Washington, August 6, 1822.
My Dear Sir,—This
gentleman, the Rev. Mr. Gurley, comes recommended by our friends at the South,
on the subject of the Colonization Society. He has with him some very
interesting publications of the African Institution in London, as well as the
reports of the society here, and appears to be a very agreeable and intelligent
man.
I feel inclined to do whatever duty requires on this
subject. You know that my opinion has not been the most favorable, and yet I
would wish to pay proper deference to such excellent men as Judge Washington
and Mr. Kay.
Mr. Gurley will probably be in this neighborhood till
Commencement, and if you think it proper that some bread should be cast on the
waters in this case, I am willing to follow the example.
While I cannot, conscientiously, very confidently recommend
the cause of this society as being a great attainable good, I am still willing
to confide in those good men, who have more confidence, so far as to contribute
my own little mite to the object in view.
At any rate, my dear Sir, you have discharged your duty
before God and man, on the subject of African slavery; and yon must not be
surprised if more should be expected from him who has done so much and so
admirably.
With perpetual regard, dear Sir,
Yours,
Daniel Webster.
SOURCE: Fletcher Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence
of Daniel Webster, Volume 1, p. 320-1
