Letter from Samuel Joseph May, Brooklyn, [Connecticut], to William Lloyd Garrison, 1831 July 18
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@ Boston Public Library
Description
Holograph, signed.Title devised by cataloger.The sermon May refers to is printed in the Liberator of of July 23, 1831 (Vol. 1, no. 30).Samuel Joseph May writes to William Lloyd Garrison sending him "eight pages more of my sermon." He explains that he has enlarged it since it was delivered in Boston and has preached this newer sermon to his congregation in Brooklyn as well as "to a large audience in Providence." He then comments on Garrison's "Address to the colored people", calling it "excellent - well adapted to the comprehension of uncultivated minds - and yet truly eloquent." May asserts, "It must, it will do good" but worries that Garrison is "too severe upon the friends of Colonization." He insists that Garrison's attacks are "lessening your own influence and throwing obstacles in your own path" and refers him to the example of St. Paul in the Bible. May then identifies himself as a member of the [American] Colonization Society and defends the organization before telling Garrison "I fear I shall not convince you, for with all your good qualities you are as pertinacious of your opinions as I am." He recommends that "Henry E. Benson will make you an excellent agent in Providence" and then discusses the important role of education "in elevating our colored brethren." In the postscript (which is mostly crossed out), May seeks to correct a line of his sermon that was published in the Liberator of July 2, 1831.
Text
Correspondence Manuscripts
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Digital CommonwealthKeywords
- Abolitionists
- Africa
- African Americans
- American Colonization Society
- Antislavery Movements
- Benson, Henry Egbert 1814 1837
- Colonization
- Correspondence
- Education
- Garrison, William Lloyd 1805 1879
- History
- Liberator (Boston, Mass. : 1831)
- May, Samuel J. (Samuel Joseph) 1797 1871
- Slaver
- Social Reformers
- United States