Letter from Charles Sumner, [Boston, Massachusetts], to Maria Weston Chapman, 1842 Nov[ember] 30

Charles Sumner writes to Maria Weston Chapman in regards to fugitive slaves. He writes, "It may not be deemed expedient for the bar to adopt a rule according to which each member shall refuse his professional assistance to reclaim a fugitive slave." He writes that he is not without hope that such a rule will be promulgated. He writes, "I shall sign it, vote for it & rejoice in it." In default of any contribution of his own to the "Liberty Bell" sends a letter from Samuel Gridley Howe, which contains a "most harrowing sketch of a scene which he witnessed in a Southern prison." Dr. Howe was visiting New Orleans for the purpose of interesting the legislature of Louisiana in the education of the blind. He viewed the prison in company with a slave-holder, who hoped Dr. Howe would not report what he had seen. But Dr. Howe does not consider what he witnessed in a public institution as "confidential."
Courtesy of Boston Public Library