Hanson, Augustus William

Description

Holograph, signed.Title devised by cataloger.On verso, the letter is addressed to "William Lloyd Garrison Esqr ... Boston Mass."Augustus William Hanson writes to William Lloyd Garrison asking for his views "respecting the doctrine of 'no Civil Government.'" He apologizes for not following Garrison's advice and states his own views of self-defense, asserting that "the sin consists not merely in the application of physical force - but in the application thereof with a bad motive to gain a certain end at all hazard." He justifies his appeal "to the strong arm of the law for protection," arguing he was trying to save his own life and prevent a crime from occurring. Hanson then asks Garrison why he was "shut out of the proceedings of the two last Anti-Slavery Conventions," and challenges Wendell Phillips' claim that the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society does not recommend periodicals published outside of New England. Hanson also notes that his name had been left off the list of attendees published in the Liberator and that he was also not included in the published proceedings of one of the conventions. He tells Garrison it he will if he will "permit me one hour's interview wherever it may suit your convenience you will exceedingly oblige."

Record Contributed By

Boston Public Library

Record Harvested From

Digital Commonwealth