Boston, August 8th, 1848.
My Dear Mann: — I was
obliged to give up, some ten days ago, bolt from my orbit (mile track) and fly
to the “Springs.” I “bowed my head to taste the wave” and — got better. I found
myself perfectly hors du combat when I left, but am now myself again.
In the mean time
you, my dear Mann — what toils and troubles and trials have you gone through in
that Tophet which has been heated seven times hotter than it was wont to be
heated! I pity you somewhat, but almost envy you besides. As for your speech,
I know not how to express the feelings of gratified pride and admiration
which it excited in me. But never mind the impression it made upon me and your
friends, who know the mint which stamps such coin; let me tell you what men say
who have not been over great admirers of you — Manlius Sargent, for instance—
stopped me in the street and said he wanted to express to me (and he
hoped I would express to you) his feeling of admiration and gratitude. Says he,
“you may tell Mr. Mann, if you please, from me, that I have never been more
touched, moved and persuaded than by his noble speech. I have read every
syllable of it again and again, and put it into the hands of my friends, and
requested them to read it and preserve it. I think he has done great honour to
his constituents and to his country.” He was very warm, and enthusiastic even,
upon the subject. I asked him to write to you, but he fought rather shy, saying
he did not feel intimate enough with you.
Should anything
delay your coming home please send me, as soon as may be, an account of the
expenses of the trial already incurred, and an estimate of any future ones.
We know little
about the trial here, except from the meagre, cold-blooded and partial notices
in the papers. By the accounts you seem to have come out best in the encounter
with the District Attorney, and indeed to have made the most of a bad bargain.
I have no doubt that when the world shall read the story your plea and your
conduct will be an immense aid to the cause of emancipation.
I meant to write a
long letter, but here I am interrupted and must close.
Ever yours,
S. G. Howe.
SOURCE: Laura E.
Richards, Editor, Letters and Journals of Samuel Gridley Howe,
Volume 2, p. 262-3
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