Francis Jackson Garrison, William Lloyd Garrison, 1805-1879; the story of his life told by his children: volume 2

Both in Boston and in other places fairs were held¹ for the express benefit of the Liberator, and its exigencies were not overlooked in the county society meetings. Thus, on June 13, at Topsfield, when the Essex County Society had baffled the final endeavor of its Secretary, ² Torrey, to commit it to the New Organization, it was ready to receive Mr. Garrison with plaudits, and to second the praise of his paper from other lips than his own. Charles Burleigh dwelt upon its free discussion. Another speaker³ testified to its keeping abolitionists awake and helpful. ‘But he liked the Liberator for another reason. He liked it because it contained the archives of the abolition cause. If he wanted to get the spirit of the age on the great subject of slavery, he went to the Liberator.’

In the prospectus to the tenth volume it was possible⁴ to say that the subscription list was steadily on the increase, and was larger than ever before, notwithstanding the rivalry of the Massachusetts Abolitionist and the large circulation of the Cradle of Liberty. Knapp, it was presently announced, had relinquished his interest in⁵ the paper, ‘receiving therefor a certain consideration.’ His habits had made this step absolutely necessary. ‘A committee,’ wrote Mr. Garrison to Elizabeth Pease, ⁶ reviewing his whole connection with his old partner,

was appointed to confer with Mr. Knapp, in order to effect the desired arrangement in an amicable and equitable manner. This he entered into with much reluctance, of course. As a matter of experiment, it was agreed that he should waive all right and title to any part of the Liberator for the term of two years—he being paid such remuneration as impartial referees might feel disposed to award. It was further agreed that, during this period, the pecuniary concerns of the paper should be managed by a responsible committee, in whom its friends could feel the utmost confidence; and, consequently, the present committee⁷ kindly consented to act in this capacity—to the universal gratification of the friends of the Liberator.

When the question of remuneration was submitted to the referees, (who were all quite friendly to Mr. Knapp), they