Francis Jackson Garrison, William Lloyd Garrison, 1805-1879; the story of his life told by his children: volume 3

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W. L. Garrison to Henry C. Wright.

Boston, June 27, 1859.

¹ Mr. Phillips duly communicated to us the letter you sent to² him, in which you so gratefully and affectionately express your feelings towards my dear wife and myself; and direct him, whenever he receives the legacy left you by Mr. Hovey, to pay one fourth of it over to us, for our benefit, as a token of your appreciation of our friendship and hospitality. . . .

Whatever we have done for you, my dear friend, on the score of hospitality, has always been done as to one of the family, without thought or desire of remuneration at any time. Hence, we are unwilling to consider the relation a different one, by receiving for ourselves the gift you propose. While we live, and have a roof over us, you shall always find ‘a home’ with us, in health or sickness, in strength or in helplessness.

But your instruction to Mr. Phillips is, that the money you proffer us, if declined by us, is to be deposited in some bank for the benefit of Fanny and Franky. As in this case you will take no refusal, we have conferred together about it, and our conclusion is to accept it in trust—with this proviso, that if, from any unforeseen misfortune or destitution on your part, you should need it at any time, it shall be wholly expended for your benefit. Accordingly, it will be safely deposited in the Savings Bank in this city, whenever received.

The legacies of our lamented friend Hovey have attracted a great deal of attention, and made a marked sensation, in various quarters. No doubt the pseudo-religionists and heartless conservatives of our times are much disturbed and chagrined in view of their appropriation. Forty thousand dollars to be expended for the promotion of the most radical and unpopular reforms! Did the world ever hear of such a thing before! Is it not enough to throw all hunkerdom into convulsions? And then, six thousand dollars distributed among such ‘fanatical,’ ‘infidel,’ ‘disorganizing’ persons as Henry C. Wright, Parker Pillsbury, Stephen S. Foster, and William Lloyd Garrison, and their families! Verily, this is to cause endurance to pass its bounds! It is quite insufferable!

I am more and more struck with the moral courage and deliberate purpose manifested by our departed friend Hovey, in these bequests. He had a host of friends, and many in the antislavery ranks to whom he was strongly attached, and whom he held in the highest esteem; but no other half-dozen in the land