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

The closeness of the time of the anniversary meeting in New York to that of the World's Convention had led to a request from Massachusetts for an anticipation of² the former date; but the Executive Committee, not indisposed to put obstacles in the way of a transatlantic representation from that quarter, refused to comply.³ Mr. Garrison quickly decided that for him the nearest duty was to attend the anniversary, whether it cost him⁴ a punctual arrival in London, or even the trip itself. As the event proved, he incurred the former penalty.

W. L. Garrison to George Bradburn.

Boston, April 24, 1840.

⁵ Your note of yesterday, requesting letters of introduction to anti-slavery friends in England, has just come. As you intimate that you may leave to-morrow, and Francis Jackson informs me that he has a bundle for you, you see I have scarcely a moment to comply with your request. But George Thompson will be sufficient to obtain for you an introduction to a host of noble men and women across the Atlantic. How glad, how very glad, I am that Lucretia Mott and her husband are going to the Convention! And how sorry, how very sorry, I am that I cannot go with them and with you! My dear Bradburn, it is not probable that I shall arrive in season to be at the opening of the Convention; but, I beseech you, fail not to have women recognized as equal beings in it. Interchange thoughts with dear Thompson about it. I know he will go for humanity, irrespective of sex.

God speed you!

William M. Chace to G. W. Benson.

Boston, May 6, 1840.

⁶ Bro. Garrison wished me to write to you because he has not time. He can't leave here until next Monday. He is in great⁷ doubt about going to England. I hope he will not go. That Convention will be sectarian; and if he don't go, and writes Geo. Thompson a letter giving all the reasons, I believe they will defeat this half-souled Worldly Convention.