Manuscripts Relating to Slavery

Pages

: [Letter from Wm. Goodell to Lysander Spooner]; One-page letter dated December 18, 1855, from William Goodell in New York, to Lysander Spooner in Boston [Massachusetts], giving his approval of Spooner's "form of a letter to be forwarded to Congress, with the form of petition."

: [Letter from Geo. M. Searle to Lysander Spooner]; Undated letter from Geo. [George] Searle to Lysander Spooner dated 23 Feb. [...?] stating that he had "addressed a line to R. [Reverdy] Johnson."

: [Letter from K. Rayner to Lysander Spooner]; Three-page letter from K. [Kenneth] Rayner of Raleigh, North Carolina, to Lysander Spooner dated April 27, 1867, discussing Spooner's ideas on a "real-estate bank" in the southern states.

: [Letter from John M. Leitch to Lysander Spooner]; One-page letter dated August 17, 1866, from John M. Leitch in New York to Lysander Spooner of Boston [Massachusetts], asking if he would "favor me with a copy of your pamphlet."

: [Manuscript copy of a letter from Gerrit Smith to Hon. D. Wilmot]; Manuscript copy of a four-page letter from Gerrit Smith of Peterboro [New York] to Hon. D. [David] Wilmot, in which he responds to a letter from Wilmot discussing slavery and the United States Constitution, and sends him a copy of Lysander Spooner's "the Unconstitutionality of Slavery."

: [Letter from A. P. Aldrich to Lysander Spooner]; Undated one-page letter labeled "Private" from A. P. Aldrich to Lysander Spooner [of Boston, Massachusetts], asking for his legal opinions on case Ogden vs. Saunders and offering his observations on the "[] and the disposition of the Southern people."

: [Manuscript draft of a letter from Lysander Spooner to Gerrit Smith]; Manuscript draft of a four-page letter from Lysander Spooner in Athol [Massachusetts] to Gerrit Smith in Peterboro, New York, dated July 24, 1848, in which Spooner discusses his inability to raise funds for himself and explains reasons why the public should provide him assistance.

: [Manuscript copy of a letter from Thomas Earle to G. Braburn, Esq.]; Manuscript copy in Lysander Spooner's hand of a four-page letter dated April 12, 1845, from Thomas Earle in Philadelphia [Pennsylvania] to G. [George] Bradburn, in which he gives lengthy critique of Lysander Spooner's book [probably The Unconstitutionality of Slavery] and the abolitionist movement in general.

: [Letter from Lysander Spooner to Bradburn]; Four-page letter dated September 10, 1845, from Lysander Spooner in Boston [Massachusetts] to George Bradburn in Bangor, Maine, discussing general news of the abolitionist movement, mentioning Gerrit Smith, Mr. [Joshua?] Leavitt, and J. [James?] Fulton, Jr.

: [Letter from Gerrit Smith to Lysander Spooner]; Two-page letter from Gerrit Smith in Peterboro [New York] to Lysander Spooner dated September 23, 1861, coordinating a meeting in New York City.

: [Letter from L. Spooner to George Bradburn and letter from George Hoyt to Bradburn]; Two letters on four pages. First a letter dated May 2, 1847, from L. [Lysander] Spooner in Athol [Massachusetts] to George Bradburn in Cleveland, Ohio, regarding Spooner's work and its publication. Second, a letter dated May 3, 1847, from George Hoyt [also in Athol] to Bradburn

: [Letter from L. Spooner to Bradburn]; Two-page letter dated August 21, 1855, from L. [Lysander] Spooner to [George] Bradburn, in which he forwards a letter from E. D. Linden of New Bedford [Massachusetts] dated August 15, 1855, that invites Bradburn to lecture in his town.

: [Letter from Gerrit Smith to Lysander Spooner]; Four-page letter from Gerrit Smith of Peterboro [New York] to Lysander Spooner in Athol, Massachusetts, dated April 27, 1847, responding to Spooner's request for funds to support him during a visit to Boston as he writes his newest book. Includes list of names from whom Smith has collected funds, including S. E. Sewall, E. G. Loring, and H. B. Stanton.

: [Letter from James Birney to Lysander Spooner, Esq.]; One-page letter dated August 18, 1853, from James Birney of Cincinnati [Ohio] to Lysander Spooner [of Boston, Massachusetts], asking for his legal opinion on the decision of Judge [John] McLean on the [Rosetta Armstead] fugitive slave case.

: [Letter from Gerrit Smith to Lysander Spooner]; One-page letter from Gerrit Smith in Peterboro [New York] to Lysander Spooner dated June 12, 1860, discussing an argument of Spooner's that Smith has forwarded to Mr. [Charles] Sedgwick.

: [Letter from Geo. Bradburn to Lysander Spooner]; Four-page letter dated January 25, 1850, from Geo. [George] Bradburn in Lynn [Massachusetts] to Lysander Spooner in Worcester, Massachusetts, in which Bradburn discusses his regrets for becoming to editor of the Pioneer and other abolitionist activities.

: [Letter from Daniel McFarland to Spooner]; Two-page letter dated April 26, 1883, from Daniel McFarland in New York to Lysander Spooner in Boston, Massachusetts, discussing mutual acquaintances.

: [Letter, note and envelope from Wendell Phillips to Lysander Spooner]; One-page letter plus note and envelope from Wendell Phillips to Lysander Spooner, undated, in which Phillips declines Spooner's request for assistance.

: [Manuscript draft of a letter from Lysander Spooner to Gerrit Smith, Lewis Tappan, William Goodell, and others]; Manuscript draft of a four-page letter from Lysander Spooner in Boston [Massachusetts], dated March 12, 1856, to "Gerrit Smith, Lewis Tappan, William Goodell and others" dated March 12, 1856, explaining the reasons that Spooner has not joined the Liberty Party. At end, an additional note addressed to Gerrit Smith, requesting that he read the letter and then foward on to Goodell if he thinks it proper.

: [Letter from D. McF. to Spooner]; Four-page letter dated September 17, 1854, from D. McF. [Daniel McFarland] in Sauk City [Wisconsin] to Lysander Spooner [probably in Boston, Massachusetts], describing his circumstances in Wisconsin, and his plans to move further West.

: [Manuscript draft of letter from Lysander Spooner to Gerrit Smith]; Undated four-page manuscript draft of a letter labeled "To Gerrit Smith, not sent" in the hand of Lysander Spooner to "repudiate the idea of there being any friendship between" the two men.

: [Letter from Gerrit Smith to Lysander Spooner]; One-page letter from Gerrit Smith in Peterboro [New York] to Lysander Spooner dated February 2, 1859, thanking Spooner for sending along copies of his work and encouraging him to continue writing.

: [Letter and envelope from Gerrit Smith to Lysander Spooner]; Four-page letter and envelope from Gerrit Smith in Peterboro [New York] to Lysander Spooner in Worcester [Massachusetts] dated April 2, 1850, in which Smith responds to Spooner's accusations of copyright infringement.

: [Letter from Bradburn to Spooner]; Six-page letter from [George] Bradburn to [Lysander] Spooner, regarding an article by Bradburn that was rejected for publication in the Atlantic [probably the Atlantic Magazine].

: [Letter from Chas. D. Miller to Lysander Spooner]; One-page letter dated April 11, 1860, from Chas. [Charles] D. Miller in Peterboro [New York] to Lysander Spooner, regarding Spooner's memorandum, which was shown to him by Gerrit Smith.

: [Letter from Lysander Spooner to Gerrit Smith]; Eight-page letter from Lysander Spooner in Worcester [Massachusetts] to Gerrit Smith, dated July 5, 1849, describing his analysis of the United States Constitution in regards to slavery.

: [Letter from George L. Stearns to Lysander Spooner, Esq.]; Three-page letter marked 'Confidential' to Lysander Spooner of Boston [Massachusetts] requesting his participation in an Executive Committee formed to advocate for the enlistment of blacks to fight in the Civil War. Signed by George L. Stearns on behalf of the Committee. This letter is part of the Slavery collection in New-York Historical Society.

: [Letter from Wm. Goodell to Lysander Spooner]; Four-page letter dated December 1, 1855, from William Goodell in New York, to Lysander Spooner [in Boston, Massachusetts], discussing the legalization of slavery.

: [Letter from Daniel McFarland to Spooner]; Three-page letter and envelope dated March 21, 1881, from Daniel McFarland in Texarkana, Arkansas [Texas], to Lysander Spooner in Boston, Massachusetts, notfying of his whereabouts and giving his new address. McFarland also writes that "in order to avoid the great notoriety which follows me wherever I go, I have taken the name of Daniel O'Brien for the present."

: [Letter from Gerrit Smith to L. Spooner]; Two-page letter from Gerrit Smith in Peterboro [New York] to L. [Lysander] Spooner dated January 31, 1861, dicussing an extradition case in Canada involving slave [John] Anderson.

: [Letter from Jno. A. Thomson to Lysander Spooner]; Four-page letter from Jno. [John] A. Thomson in Summit Point, West Virginia, to Lysander Spooner dated December 17, 1877, discussing the topic of monetary systems.

: [Letter from Bradburn to Lysander Spooner]; Two letters on one leaf. Two-page letter dated April 20, 1851, from George Bradburn to Lysander Spooner, notifying that he is leaving in the morning for Cleveland [Ohio]. Followed by a two-page letter dated April 30, 1851, from Frances H. Bradburn to Lysander Spooner, notifying that she will also leave for Cleveland before visiting with Spooner.

: [Letter from Daniel Drayton to Lysander Spooner]; One-page letter dated September 30, 1854, from Daniel Drayton in New Bedford [Massachusetts] to Lysander Spooner, asking if Spooner will contact Mr. [Bela] Marsh to let him know that he has "made a mistake and put up Mr. Walker's book instead of mine."

: [Letter from Geo. Bradburn to Lysander Spooner]; Three-page letter dated April 15, 1846, from Geo. [George] Bradburn in Nantucket [Massachusetts] to Lysander Spooner in Athol, Massachusetts, in which he asks for a letter from Dr. and Mrs. [George] Hoyt and discusses Thomas Earle's opinion of Spooner's book [The Unconstitutionality of Slavery].

: [Letter from Danl. McFarland to Lysander Spooner]; Two-page letter and envelope dated April 9, 1884, from Danl. [Daniel] McFarland in New York to Lysander Spooner in Boston, Massachusetts, discussing mutual acquaintances and noting that "all our friends are dead."

: [Manuscript draft of a letter from L. Spooner to Gerrit Smith]; Manuscript draft of a four-page letter from Lysander Spooner in Boston [Massachusetts] to Gerrit Smith dated August 29, 1860, discussing Smith's libel suit against [Royal] Phelps and others.

: [Letter from L. Spooner to Gerrit Smith]; Two-page letter from Lysander Spooner in Hartford [Connecticut] to Gerrit Smith dated October 11, 1860, reporting on a visit to New York [City] and progress on Smith's libel suit.

: [Manuscript copy of a letter from L. Spooner to Gerrit Smith]; Manuscript copy of a letter from L. [Lysander] Spooner in Boston [Massachusetts] to Gerrit Smith dated October 30, 1863, asking Smith to return all letters ever sent to him by Spooner, with the exception of those referring to his libel suit in 1860.

: [Letter from Reverdy Johnson]; Three-page letter dated [] 19, 1858 [?], from Reverdy Johnson [of Maryland] to [Lysander Spooner of Boston, Massachusetts].

: [Letter from G. Bradburn to Lysander Spooner]; Four-page letter dated October 26, 1845, from G. [George] Bradburn in Boston [Massachusetts] to Lysander Spooner in Athol, Massachusetts, discussing opinions about Spooner's book, The Unconstitutionality of Slavery, and plans to begin a "Review" in Boston.

: [Manuscript draft of a letter from Lysander Spooner to Gerrit Smith]; Manuscript draft of a four-page letter from Lysander Spooner in Boston [Massachusetts] to Gerrit Smith dated July 7, 1858, discussing his theories on American banking systems, and encouraging Smith to begin a bank of his own.

: [Letter from Lysander Spooner to Hon. Charles A. Wickliffe]; Two-page letter from Lysander Spooner in Boston [Massachusetts] to Gerrit Smith dated January 11, 1844, which accompanied a copy of Spooner's The Unconstitutionality of Slavery.

: [Letter from L. Spooner to Gerrit Smith]; Two-page letter from Lysander Spooner in Boston [Massachusetts] to Gerrit Smith dated June 17, 1860, recounting [Royal] Phelps's admission of guilt involved with Smith's slander suit, and their dicussion of the payment of damages.

: [Letter from Jno. A. Thomson to Lysander Spooner]; Four-page letter from Jno. [John] A. Thomson in Summit Point, West Virginia, to Lysander Spooner dated September 30, 1871, thanking him for obtaining the assistance of [Arthur W. Austin] and discussing topics of slavery and monetary systems.

: [Letter from Lysander Spooner to George Bradburn]; Four-page letter dated October 27, 1846, from Lysander Spooner in Boston [Massachusetts] to George Bradburn in Cleveland, Ohio, regarding the death of "Rogers" and the reactions of various prominent abolitionists, including William Lloyd Garrison and Edmund Quincy.

: [Letter from L. Spooner to Bradburn]; One-page letter dated July 18, 1848, from L. [Lysander] Spooner in Boston [Massachusetts] to [George] Bradburn, notifying that he is leaving Boston for Athol because he has "nothing to eat" and that "the Abolitionists must flounder in their ignorance until they are willing to give me bread in exchange for knowledge."

: [Manuscript draft of a letter from Lysander Spooner to Gerrit Smith]; Manuscript draft of a two-page letter from Lysander Spooner in Worcester [Massachusetts] to Gerrit Smith, dated March 30, 1850, in which Spooner accuses Gerrit of copyright infringement.

: [Letter from Jno. A. Thomson to Lysander Spooner]; Two-page letter from Jno. [John] A. Thomson in Summit Point, West Virginia, to Lysander Spooner dated June 2, 1886.

: [Letter and envelope from C. B. Sedgwick to Lysander Spooner]; One-page letter and envelope from C. B. [Charles Baldwin] Sedgwick in Washington [D.C.] to Lysander Spooner dated March 25, 1860, asking for a meeting in New York with Spooner and Col. [Charles] Miller.

: [Letter from Lysander Spooner to Gerrit Smith]; Sixteen-page letter from Lysander Spooner in Worcester [Massachusetts] to Gerrit Smith, dated July 17, 1849, explaining his arguments against slavery, and Smith's financial obligations towards Spooner for his legal advice on the matter.

Pages