[210] kind. I hope you will not feel that we have been subjected to any trouble. The very slight care of reading the proofs we have given with the greatest cheerfulness; and I now speak for Hillard as well as myself. Taking the interest we do in the cause, and proud of your friendly confidence, it is a source of pleasure to us. I have had a letter from Lord Morpeth, which shows that his observation of slavery in Cuba, Carolina, and Louisiana has not weakened his hatred of it. He says, writing from Louisville: ‘I am dying to see Dr. Channing's pamphlet; but I suppose I should ask in vain till I get to Ohio.’ I have forwarded it to him. Dr. Howe's report on the Blind Asylum is published, and is a noble contribution to the cause of humanity. The story of Laura Bridgman, as told by him, warms with magic influence the hearts of men. She throws untold interest about the blind, and the sympathy excited by her remarkable case is extended to a whole class. I send you the ‘School Journal,’ containing a part of the report, and some admirable remarks by Mann. He has recently returned from the convention at Utica, where, I am told, he did a great deal of good. Everybody listened while he spoke, and wished him to speak all the time. If Hillard and myself can be of any service to you in Boston, during your absence, I hope you will command us as your sincere friends.
To Lord Morpeth, Cincinnati.1
Boston, May 30, 1842.my dear Morpeth,—I envy you your visit to Mr. Clay, and feel disposed to sympathize in your appreciation of his character. He must be, in many respects, a noble soul, with great qualities and a genius for command. I doubt not that he is ‘honest’ as the world goes; but his principles are all of this earth. He inspires attachment infinitely more than his rival, Mr. Webster. I saw the latter to-day. He still lingers here and hereabouts, to sniff a little pure air and to await the doings of the Maine Legislature. They have already appointed commissioners—so has Massachusetts—to proceed to Washington with full powers to give their consent to a new conventional line. So I presume Webster will be off to-morrow or next day. There can be but little doubt that the boundary question—--the great crux of our difficulties—will be forthwith adjusted. There is a general impression sustained by Webster's language, though he is very guarded, that the Ashburton mission will be successful. We no longer think or talk about foreign affairs. It is the tariff which occupies and absorbs this part of the country. Much of the wealth of New England is so situated as to be dependent upon a protection derived from high duties on certain foreign articles.
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1 Lord Morpeth, while at Cincinnati, wrote to Sumner: ‘I left Cincinnati with regret. I liked its aspect, picturesque and novel, and I liked much a Mr. Chase I met there.’ the gentleman referred to was Salmon P. Chase, afterwards eminent as a statesman, and Chief Justice of the United States.
Cambridge, MA. Press of John Wilson and Son. 1877.
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