[42] admirably for the cause in Boston; that it is perfectly safe for him to return immediately; that they shall be able to start a daily very soon, &c. Our friends are anxious that Garrison should return. . . . Boat arrived from New York. Glorious news! A letter in the Commercial Advertiser (Col. Stone's), written by a man not an abolitionist, says the Convention assembled at Utica; organized by appointing a chairman and enrolling six hundred members. A constitution was adopted for a State Society,1 when, being assailed by a mob, according to a previous understanding adjourned to Peterborough.2 There an additional number of four hundred appeared and took their seats, making one thousand in all—the largest convention ever assembled in that State for any purpose whatever. Judge Jay was elected President. . . . Gerrit Smith made a speech of one hour and a half; said he had been the greatest obstacle in the way of abolition in that State, but that he was now thoroughly convinced and with them in the most odious features of their measures.
Samuel E. Sewall to W. L. Garrison.
Boston, October 27, 1835.3 I received your letter yesterday morning. I have very little time which I can well spare to answer it. I see no objection to your remaining at Brooklyn for the present, except that your friends here will be sorry not to see you. You will certainly have less interruption there in preparing matter for the paper. I believe you would be perfectly safe in Boston now, and might appear here in open daylight without molestation. Yet as Mrs. Garrison could not fail to be perpetually anxious on your account, if you should take up your residence here just now, it seems to me you had better stay where you are. Your life was undoubtedly in imminent peril last Wednesday, and your escape under all the circumstances was almost miraculous; yet I do not believe even then that the mob intended to murder you, though heaven only knows what would have been the consequences if you had remained in the hands of an exasperated and phrensied populace. They might have committed a crime which they would abhor in cooler moments, and of which a few hours before they would have felt themselves incapable.
This text is part of:
1 Lib. 5.174, 175, 181, 190; May's Recollections, p. 162.
2 To Gerrit Smith's home, on his invitation.
3 Ms.
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