Port Glasgow Total Abstinence Society Cleghorn, J. R

Description

Holograph, signed.Title devised by cataloger.The envelope which originally held the address sent to Garrison is held in folder MS A.1.2 v.41, p.57. Writing on the envelope indicates the address was presented to Garrison, "by a delegatin of gentlemen from the Port Glasgow Total Abstinence Society, at the residence of A.F. Stoddard, Broadfield, Port Glasgow, Sunday evening July 20, 1867."The Port Glasgow Total Abstinence Society writes this letter to William Lloyd Garrison to "gladly embrace the opportunity" to welcome Garrison during his stay in the city. They "hail" Garrison "as a fellow labourer in the cause of Temperance" and compare their movement to the antislavery movement, saying that alcohol too "forge[s] chains of bitter bondage on thousands of our brothers and sisters." They insist they do not wish to "turn you aside from the great work which divine providence seems [e]specially to have given you - for still there is work to be done for the African race, and for colored men born on American soil," but they hope Garrison will support the temperance cause "as opporunity offers". The Society then acknowledges the cancellation of a public meeting to be held in his honor and congratulate him on behalf of the people of Port Glasgow on the abolition of slavery. The letter is signed by 12 individuals, including the Society's president, vice presidents, and secretary.

Record Contributed By

Boston Public Library

Record Harvested From

Digital Commonwealth