Letter from Johnn Bishop Estlin, Bristol, [England], to Richard Davis Webb, 1845 November 13

John Bishop Estlin writes to Richard Davis Webb in regards to the refusal of the municipal Unitarian Ministers to sign the "Address" sent a year and a half ago to America. He writes, "the letters of all the objections, with their reasons, came into my hands, and as some of their arguments seemed good ones..their American Brethren really needed a stimulus, if not a reproof." He writes that the abuse of the clergy by Garrison & his party are "unchristian & impolitic." He criticizes Dr. Orville Dewey for having "indifference to the rights of the cause." He favors enlightening slaveholders through "gentleness & love." He writes of Frederick Douglass's Narrative and regrets that it contains anything that should limit its circulation. He believes a good model may be found in the tract "Slavery in America" by Chamber's Miscellany. He writes that he has been occasionally "disgusted with H.C. Wright's expressions & opinions as to the observance of Sunday." He writes that the abuse of ministers & Christians Societies for "not allowing discussions on Free trade, Universal suffrage, & such topics to take place in their places of worship, even on Sundays, is as wrong in principle as bad in taste." He thanks him for his printed circular and writes of Frederick Douglass not obtaining permission to lecture in "our chapel." He discusses the possible visit of Frederick Douglass in Bristol and arrangements to be made for it. Estlin says he cannot stay at his house due to a recent illness but believes that Douglass could do more good if he stayed with Quakers over a Unitarian. He wishes the British Foreign Anti-Slavery Society would "concentrate their energies more upon American Slavery as the negroes there are as well off as they are in the W. Indies--an A.S. feeling is very much awakened here, and if people do not get frightened & disgusted by violent language..it will pursue a very desirable course." He writes that one box went off yesterday between 6 & 700 separate articles for sale. In a postscript, Estlin writes to send a note to Charles Francis Adams in regards to a letter in the Liberator on October 3 as to the "necessity of unanimity among the Abolitionists could be felt by them all."
Courtesy of Boston Public Library