Letter from John Murray, Bowling Bay, [Scotland], to William Lloyd Garrison, 1 Aug[ust] 1840

John Murray writes to William Lloyd Garrison informing him that he has heard through a letter Charles Lenox Remond received from his friend, W.L. Jeffers, that Ralph R. Gurley, "unceasing advocate of that most unprincipled and oppressive of all professedly philanthropic schemes [African Colonization] .. is arrived in London." He suggests Garrison consult with George Thompson and Nathaniel Peabody Rogers and consider whether to "challenge the Lion to a discussion in London .." and try to stop his views from gaining influence in the country and "neutralize his poisonous action." He then mentions that C.L. Remond is still ill and is being treated by Doctor [James] Smeal, William Smeal's brother, but he expects him to recover. Remond, he says, "is looking forward to the possibility of grappling with Gurley if he comes out before the Public & will stand [and] fight - the fight of words." As he writes, Murray says that Rev. John Keep of Oberlin has entered and agreed that Garrison, "if we could duly intercept him in his return to America is the very best person" to debate Gurley. Murray says Keep also stresses the importance of debating Gurley in London so he will "be deprived of the possbility of making even the smallest impression here." In the postscript, Murray adds that "Remond's letter is dated London 28 July [and] says Gurley arrived in the Philadelphia packet ship on the 26th ult."

Courtesy of Boston Public Library

anti slavery collection boston public library rare books department abolitionists scotland 19th century correspondence united states antislavery movements history social reformers african americans colonization africa garrison william lloyd 1805 1879 murray john d 1849 buxton thomas fowell sir 1786 1845 gurley ralph randolph 1797 1872 keep john 1781 1870 remond charles lenox 1810 1873 thompson george 1804 1878 letters correspondence manuscripts english john murray d 1849 william lloyd garrison john murray ultra high resolution high resolution

1840

Boston Public Library

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