Letter from Abraham Brooke, Oakland, O[hio], to Maria Weston Chapman, Oct. 5, 1843

Item Information

Place of origin:
Oakland, O[hio]
Language:
English
Notes:
Holograph, signed.
Frederick Douglass is lecturing "most ably and successfully" to large audiences. Abraham Brooke repeats information received in a letter from a friend, Augustus Wattles, about the rupture that occurred at the annual meeting at Jonesboro, Indiana. Accordingly, Douglass interrupted George Bradburn, who claimed parliamentary right to continue his speech. Douglass appealed to the chair, Daniel Worth, who decided in favor of Bradburn. Charles L. Remond called the chairman a jackass and appealed to the meeting, which sustained the chair. Remond remarked: "they must be a set of monkeys out here in the West." James Monroe was called, but would not speak at that meeting. "Remond and Douglass choose to be the lions of the party and are unwilling to be directed by others ..." Abraham Brooke is pained to observe a want of harmony among the eastern friends. He suggests that the plan of calling conventions with several anti-slavery speakers scheduled is a bad one. The anti-slavery reform is but partial reform. Abraham Brooke said: The circumstances which continually surround our speakers are calculated to foster self-esteem---to beget pride where humility is needed." Brooke proposes that suitable new agents be appointed and those now engaged be gradually withdrawn. Abraham Brooke suggested to some eastern friends that Abby Kelley [Foster] become general agent and they "seemed to have something of a horror of the Gyneocracy [sic, gynecocracy] which would be constituted by having Miss Kelley in the field and Mrs. Chapman in the council."
Above the salutation, the letter is marked "Confidential."
Identifier:
3133484
Call #:
Ms.A.9.2 v.19, p.46
Barcode:
39999066784800
mq8390933