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person, without, however, intimating the suggestion as having originated with you. Should this step result in furtherance of your wishes, I shall sincerely rejoice, for I also feel persuaded that our friend could visit that country to great advantage to our cause.
Arnold Buffum to W. L. Garrison, at Portland.
Boston, 10th mo. 10, 1832.
1
my dear Garrison: We have had considerable conversation here relative to sending an Agent to England to collect subscriptions for our proposed School for colored youth, and as far as I can learn there seems to be but one opinion on the subject, and that is that if the means of defraying the expenses can be obtained, it will be best that thou should go immediately to England for that purpose.
It really appears to me that it is a most important measure to be immediately adopted.
I can entertain no doubt but thou would there meet the most cordial reception, and receive liberal contributions towards this most desirable object.
I have consulted several of the most wealthy men in Providence on the subject.
They highly approve the measure and will contribute toward its accomplishment.
Please get, on thy way to Boston, a few hundred if possible toward the expenses of a voyage to Europe, and come up and sail from New York the first of next month—that is my most decided opinion.
If the money for the expenses cannot be got elsewhere, I will go to New Bedford and beg hard, and I believe I can get it there.
At any rate, I will try as soon as I know thou hast decided to go.
A colored man now here from Petersburg, Virginia, states that they have there had a missionary society, and that they have been obliged to give it up in consequence of the new laws which prohibit them from meeting, and that they have a fund of $200 which they want to give where it will be used for the benefit of the colored people.
He thinks they will give it to us.
Please to write me immediately in reply.
Address to me at Lowell, and oblige thy assured friend.
Garrison in England will do the cause more good in three months than in twelve in America, by the reception he will there meet, and by his communications through the columns of the Liberator, &c., &c. Excuse the great haste, which almost precludes thought.