New-York, February 22d, 1860.
Chas. D. Miller, Esq.:
Sir: Yours
of the 13th inst. was received by me a few days since; and but for other
pressing engagements, would have been answered immediately. Since its receipt,
I have looked over carefully the “Manifesto of the Democratic Vigilant
Association” to which you refer, and so far as Mr. Gerrit Smith's name is mentioned
in connection with the “Central Association,” have no hesitation in saying that
his statement, that he is not a member of that body, renders it obvious that in
this particular the writer of the pamphlet has fallen into an unintentional
error. With regard to the letter also inserted in this pamphlet, dated
Peterboro, Aug. 29th, 1859, purporting to have been written by Mr. Smith, as
you do not allude to it, I suppose that is correctly set forth. By
comparing the general tone and sentiment with the constitution of the “Central
Association,” I think you will see that the writer of that pamphlet might very
naturally have fallen into the mistake, (as you assure me that it is a
mistake,) of supposing that the writer of one approved of the objects of the
other. This was doubtless the view of the writer of this pamphlet, in regard to
which particular care was taken to insure accuracy in its statement of facts, and
for these the writer of the pamphlet relied somewhat upon the current newspaper
articles of the day. After the information now received from you, I am very
sorry to learn that Mr. Smith's name was thus connected with the “Central
Association” to which you say he did not belong, or that any injustice was done
to him in this publication.
Mr. Phelps and Mr.
Sherman have each perused this letter, and I am requested by those gentlemen to
say they concur in the same, and beg you will receive it also as their reply to
the communication you addressed to each of them on the same subject. They also
request me to say that it gives them great pleasure to correct the error into
which the writer of this pamphlet has fallen in regard to Mr. Smith, as,
however much they differ from the sentiments held by him as expressed in the “Jerry
Rescue” letter, they respect the boldness and personal integrity of Mr. Smith, and
desire to do him full justice.
Yours very truly,
Samuel L. M. Barlow.
SOURCE: Gerrit
Smith, Gerrit Smith and the Vigilant Association of the City of
New-York, p. 5-6
