Francis Jackson Garrison, William Lloyd Garrison, 1805-1879; the story of his life told by his children: volume 1

[437] course of many inquiries, he kindly remarked, that, as the friends of negro emancipation in England had nearly accomplished their work in the Colonies, they would soon be enabled to give their sympathies and aid to their brethren in America, in a more direct and efficient manner than they had hitherto done; and he was sure they would readily do what they could, consistently with duty, the relations that subsisted between the two countries, &c. “In what way, then, Mr. Garrison,” he inquired, “can we best assist your cause?” “By giving us George Thompson,” I replied. “But,” he asked, “would there not be strong prejudices excited against him, on account of his being an Englishman? Do you think he could obtain a fair hearing before the American people? Would not the slaveholders, especially, and their violent adherents, endeavor to inflame the jealousy of the nation, and misrepresent the real object of his mission?”

To these questions I replied, that the coming of Mr. Thompson among us would undoubtedly stir up the bile of all those who were opposed to the abolition of slavery; that he might expect to encounter severe ridicule and bitter denunciation; that it would not be safe for him (as it was not safe for any New-Englander who was an abolitionist) to travel and lecture in the slave States; and that he would have to take his chance—probably an unequal chance—with the rest of us who were proscribed for our abhorrence of the slave system. Still, I believed he would find opportunities to speak in public, especially in New England, as often as he could desire; and I felt confident, that whenever and wherever he should succeed in making himself heard, he would disarm prejudice, extort admiration, and multiply converts to our cause; and that he would finally remove every obstacle in his path, arising from his transatlantic origin. As to his personal safety in New England, I did not think there would be any hazard. . . .

Mr. Buxton pleasantly remarked, that, if I thought they¹ could obtain a hearing at the North, we might have not only Mr. Thompson, but all their abolition lecturers, if desirable. He also said, that it was his intention to address a letter to the people of the United States upon the subject of slavery, which I urged him to write without delay.

At my next interview with Mr. Thompson, I frankly stated to him my views and feelings. Novel and startling as was my proposition, it made at once a deep impression upon his benevolent mind, and he promised to give it all that consideration