousand adherents, and that the half-dozen newspapers
spoken of as " sympathizing with the American Society," are
anti-slavery papers, supported by members and friends of that
society and its auxiliaries.
That the forty or fifty papers described as " advocating the
views of the American and Foreign Anti-slavery Society,"
are the organs of various religious and political parties, which
more or less contribute to the support of slavery; thus
clearly demonstrating that a society whose " views" coincided
with, and were promulgated by these parties, could not be
regarded as a formidable opponent of the " peculiar institu-
tion."
That this society, (which at its origin bitterly opposed and
tried to injure the society from which it seceded,) had not for
many years been known to " act" in an associated capacity;
and that nearly all the parties who were instrumental in its
formation had abandoned the cause, so that their names were no
longer heard of but as connected with some commercial or
professional pursuit. For example, that two were now Whig
custom-house officers ; one was a spirit-merchant in San Fran-
Ladies Anti-slavery Society. 31
CISCO ; another tlie sub-editor of a religious newspaper ; anotlier
an exhibitor of ghosts and a professing infidel, &c. Another,
Mr. H. B. Stanton, (one of the agents who, in 1840, came
to England, alienated sympathy from the American Anti-
slavery Society, and aspersed the character of its President,)
was now a pro-slavery member of the New York legislature,
and had voted to have anti-slavery petitions laid on the table ;
and that Mr. J. G. Birney, the other delegate, has for ten
years retired from any active participation in the anti-slavery
warfare.
That the Emancipator paper, which had at first been used by
the American and Foreign Anti-slavery Society as its organ,
has been for many years extinct ; and that the society has now
neither agents nor periodicals, but that its sole management
devolves on Mr. Lewis Tappan, who has in addition an exten-
sive private business to attend to.
ANTI-SLAVERY MEETING, ADDRESSED BY MR. GEORGE THOMPSON
AND REV. EDWARD MATHEWS.
Early in September, a large anti-slavery meeting was held in
Bristol, at which the Rev. Edward Mathews gave a descrip-
tion of the cruel treatment he had suffered in Kentucky on
account of his abolition principles. He dwelt forcibly on the
vast importance of ecclesiastical action for the overthrow of
slavery ; and a resolution was passed, approving of the position
taken by Mr. Mathews, " that the Church which receives
slaveholders to her communion, and excludes men for other
sins, is not the Church of Christ." [See Appendix, No. 5.]
At the same meeting Mr. George Thompson gave some
details of his recent anti-slavery tour in the United States. He
bore testimony to the activity, extensive machinery and influ-
ence of the American Anti-slavery Society ; and reiterated an
assertion which had frequently appeared in public papers
during the preceding six months.
*' Mr. Thompson declared that the ' American and Fo-
reign Anti-slavery Society, was a name, and no more ; not
performing the functions of a living, vital association, or
employing any efficient instrumentalities : he maintained that
32 Report of the Bristol arid Clifton
tlie attempt of the Britisli and Foreign Anti-slavery Society
to enlist the confidence and support of the British public
for this nominal society, by terming it ' one of the most effi-
cient instrumentalities for the abolition of slavery,' was a
fraud; and that serious injury was thus inflicted on the cause,
by mis-directing the attention of the abolitionists of this
country from a society founded in 1833, and ever since dis-
tinguished for the purity of its principles, its stern fidelity to
its original declarations, its vital and untiring energy, and its
marvellous success in renovating the public sentiment of a
country which, before its existence, Avas wholly indifferent to
the claims of the enslaved population."
A ncAvspaper controversy followed this meeting, which gave
additional clearness to the points under discussion.
VISIT OF MRS. M. W. CHAPMAN AND MISS WESTON, AND ITS
INFLUENCE ON THE VIEWS OF THIS SOCIETY.
During the months of September and October, our commit-
tee had the advantage of much personal intercourse with Mrs.
M. W. Chapman and Miss Weston of Boston, who have been
identified with the anti-slavery movement almost from its
commencement. We made minute and repeated enquiries of
these ladies, respecting every point on which we Avere anxious to
be more thoroughly informed ; and memoranda liaA^e been kept
of their statements concerning the past and present prospects
of the cause, and of the relation which different parties, reli-
gious and political, as well as individuals and societies hold
towards it. We have become at length fully satisfied that the
platform of the American Anti-slaA^ery Society is sacredly
guarded from the introduction of extraneous subjects; and
that the accusation of mingling these with its anti-slavery
advocacy is unsubstantiated, and proceeds either from open
enemies to the cause, or from men who have deserted its ranks
from inability to bear the true anti-slavery cross.
The conviction has been left upon our minds, by this study
of the divisions in the anti-slavery ranks, that if, at the world's
convention in 1840, the backsliders had obtained no sanction
for their retrograde course, but had been remonstrated with
Ladies' Anti-slavery Society. 33
for their want of fidelity to tlie cause ; and if tlie representa-
tives of Britisli abolition liad from that hour to the present
tendered a cordial and impartial sympathy to every American
who made the slave's cause his own ; orthodox believers would
never have suffered themselves to be outnumbered by mem-
bers of so-called " liberal" sects, in a society consecrated to
the deliverance of the captive ; still less would they hope to
justify their own short-comings in the eyes of their Enfylisli
brethren, by the admission that " unbelievers" were foremost
in fulfilling the Saviour's precepts.
All who have given close attention to this melancholy por-
tion of anti-slavery history, must, we think, feel the applica-
bility to Great Britain as well as to America, of the words in
which the report of the Boston Anti-slavery Bazaar for 1849
concludes : —
*' Looking back to the commencement of the anti-slavery
enterprize, is it too much to say, that if all who had ever
' named its name' were now labouring for its success with the
zeal which attended their ' first works,' the hour of the final
extinction of American slavery would be ' even at the door ?'
Recal the names of all who were ever the avowed advocates
of the slave. We speak not now of those
' Hallowed and guarded from all change by death.'
Their works do follow them ; but recal the names of those
who have excused themselves from this service, and gone to
their farms and their merchandize ; and say, if that eloquence
and labour and fidelity and self-devotion that once wrought
such miracles, had been continued to the present time, what
had now been the slave's condition ? Who can say that it
might not now have been that of the freeman ?
" We do not assume to judge in cases of individual duty.
Those wlio were once so zealous in this behalf, so earnest in
stirring up the minds of others, and now, as far as all active
labours go, so unconcerned and indifferent, are responsible not
to us, but to their own consciences. The slave's condition is
the same as when they first felt it so deeply. They can best
judge why their action has ceased.
" But we do know the general truth, corroborated alike by
the voice of inspiration and the testimony of mankind, that
34 Report of the Bristol and Clifton
fidelity, firmness, perseverance, are essential requisites to the
success of any cause, to the perfection of any character.
'"No man having put his hand to the plough, and looking
back, is fit for the kingdom of God.'
" ' If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in
him.'
" Calling to mind these and similar admonitions, may every
abolitionist go joyfully forward in the arduous path on which
he has entered, thankfully remembering that his responsibility
is confined to the emotions of a single heart, the action of a
single hand, and that the mighty question of success or defeat
is reserved to a higher decision."
The following expression of sentiment was unanimously
adopted by our society, at a meeting held October 2nd, 1851 : —
'• We embrace the earliest occasion of our assembling to-
gether, after the departure of Mrs. Chapman and the
Misses Weston from Bristol, to express the high gratification
we have derived from forming their personal acquaintance,
and our deep sense of obligation to them for the valuable in-
formation they have imparted to us respecting the history and
progress of the abolition movement in the United States, the
difiiculties with which those engaged in it have to contend,
the course pursued by its prominent advocates, and the prin-
ciples, aims, and spirit in which their sacred enterprise is con-
ducted. We desire to convey to Mrs. Chapman and her sis-
ters the assurance, that the intercourse it has been our privilege
to hold with them has greatly strengthened the confidence,
affection and respect with which we regard themselves and
their devoted fellow-labourers ; that, instructed by their words
and animated by their example, we trust, with the Divine
blessing, to dedicate ourselves with fresh zeal to the great
conflict for freedom ; and we hereby renew our oftering of
sympathy and co-operation with the American Anti-slavery
Society, in their holy work of rescuing their country from
the blighting influences which slaveiy now casts over all its
political, social, and religious institutions."*
* We must talce this occasion to contradict a statement contained in a recent pam-
phlet by ]Mr. Lewis Tappan of New York. He says, (p. 8.) " A letter from a friend
near Bristol informs me, also, that Mrs. Chapman has published the most reckless
charj^es against the American and Foreign Anti-slavery Society, and me in particu-
lar, as being impUcated ' in gross pecuniary fraud and dishonesty' as well as treacliery
to the anti-slavery cause." This is the first intimation of anything havhig been
published by Mrs. Cliapman during her visit to England ; we know that nothing of the
kind has appeared in this neighbourhood.
Ladies' Anti-slavery Society. 35
SECESSION FROM THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN ANTI-SLAYERY
SOCIETY.
In consequence of tlie unusual opportunities we liad enjoyed
for learning the actual position of tlie cause in the United
States ; and for discovering tlie extent to wliicli it was suffer-
ing from tliat system of misrepresentation and concealment
wliicli had for many years deprived us of channels throngh
which to exert our anti-slavery energies ; we were led to feel
the responsibility devolving on us, of rendering our past ex-
perience and present light instrumental in freeing other
auxiliaries of the British and Foreign Anti-slavery Society
from its paralysing influence. The Morning Advertiser had
been, for several months, drawing public attention to the ob-
structive and misleading course of this Society ; and after care-
fully comparing and verifying the several charges brought
against it by that paper, we decided on dissolving our connec-
tion with the parent society, and making such a statement of
the grounds of our separation, as might save other associations
from being any longer misled, or from languishing as we had
done for lack of information and employment.
Accordingl}^, on November 13, 1851, the following pream-
ble and resolution, which had been discussed at several pre-
vious meetings, were adopted : —
" The members of the Bristol and Clifton Ladies' Anti"
slavery Society have observed with deep concern that tlie
British and Foreign Anti-slavery Society has taken no steps to
redeem itself from the following grave charges which have
been brought against it in the London Morning Advertiser^
the Binstol Examiner^ and various other papers both English
and American, as well as at several public meetings : —
"First — That the general course of the British and Foreign
Anti- slavery Society has been one of unfaithfulness to the in-
terests of three millions of slaves in the United States of Anie-
[The papers referred to in this document were all printed in 1851, unless when
expressly noted to the contrary.]
(1). S:QQ"Lo\\(!iQn Morning Advertiser, July 19, 21, 22,25,28,31; Aui^ist I,
6, 16, 26, 27 ; Sept. 22; Oct. 7, 23, 24; Nov. b— Bristol Examiner y April 12;
36 Report of the Bristol and Clifton
" Second — That it omitted to take any action in anticipation
of tlie visits of American pro-slaveiy clergymen to England,
until it was compelled to follow tlie current of popular feeling,
wliicli had been created during the previous three months by
other less influential associations ;^ and
" Third — That it subsequently claimed to have originated
the anti-slavery measures taken in this direction by different
religious bodies, though many had been adopted before it put
forth any recommendation of them.^
" Fourth — That, although thoroughly aware of the real cha-
racter and merely nominal existence of the American and Fo-
reign Anti-slavery Society, it has persisted in demanding for
that society exclusively the support of British abolitionists.'*
*' Fifth — That it has studiously concealed from the public
the unceasing exertions and great achievements of the Ame-
rican Anti-slavery Society, excluding from the Reporter all
notice of its proceedings, and declining to insert, even as ad-
vertisements, any resolutions of sympathy with its labours, or
any appeals for aid to its annual bazaar.^
" Sixth — That it has taken no notice in the British and Fo-
reign Anti-slavery Reporter of the most remarkable series of
anti-slavery meetings ever held in the United States, at which
George Thompson, Esq., M. P. recently addressed vast num-
bers of the American people, with singular eloquence, faith-
fulness, and success.^
*' Seventh — That it has assiduously kept back from the
readers of tlie Reporter accounts of interesting and important
public meetings, held in different parts of the kingdom, to
welcome those able and distinguished representatives of their
brethren in bonds, William Wells Brown and William and
May 10; Aug. 23, 30; Sept. 6, 27; Oct. 12, 19 — Bristol Mercury, April 7,
1850; Apnll2. — Also reprints of these articles in the Boston Liberator and the
Kew y&rk Anti-slavery Standard.
(2). See London Morning Advertiser, July 19 to Aug. 16, and Sept. 22 — Bristol
Examiner, April 12 ; Aug. 30 Bristol Mercury, April 12.
(3). See London Morning Advertiser, July 31 ; Aug. I ; Sept. 22 — Bristol
Examiner, Aug. 30.
(4). See London Morning Advertiser, Sept. 22 ; Oct. 7 ; Nov. 5 — Bristol Ex-
aminer, Aug. 23, 30; Sept. 6, 27 ; Oct. 5, 19 — Speech of Geo. Thompson, Esq.,
at the Hall of Commerce, London, Aug. 1, and at other meetings in the metropolis,
reported in the London daily papers, and re-printed in the Boston Liberator and the
New York Anti-slavery Standard.
(5). See London Morning Advertiser, Oct. 7, 23 ; Nov. 5 — Bristol Examiner,
April 12 ; Aug. 23, 30 ; Sept. 6, 27 ; Oct. 5, 19. — Mr. Thompson's speeches above
referred to, and reprints in the Boston Liberator and the New York Anti-slavery
Standard.
(6). See Mr Thompson's speeches above referred to, and reprints in the Boston
Liberator and the New York Anti-slavery Standard.
Ladies Anti-slaveri/ Society. 37
Ellen Craft ; and has neglected and discouraged fugitive slaves,
bearing higli testimonials from leading members of the Ameri-
can Anti-slavery Society, while commending to the sympathy
of the British public such as are patronized by the American
and Foreign Anti-slavery Society.''
" Eighth. — That for the last eleven years some of its more
active members, without rebuke from the society, have indus-
triously circulated sinister reports, prejudicial to the character
and influence of some of the most virtuous, hig1i-minded and
intrepid American abolitionists, while the Reporter has been
closed to all statements calculated to remove such misappre-
hensions ; thus evincing a want of candour and magnanimity
utterly unbecoming the professed friends of the slave.
" Wherefore, perceiving that the influence exerted by the
British and Foreign Anti-slavery Society has tended to repress
energetic action, and withdraw English sympathy and aid from
the true abolitionists of America; and that, by multiplying
the obstacles with which these devoted friends of freedom
have to contend, it has grievously retarded the progress of
the anti-slavery cause throughout the world, — the members of
the Bristol and Clifton Ladies' Anti-slavery Society
feel that this body has forfeited the confidence formerly
reposed in it, and that their duty to the slave requires them to
dissolve their connection with it.
*' And it is hereby resolved,
" That this society be no longer considered as an auxiliary
to the British and Foreign Anti-slavery Society, but that it
constitute an independent anti-slavery organization, to be
governed by such regulations as shall hereafter be determined
upon.
" It is further resolved,
" That the members of this society consider it incumbent
(7). See London Morning Advertiser, February 19 ; July, 28 ; Septem. 22
Bristol Examiner, April 12 ; May 10; Aug; 30. — Mr. Thompson's speeches above
referred to — New York Anti-slavery Standard, Sept.ll. — Boston Liberator, Sept. 5.
(8). See London Morning Advertiser, June 30; August 1, 26; Sept. 22
Bristol Examiner, April 12 ; Aug. 23, 30 ; Oct. 5, 19 Boston Liberator, Aug. 1.
—New York Anti-slavery Standard, Aug. 7 Collins's " Eight and W>ong among
the Abolitionists of the United States," Glasg. 1841 Glasgow Female Anti-slavery
Society's Appeal for 1841 — Speech of George Thompson, Esq., at the Annual Meet-
ing of the Glasgow Emancipation Society, Aug. 2, 1841 " Massachusetts Anti.
slavery Society's Annual Reports for 1840 and 1846."
38 Report of the Bristol and Clifton
upon them, to direct tlie attention of all otlier affiliated asso-
ciations to the grounds of their separation from the parent
society ; and that a copy of the above resolutions, and of the
printed documents on the subject already in circulation, be sent
to the secretary of each auxiliary."*
This document was sent in manuscript to the Committee of
the " British and Foreign Anti-slavery Society," with a note
from our Secretary. After an interval of five weeks, no
answer being received, it was printed and forwarded to the
secretaries of each auxiliary, accompanied by copies of the
newspaper articles referred to. The following suggestion was
also enclosed: —
" The Committee of the Bristol and Clifton Ladies' Anti-
slavery Society cannot doubt that numerous friends of the
cause, in various parts of Great Britain, must feel with them
the want of a thoroughly impartial anti-slavery paper — one
which, instead of suppressing, as the Reporter has uniformly
done, many of the most important abolition movements of
America, should faithfully record all truly anti-slavery opera-
tions, by whatever parties conducted.
" They earnestly hope that the serious attention of all whose
hearts are deeply touched by the wrongs of the slave — and
especially of those whose experience or pecuniary ability
enables them to assist in the work — may be given to the means
of carrying out this important object."
Every fresh branch of an ti -slavery work in which we have
subsequently engaged has increased our sense of the need of
such an organ, to facilitate united efforts, to communicate in-
formation, and to correct erroneous statements. It was not,
* Repeated efforts to ascertain the names of the auxiliaries having failed, our
only guide has heen the subscription list to the British and Foreign Anti-slavery
Society, in the Report for 1 849- Fifty-eight of these associations appear on the list
of that year, and to all of them our circular was forwarded. In a Report for 1851,
which has subsequently reached us, we find the names of only fourteen associations con-
tributing to the funds of the Parent Society, This diminution, together with the
absence of acknowledgment to either of our circulars, by a majority of the auxili-
aries, leads us to infer that they must have ceased to exist, or have become virtually
extinct, lilce the Branch Society in Bristol, to which allusion has been made.
Ladies Anti-slaver ij Society. 39
tlierefore, without surprise tliat we observed in the Report of the
British and Foreign Anti-slavery Society for 1851 , after urging
its readers to obtain new subscribers for the Anti-slavery Re-
porter, an assurance '• that by so doing they would aid in dif-
fusing information on every branch of tbe anti-slavery cause."
THE LONDON " MORNING ADVERTISER."
A vote of thanks, unanimously adopted by a committee on
March 4th, 1852, to the editor of the Morning Advertiser,
without whose powerftd aid our efforts to bring truth to light
would have proved fruitless, may be appropriately introduced
here : —
" Deeply sensible of the benefit conferred upon the anti-
slavery cause during the last year, by the earnest, impartial,
and intelligent advocacy of the Morning Advertiser, we desire
to tender our respectful and grateful thanks to the editor of
that paper. In acknowledging the services of the Morning
Advertiser, we would especially refer to its fearless, unequivo-
cating enunciation of the great principle on which the Anti-
slavery movement is grounded : ' That slavery is a sin, and
slaveholders are sinners ;' to its forcible demonstrations of the
support given to the system by the churches of America ; to
its exposure and rebuke of the British and Foreign Anti-
slavery^ Society, not only for tlieir cold, lifeless, inefficient
course in respect to slavery in the United States, but for their
concealment ^ from the British public of important facts and
instrumentalities that are imparting vast significance to the
abolition movement. These valuable services, together with
the liberality and justice evinced by the Morning Advei^tiser,
in continuing to open its columns to the claims of anti-slavery
agents and organisations, which can find no recognition in the
Anti-slavery Reporter,* we regard as constituting a new era
in the history and progress of the cause in England, and sup-
plying a want long and painfully felt by abolitionists in this
country and in America.
" Signed on behalf of the committee,
'* Anne Tribe, President:'
— — — - _ .
* At this time Rev. Edward Matliews was indebted to the Advertiser for the only
means of making known to the British public the existence and operations of the
" Free Mission Baptist Society." For a notice of this society, see Appendix,
d2
40 Rej^ort of the Bristol and Clifton
This resolution appeared in tlie Advertiser of March 8th,
1852, accompanied by some very encouraging as well as com-
plimentary remarks. It was also courteously acknowledged
in a letter to the President of our society, from the editor of
the Advertiser ; conveying an assurance that so long as he was
continued in his present post of influence, he should not cease
to exert it for the overthrow of American slavery.
At the first committee meeting held after the separation of
the society (Feb. 19th, 1852) the rules were revised, and it
was resolved " that the original constitution of the society
be retained, with the exception of the clauses relating to the
British and Foreign Anti-slavery Society."
MODIFICATIOX OF THE RULES OF THE SOCIETY.
The want of a clearer definition of the aims and modes of
action contemplated by the society was generally felt ; and
recalling the words of the late ^Ir. Abdy, " Let us root out
slavery in the United States, and it will not long poison the
atmosphere of Brazil ;" and peculiarly impressed with the con-
viction that our close religious fellowship, in addition to our
ties of ancestry, literature, and commerce, makes England
morally responsible for the exertion of every righteous influ-
ence which can be brought to bear against American slavery,
the following rule was unanimously adopted : —
" That the efiTorts of this society shall be principally direct-
ed to aiding the cause of emancipation in America.
" For this purpose, it shall endeavour to difl'use correct in-
formation through the medium of publications, meetings, &c.
respecting slavery in the United States, and the abolition
movement ; to promote anti-slavery action among the religious
bodies both of" Great Britain and America; to procure contri-
butions for the Boston Bazaar, and and other strictly anti-
slavery instrumentalities ; and by whatever additional methods
circumstances may point out, to help forward the labours of
all faithful, uncompromising abolitionists."
Ladies Anti-slavery Society. 41
BOSTON ANTI-SLAVERY BAZAAR.
The agreement entered into at tlie commencement of the
year to contribute to the Boston bazaar was not overlooked ;
but we were thankful to find that the interest already existing in
Bristol in that object was so extensive, and the machinery for
carrying it into effect so perfect, that nothing more remained
for us to do, than to increase by our individual efforts the
stock of elegant and useful articles forwarded to Boston in
o
September, by Mrs. Herbert Thomas.
The collection was thus described in the Bristol Examiner
and Mercury : —
"Boston Anti-Slavery Bazaar.— The annual exhibi-
tion of contributions about to be forwarded from Bristol to
this bazaar, took j^lace at the dwelling house of Mr. Herbert
Thomas, Great George-street, on Tuesday and Wednesday
last. The articles were numerous, varied, and some costly ;
they evinced that rich and poor had united together in this
work of benevolence. The water-coloured paintings, Honiton
lace, and carved leather work were particularly admired.
One table covered with elegant specimens of basket work, so
exquisitely finished as to secure high prices, attracted special
attention. These were the gifts of the pupils of the Blind
Asylum, made by them during the hours of relaxation from
their daily duties, and with materials purchased at their own
cost. Labours of love from many a sick bed adorned the
tables, in token of sympathy with the suffering slave. Charity
schools proffered their mites ; and even the poor children ot
the Ragged-school in St. James's-back, presented the fruits ot
their manual labour, in a neatly made patch- woi'k table-cover,
knit stockings, pen-wipers, and several kinds of fancy work.
Apprehensions had been entertained that the recent re-pro-
duction in this town of certain arguments for not helping the
Boston Bazaar, which were issued a year and a half ago by
some ladies in Glasgow, (the injustice of which has been long
since fully exposed), might operate unfavourably on the
present collection. The fears were, however, groundless ; for
on no former occasion has there been one more valuable, more
tasteful, or mo^ saleable. And the warning which may have
deterred some from affording their accustomed aid to this im-
portant object, has induced others to investigate its claims ;
42 Report of the Bristol and Clifton
and tlie result has "been so great an accession of zealous sup-
porters, as to convince all who are now engaged in procuring
these annual testimonies of Bristol sympatliy, that after a
short time no real friend of the slave wall try to discourage
any from thus adding to the resources of the American Anti-
slavery Society ; that the more its merits are canvassed, the
more highly will the disinterested labours of the abolitionists
be appreciated, and the more entitled they will appear to the
confidence and co-operation of the British public. The col-
lection was inspected by a large number of visitors.
In the National Anti-slavery Bazaar Gazette^ dated "Boston,
January 17th, 1852," the Bristol donations are thus noticed: —
" Of the taste and beauty of the collection from Bristol we
cannot speak too highly. The Honiton lace w^as as usual
greatly admired, and extensively purchased. Of the exqui-
site basket-work, though marked at high prices, scarcely an
article remained imsold. Its intrinsic beauty commands for
it a ready sale, apart from the touching fact that it is the
donation of the pupils of the Blind Asylum, the materials
purchased by their own pocket-money, and wrought in hours
unappropriated to their regular pursuits. Deprived of the
light of day, they yet have that ' light that lighteth every
man that cometh into the world,' and in its radiance can
behold the American slave, not as revealed to the ' wise and
prudent' of his own country as a ' chattel personal,' but as
a man and a brother."
THE INFLUENCES HOSTILE TO ANTI-SLAYERY ACTION.
From the time of our entrance upon an independent anti-
slavery course, we have found no cesssation to the demands
for vigorous action; and while gratefully acknowledging the
large accession to our subscribers and our members, we are
painfully conscious of tlie insufficiency of our means, our num-
ber, and our talents, for the work devolving upon us.
The apologists for slavery are assiduously endeavouring to
mislead the British public. American clergymen, overtly or
tacitly supporting the system, studiously conceal the extent to
which they, or the religious bodies they repr<Sent, are impli-
cated in its continuance. Meanwhile, they are taking advan-
Ladies' Anti- slavery Society. 43
tage of sucli organisations as tlie Evangelical Alliance, the
Missionary, Bible, and Simclay-scliool Unions, to cement the
ties which bind them to British Christians ; and are thus secur-
ing an amount of sanction which, were their pro-slavery rela-
tions fully comprehended, would be withheld. The religious
press of this country is enlisted on their side ; it passes over
without notice Christian sects in America, who have conscien-
tiously withdrawn from communion with slaveholders, but
welcomes and eulogises delegates from slaveholding organiza-
tions. It excludes authentic versions of the proceedings of
the uncompromising abolitionists of the United States; but
gives circulation to the charges of their enemies, who usually
call them " infidels," to divert attention from the anomalous
position of men claiming to be ministers of Him who came to
preach deliverance to the captive," refusing to " open their
mouths for the dumb." The Anti-slavery Reporter rarely
warns its readers of the real character of these American
religionists, and keeps out of view the unceasing labours of
the abolitionists to reform and enlighten their countrymen.
CONSEQUENT LABOURS OF THE SOCIETY.
On finding that great misconception prevails, and much evil
is resultinor from this combination of hostile influences, we
made it our chief concern to lay before different religious
societies in Ensfland, the actual connection of each denomina-
tion in the United States with slavery, together with an ac-
count of the secessions to which it has given rise.
Understanding that the Rev. Edward Mathews, an agent of
the Free Mission Baptist Society, had been lecturing with
much effect on this important subject in various dissenting
chapels in the vicinity of Oxford and Banbury, we endea-
voured to obtain permission for him to deliver similar ad-
dresses in some of the Baptist and Independent chapels in
this city. All our applications having, however, proved un-
successful, we hired the Counterslip British School-rooms for
this purpose; and, on March 12th, a very instructive and
impressive lecture was delivered by Mr. Mathews to a large
44 Report of the Briatol and Clifton
audience. Tlie lecture was well reported in tlie Bristol
Gazette^ and upwards of one hundred copies of it were put
into circulation. At our request, Mr. Matliews prepared for
publication a letter embodying the substance of this lecture.
This statement has been forwarded to upwards of 400 minis-
ters and associations, (chiefly among the Independents and
Baptists), together with an appeal for some expression of
sympathy with fellow believers in the United States, who are
striving to purify the church of Christ from slavery, and who
have been constrained by love for their religion to withdraw
from organizations contaminated by its influences. In this
appeal we endeavoured to point out that, if the title of
"infidel" be applicable to some of the slave''s most devoted
friends, it reveals the mournful fact that evangelical Christians
have left to unbelievers the work of Him whose mission was
to " undo the heavy burden, that the oppressed may go free.'*
We insert one gratifying proof that these eflbrts have not
been thrown away : —
"American Slavery. — At the annual meeting of the
ministers and delegates belonging to and forming the South
Devon Congregational Union, held at Plymouth, on Thursday,
April the 22nd, 1852, the secretary presented a communica-
tion from the Bristol and Clifton Ladies' Anti-slavery Society,
after the reading of which, the subjoined resolutions were
imanimously passed.
" 1st. That this Union, considering the enormous evils con-
nected with the system of American slavery, and the extent
to which that system is upheld by many Christian churches,
feels calls upon to mark its special indignation at the outrage
thus practised on the rights of human nature, and the senti-
ments of our common Christianity ; and it hereby repudiates
all kind of fraternity with such ecclesiastical communities,
until they shall have cleared themselves from the guilt herein
denounced, and so far redeemed the character which must
appertain to all christian churches worthy of the name of
Him who came to ' unbind every yoke, and to bid the
oppressed go free.'
" 2nd. That the foregoing resolution be advertised in the
Patriot, British Banner, and Nonconformist newspapers; that
a copy be sent by the secretary to the Bristol and Clifton
Ladies Anti-slavery Society. 45
Ladies' Anti-slavery Society, and also to tlie Anti-slavery
Society of London, with a request tliat they will ensure its
transmission to America, and its circulation in the United
States."
(Signed) " JOHN Pyer, Secretary.
'• Devonport, April 26tb, 1852."
These resolutions were accompanied by a letter to our secre-
tary, which we have obtained permission to insert in our
report: —
" Devonport, April 26th, 1852.
*' Dear Madam,
It gave me pleasure to comply with your request,
and to present the papers you transmitted to me to the notice
of the South Devon Congregational Union. In consequence,
the enclosed resolutions have passed, which I am instructed
to confide to your care ; and shall be glad to learn that in
addition to the publicity we have determined to give them
in the columns of the Patriot^ British Banner, and Noncon-
forrnist newspapers, they will find their way across the
Atlantic, and be circulated in the States, and among the
guilty parties. Alas ! that the Christian name and the minis-
terial cliaracter should be so damaged and disgraced, as it is by
men who, while professing discipleship with our holy and com-
passionate Kedeemer, nevertheless uphold and defend a sys-
tem of cruelty and wrong which, as it appears to me, has no
parallel in the universe of God ! Praying that the abomina-
tion may be brought to a speedy end, and desiring for you
and your zealous coadjutors the utmost success in your
arduous and self-denying labors,
"I am, dear madam,
" Yours respectfully,
"John Pyer.
"Mrs. F.N. Tribe."
A similar response was made by the Bristol and Gloucester-
shire Congregational Union ; where the Eev. J. Burder once
more brought forward an earnest resolution of regret and
remonstrance, at the support given to American slavery by
ministers of religion. It was placed by Mr. Burder at the
disposal of our Committee, and has been forwarded by us to
46 Report of the Bristol and Clifton
America, after having been inserted in the Patriot and other
papers.
The Congregational Union, at their Annual Meeting, re-
affirmed their decisive anti-slavery testimony of the preced-
ing year.
No allusion appears to have been made to the subject in the
London Baptist Union, to the various officers of which our
appeal and circulars were forwarded; and we learn that an
application of the Kev. Edward Mathews, for permission to
make known to the Union the principles and operations of the
Free Mission Baptist Society, was declined by the Committee.
This society, represented by Mr. Mathews, is the only branch
of the Baptist denomination in America, that has published
and acted upon the anti-slavery exhortations addressed by the
London Baptist Union to their transatlantic brethren. (See
Appendix, No. 3, p. 6L)
Important anti-slavery resolutions have emanated from the
SuffiDlk and Norfolk, the Kent and Sussex, and the Western
Baptist Unions, at their recent meetings.
A controversy that has lately arisen respecting the admis-
sion of Eev. Dr. Dyer of Philadelphia, to the platform of
the Sunday School Mission, is one of great significance ; and
calculated, we believe, to exert a most salutary iniluence on
the anti-slavery cause. It is the first time in which the pro-
priety of admitting to our Unions, delegates from slavery-
supporting religious organizations, has been disputed, and it
has elicited much important information respecting the pro-
slavery character of the American Sunday School Union.
We are glad to perceive that the Statistical Letter of Mr.
Mathews, already described, has been turned to good account
in the course of this discussion. We have laid the subject
before the Bristol branch of the Sunday School Union, in-
viting their consideration of the duty of appealing to the
Parent Sunday School Union, to dissolve fellowship with
the American Sunday School Union until it had cleared
itself of all participation in tlie sin of slavery. We trust the
suggestion may be acted upon in other places. There can be
Ladies Anti-slavery Society. 47
little doubt that were all our religious societies entirely to
withdraw their support from similar bodies in America, as long
as they continue implicated in slavery, a vast impetus would
be ffiven to the abolition movement.
In the hope of neutralizing to some extent the injury
inflicted on the cause, by repeated attempts to screen the
supineness of ministers of the gospel, by accusing abolitionists
of " infidelity," we have compiled a set of counter-statements
to certain calumnies recently circulated in the British Ba7iner,
showing the untrustworthy and pro-slavery sources from which
these accusations are derived.*
* The vigilance of friends of the cause is still greatly needed, to give prompt con-
tradiction to misstatements which are continually finding their way into print. For
example, the Glasgow Examiner, of April 24th, contains a letter from Professor
Mahan of Cleveland, Ohio, in which he speaks of Mr. H. C. Wright as a *' public
agent and lecturer" for the American Anti-slavery Society; whereas it is fifteen years
since that gentleman has held any office in connection with the Society.
In order to bring the American Anti-slavery Society into disrepute. Professor
Mahan gives, as a specimen of the lectures of its agents, an absurd story of the cate-
chizing and baptizing of some dogs at a public meeting ; adding, " What shall we
think of a society which employs men, knowing them to be guilty of such blasphemous
outrages upon all that is sacred in religion and the religious sentiment in man ?" The
story had been circulated by pro-slavery journals, but repeatedly contradicted ; in one
instance, by a slaveholder who was present on the occasion. And Professor Mahan
omits to mention that two months before the date of his letter, the Oberlin Eva7ige-
list — the religious newspaper connected with the college of which he is the presi-
dent— which had aided in giving currency to his story, had retracted its unjust charge
in the following words : —
" Mr. Pillsbury, on the anti-slavery platform, sought to illustrate the fundamental
distinction made by the Creator between men and brvites. As we should be shocked
to see religious rites administered to the latter, so we ought to be equally shocked to
see them withheld from the former. To make the idea more impressive, he supposes
the case of a gospel minister going through the solemn ceremony of catechizing and
then baptizing dogs ; and then asks why all men should not be equally shocked at
the impiety which would hurl men down from the sacred platform of their humanity,
and kennel them among the brutes,"
He says that when, in a meeting of the American Society, " the chairman, at the
commencement of one of the sessions, simply remarked that if any one present
desired to offer prayer, an opportunity would be given, Mr. Garrison instantly rose
and ridiculed the idea of having prayer at all." Among authentic reports of the
many hundred anti-slavery meetings presided over by Mr. Garrison, we believe Pro-
fessor Llahan will be unable to point out one in which Mr. Garrison omitted the
invitation to prayer which he is here described as " ridiculing."
After terming the Liberator "a main sewer, through which the most grossly
48 Report of the Bristol and Clifton
The necessity of carrying into execution tliese various
branches of anti-slavery action, before the season at which the
religious anniversaries were held, has alone reconciled us to
postponing until midsummer the report, which we wished to
infidel sentiments are being conveyed into the public mind," Professor Maban adds,
*' I do not say that it never contains articles advocating the claims of Christianity as
of divine origin, but I have never heard of such articles as contained in it." By con-
sulting the Liberator of January 2nd and January 16th, he would perceive six columns
occupied by Eev. Dr. Lord's arguments in favour of the doctiine of the plenary inspi-
ration of scriptm'e j and a slight examination would have afforded indisputable
evidence, that the pages of that paper are opened as freely to the defenders of our
faith as to those "who assail it. As friends of the slave, we would venture to ask
whether it does not behove a teacher of religion in America to ascertain the real
nature of one of the very few papers iu his land that pleads for the captive, before
casting unjust imputations upon it (and thereby bringing its editor into disrepute),
in a distant country, where there is little means of searching into its true merits ?
Of the American Anti-slavery Society, Professor Mahan affirms, " The element in
the spirit of the movement, it honestly appears to me, is revilism, the principle of
hatred to slavery, to slaveholders and their abettors, to the church, and to the state,
and love to nobody. I see no tendency in the spirit of this society towards the real
spu-it of universal love, or any of its fruits. I have no sympathy with the spirit of
the society, nor do I wish to have any. I am compelled to regard this society as not
what it professes to be, — an anti-slavery society, and nothing else ; but as being in
its fundamental tendencies and aims, an anti-church and anti-Christian society. This
is the light, I repeat it, in which Christian anti-slavery men throughout the length
and breadth of the land do regard it ; and are they not justified in so doing?"
In contradiction to these assertions of Professor Alahan, who might quote speeches
made at the last New England Anti-Slavery Convention, by Eev. Mr. Griswold, of
Stonmgton ; Eev. Gabriel Claffin, of Vermont ; Eev. Hiram Hutchins, of Charles-
ton, and other orthodox ministers ; but being unwilling to extend this note, we will
merely extract the folloAdng remarks from a letter of the Eev. Geo. G. Eitchie, a
Baptist minister, whose zeal for the religion of Clnrist can scarcely be exceeded by
that of Professor Mahan : —
*' In reference to the hue and cry of ' infidelity' which has been raised in England
as well as the United States against Mr. Garrison, I still continue to regard it, as I have
for several years, as a mere trick of his enemies, or rather of the enemies of the anti-
slaveiy cause. . . ..........
" But what, though he and the leaders of the American An ti- Slavery Society were
infidels, what is it to me as an abolitionist ? I may regret it ; I may labour to bring
about a change in their views for the better, and as a Christian I may in solemn
prayer lay their case before my God and Saviour ; but must I discard theur aid or
disown their services in the anti-slavery cause ? "Would I do so in other matters ?
If my horse should fall into a pit, and neither Jew nor fellow-Christian be willing to
help me to get him out, would I refuse the aid proffered me by an infidel ? That
would be bigotry run mad. The world would say, and rightly, that I deserved to
Ladies Anti-slavery Society. 49
have presented at the opening of the year. It has appeared
requisite on many accounts to enter into these details. They
will serve for explanations to our subscribers, and guidance to
others who have had fewer opportunities than ourselves of ob-
taining information ; and we are not without hope that this
account may stimulate fresh labourers to take part in a work
which may be helped forward by any who have either leisure,
or talents, or money at their disposal, as well as incline other
societies having the same object in view to co-operate with us.
AIMS OF THE SOCIETY.
In future reports we shall aim to give some particulars of
the most important and efficient anti-slavery instrumentalities
in the United States, especially of the labours of the American
Anti-slavery Society ; since a knowledge of these is at present
confined, in this country, to the few who have access to
American anti-slavery publications.
We are anxious also to trace and record the course of anti-
slavery secessions from ecclesiastical bodies; that movement
lose my horse if I should. If, therefore, none or few but infidels are willing to help
me to get my three million of fellow-beings out of the pit of slavery, shall I, ought I,
to reject their aid ? Never. For one, though a member of the Liberty party, and of
an orthodox denomination, I do not hesitate a moment to give Mr. Garrison and his
associates the hand of anti-slavery fellowship. I shall also continue to do, as I have
ever done, recommend their publications, not excepting the Brotherhood of Thieves ;
and, so far as I have the ability, shall subscribe to the Society's treasmy. In saying
all this, I am not blind to what I beheve to be the fact, that their lecturers are fre-
quently extravagant in assertions, and say things which shock the ears of the
sensitive and over-cautious members of orthodox persuasions. But, for these things,
neither Mr. Gamson nor the Society is to be held responsible, so long as it is impos-
sible to dictate what shall of shall not be said in every particular case and in every
emergency. Besides, as long as there is so much virulent opposition to the anti-
slavery cause on the part of the majority of the evangelical churches, it is impossible
for any man to enlist in the cause without becoming more or less extravagant. He
would be more than human could he avoid it."
In July, 1851, at the Chicago Christian Anti- Slavery Convention, Professors Mahan
and Finney virtually admitted that the anti-slavery cause had been, vmtil then, left
by Christian professors in the hands of " infidels," from whom it was the purpose of
the Convention to " rescue" it. Until, therefore, the American Church shows such
signs of earnestness in the slave's behalf, as to enable the abolitionists to entrust the
completion of their work to its agency, its members hardly appear warranted in
throwing obloquy on any with whose labours the slave cannot dispense.
50 Report of the Bristol and Clifton
being one of great importance, and one on wliicli the moral
influence of British Christians may be most efficaciously
exerted ; although it appears to be at present but little heard
of or understood in England.
With the history and progress of the American Baptist
Anti-slavery secession, termed the Free Mission Society [See
Appendix, No. 6], we have already had considerable oppor-
tunity of becoming familiar, by the perusal of its weekly
organ, its annual reports, and a valuable publication, called
'* Facts for Baptist Churches" [See Appendix, No. 7] ; and
also by personal intercourse with the Eev. Edward Mathews,
who is one of the compilers of that book. 0 ur appreciation
of the Free Mission Baptist Society, is evinced in a resolution
adopted by the Committee, March 4th, 1851, which has been
widely circulated.
" The Committee of the BRISTOL AND Clifton Ladies
Axti-Slayery Society, at their meeting on the 13th
Nov., 1851, and on several subsequent occasions, have been
called upon to direct the attention to the following facts : —
" 1st — That the Anti-slavery Reporter for November last, in
a review of Dr. Baird's recent pamphlet, announced, that ' of
all other missionary societies,' [in the United States] ' the
American j\Iissionary Association is the only one conducted
on strictly anti-slavery principles,' while it is well known that
the American Baptist Free Mission Society has taken a high
and uncompromising anti-slavery course and is described, ev^n
by Mr. Tappan, treasurer of the American Missionary Asso-
ciation, and secretary of the American and Foreign Anti-
slavery Society, in his report of the latter for 1851, as main-
taining ' its strictly anti-slavery character.'
" 2nd — That applications had been made by the Rev. Edward
Mathews, agent for the American Baptist Free Mission Society,
to the temporary editor of the Reporter^ and also to some
members of the committee of the British and Foreign Anti-
slavery Society, in order to obtain a correction of this error ;
but that, although the mis-statement had been acknowledged
by the editor, four numbers of the Reporter had subsequently
appeared without its being rectified.
" 3rd — That a second instance of the Reporters neglecting
to recognise this Society, had occured in the number for
February, in which Mr. Josiah Henson is commended to the
Ladie/ Anti-slavery Society. 51
public as the only duly accredited collector of funds for
' Dawn Institute,' now in this country,— no intimation having
been given of the fact that this Institute was under the
raana'Srnent of the Baptist Free Mission Society, and that
its agent, the Rev. Edward Mathews, was at present m Eng-
land."
On a mature consideration of this persevering effort to with-
hold from the knowledge of the public, not only the anti-slavery
exertions, but the very existence, of the American Baptist Free
Mission Society, this Committee unanimously adopted the en-
suing resolution at a meeting on Thursday, March 4th, 1852 :—
" Highly appreciating the fearless recognition of the doc-
trine that ' Slaveholding is incompatible with Christianity,'
which led the American Baptist Free Mission Society to with-
draw from the Baptist Triennial Convention, on discovering
that body to be controlled by slaveholding influences;—-
believincT that by the consistency with which the Society is
carrying^out its principles, it is rendering valuable service to the
anti-slavery cause ; regarding the course of the Anti-slavery^
Reporter, in keeping out of sight the existence and action of
the ' Free Mission Society,' as tending injuriously to affect
the abolition movement, and to deprive the religious bodies
of this land of information essential for their guidance,— we
will endeavour, by every means in our power, to repair the
injustice this Society has sustained, and to help forward the
assiduous labours of its respected agent, the Rev. Edward
Mathews, in making its aims and operations more extensively
known.
" Signed on behalf of the Committee,
"Anne Tribe."
The movements of the Free Presbyterian, the Wesleyan
Methodists, and other societies that have freed themselves
from slaveholding control, are as yet only known to us by the
extracts from their weekly organs which frequently appear
in the American anti-slavery papers, and through information
supplied by Mr. Mathews ; but we hope before long to extend
our acquaintance with them.
Some annual reports, and some numbers of the weekly
journal of the American Missionary Association, have been
examined by our Committee. This association, sustained by
52 Report of the Bristol and Clifton
Presbyterians and Congregationalists, excludes slaveholders
from membersliip ; but it appears to have adopted few other
anti-slavery measures. Its operations consist chiefly of foreign
missions for disseminating the theological opinions of its
supporters. Its ninety missionaries in Jamaica, Africa, Siam,
the Sandwich Isles, New Mexico, California, &c. are, however,
appropriated by the secretary of the American and Foreign
Anti-slavery Society, as a part of the special abolition efforts of
that Society ;" its labours are consequently brought before the
public in the Anti-slavery Reporter, from which other instru-
mentalities which Y/e have enumerated are excluded.
PRESENT POSITION OF THE SOCIETY.
The explanation into which we have entered, of the objects
our society has in view, together with the new rule it has
adopted, will, perhaps, have rendered sufficiently intelligible
the relation in which it stands to other anti-slavery organiza-
tions. The inquiry has been made, whether this society has
become an auxiliary of the American Anti-slavery Society.
Our highest ambition is to prove " auxiliaries" to all faithful
labourers in the great cause of emancipation; and we have
already recorded our conviction that this is pre-eminently the
characteristic of the members of the American Anti-slavery
Society. In their declaration of sentiment we cordially con-
cur, and their platform is too wide to exclude any genuin%
abotkionist. If we be instrumental in aiding them in their
holy work, or in procuring for them some of that British
sympathy and co-operation of which they have long been un-
justly deprived, we shall feel it a source of deep thankfulness.
In no other sense can we be properly termed their " auxiliar-
ies." They will not seek to prescribe our specific line of action,
nor need we limit our sympathies and observations to their
field of labour, extended and comprehensive as it is.
We are solicitous of promoting and being informed respect-
ing every anti-slavery agency, and we gladly hail whatever is
anti-slavery in religious sects and political parties. But it is
out of our power to unite ourselves with any of these parties^
Ladies Aiiti-slaveri/ Society. 53
however cordially we may approve of tlieir measures, for tlieir
objects are not exclusively anti-slavery ; neither can we devote
any portion of our funds to such benevolent schemes as assist-
ing slaves to escape, or the education of those who are eman-
cipated, because the abolition of slavery is the sole object for
which we are associated. As the American Anti-slavery Society
exists for this purpose alone, contributing to its annual bazaar
falls immediately within our province, and we shall embrace
every suitable opportunity of advancing its interests.*
We believe, however, that our time and funds are at present
laid out to greatest advantage in diffusing anti-slavery truth,
in removing obstructions to its progress, and in endeavouring
to create that anti-slavery sentiment, which, when fully awak-
ened, will not fail to manifest itself in some substantial form in
behalf of the earnest advocates of freedom.!
With any parties who would lower the anti-slavery standard
— whatever be the designation they may assume — we cannot
consent to co-operate ; nor can we recognise as abolitionists
any who join hands with the oppressor, by withdrawing help
from the slave's friends, or throwing obstacles in their path.
All who deter others from anti-slavery efforts, by echoing the
pro-slavery assertion, " that the theological opinions of some
of the abolitionists are unsound," are promoting the interests of
the slaveholder, even though professing to be peculiarly friends
of ^e slave. The ground they allege never precludes them
from co-operation in the peace, temperance, or free-trade
movements, or in any other popular philanthropic reform.
Why should it be used to keep people aloof from a conflict
with the un23aralleled evil of slavery", which needs the com-
bined efforts of every friend of justice and humanity for its
overthrow ? In vain will the eloquent appeals of Frederick
Douglass, or the argumentative addresses and harrowing me-
* Evening meetings for the combined objects of working for this bazaar, and study-
ing recent anti-slavery intelligence, have proved both interesting and instructive.
■j" Since the adoption of this report, we rejoice to learn that measures are being
taken to establish a new anti-slavery paper, which will supply the deficiency we have
deplored ; and will enable us to abridge the field of our labour, and to concentrate our
eiforts.
E
54 Report of the Bristol and Clifton
moir of William Wells Brown, or tlie toucliing history and
fascinating influence of tlie personal presence of William
and Ellen Craft, or the thrilling disclosures and graphic deli-
neations of " Life among the Lowly,"* have awakened pity
for the oppressed negro, as long as those who yearn to do
something for his release, are forbidden to extend a helping
hand to those men and women in America whose whole lives
are devoted to his redemption, on the pretence that by fellow-
ship in their Christian work, countenance may be afforded to
an unchristian creed !
We complain of no one for declining to take part in a work
which to ourselves is one of Christian obligation. Every
individual must decide what is the path and what the mea-
siu^e of duty ; and the majority will find their appointed ser-
vice in a field more immediately surrounding them. All we
would urge is, that none should retard this holy work ; and
that those whose words carry weight should let their voices be
heard on the side of righteousness and humanity. We would
entreat every one who holds a post of eminence in any religi-
ous denomination, or who is prominent in any department of
literature or philanthropy, to look so far into this great ques-
tion as to avoid unconsciously ri vetting when he might loosen
a fetter. To him the enslaved African has a right to appeal,
in words similar to those with which the eloquent Wendell
Phillips has supposed him to apostrophize the illust^us
Kossuth: "Stand out of my light. Let the light and heat
of those generous ideas with which God has inspired some of
the white race fall upon me ; and let not your lavish praise be
the spell that shall lull to sleep the half-awakened conscience
of a people, who have just begun to attend to the neglected
and to remember the foro^otten. Throw not the weiofht of
your great name into the scale of these mine enemies, who
glory in a national prosperity fed out of my veins, and
worship a union cemented with my blood."
* For this dedication of genius to tlie cause of suffering humanity, the lasting gra-
titude of the despised bondsman, and of all who are toiling for his deliverance, ■will
be awarded to the distinguished authoress of '• Uncle Tom's Cabin,"
Ladies Anti-slavery Society. 5o
It is witli extreme reluctance tliat we liave assumed a posi-
tion far more prominent and antagonistic than is congenial to
our tastes or our habits ; but consistency to anti-slavery prin-
ciples has forced it upon us. When we enrolled our names
among the opponents of slavery, we coveted no more con-
spicuous post than that of cheering, by unostentatious proofs
of sympathy, those who were actively engaged in the struggle
for freedom ; and we anticipated no more arduous service than
that of watching the current of anti-slavery sentiment, while
silently co-operating with more influential and more gifted
labourers. We never doubted that the work of keeping the
British mind aroused and enlightened, respecting the horrors
of slavery in the " free. Christian" republic of the United
States, would have been effectually performed by that society
which so materially aided in the abolition of the slave trade,
and of our own colonial slavery ; that society on which we
hoped the mantle of Clarkson and Wilberforce had descended,
and with which we felt it an honour to be affiliated. On its
agency we relied, to counteract the pro-slavery notions with
which American visitors were leavening our people ; to rectify
the erroneous impressions conveyed by transatlantic ministers ;
and to induce our churches to bring their moral power to bear
against the iniquitous system of slavery in America. After
the passage of the Fugitive Slave Law, when numbers of the
inhabitants of the Free States were driven to seek an asylum
on our soil, we trusted that the duty of awakening British
indignation against this law, and of stimulating our religious
societies to remonstrate with ministers of the gospel who were
upholding it, would have been performed by far abler hands
than ours. But when our hopes were disappointed, and further
delays would have involved the loss of an unprecedented
opening for action, we felt constrained, in faithfulness to the
helpless slave, to use all the powers at our disposal in his
behalf; confident that " He who chooseth the feeble things of
this world to confound the mighty," would not permit the
humblest effort for the relief of His oppressed children to be
made in vain.
E 2
56 Report of the Bristol and Clifton
The task cannot fall to be an unwelcome one, wliicli brings
Tis into collision wliere we had hoped for cordicil co-operation ;
which awakens distrust where we had reposed implicit confi-
dence ; which compels us to admit the possibilitj of apparent zeal
for the truth we hold most precious serving as a shield for de-
partures from the path of duty, or even as an impediment to the
cause it professes to serve. Our responsibility has not been
hastily assumed ; neither will it be lightly relinquished. As
long as truth is suppressed and error circulated, and the often
refuted calumnies which for ten years chilled our sympathies
and bound our hands, are used to foster prejudices in other
minds, and to deprive the American abolitionists of British aid,
no alternative is left us (unless we abandon the cause) but to
remove this " veil of separation" as the indispensable prelimi-
nary to any extension or practical direction of anti-slavery
zeal. Those who have rendered such a work necessary must
be answerable for robbing the slave of the more direct efiorts
which might otherwise have been put forth in his service.
Perhaps we shall be charged with presumption in ventur-
ing to differ in judgment from the " wise and prudent," and
in acting in opposition to them ; but we are conscious that the
force of truth is unaffected by the medium through which it is
revealed. We have felt it incumbent on us to present facts
from which others may draw their own inferences ; and any
blame should rest on those who have hitherto withheld these
facts, rather than on us for making them known. It will not
discourage us, to find that many condemn or ridicule us for
interfering in, or pronouncing opinions upon, matters which
they hold to be beyond our province. Neither the sinfulness
nor the miseries of slavery can have touched the hearts of
these critics, or they would not have left efforts for its removal
to be made by such feeble instruments. "Whenever abler ad-
vocates will make the slave's cause their own, we shall joyfully
surrender our trust to them.
If we have to share a reproach which we constantly hear
brought against uncompromising opponents of slavery, what-
ever be their religious or political creed, — that of " doing
Ladies Anti-slave7'y Society. 57
incalculable harm to the cause" by not conducting it "in a Chris-
tian spirit," by not going on "peaceably," by not avoiding " con-
troversy," &c., we can only answer that our work and our
weapons are exclusively " Christian," and for the spirit in which
we engage in it each must be individually responsible ; that
we love and earnestly long for " peace;" and that " contro-
versy" is as distasteful to us as to any who censure us for
engaging in it. But the apostolic injunction to be " first
pure, then peaceable," forbids our conipromising the principles
of truth and justice for the sake of peace. Nor can we consent
to sacrifice the slave's peace to preserve peace for ourselves.
Ours must be a different peace from that which American
ministers are preaching, in order to prevent the disturbance
of their sects or congregations ; from that which politicians
and merchants, in league with slaveholders, are loudly advo-
cating for the " preservation of the Union." Though all
these parties agree in maintaining that the agitation of the
abolitionists, which has spread perplexity and apprehension
throughout the United States, is " retarding the cause of
emancipation ;" and though many English ministers, editors,
and travellers are echoing the charge, they do not " show a
better way;" and the peace they enjoin is fatal to the libera-
tion of the captive. Ours is an Anti-slavery Society ; and in
the first peace we enjoy, the suffering bondsman must have
an equal share.
An article in the Moiming Advertiser of November 5, 1851,
contains a definition of the requirements of anti-slavery fide-
lity, so explanatory of the course that has been imposed upon
us,that we cannot more appropriately conclude our Report
tlian with its closing remarks : —
" The abolitionist must pull down the nearest barrier inter-
posed to keep him off from the slave, even though the obstruc-
tion be found in a professedly anti-slavery society, or in a
religious association.
" This has been the unpopular course consistently pursued
for the last twenty years by the American Anti-slavery Society,
which, proclaiming the identity and equality of tlie human
58 Report of the Bristol and Clifton
family, and that ' immediate emancipation is tlie slave's riglit
and tlie master's duty,' — welcomes to its platform, irrespective
of tlieological or political creed, every sincere fellow-labourer
who consents to act on these principles, and to exclude every
other question. Against all parties who attempt to lower this
standard, by palliating the enormities of slavery — by making
excuses for postponing the anti-slavery warfare — or by devis-
ing subterfuges for exculpating those who neglect the Chris-
tian duty of engaging in it — the true abolitionists profess
■uncompromising hostility.
" No one who feels bound to assist in unclasping the fetters
of the slave must be content with sittins^ down in his drawino^-
room, mourning over the suffering of the negro and the in-
justice of his oppressor, and praying that Providence would
' undo the heavy burthen, and let the oppressed go free \ he
must not flatter himself that by subscribing to the Colonization
Society (whose object is to sustain slavery by expatriating the
free coloured population) ; or by aiding a ' Vigilance Commit-
tee' in the questionable kindness of encouraging slaves to
escape ; or by advocating a partial abstinence from the pro-
ducts of slave-labour ; or by acts of charity to the freed slaves
in Canada; or by condemning the harsh language or the
theological opinions of abolitionists, he is doing anything to
enlighten the conscience of the American people, or rouse the
slaveholder to the guilt of his position. Still less must he
suppose, that he can take any usefid part in this Christian
work by avoiding all ' controversy' — by shrinking from the
necessity of finding fault with those who support and perpe-
tuate slavery. The anti-slavery cause is an incessant contro-
versy and contest against an evil of gigantic magnitude ; the
instrumentalities by which the cruel institution is sustained —
the defences by which it is protected — are not inanimate
things ; they are individuals, and societies composed of indivi-
duals. If Dr. Baird come to this country to wheedle the
Evangelical Alliance into fellowship with slaveholders ; and
Mr. J. Angell James welcome and applaud the mission; and
Mr. J. J. Gurney, responding to the call for his help, bespeak
the indulgence of gathered thousands for the southern planter ;
and the Broad-street Committee help forward these views, by
obstructing and concealing from the public eye the efforts of
the American Anti-slavery Society — declaring that the Ame-
rican and Foreign Anti-slavery Society, known only by its
name, is ' one of the most important agencies in existence in
the United States for the destruction of slavery' — they must
Ladies Anti-slavery Society.
59
all be remonstrated witli by Britisli abolitionists, and told of
tlie injury tliey are inflicting upon tlie cause of tlie bleeding
slave. From ' controversy' the abolitionists in America liave
no respite ; and severe, indeed, to their moral courage and
their social feelings is the trial it inflicts on them ; for ' of
their own household' do they often find their greatest ' foes.'
Conscience has compelled many of them to resign the spiri-
tual guidance of ministers, the friends of their youth ; and
desert sanctuaries endeared to them by the holiest associations ;
rather than continue in communion with those wdio will not
recognise the duty of emancipating the slave. They cannot
cry peace, peace, where there is no peace ; nor do they expect
any cessation from their controversy, until the agitation they
have excited has so shaken and converted the religious sects
of all denominations in America, that a majority of her people
have at last come to acknowledge the slave's right to freedom.
' The churches of America hold the key of the slave's dun-
geon ; with them it rests to unlock the door.' "
Subscriptions and Donations to the Bristol and Clifton Ladies' Anti-
Slavery Society^ from January 1, 1851, to June 24, 1852.
In 1851.
Mrs. Dawson, L'pool, {don.) 0 10 0
£ s. d.
£
s.
d.
Mrs. Gen. Dighton, New-
Mrs, Richard Ash
0
5
0
lands, (donation)
.. 1
0
0
Mrs. Atkmson ...
0
5
0
Mr. Estlin
.. 1
0
0
Mrs. Crisp
0
5
0
Miss Estlin
.. 1
0
0
Mrs. Eichard Fry
0
5
0
Miss Godwin
.. 0
5
0
Mrs. E. Hunt
0
10
0
Rev. Wm. James
.. 0
5
0
The Misses Hunt
0
10
0
Mr. Leonard
.. 0
10
0
Mrs. Dr. Lindoe
1
1
0
Mr. George Leonard
.. 0
5
0
Miss Livett
0
5
0
Mr. R. Leonard ...
.. 0
5
0
Mrs. P. Ovens
0
6
0
Mr. W. Leonard
.. 0
5
0
Miss Parminter ...
0
6
0
Miss Leonard
.. 0
10
0
Mrs. Wm. Tanner
0
10
0
Miss C. Leonard
.. 0
5
0
Mrs. Alfred Thomas
1
0
0
Miss M. Leonard
.. 0
5
0
Miss Thurnbeck ...
0
2
6
Miss E. Mathews
.. 0
5
0
Mrs. Waterman ...
0
5
0
Mrs. George Michell
.. 1
0
0
In 1852.
Ditto (donation)
Mrs. Norris
.. 1
.. 0
0
10
0
0
Mrs. Acland
1
0
0
Miss Norris
.. 0
10
0
Mrs. G. H. Ames
1
0
0
Mrs. Stephens ...
.. 0
10
0
Miss Ames
0
5
0
Mr. T. Thomas ...
.. 0
5
0
Mrs. Armstrong
0
5
0
Mr. C. J. Thomas
.. 0
5
0
Mr. T. W. Bagehot
1
0
0
Ditto (donation)
.. 0
5
0
Ditto (donatio7i)
1
0
0
Mr. Chas. Thomas (don.^
) 1
0
0
Mrs. Champion ...
0
5
0
Miss Thomas
.. 0
5
0
Rev. Edwin Chapman ...
1
0
0
Miss Tribe
.. 0
5
0
60
Report, <^'C.
Statement of Accounts of the Bristol and Clifton Ladies'' Anti-slavery
Society^ for eighteen months ending June 24, 1852.
INCOME.
Cash in Treasurer's hands, December 31st,
Subscriptions
Donations
1849.
Total
£
s.
d.
.. 3
19
4
.. 18
13
6
.. 5
0
0
.. £27 12 10
EXPENDITURE.
Printing " Clerical Teachings ;" " Statistics of Slavery in the Reli-
gious Bodies ;" " Statements respecting the American Aboli-
tionists ;" " Addresses to Ministers ;" Resolutions and Ckculars
upon the separation from the British and Foreign Anti-slavery
Society
Postage for circulating the above publications in England and
America
Anti-slavery papers — Anti-slavery Repoi'ter ; National Anti
slavery Standard; North Star^ and F. Douglass's Paper
Hire of rooms for committee and anti-slaveiy meetings . . .
Expense of lecture by Mr, IMathews
Stationery and books for library ...
Balance in hand ...
Total ...
12 2 0
2 13 3
2 7
1 4
2 7
0 18
6 0
Audited and found con-ect,
ISAAC STEPHENS.
£27 12 10
[61]
APPENDIX.
iVb. 1. — Resolutions unanimously adopted at a Soiree held in the Broad-
mead Rooms ^ Bristol^ April 3, 1850, to express sijmpathy ivith Mr,
W. Wells Brown.
" Proposed by Mr. William Taxxer; seconded by Mr. Edward Thomas : —
" That this meeting is desirous of tendering a cordial welcome to Mr. William
Wells Brown, and to congratidate him npon his escape from cniel bondage ; to
thank him for the valuable information and mteresting details he has given us
respecting American slavery ; and to express the hope that his efforts, both in
this country and m his own, to serve the cause of his enslaved bretlu'en, may
be accompanied by the Divine blessing."
" Proposed by Mr. Sa^iuel Jackson ; seconded by Mr. Saimuel Tan^t^r : —
" That we regard with admiration the noble efforts of the Abolitionists of
America, who, seeing how the cause of religion and of human freedom, as well
as the honom- and best interests of their comitry, is compromised by Slavery, are
laboring amidst relentless prejudice and opposition for the removal of this
foul stain : that we beg them to accept om' respectfid sympathy under their toils
and then- trials, and to feel assured that the people of Bristol will not relax in
then- exertions to afford aid and encom-agement to the ' American Anti- slavery
Society.' "
No. 2. — William and Ellen Craft.
These interesting frigitives, after having been introduced to the anti-slavery
public in many parts of England and Scotland, commenced a course of educa-
tion at the Ockham Schools, near Ripley, Sun-ey, in June, 1851 . During the time
they have been there, they have made considerable progress in reading, writing,
arithmetic, &c., and have gained the respect of all around them. They have
been fortunate in meeting with much kind attention from the Misses Lushiugton,
who take a wann interest in the Ockham Schools.
The friends by whose assistance they have been lodged, boarded, and in-
structed at Ockliam, are maldng arrangements for their having similar advan-
tages at the same establishment for a second year.
No. 3. — Josidh Henson. — Caution.
[From the American Baptist^ N.Y., March 27, 1851, also the Liberator., Mass.,
April 11, 1851.]
We learn that the individual above-named is in England, professing to
have been sent there by the trustees of the Dawn (CY/.) School, to collect
62 Aj^pendhx.
funds. The Anti-Slavery Reporter for January says, ' Mr, Heuson has been
sent hither to appeal to tlie friends of education, to enable the trustees to com-
plete the arrangement begun some time since.' This is a mistake. Mr. Henson
has no authority from the trustees to soHcit funds in England; neither is he
authorised, as we are informed, by any act of the colom-ed refugees in Canada
to collect moneys for their aid. Mr. Newman, our missionary in Canada,
writes us under date of March 12, that the coloured citizens of Chatham,
have held a public meeting, and passed strong resolutions against Mr. Hen-
son and his mission, which were published in a Chatham paper, and which,
together with a certificate of the Sherilf of Kent comity, will be found below : —
"Whereas the impression is abroad in the United States and England, that
Mr. Josiah Henson, of Da^^Ti, Canada West, has colonized and settled a commu-
nity of fugitive slaves, and that he is sent out as their agent to collect funds for
them, and the fugitives generally in this country :
" Therefore, resolved. That we deem it due to ourselves, the fugitives gene-
rally in Canada, and especially to om- friends in the United States and in Eng-
land, to declare positively that ]\Ir. Josiah Henson has never colonized or
settled a community of fugitive slaves in this comitry ; and that he is not the
agent of any public society in Canada, and has no rightful authority to collect
funds in the name of the coloured people of this province.
" And as it is stated in the public newspapers friendly to us, that Mr.
Henson has credentials from the colom-ed people, and gentlemen of high au-
thority in this country ;
"Be it further resolved, that the public should know, and is hereby in-
formed, that he has no such credentials, so far as the colom-ed people of
this country know.
" And, resolved, that we earnestly request all newspapers in this and other
coimtries, friendly to the right and opposed to the wrong, to publish the above
resolutions.
" R. S, CRONWELL, Chainnan.
" S. 0. GRIFFIN, Secretaiy."
"This is to certify, that an article which appears to have been copied from
the Christian Register, into a newspaper published in Sandwich in this pro-
vince, called the Voice of the Fugitive, under date of the 1st of January last,
vrherein reference is made to a person of colom- designated Father Henson, as
being the bearer of sundry testimonials from persons resident in this colony, and
particularly of one document from ' the Sheriff of the county where he [Father
Henson] resides,' is quite untrue as regards the certificate or testimonial, as I
never gave Mr. Henson any such paper as this is represented to be in the ai-ticle
in question.
" Chatham, 8th Feb., 1851. " J. WADDELL,
" Sheriff, Comity of Kent, Canada."
Another resolution condemnatory of Mr. Henson was appended to the above ;
but as it was not officially passed, it is not given here. The tmth of the re-
solutions now prhited has never, that we are aware of, been disproved.
Appendix. 63
No. 4. — Aiiti- Slavery Meeting in Bristol.
At a Public Meeting- held at the Broadmead Rooms, on Wednesday evening
last, for the purpose of Avelcoming AVilliam and Ellen Craft, and for the con-
sideration of the question of American slavery, Edwakd Thomas, Esq., in
the chair ; among other resolutions which were unanimously passed, the follow-
ing was
" Proposed by ]\Ii'. J. B. Estlin ; seconded by Mr. C. H. Gkeenly : —
'' That this meeting, contemplating with much soHcitude the fierce contest
between freedom and oppression, conscience and law, now going on in the
United States, desu-es to express its respect and admiration for all those com-a-
geous friends for the slave, who, in the face of imprisonment and fine, have
pronounced their determination to obey God rather than man. And in a special
manner would this meeting ofter its tribute of sympathy and gratitude, and its
assurance of co-operation and aid, to that faithful band of Abolitionists forming
the American Anti-Slavery Society ; who, midaunted by peril, persecution, and
calumny, have during the last twenty years been awaking then- country to a
sense of its guilt and danger, and to whose persevering exertions in the cause
of human rights the slave's hope of deU^^erance is mainly indebted."
Mr J. B. EsTLiN expressed his anxiety that the cordiality with which he knew
the resolution in his hand would be passed, should not only result from the
Avarmth of feehng excited by the presence of their fugitive friends, but also
from an intelligent couAaction of its propriety. He then rapidly gave a history
of the abolition movement in America, which commenced in 1830, with the
formation of the "American Anti-Slavery Society," a secession fi-om which in 1840
was called the " American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society." Some of the
causes of separation were, dislike to Mr. Garrison and of his opposition to the
clergy for their lukewarmness in the cause of the slave ; and inability on the
part of some to bear the cross they had taken on them without counting the
cjst ; the frivolous ground alleged being, that women ought not to vote at their
meetings. The present condition of the "American and Foreig-n Society," which
now only exists in name, was contrasted with the continued activity and exten-
sive operations of the original society, to which the present convulsed state of the
Union on the slavery question was mainly attributable. Mr. E. stated that on
the separation of the two societies, agents came to England from the newly-formed
one, traducing the character and aims of the American Anti-Slavery Society ; and
unhappily they gained the confidence of, and formed a connection with, the
British and Foreign Anti- Slavery Society. To this union he attributed the
lamentable failure of the London Anti-Slaveiy Society, in advocating the cause
of the American slave. In alluding to William Lloyd Garrison as the founder
ofthe American Anti-Slavery Society, Mr. E.saidhe could not pronounce that name
without feeling some of that respect, if not veneration, ' which he entertained
towards those wise and good men of antiquity, around whose name and charac-
ter Holy W^rit has cast a sacred halo. He believed that the same Power which
raised up a Howard to \asit our prisons and amehorate the physical condition of
their unhappy inmates — which had called forth an Elizabeth Fry to minister to
their spiritual destitution — ^which had sent a Clarkson to abolish the Afiican
slave-trade — had summoned W. L. Garrison to deal the death blow to that
monster crime, American slavery. The new, simple, but imassailable principle
of Anti-Slavery announced by Mr. Garrison (which he and his devoted followers
have never for an instant deviated fi-om or compromised), was, that no human
being had a right to hold another in slavery for one moment ; that slave-holding
64 Appendix.
Avas a sin ; that slaveholders were sinners ; and that every slave had a right to
immediate freedom. The speaker next observed upon the violent opposition Mr.
Garrison encountered from slaveholders, from their commercial supporters in the
Free States, and from the clergy of both parts of the Union ; and upon the report
these enemies had raised that Mr. G. and his party were infidels. But what
was the natme of their infidelity ? Mr. G. saw in the Southern States a clergy-
man holding a Bible in one hand and dragging a human being to the auction
block with the other ; in the Northern States the minister held the Fugitive Slave
Bill in one hand, and the Bible in the other. Mr. Garrison says to the one,
" Release that slave and press the Bible to your heart ; or hold the slave, and
give up the holy book : they cannot go together." To tlie other he says, " If
you support the Fugitive Slave Bill, you must relinquish your Bible, and not
bring it into disrepute by employing it to prop up so iniquitous an enactment."
The charges against Mr. G. of infidehty and holding the Bible in dis-esteem,
Mr. Esthn believed to be as false as they were injniious. It was his solemn
conviction that Mr. Garrison had done more to protect the Bible from being
desecrated and scoifed at by infidels, than three-fourths of the clergy of the
United States. Tlie members of the American Anti-slavery Society were of all
creeds ; that they Avere deemed irreligious people by the clergy was not to be
wondered at. The numerous extracts from the " Clerical Teachings," read by
previous speakers, would show what ^fas the kmd of religion taught in America.
The Abolitionists could not continue under such spiritual guides ; and, compelled
by conscience to leave churches whose ministers they considered unfaithfid to
their duty, they were said to be revilers of religion. Unhappily, this accusation
had been echoed in this country, by parties who, removed from the prejudices
of America, ought to have judged with more liberality and discretion. Various
as were the xdews of the Abolitionists of America upon religious and philan-
thropic subjects, they carefully excluded all but slavery from their platform,
none interfering with the opinions of their neighbours. Notwithstanding the
multitude of enemies Mr. Garrison had, the high moral character which he held
(upon which all his influence was based), had never been even in the slightest
degree impugned ; and those wiio knew him most loved him best. In illustra-
tion of the prejudices against him in this country, Mr. Estlin mentioned the
conduct of nine ladies in Glasgow, who, leaving an Abolition Society established
in that city, formed themselves into a new one, and issued a circular to the
anti-slavery people of Great Britain, counselling them to discontinue helping the
Boston Anti- Slavery Bazaar ; as that instnmientality, by assisting the American
Anti-Slavery Society, aided to spread infidelity; Mr. Garrison and many of liis
coadjutors bemg infidels ! Mr. E. asked, if the house of their respected presi-
dent were on fire, and all the many friends around him were nishing (as they
certainly would be) to bring water to extinguish the flames, Avas it likely that
Mr. Edward Thomas, though a member of the Society of Friends, would say to
one person, " You, sir, belong to the Established Church, I cannot accept help
from you ;" to another,' " You are an infidel, begone ;" to a third, " You are a
Presbyterian, I do not wish for assistance from such a quarter ;" to a Hebrew,
" I must depend upon Christian succom* ;" to another, " You, sir, are a Unit-
arian, you are Avorse than all, no good work of yours can ever be blessed ; I
would rather my house should be burned to the ground, than that you should
extinguish a single spark." Whatever the Glasgow ladies might command, he
(Mr. Estlin) was sure the friends he saw below him (the pupils of the Blind
Asjdum) would never desert the " Boston Bazaar," to which they annually sent
some of their finest work, and for which they had the blessing and the prayers
of the unhappy slave. He (Mr. Estlin) could only presume that the inactivity
of the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, in reference to the slavery of
America, arose from the prejudice they had imbibed against the true abolitionists
Appeiidix. ^0
of the United States ; and though he understood no resolution was prepared, he
trusted the meeting woidd not separate without acknowledging the services of
the Bristol and Clifton Ladies' Anti-Slavery Society, who were doing the work
the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society ought to have done six months
ago ; and were sending an important resolution through the country, calling
upon the religious bodies to protest against the iniquitous Fugitive Slave Law,
and enclosing a copy of the " Clerical Teachings," to show the views of many
of the American brethren. Although the Fugitive Slave Law has now been some
months in operation, the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, which ought
long since to have roused the anti-slavery people of the whole country to protest
against this iniquity, had not taken one step against it. It might indeed
be considered as having put obstacles in the way of this good work, for its or-
gan, the Anti-Slavery Reporter [it ought to be named the Anti-Slavery Ob-
structor'] had not only withheld fi-om the British public accounts of the numer-
ous and important meetings held lately in Scotland and the north of England,
by Mr. Brown and the Crafts ; but he believed that it had not, up to the present
moment, been faithful enough to the anti-slavery cause to allo-^v its readers to
be apprized through its pages, that two individuals so interesting in themselves,
and so conspicuous in the contest against the Fugitive Slave Bill now going on in
America, as William and Ellen Craft, had reached the shores of Great Britain.
Mr. E. expressed the hope that what he had said respecting Mr. Garrison, under
a strong sense of duty and responsibility, would at least induce those who held an
unfavourable opinion of that great leader of the anti- slavery cause, to do Mr.
G. the justice of examining fairly into the causes of the prejudice against him ;
and he offered to any of those present, who were desirous of further infornui-
tion, a copy of a " Eeply" which he (Mr. E.) had felt called upon to make to
the Glasgow Cii'cidar.
The meeting concluded with the following resolution : —
Proposed by the Rev. William James ; seconded by Mr. John C. Neild : —
" That the cordial thanks of this meeting be tendered to the Ladies of the
Bristol Anti-Slavery Society (who, uninfluenced by the supineness and apathy
of the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, have directed public attention
to the disgraceful support given by many of the ministers of religion in America
to the iniquitous Fugitive Slave Law) for their valuable exertions in arranging
this meeting ; and for iuvitmg Mr. and Mrs. Craft to Bristol.
" EDWARD THOMAS, Chairman."
jV"o. 5. — Notice of an Anti-Slavery Meeting held in the Broadmead
Rooms, Bristol.
[From the Bristol Examiner., September 4th, 1851.]
A Public Meeting was held on Tliursday, September 4th, at the public rooms,
Broadmead, for the purpose of hearing addresses on the subject of Slavery from
Mr. George Thompson, M.P., who has lately returned from a visit to Ame-
rica ^ and from the Rev. Edward Mathews, whose recent lynching in that land
for his exertions in the abolition cause must still be fresh in the memories of
our readers.
The room was filled to overflowing, and the platform was croA\ ded^ with
ladies and gentlemen. Among the former were some distinguished visitors
from America — Mrs. Chapman, and her sister Miss Weston (who have been from
its commencement identified with the abolition movement, originated by Mr. Gar-
rison;) many of the Committee of the ''Bristol and Clifton Ladies' Anti-slavery
QG Appendix.
Society," (Mrs. Armstrong, Mrs. Emery, Miss Estlin, Miss Mathews, Mrs,
Stephens, Mrs. Alfred Thomas, Mrs. Waterman), Eevs. G.Armstrong, M.A.,
Edwin Chapman, Wilham James, Edward ^lathews, Richard ■Monis ; Messrs.
Handel Cossham, (Wicwar,) Estlin, W. Farmer, (of London,) J. C. Neild, W.
Sampson, Geo. Thompson, M.P., E. D. Webb, (of Dublin,) Stewart William-
son, &c. The chair was occupied by E. Charleton, Esq., on this occasion.
Mr. Stettaet Williamson moved —
" That we offer to the Eev. Edward Mathews, (an agent of the American
Baptist Free Missionary Society, who has recently received at the hands of
slaveholders the proofs of their moral degradation, and of his o^^ai fidelity to the
holy cause he advocates,) the sincere thanks due from the members of every
Cln-istian sect, to one who has nobly defended the gTcat principle of fi-eedora
fundamental to them all ; and that ^ve hereby call upon all ministers, especially
upon British Baptists, to strengthen by their testimony the position he has
taken in America — that churches and ministers who justify the continuance of
slavery are not the churches and ministers of Christ, by testifying their sym-
pathy with those brethren who have ^^^thdra^vn from then- religious body in
consequence of the countenance it affords to slave-holding. That we urge on
all churches, and congregations, and rehgious bodies, whose discipline excludes
any criminal from their communion, the exclusion of the Slave-holder : on all
ministers avIio reject the advocates of other crimes as unfit teachers of Christian
morality, not to admit to their pulpits the advocates or apologists for Slave-
holding."
The Rev. E. Mathews, in a long and able speech, responded to the
resolution.
The Rev. George Armstroxg, B.A., T.C.D., moved the following resolu-
tion : —
" That since the United States of America have, by the passage of the
Fugitive Slave-law, drawn the attention of the world to the character of their
govemment in all its several departments, constitutional, legislative, and judi-
cial, it becomes the duty of men of all other nations to use everj^ means
sanctioned by humanity, religion, and international law, for the abolition of
American slavery — a system which is a mockery of law, an outrage against
justice, a disgrace to religion ; and which, upheld as it is by a nation pro-
fessmg to lead the van of human progress and improvement, is more dangerous
to society than any other fonn of tyranny or system of iniquity on earth. And
this meeting therefore rejoices to welcome George Thompson, Esq., M.P., who
was formerly so instrumental in the abolition of British Colonial slavery, and
who now for the second time has, at the liazard of his life, been helping and
strengthening the American Abolitionists, thus keeping the minds of English-
men alive to the gi-eat tnith that in a moral cause " our country is the world,
our countrymen are al> mankind."
The Rev. Mr. Morris seconded the resolution, which was carried unani-
mously.
The Rev. Mr. Ja:mes moved, and Mr. Estlix seconded, the following reso-
lution, which was carried unanimously : —
" That this meeting rejoices in the present opportmiity of offering the
assurance of its ardent s^nnpathy, approval, and co-operation, to the American
Anti-Slaveiy Society, in which persons of all religious denominations and poli-
tical opinions have for eighteen years united upon a common platfonn of the
highest Anti-Slaveiy principle ; redeeming theii- country, by their unwearied
Appendix. 67
devotion and energetic labours, fi-om the charge of being wholly given over to
the dominion of slavery ; and that a cordial expression of admiring sympathy
from this meeting is especially due to William Lloyd Garrison, the originator
of the Anti-Slavery enterprise in 1830, the founder of the American Anti-
Slavery Society in 1833, and ever since the devoted and uncompromising
advocate of the cause."
Mr. Thompson then moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman. It was se-
conded, and passed by acclamation.
The Chairman returned thanks, and the meeting separated.
No. 6. — Constitution of the American Baptist Free Mission Society.
Whereas, on the foiu*th day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand
eight hundred and forty-three, a Convention of Baptist Ministers and Members
was held in the Tremont Chapel, Boston, m the State of Massachusetts, of the
United States of North America, who adopted and signed the following pledge,
to wit : —
" We, whose names are undersigned, %lemnly pledge ourselves to God and
one another, to unite in the support of a Baptist Missionary Society, with a
Constitution yet to be adopted, that shall be distinctly and thoroughly separated
from all connection with tlie known avails of slavery in the support of any of its
benevolent purposes ;" and this Society shall be called ' The American Baptist
Free Mission Society ; and we hereby separate ourselves now and for ever from
all connection with religious societies that are supported in common with slave-
holders."
[By religious societies being understood those which involve church fellow-
ship.]
Therefore, under a deep sense of our responsibilities to God, and om- obliga-
tion to give the Gospel in its purity to a perishing world ; and looking towards
Heaven for gTace to strengthen us in the prosecution of this great work, and for
success in an enterprise so important to the destinies of our f;illen race, we, as a
Society, adopt the following articles, which, with this preamble as part thereof,
shall be the Constitution of this Society : —
1. The object of this Society shall be to carry out the commission of our bles-
sed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, " Go ye into all the world, and preach the
Gospel to every creature," and to employ, in order to eftect this, all necessary
measm-es and agencies at home and abroad.
2. This Society shall be composed of Baptists of acknowledged Christian
character, who appear as delegates fi-om churches or auxiliary societies, or in
their own name ; who are not slaveholders ; but believe that slavery under
all cu'cumstances is sin, and treat it accordingly.
3. It shall be the duty of the Board of Trustees to receive and transmit to
their proper destination such sums as may be contributed, according to the prin-
ciples of the preamble of this constitution, by churches^ either singly or acting
together in associations, for the support of missionaries appointed by such
churches or associations ; provided that such missionaries are members in
good standing of Baptist chiu'ches, and not slaveholders, or advocates of
slavery.
68 Appendix.
^^0. 7. — Notice of ^^ Facts for Baptist Churches ; collected^ arranged,
and revised hj A. J. Foss, of New Hampshire, and Edavard
Mathews of Wisconsin, U. S'' Extracted from the Morning
Advertiser of May I4dh, 1852.
This work shows, in a striking manner, tlnongh reports of various bible, mis-
sionary, and other societies connected with the Baptist denomination in America,
the sleepless watchfulness exercised by ministers, in order to exclude from their
conventions, committees, &c. all questions bearing- upon slavery, and the con-
stant submission made by the northern portion of that body to the slaveholders'
interest.
The Baptist churches in the northern and southern states unite then- efforts
for the conversion of the heathen. For many years they co-operated harmo-
niously ; but light having at length dawned upon the minds of a few of the
northern brethren, they could no longer carry on their work in conjmiction
with those who held property in their fellow-men, and whose contiibutions to
the missionary treasury were wrung- from the tears and blood of the slave.
Several ineffectual efforts were made by the anti-slavery Baptists to free their
missionai-y convention from the dominion of slaveholders. Slaveholding pre-
sidents were appointed, slaveholding churches planted, fellowship with slave-
holders enforced, the appointment of anti-slavery men to offices in the mis-
sionary body prevented, discussion of the slavery question suppressed, the
Baptist Missionary Magazine was pledged to silence, and whatever could
excite pity or induce exertion for the slave was carefully excluded from the
other publications of the society.
This sacrifice of Christian principle to the requirements of slaveholders in the
missionary convention, at length compelled some of its members to withdraw,
who iu May, 1843, organized the" American Baptist Free Mission Society."'
From it, of course, slaveholders are excluded ; neither will it receive into its
treasury the known avails of slavery! It does not offer to the Lord "robbery
for a burnt offering."
The hope of the slave rests upon the churches of America ; as soon as they
awake to a true sense of Christian duty, his fetters will foil off. Aleanwhile,
there is no avoiding agitation. Schisms among the rehgious bodies are inevi-
table ; for none, whether ministers or people, who have become thoroughly alive
to the sin of slavery, can continue in fellowship with societies that uphold the
iniquity or are apathetic on the suV)ject ; and, therefore, we cannot but regard
the secession among the Quakers in Indiana, the separation of the Free Pres-
byterians from the Old and New School Presbyterians, of the Wesleyans from
the Methodist body, and of the "Free Mission Baptists" from their' body, all
of which were made solely on anti-slavery gTounds, as important and interesting
auguries of the termination of that system, Avhich is now blighting the fair fame
and searing the consciences of the American people.
We find that certain epistles addressed by the " London Baptist Union" to
their Transatlantic brethren, exhorting them to bear an uncompromising testi-
mony against slaveholdmg, were suppressed by the body to whom they were
written ; but have been collected and published in "Facts for Baptist Churches,"
by the faithful band of " Free Missionists" who alone have acted up to the
injunctions of their English "Union." We tnist these consistent followers of
Christ -vA-ill be strengthened m their arduous conflict by the sympathy of their
brethren in Great Britain.
THE END.
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