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[255] and congratulate you on your bodily and mental vigor, and the fruition of [our] hopes in the emancipation of our colored fellowmen. And as John Quincy Adams wrote to me on the deliverance of the Amistad Africans, so I can unite with you in saying,1 ‘Not unto us, not unto us,’ etc.

Yes, it is forty years since I first saw you, conducted you to my brother's desk, and introduced you to him. I seem to see now2 your open countenance and elastic step.

Francis Todd was a customer of mine in Boston, and I3 remember his sharp look and fox-like demeanor. How unlike John Peabody and Arthur Gilman of that day.

After much importunity, I have prepared a sketch of the life of my brother Arthur, and in the chapter on Anti-Slavery agitation have endeavored to do justice to you and your labors. I have also introduced your letter to my brother, and to his daughters. I have tried, while I justified the withdrawal of my brother and those affiliating with him from associated labors with other abolitionists, not to say anything impeaching their love of the cause, or their adherence to what they believed was right principle. I remembered that I was not writing a history of the anti-slavery agitation, but of A. T.'s personal efforts in the cause, and on behalf of moral reform generally. While sketching my brother's activities I have wished for an opportunity to read the chapter referred to, in your hearing; and, should opportunity occur, it would give me satisfaction to do so.

My unpretending volume will contain some three hundred or more pages, and may be printed in the course of two or three months.4

Henry Wilson and Joshua Leavitt have each in hand a history of the cause. I have heard that you have also. I could wish that a history might be written to embody the views of all parties, or at least not to be unjust to any party. Our differences should, as far as principle allows, be swallowed up in principles and measures that, under God, led to victory.

Should you have kept any of my brother's letters, I shall be glad to peruse them, or, if you can state any facts illustrating


1 Ante, 2.326.

2 Arthur Tappan.

3 Ante, 1.165-167.

4 “The life of Arthur Tappan.” New York: Hurd & Houghton. 1870. 12mo, pp. 432. With portrait.

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