PORTLAND, Maine,
Tuesday evening,}
February 10th, 1835.}
My dear Brother — The following hasty and brief account of my labors since
I parted with you on Wednesday evening, will, I believe, be interesting to you,
and the result proves that the God of our cause does not permit us to labor in
vain, nor spend our strength for nought.
Thursday, Feb. 5th. Left Boston for Dover, N. H. at
eight in the morning, accompanied by Rev. Amos A. Phelps. Arrived at half past
five, and were most kindly received and entertained by the Rev. D. Root, the
Congregational Minister, “an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile. At
eight o'clock, delivered a preliminary lecture in Mr. Root's Church, to a very
respectable congregation.
Friday, 6th. Occupied the day in conference with the
excellent ministers of the Baptist and Methodist Episcopal Churches, the Rev.
Messrs. Williams and Perkins, and found them devoted in heart and understanding
to our holy enterprise. In the evening, delivered a second Lecture in the M. E.
meeting-house. Although the weather was rendered inclement by a snow storm, the
audience was numerous.
Saturday, 7th. In the afternoon, drove to Great
Falls, accompanied by Mr. Phelps. Received a hearty welcome from Rev. Mr.
Smith, of the Congregational Church. In the evening, at half past six, gave a
lecture in the Baptist meeting-house, and obtained twenty-two subscribers at 12½
cents per month to the American Society. Found the worthy pastor of the church
in which I lectured, the Rev. Abner Goodell, a warm friend.
Sunday, 8th. In the morning, delivered an
Anti-Slavery discourse in the pulpit of the Rev. Mr. Williams, Dover. Sunday
afternoon, delivered a second Anti-Slavery discourse in the pulpit of the Rev.
David Root. Audience very large and highly respectable. Sunday evening,
delivered a third Anti-Slavery discourse in Mr. Root's Church, which was
crowded. The audience composed of persons from all the churches in the town. O,
it was indeed refreshing to witness harmony, good will, fellowship, and
co-operation in our cause, existing and prevailing amongst ministers and churches
throughout a neighborhood At the close of my discourse, a collection was taken
up, and $44 62½ was obtained.
Monday, 9th. In the afternoon, at half past two, held
a public meeting in Mr. Root's Church, and formed male and female Anti-Slavery
Associations for Dover. One hundred and twelve names were subscribed to the
Constitution, and about fifty-six monthly subscribers of 12½ cents, each
subscriber receiving a copy of the Anti-Slavery Record.
Monday Evening, 8 o'clock. Held a second
public meeting in Mr. William's Church, and obtained nearly three hundred
additional names, to the Constitution, and fifty additional monthly subscribers,
making a total of four hundred members of the Society, and one hundred
subscribers for the Record. Thus, about two hundred dollars have been raised in
Dover for the cause of Abolition.
To what is this success to be attributed? 1st, To the
essential goodness of our cause, and the blessing of God upon our labors; and
2ndly, Instrumentally, principally to the co-operation of the Ministers of
Religion. Our experience at Dover has afforded another demonstration to the
truth of what I have so often assumed, that the fate of Slavery in this country
depends upon the will and conduct of the ministers of the Gospel. Why did the
people in Dover assemble in such numbers? Why did they join so heartily in the
cause? Why did they so liberally subscribe? Because they saw their beloved
pastors going forward in the work, and felt, therefore, confidence and courage.
Brother Phelps, myself, and Mr. Benson, reached this place
about four, to-day. The Cumberland County Convention meets to-morrow, at 10
o'clock. You shall learn the result on Saturday.
We are all under the roof of the Winslows, who are as kind
and generous as ever.
Yours most
affectionately,
GEO, THOMPSON.
SOURCE: Isaac Knapp, Publisher, Letters and
Addresses by G. Thompson [on American Negro Slavery] During His Mission in the
United States, From Oct. 1st, 1834, to Nov. 27, 1835, p. 38-40
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