Letter from Wendell Phillips, Natick, [Massachusetts], to Samuel May, [1847] July 2

Wendell Phillips writes to Samuel May answering May's letter in numbered points. First, Phillips states that "[Granville] Sharpe [sic] was never a member of Parliament" but worked in the War Office and resigned "rather than sanction the war vs. this country .." He points May to the preface of his pamphlet "ought Abol[itionists] to vote" for more information. Phillips then states Sharp's "great effort .. resulting in the Somerset case was 1768 or 1770. The first continued efforts in Parliament by [William] Wilberforce and [Thomas] Clarkson was in 1786 or 7, so it was nearly 20 years previous you see." Thirdly, he states that "there was no law authorizing or recognizing slavery in England or Scotland - though there were in the colonies." Finally, Phillips says that he cannot quote from a speech by Thompson to the length that May requests. He also tells May that "the only manual I know of facts &c is "Sunderland's Manual" but dated 8 years back." However, he tells May that he doesn't know anyone who has it, "for sale but Tappan of New York or La Roy Sunderland himself at Charlestown."

Courtesy of Boston Public Library

anti slavery collection boston public library rare books department abolitionists united states 19th century correspondence antislavery movements great britain history social reformers may samuel jr 1810 1899 phillips wendell 1811 1884 sharp granville 1735 1813 sunderland la roy 1802 1885 united kingdom letters correspondence manuscripts english wendell phillips 1811 1884 wendell phillips samuel may high resolution slavery ultra high resolution

1847

Boston Public Library

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