Samuel J. May's Personal Invitation to the Founding of the American Anti-Slavery Society

New York, October 29, 1833. Single sheet, 10 x 8 in. (254 x 203 mm). Partially-printed document, addressed to Rev. Samuel J. May, and signed by Arthur Tappan, Joshua Leavitt, and Elizur Wright, Jr., being his personal invitation to the inaugural convention of the American Anti-Slavery Society. In part: "The friends of immediate emancipation, having met in the several cities of Boston, Providence, New-York, and Philadelphia, have concurred in the resolution to call a convention...to form a National Anti-Slavery Society...The motives for organizing such a Society without delay, are briefly the following: 1. Union is strength...2. The cause is urgent...3. The public expectation is already excited...4. We have before us numerous examples of similar organizations, which, though feeble and obscure, and contemned (sic) by public opinion in the outset, have speedily risen to great influence...But it is necessary for us to enlarge..." Manuscript docket on verso. Creasing from old folds.

Very rare printed invitation sent to reformer and abolitionist Rev. Samuel J. May for the inaugural convention of the American Anti-Slavery Society, signed by its President, Arthur Tappan, as well as Joshua Leavitt, and Elizur Wright, Jr.

Rev. Samuel J. May (1797-1871) was an American Unitarian minister, and ardent supporter of abolition, women's rights, and educational reform. Born in Boston, he was a descendant of two renowned colonial families, the Quincys and the Hancocks. His sister, Abby May Alcott was the mother of author Louisa May Alcott. May was one of the founding members of the New England Anti-Slavery society, being a close supporter of William Lloyd Garrison, the publisher of the famous Liberator newspaper. Throughout the 1830s and 40s, he was actively involved in the national abolition movement, traveling throughout the northeastern United States to local anti-slavery chapters or societies as a lecturer and agent. A friend to Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, and Douglass, May aided freedom seekers directly, led the Syracuse Fugitive Aid Society, and founded one of the nation's first Freedmen's Relief Associations in 1862. He was a prolific author and orator, writing a multitude of essays and speeches on reforming political and religious society until his death in 1871.

The first national convention of the American Anti-Slavery Society was held at the Adelphi Building in Philadelphia, from December 4-6, 1833. Over 60 delegates from ten states were present, with the objective of coordinating country-wide abolitionist efforts. The structure of the national society was laid out, with Arthur Tappan chosen President, Elizur Wright, Jr., Secretary of Domestic Correspondence, William Lloyd Garrison, Secretary of the Foreign Correspondence, A. L. Cox, Recording Secretary, and William Green, Jr., Treasurer. Its executive headquarters was chosen as New York, and The Emancipator was chosen as its official publication. The American Anti-Slavery Society would become the leading national abolitionist organization through the 1830s-40s, sowing the foundation of anti-slavery sentiments throughout the antebellum United States.

When discussing the results of the convention, historian F.G. De Fontaine says that "Tracts, pamphlets and books were published and circulated; a large number of agents were employed in different guises to promote the work throughout the country, North and South; State, county and local anti-slavery societies were organized throughout the free States; funds were collected; the New England Anti-Slavery Society became the Massachusetts State Society, and the whole machinery of agitation was put in thorough working order..." (History of American Abolition, 1861).