Letter from William Robson, Warrington, [England], to William Lloyd Garrison and Thomas Worcester, 1858 Sept[ember] 22

William Robson writes to William Lloyd Garrsion enclosing copies of two letters, a letter from Thomas Worcester and his reply. Robson tells Garrison that "they may be of use" and that he "would like the correspondence to go on & to have it all published." In the first letter, from Thomas Worcester to William Robson and dated "Oct[ober] 8, [18]58," Worcester discusses his answers to Robsons earlier questions, affirming that "man can hold property in man .. in some cases" and denying that he agreed "the Lord [could] .. put another brother disciple on the auction block .." Worcester also states that when he granted Robson's request "for one hours conversation", Robson compelled him "to speak on other subjects, which were out of my province, and that he later "misrepresented" his views. In Robson's reply to Worcester, dated "Oct[ober] 26, 1858" from "Warrington, [England]", Robson states he is "glad to hear from you, and still more glad to learn that you did not consciously give utterance to which I considered the horrible blasphemy against the Lord .." Robson describes their previous meeting and the questions that Worcester addressed in his letter, expressing his shock at Worcester's answers. He claims Worcester's comments were "blotting out the last ray of hope on my soul that a true church of the Lord was to be found in your land." Robson also challenges Worcester's claims that he "compelled [him] to speak about American Slavery" and his astonishment that Worcester considers the "wrongs of nearly four millions of Gods children, his brother men and sister women in his own country, out of his province." Robson expresses his desire to see their correspondence published "for the purpose of putting us both right with the Boston public. I have nothing to keep secret," he tells Worcester.
Courtesy of Boston Public Library