Letter from Samuel Joseph May, Syracuse, [N.Y.], to William Lloyd Garrison, Nov[ember] 23. 1851
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Holograph, signed.Title devised by cataloger.Manuscript is incomplete.Samuel Joseph May reports to William Lloyd Garrison that in the entire course of their struggle against the "Monster Slavery", he has "never been so active, bold, tranquil and happy" in his work as the past several months. May writes that he is fully assured that the United States government is "clearly in the wrong", and declares that it can only maintain its position "by the grossest abuses of its powers", which the people "would not tolerate". May writes that he has thusly been driven to the conclusion that it is necessary to "bring the people into direct conflict with the Government" in order to force a retreat of the government's actions. May asserts that he views the Fugitive Slave Act as unenforcable, and details to Garrison the statistical figures to date of prosecutions under this law. May states his wish that those on trial for violation of the Fugitive Slave Act would use the occasion to bring to light the monstrous moral nature of the law. May states that it seems unlikely that himself, Gerrit Smith, or Charles A. Wheaton will be indicted. May informs Garrison that their convention of the previous week was "well attended and not disturbed for a moment", and reports that they are establishing a mutual aid association. May informs Garrison of the visit received by Abby Kelley Foster and Sallie Holley, and states that they both addressed his church.
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Digital CommonwealthKeywords
- Abolitionists
- Antislavery Movements
- Civil Disobedience
- Congresses
- Congresses And Conventions
- Correspondence
- Foster, Abby Kelley 1811 1887
- Fugitive Slaves
- Garrison, William Lloyd 1805 1879
- History
- Holley, Sallie 1818 1893
- May, Samuel J. (Samuel Joseph) 1797 1871
- New York
- Slaver
- Smith, Gerrit 1797 1874
- Social Reformers
- United States
- Vigilance Committees
- Wheaton, Charles Augustus 1809 1882
- Women
- Women Abolitionists