Letter from William Shortt, Dublin, [Ireland], to William Lloyd Garrison, 1847 April 17th
Description:
In this letter to William Lloyd Garrison, William Shortt encloses the "noble doings of the press in England in reference to the disgraceful conduct of the Cunard Steam Co. respecting F. Douglas's departure" on the ship, Cambria. Shortt expresses his regrets over the incident, including his mistakenly sending an account of the incident dictated by Douglas to him to two newspapers, which then published this account as an original letter by Douglas. Shortt explains the error and insists he "had one and only one [motive and] that was to get the matter before the public. I trust Frederick will understand this ..." He ends the letter by wishing Garrison and his family are well and providing some more details on "the attack" he suffered when Garrison was last with him.
Holograph, signed.
Title devised by cataloger.
Boston Public Library (Rare Books Department) manuscript composed in black ink on white paper. In the head- spine corner of the first page, there is small checkmark drawn in pencil, while under the salutation the number "29" has also been written in pencil. Above the first line of the letter, there is a purple circular stamp containing the words, "Garrison MSS." On the third page, the bottom 4 cm of the page are missing and towards the spine side of the signature, Shortt has written "PS" but there is no postscript. It is possible it was written on the piece of the page now missing. On the verso, the letter is addressed to "William Lloyd Garrison Esq Editor of the Liberator Boston U.S."