Letter from James Sloan Gibbons, New York, to Caroline Weston, 1842 Aug[ust] 14

James S. Gibbons writes to Caroline Weston in regards to Henry Grafton Chapman's health. Mrs. Lydia Marie Child "placed the account of the Mammoth Cave in a conspicuous part of the paper to attract your attention & was gratified that you saw it." He discusses the small risk for the Chapmans in the South and the "guaranty against personal injury" that could be afforded by letters from physicians. He regrets that "under pressure of extremest need" one cannot pass a boundary line without exposure to outrage." He prophesies that "the curse [of slavery] will go out in blood!" He complains of the many who live only for self. He refers to the Philadelphia riot and favors advocating principles. He writes, "There are thousands to whom the light would come, were it not that Dr. Channing, "& such as he, intercept it." He casts doubt on the abolitionism of [W.H.] Furness. He notes the Philadelphians' love of comfort. He doubts that $10, 000 will be raised in Philadelphia. A strong article by J.C. Jackson against the Third Party movement appeared in the national anti-slavery standard. The female anti-slavery society pledge $1000, the most of which they expect to raise at the fair and according to the vote paper, that is to be sliced in half-we may get this particular $500 about new years day." He remarks that C.W. [Denison] at the picnic who was "not there honestly & honorably." He criticizes Dr. Channing. In a postscript, he tells of a fugitive slave in Brooklyn.
Courtesy of Boston Public Library