Feb. 18, 1846.
My Dear Sir: I have, for some time, cherished the purpose
of writing to you in behalf of the Rev. C. T. Torrey now imprisoned in the
penitentiary of your state. If I am not mistaken, your brother informed me that
you appeared as Counsel against him, and this constitutes an additional reason
for applying to you.
I shall not trouble you with any discussion of the nature of the acts
for which Mr. Torrey is imprisoned.1 You know as well as I do, that
by a considerable portion of our Countrymen they are regarded as deeds of mercy
performed under the constraint of Christian obligation: while by another
portion they are regarded as unwarrantable invasions of the rights of property.
Whichever of these opposite opinions may be correct — I hold
undoubtingly the first, and perhaps you hold undoubtingly the second — it is
certain that Torrey acted under the conviction that he was doing right — doing
as he would have others in similar circumstances do to him. It is certain that
he is an educated and esteemed Christian minister of unblemished character,
unless his aid to the flying slaves must be regarded as a blemish. I hear also
that his health is wasting away in confinement, and that he cannot live long
unless released. Under these circumstances, I feel confident that I shall not
appeal in vain to your benevolence to contribute your influence to his
liberation. Surely neither the State of Maryland nor the individuals whose
slaves escaped or attempted to escape can desire that Torrey shall die in
prison among common felons. The attention of great multitudes is drawn to the
fact of his incarceration both in America and Europe. Sympathy with him is
deep, strong and wide-spread. Intelligence of his death in the Penitentiary of
Maryland would cause a pang of sorrow, to be succeeded by intense indignation
in more than a million breasts. His death would, under such circumstances, do
more against Slavery than all the efforts of all his life.
Sound expediency, therefore as well as Common Humanity, seems to me to
require his liberation. Let me add to you, on the score of old and I hope
mutual regard & friendship, my earnest personal solicitation for
your good offices in behalf of Torrey. By no act can you lay me under deeper
obligation to you: and I am confident that any efforts which you may put forth
in his behalf will always be remembered by you with satisfaction.
Please give my most cordial regards to the Doctor and also make my
respects to Mrs. Collins.
_______________
* From letter book 6, pp. 31.
1 Charles Turner Torrey, 1813-1846, a graduate of Yale College and a
Congregational clergyman, early became an active Abolitionist. In 1844 he was
convicted in Maryland of having attempted to aid some slaves to escape and was
sentenced to imprisonment in the penitentiary. He died in prison May 9, 1846.
SOURCE: Annual Report of the American Historical
Association for the Year 1902, Vol. 2, p. 107-8
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