Letter from George Thompson, London, [England], to William Lloyd Garrison, [1863] Dec[ember] 4th

Item Information

Title:
Letter from George Thompson, London, [England], to William Lloyd Garrison, [1863] Dec[ember] 4th
Description:
George Thompson writes to William Lloyd Garrison about several speeches he has made "for the purpose of showing how completely the sceptre has departed from King Cotton." He asserts that "The Rebels may burn their cotton, or export it ... for it is not necessary to the present or future prosperity of our cotton trade", showing that the United Kingdom takes in "more than sufficient" supply from the rest of the world "to give employment to all the hands then available." Thompson then discusses the work of "a body of gentlemen in Manchester" who had formed the Cotton Supply Association and worked for "an increased supply of cotton for the English market." He remarks that the Society "render[ed] great service during the late crisis" of cotton shortages caused by the American Civil War. He describes how "our working classes have suffered great privations" due to the cotton shortage and "closing of the mills" but were "greatly alleviated by the spontaneous benevolence of all classes of the community." He details the charitable programs and public works aimed to give them employment and improve public health. Thompson concludes that end of cotton from the Southern states "will be one of the most fortunate events that could have occurred." He comments that it was by the South's rebellion, "by their own act [that] we have been emancipated & shall never again be enslaved." He rejoices that "Cotton is no longer king."
Author:
Thompson, George, 1804-1878
Addressee:
Garrison, William Lloyd, 1805-1879
Date:
[December 4, 1863]
Format:
Letters/Correspondence
Manuscripts
Location:
Boston Public Library
Rare Books Department
Collection (local):
Anti-Slavery Collection
Subjects:
Abolitionists--England--19th century--Correspondence
Abolitionists--United States--19th century--Correspondence
Antislavery movements--United States--History--19th century
Cotton trade--Great Britain--19th century
Social reformers--United States--History--19th century
Abolitionists
Abolitionists--United States--History--19th century
Antislavery movements--United States
Cotton famine, 1861-1864
Cotton trade--Great Britain
Social reformers--United States
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865--Foreign public opinion
Cotton Supply Association
Thompson, George, 1804-1878
Garrison, William Lloyd, 1805-1879
Places:
United Kingdom
England
Extent:
14 leaves (19 p.) ; 21 cm.
Permalink:
https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/2v23xn89d
Terms of Use:
No known copyright restrictions.
No known restrictions on use.
Place of origin:
London, [England]
Language:
English
Notes:
Holograph, signed.
Title devised by cataloger.
George Thompson also wrote another letter to William Lloyd Garrison, dated December 4, 1863. See call number MS A.1.2 v.32, p.91A for that letter.
Boston Public Library (Rare Books Department) manuscript composed in brown ink on white paper. In the head- fore corner of the first page, "1863" has been added in pencil alongside the date and above the salutation the number "170" is also written in pencil. In the tail- spine corner of the first page, "91" is written in pencil as well. Thompson numbered each page of the letter and after page 15, the letter continues with page 16 on the back of page 13, 17 on the back of 12, 18 on the back of 11, and page 19 on the back of page 10.
Notes (date):
This date is inferred.
Identifier:
5090679
Call #:
MS A.1.2 v.32, p.91B
Barcode:
39999085425518