Letter from Arthur Tappan, New York, [New York], to William Lloyd Garrison, [1832 January 21]

In this handwritten copy of a letter to William Lloyd Garrison, Arthur Tappan thanks Garrison for sending him $100 and says he is "gratified with the appearance of your paper since its enlargement." He then comments that he does not receive the Liberator regularly and shares his happiness at the creation of the New England Anti-Slavery Society. Tappan also fears that the Nat Turner rebellion, "the Southampton affair," has "paralyzed our Philadelphia friends" and that they will not be able to contribue "towards organizing a National [Anti-Slavery] Society." Tappan also speculates that hatred for abolitionists could cause slaveholders to support colonizationists and suspects that "free colored people [are] subjected to a cruel persecution to make them disposed to emigrate." In the postscript, he asks Garrison for "the address of the Rev. Mr. [Samuel Joseph] May."
Courtesy of Boston Public Library