The American Anti-Slavery Society Defends the Actions of Their Great Postal Campaign of 1835 in its Aftermath

"We are charged with sending incendiary publications to the South. If by the term incendiary is meant publications containing arguments and facts to prove Slavery to be a moral and political evil, and that duty and policy require its immediate abolition, the charge is true..."

New York, September 3, 1835. Bifolium, 10 1/4 x 8 in. (260 x 203 mm). Printed circular, titled "To The Public", signed in type by executive members of the American Anti-Slavery Society (including Arthur Tappan, John Rankin, Elizur Wright, Jr., Lewis Tappan, and others), extolling their beliefs and defending the Society's recent actions. In part: "We solicit the candid attention of the public...who have been led by gross misrepresentations, to believe that we are pursuing measures at variance not only with the constitutional rights of the South, but with the precepts of humanity and religion...We hold that Slavery can only be lawfully abolished by the Legislatures of the several States...We believe that American Citizens have the right to express and publish their opinions of the constitutions, Laws, and Institutions of any and every State and Nation under Heaven...We are charged with sending incendiary publications to the South. If by the term incendiary is meant publications containing arguments and facts to prove Slavery to be a moral and political evil, and that duty and policy require its immediate abolition, the charge is true...as it now is, under the sanction of Congress, the great slave mart of the American Continent, consent that the general government...shall appoint...ten thousand censors of the Press, each of whom shall have the right to inspect every document you may commit to the Post Office, and to suppress every pamphlet and newspaper..." Hand addressed on verso, with manuscript docket. Wax seal present. Creasing from old folds; scattered foxing.

During the summer of 1835, the American Anti-Slavery Society undertook a massive postal campaign, sending thousands of circulars or other publications of abolitionist literature to towns and cities across the slave-holding states of the South. The reaction in many cases was swift and hostile, where postmasters often seized and destroyed any mail they suspected of containing anti-slavery sentiments. The Great Postal Campaign of 1835 contributed directly to the U.S. Congress's adoption of a "gag-rule" on slave related issues, which lasted until 1844.

Integral leaf with an interesting autograph letter, signed by Lewis Tappan, to reformer and abolitionist Rev. Samuel J. May, dated September 15, 1835. In part: "I rec'd one copy of the engraving by Mr. Child, and some one has robbed me of that. The design is excellent & the execution quite fair...I have seen an affidavit, sworn to before the Amer. Consul at London, respecting G(eorge).T(hompson).'s breach of trust. Whether the enemy inten(ded) to publish it here or not I cannot say. Two men swear that they heard the surviving partners of the house say 50+50. It asserts that G.T. was guilty of repeated acts of dishonesty. I understand that G.T. denied this Apropos...I am sadly prevailed, for one, to give an opinion whether G.T. had best remain in this country or return. He has talents we exceedingly need. And he is a much abused man..." Hand addressed on verso, with manuscript docket. Wax seal present. Creasing from old folds; scattered foxing.

Lewis Tappan (1788-1873) was a New York businessman who along with his brother Arthur were prominent leaders in the early temperance and abolition movements. In 1841, Lewis was one of the wealthy benefactors who helped secure the freedom of the accused Africans during the famous Amistad case.

George Thompson (1804-78) was one of the most prominent British abolitionists and human rights advocates of his time. In 1834, he embarked on a lecture tour throughout the United States, which were often met by fierce protests from pro-slavery factions. On multiple occasions he barely escaped capture, and likely execution, at the hands of such mobs. While a controversial figure in the American press, his tour is credited with assisting in the formation of over 150 local anti-slavery societies throughout the stops on his circuit.