2004-09
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004
Autograph Letter Signed, 8p. octavo, Washington, February 10, 1857, addressed to the Editor of the Journal Courier, with cover “Care REv. George Hood Chester, Penn.”, it reads in part: “...Yesterday a scene occurred in the House of Representatives which was interesting to me an account of which I thought might be so to your readers. During a discussion of the General Appropriation Bill in Committee of the whole. Mr. Lovejoy of Illinois, a brother of the Alton, Martyr made a short but very effective speech. He moved to strike out an appropriation for the safe keeping of prisoners in New Yok & proceeded to say ‘I understand that this appropriation is for the safe keeping of slaves. This being my understanding I move to strike out those words. I will not now dwell on the moral considerations pertinent to this matter. I do not believe that the Constitution confers on this House the power of texing me or my constituents to feed, clothe, & keep these fugitive slaves till their trial comes on. If there is anything in the Consitution about it, it is that they are simply allowed to be carried back. Sir, it is a thing so uterly odious to the people of the free states, so utterly degrading and so abhorent to the feelings of humanity, North and South, that I go for adhering to the letter of the bond - giving nothing more than the pound of flesh...Here he was interrupted by the Mr. Singleton of Miss. ‘The gentleman talks about giving the ‘pound of flesh’. I would be very happy indeed if the gentleman would return this negro whom he helped to steal away from one of consituents.’...[Lovejoy responds] I thank the gentleman for calling the attention of the committee to that matter. I never stole away any of the gentleman’s negroes, he never rightfully owned a negro. Every human being that God made belonged to himself against the Universe! And, Sir, if this committee wishe to know as my attention has been several times called to this and as scurrilous ltters have been read here, whether I help fugitive slaves & I march right up to the confessional & tell them taht I do!...There is no human being black or white that ever comes to my door & asks for food when hungry or shelter when houseless but receives it, and if the invisble spirit of slavery expects to cross my humble threshold & forbid me to feed the hungry or shelter the houseless, I bid that demon defiance in the name of God!...” Much more. Fine.
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