Letter from William P. Weeks, South Berswick, [Maine], to Amos Augustus Phelps, 1828 March 7

William P. Weeks writes to Amos A. Phelps apologizing for his previous behavior during a conversation they had, stating that "believe me, they were made in the true spirit of friendship-in the same spirit that would have compelled me thus to address a brother-or sister or any other near and dear friend." He also discusses a scandal connected with Sarah Ann Haggins. He writes, "That son of..has at length disclosed the great secret that he predicted, would 'astound' both you and me..he does not say if he or some other one is the murderer. I am afraid how what I have heard that it is too true--the very thought of it fills me with horror--I feel for her and I feel for you--if this be true what must your sensations be-it must give you a tremendous shock to hear even a suspicion of any thing like this in regards to her, whom y ou have selected for your wife-whom we have bee accustomed to think of and speak of as a lovely Girl-a child of sorror-unfortunate from having her lot cast in such a family-amid such connexions-and such companions. Her purity-her virtue we never doubted. Oh! This thing discloses to me the depravity-the baseness-the rottenness of the human heart."

Courtesy of Boston Public Library

anti slavery collection boston public library rare books department abolitionists united states 19th century correspondence antislavery movements religious aspects christianity history phelps amos a amos augustus 1805 1847 weeks william p 1803 letters correspondence manuscripts english william p weeks 1803 amos augustus phelps south berswick ultra high resolution high resolution slavery

1828

Boston Public Library

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