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Holograph, signed.Title devised by cataloger.John Bishop Estlin writes to F.W. Chesson regarding his happiness over the antislavery conference at Manchester and his regret that his ill health prevents him from attending it. He writes his opinion of the abolitionist societies in America and believes that the "A.A.S.S. is exclusively a moral movement, while the others, (altho' probably effecting good in some directions) expend money, time & energy upon objects respecting the propriety of which much difference of opinion exists among the friends of the A.S. cause in the U.S. & this country." He criticises the political parties in the U.S. in particular, "the party which F.D. has joined since leaving the A.A.S.S. is of this kind & that, however strong his private feelings or public efforts may be to abolish slavery, his party does not even propose to abolish it but only to limit its extent...his personal friends may desire to promote his interest by supporting his paper (which is his own property & private speculation) they are thus doing really but little for the cause. The same abbreviations apply to the Rochester Bazaar." He writes that he doesn't believe that donating to the American & Foreign Anti-Slavery Society is effective in abolishing slavery in the United States and hopes that people will decline to aid this organization. He hopes that the Manchester Conference will "secure a large attendance" when the "B&F.A.S.S. holds their Conference in London." He continues to discuss the shortcomings of the organizations and its influence on...

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Boston Public Library

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Digital Commonwealth