New York, APRIL, 1835.
MY DEAR SIR: — An opportunity offering of sending to Boston,
I embrace it to put you in possession of two numbers of the last London
Abolitionist. You will perceive that the Editor is of your opinion, in
reference to the merits of the letter sent by the Baptists here to their
brethren in London. An esteemed friend, a Baptist in Glasgow, James Johnson,
Esq., in a letter received from him this morning, says. — “how I blush for my
brethren, the Baptists of America! How could they pen such a paper as that they
have sent to the denomination in London? I suppose you have seen it, and cut it
up, and exposed it as it deserves. There is no shame with slavery: it degrades
the oppressor as much as it degrades its victim. Ministers of the gospel, in
that shameless defence of slavery, are found saying, ‘The existence of
our (national) union and its manifold blessings, depends on a faithful
adherence to the principles and spirit of our constitution on this (slavery!)
and all other points. ‘Away!’ I think I hear you say, ‘with all these fancied
blessings, rather than that cruelty, injustice, lust and licentiousness be
permitted to disgrace the nation, insult God, and defy his righteous
government! O Lord, arise for the help of the oppressed!”
Dr. F. A. Cox of Hackney, near London, and the Rev. Mr. Hoby
of Birmingham, arrived in safety in this city on Monday, and this morning
departed for Philadelphia, on their way to the Baptist triennial convention in
Richmond, Virginia. I earnestly pray that wherever they go, they may be disposed
to bear an uncompromising testimony against the heaven provoking,
church-corrupting soul-darkening and destroying abomination of this land against
a system which holds tens of thousands of the Baptist churches in hateful
bonds. Surely Dr. Cox, who is a member of the London Society for promoting the
extinction of slavery throughout the world, will not keep back any part of his
message to his guilty brethren of the Baptist churches.
I had a fatiguing journey to Providence. I found the friends
well, and anxiously expecting me. On Tuesday afternoon, I delivered my promised
address before the ladies of Providence. Between 700 and 800 assembled in the
Rev. Mr. Blain's church. It was truly a gratifying sight. About 150 gentlemen
were also present. After the Address a Society was formed, and a Constitution
adopted. Upwards of 100 ladies gave their names and subscriptions to the
Society. Nearly $100 were contributed. This is a very cheering commencement.
Many more names will be obtained. The Society will prove a powerful auxiliary.
I embarked on board the President yesterday noon. We had a
fine run. I was introduced to Dr. Graham, the lecturer on the Science of Life,
and found in him a very interesting companion. I arrived here about half past 6
this morning.
Yours affectionately,
GEORGE 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. 61-2
