Letter from George Thompson, London, [England], to William Lloyd Garrison, [1863] Dec[ember] 4th

George Thompson writes to William Lloyd Garrison about several speeches he has made "for the purpose of showing how completely the sceptre has departed from King Cotton." He asserts that "The Rebels may burn their cotton, or export it .. for it is not necessary to the present or future prosperity of our cotton trade", showing that the United Kingdom takes in "more than sufficient" supply from the rest of the world "to give employment to all the hands then available." Thompson then discusses the work of "a body of gentlemen in Manchester" who had formed the Cotton Supply Association and worked for "an increased supply of cotton for the English market." He remarks that the Society "render[ed] great service during the late crisis" of cotton shortages caused by the American Civil War. He describes how "our working classes have suffered great privations" due to the cotton shortage and "closing of the mills" but were "greatly alleviated by the spontaneous benevolence of all classes of the community." He details the charitable programs and public works aimed to give them employment and improve public health. Thompson concludes that end of cotton from the Southern states "will be one of the most fortunate events that could have occurred." He comments that it was by the South's rebellion, "by their own act [that] we have been emancipated & shall never again be enslaved." He rejoices that "Cotton is no longer king."

Courtesy of Boston Public Library

anti slavery collection boston public library rare books department abolitionists 19th century correspondence antislavery movements history cotton trade social reformers cotton famine 1861 1864 civil war 1861 1865 foreign public opinion cotton supply association garrison william lloyd 1805 1879 thompson george 1804 1878 united kingdom england letters correspondence manuscripts english george thompson 1804 1878 william lloyd garrison george thompson high resolution slavery

1863

Boston Public Library

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