Details
WHITTIER, John Greenleaf (1807-1892), poet. Autograph letter signed ("John G Whittier") to Joseph Sturge of Birmingham, England; Boston, 29 December 1841. 3 pages, 4to, address panel on page 4, second leaf neatly inlaid to larger sheet. Fine.
WHITTIER ON THE ABOLITIONIST CRUSADE, WITH NEWS OF "ANOTHER AMISTAD AFFAIR"
A remarkably outspoken letter from the Quaker poet and ardent abolitionist, to a like-minded friend in England: "...by the papers...thou will see that Congress is discussing slavery in spite of itself:--and that they have not been able to exclude all our [anti-slavery] petitions. The papers will also give thee information...of another Amistad affair - the capture of the Brig Creole by slaves, on their way to New Orleans. The bold mutineers compelled the whites to carry them into Nassau, where most of them were set at liberty by the Governor & only the active participants in the rising, 19 in number, detained in prison. The news has kindled the whole south into flame: & already the subject has been discussed in the Senate. The pseudo abolitionist [Edward] Everett, will have his hands full, with negotiations on this subject. It is not expected here that your government [Britain] will give them up. The South will threaten & bluster, but they dare not fight. Even Calhoun in the debate in the Senate, evidently deprecated a war. By the report of the Secretary of the Navy, (a slave-holder)...the Southerners dread a war..." He thanks his correspondent for certain news and adds that "I have made use of it in the Emancipator [an abolitionist journal]. He praises Sturges's efforts on behalf of "your suffering population," reports his health is poor, but "whether a larger or shorter period is allotted me, I will try to improve it for the welfare of humanity..." He mentions the boundary dispute over the Maine border, and wishes that it "could be settled amicably: and thus leave our government nothing but slavery to quarrel about..."
The Creole had sailed from Virginia in October carrying 135 slaves bound for the slave markets in New Orleans. Some mutineed, killing a crew-member, and sought refuge in British Nassau. Under U.S. law, it was still legal to transport slaves between domestic ports in coastal waters, but Britain had wholly outlawed the traffic in slaves. A diplomatic furor ensued. Secretary of State Daniel Webster insisted the slaves be returned to their American owners. Southerners were loud in their condemnation of Britain and the dispute threatened the delicate Webster-Ashburton negotiations. In the end, the slaves were not returned, Britain apologized for "the necessity of the act" and in 1855 a joint commission indemnified the owners of the freed slaves.
WHITTIER ON THE ABOLITIONIST CRUSADE, WITH NEWS OF "ANOTHER AMISTAD AFFAIR"
A remarkably outspoken letter from the Quaker poet and ardent abolitionist, to a like-minded friend in England: "...by the papers...thou will see that Congress is discussing slavery in spite of itself:--and that they have not been able to exclude all our [anti-slavery] petitions. The papers will also give thee information...of another Amistad affair - the capture of the Brig Creole by slaves, on their way to New Orleans. The bold mutineers compelled the whites to carry them into Nassau, where most of them were set at liberty by the Governor & only the active participants in the rising, 19 in number, detained in prison. The news has kindled the whole south into flame: & already the subject has been discussed in the Senate. The pseudo abolitionist [Edward] Everett, will have his hands full, with negotiations on this subject. It is not expected here that your government [Britain] will give them up. The South will threaten & bluster, but they dare not fight. Even Calhoun in the debate in the Senate, evidently deprecated a war. By the report of the Secretary of the Navy, (a slave-holder)...the Southerners dread a war..." He thanks his correspondent for certain news and adds that "I have made use of it in the Emancipator [an abolitionist journal]. He praises Sturges's efforts on behalf of "your suffering population," reports his health is poor, but "whether a larger or shorter period is allotted me, I will try to improve it for the welfare of humanity..." He mentions the boundary dispute over the Maine border, and wishes that it "could be settled amicably: and thus leave our government nothing but slavery to quarrel about..."
The Creole had sailed from Virginia in October carrying 135 slaves bound for the slave markets in New Orleans. Some mutineed, killing a crew-member, and sought refuge in British Nassau. Under U.S. law, it was still legal to transport slaves between domestic ports in coastal waters, but Britain had wholly outlawed the traffic in slaves. A diplomatic furor ensued. Secretary of State Daniel Webster insisted the slaves be returned to their American owners. Southerners were loud in their condemnation of Britain and the dispute threatened the delicate Webster-Ashburton negotiations. In the end, the slaves were not returned, Britain apologized for "the necessity of the act" and in 1855 a joint commission indemnified the owners of the freed slaves.