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

[417] times—and, especially, the blow which our third-party abolitionists and the new organizationists have given to the antislavery enterprise—we are really in a more critical situation than we have ever been before; and unless we can get some aid from abroad, I am apprehensive that the American Anti-Slavery Society, with the National Standard, Rogers and all, must sink.

We have, you may rest assured, strained every nerve to sustain ourselves; and it is with the greatest reluctance that we send our bro. Collins on his mission. It is a dernier ressort, ‘for better, for worse.’ We are well aware how many are the calls made upon our British friends, to promote objects of charity, mercy and religion; but we know, too, that they have realized the truth of the Saviour's declaration, that ‘it is more blessed to give than to receive.’ In attempting to put away the evil that is in the world, we must forget all national distinctions and geographical boundaries, and remember that we are indeed members of one family, to whom there is nothing foreign, nothing remote. I have told my friend Collins of the difficulties that will lie in his path, especially in consequence of the introduction of the new-organization spirit among you in England. He goes out, therefore, with very moderate expectations; for even a little assistance will amount to a great deal at this juncture. We trust, for our sakes, that his mission will be short, for we cannot spare him long abroad. I rely very much upon your judgment, and also that of Geo. Thompson, in this emergency. Do counsel my friend Collins, for he will need to be wise as a serpent, and harmless as a dove. He goes out in behalf of the American Society, the Executive Committee of which, I presume, will send an address by him to the anti-slavery friends in England. Our Board, also, will furnish him with some credentials.

Next week, we are to have a State Anti-Slavery Convention in Worcester, at which Rogers and myself must be present, to give an account of our doings in England. I wish you could be present. There is hardly another person in all the world that I desire to see so much as yourself. I hope we shall have a whole shipload of British abolitionists, of the right stamp, imported to these shores, ere long. We must have a World's Convention in Boston.

My dear Helen feels very grateful to you for your numerous¹ kindnesses to me, and would be glad of an opportunity to return like for like. My family are all well, and my own health continues good.