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[491] the times of the French Revolution, when no man dared trust his neighbors. Private assassins from New Orleans are lurking at the corners of the streets to stab Arthur Tappan; and very large sums are offered for any one who will convey Mr. Thompson into the slave States. I tremble for him, and love him in proportion to my fears. He is almost a close prisoner in his chamber, his friends deeming him in imminent peril the moment it is ascertained where he is. . . . Your husband could hardly be made to realize the terrible state of fermentation now existing here. There are seven thousand Southerners now in the city; and I am afraid there are not seven hundred among them who have the slightest fear of God before their eyes.

Henry Benson, now clerk of the Anti-Slavery Office in Boston, wrote to his brother George, on August 19, of Thompson's arrival unmolested on the 18th, and immediate departure for Lynn with Mr. Garrison; but that he was not safe there nor in Boston or vicinity:

I believe there are those in Boston who would assassinate1 him in broad daylight. Did you know the state of feeling here you would not have suggested that Brother May should speak at the Faneuil Hall meeting. Even if permission were granted, the rabble would not allow him a hearing. It has been a question with our friends whether they should attend at all. Garrison nor May would not be safe there on an evening, and I doubt whether they would not meet with trouble in the daytime. The least attempt to interfere on our part would be highly disadvantageous, as the meeting is called by an expressed class of people,—viz., those opposed to immediate abolition,—for an express purpose. A petition is being signed to procure the Hall for the abolitionists, but it will unquestionably be denied. After the meeting we may expect a mob. The Liberator office has been threatened in consequence of the article on Saturday. We are2 putting out an address to the public which will be ready to-day. Ten thousand are to be circulated here in the city. Garrison drew up an admirable one, but they could not swallow it. Thought it most too fiery for the present time. You will see it in the next Liberator. It is equal to the Declaration of 3 Sentiments. We have received a great quantity of the publications which were sent to the South, for gratuitous distribution in this city, and have inserted a notice to that effect in the daily papers. . . .

1 Ms. Aug. 19, 1835.

2 Aug. 15, ante, p. 489, Boston Advertiser, Aug. 20, 1835.

3 Lib. 5.134.

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