Thomas Clarkson and Anti-Slavery Correspondence

WISFM : 1880.48

Clarkson to an unidentified correspondent, possibly a newspaper editor, 10th March, 1792.

Clarkson is writing on behalf of the Committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade to place a list in the provincial paper. In the postscript, Clarkson is keen to hurry up the petition from St Neots and all petitions and writes that Wilberforce has given notice of a motion in favour of abolition on the 29th. He also asks the recipient to let Dr Jowett know that he has received his letter and also Mr Jones.

Given by Mr. Frend. 3-XI-1880. (William Frend - writer, formerly Fellow of Jesus College Cambridge)

There is no list attached.

A network of newspaper editors who were sympathetic to the cause provided a means to get messages out to the public on behalf of the London Society/ Committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade. They helped to further the reach of the campaign and mobilize local activists. It is unclear what the list contained exactly but it is possible that it would have been a list of names of individuals who back the cause which would encourage the public to sign petitions. By 19 March 1792 Parliament had received 206 petitions and ahead of the motion in April 1792 even more petitions poured in. Wilberforce's motion was defeated and adjourned, eventually an amended version was passed which set in motion 'gradual' abolition. It is possible this letter has a Cambridgeshire connection as it appears to read St Neots and a Dr Jowett was working at St John's College in Cambridge at this time.

WISFM : TCC/1

Clarkson to Peckover, 24th February, 1807.

Clarkson joyfully informs Peckover of the 283-16 Commons victory in favour of the bill to abolish the slave-trade.  Clarkson wrote a number of these letters to his network of anti-slavery supporters and activists.

WISFM : 1942.8  

Clarkson to R. Dykes Alexander, 4th May, 1807.

Clarkson has received a letter from Stephen Lushington, M.P. for Great Yarmouth, and relays his situation to Dykes Alexander and finishes the letter, 'Pray support him'.  At the head of the letter, 'The Friend of the slave' is written in pencil by another hand.

Given by the Hon. Alexandrina Peckover. 24-1.-1942.

Stephen Lushington (1782-1873) addressed Parliament in favour of the bill to abolish the Slave Trade on 23 February 1807. He went on to resign from his role as MP in June the following year and returned to studies in Law gaining a Doctorate and continued his legal practice, before returning to Parliament in 1818.  Within his close family, an Uncle and two bothers through marriage were joint owners of plantations in Jamaica and his father was a Director of the East India Company between 1782 and 1800, nonetheless he continued in his role as an anti-slavery advocate and activist throughout his life. Richard Dykes Alexander (1788-1865) was the son of Ipswich banker, Dykes Alexander Junior, and Hannah Brewster, daughter of Catherine Peckover and Richard Brewster. A friend of Thomas Clarkson, philanthropist, Peace Society Committee member and anti-slavery activist, Clarkson and Dykes Alexander corresponded regularly.

WISFM : TCC/2   

Clarkson to Peckover, 2nd June, 1808.        

Clarkson writes concerning the distribution and payment for eight copies of Clarkson's work - presumably the two-volumed History … of the Abolition of the African Slave-trade. Also details concerning the further distribution of this volume, its price and supply.

WISFM : TCC/3

Clarkson to Peckover, 13th June, 1808.

Concerning further promotion and sale of Clarkson's work - presumed to be his two-volume History.

WISFM : TCC/16

Clarkson to Jonathan Peckover, 21st January, 1813.

Written on loose pages of Clarkson's The Life of William Penn.  The letter refers to the details of publication of this work at the top and at the end Clarkson wishes Peckover to let I Massey of Spalding and I Bateman of Chatteris know: ‘RE:  I have the Pleasure of informing you that the African Seas are pretty well scanned of Slave Ships.’

No provenance.

WISFM : 1930.1

Clarkson to R. Dykes Alexander, 28th November, 1814.

Clarkson’s writing towards the end of the letter concerns an Edict passed by Louis XVIII of France, forbidding all French subjects to trade in slaves along 2,000 miles of the African coast-line.

Given by Miss P.H. Peckover. 16-1-1930.

WISFM : TCC/4

Clarkson to Peckover, 14th February, 1824.

After a journey to Surrey in the coming week, Clarkson will have visited every county in England, Scotland and Wales while campaigning against Slavery.

At the end of the letter Clarkson asks Peckover to let Col Watson know ‘There is at present no immediate Hurry for a Petition from Wisbech, and, when I return from my visit to the County of Surrey, I will write to him a Letter on that Subject, though I fear it may be a week before I can address him. If I can make it convenient, and I will try to do every thing in my Power to do it, I will certainly visit Wisbech; and I will give him as much notice as I can, before such a Visit.’

WISFM : TCC/5

Clarkson to Peckover, 21st February, 1824.

The organisation and conduct of a proposed public meeting at Wisbech on the following Thursday is discussed.  The letter is dated 'Saturday Evening'.

WISFM : TCC/6

Hanbury to Peckover, 23rd February, 1824.

W. L. Hanbury informs Peckover that Clarkson is gratified that Peckover's efforts have spared him the trouble of visiting Wisbech as he needs repose after visiting all the counties of England; Stephen's work on Colonial Law is mentioned and a 'List of Books for Wisbech' is appended.

The seal on the letter bears the anti-Slavery Society motto.

W. L. Hanbury was the Secretary of the Anti-Slavery Committee at the time of writing.

WISFM : TCC/8   

Clarkson to Peckover, 28th April, 1828.

The condition of the Emneth property is discussed. The disposal of this property is in the hands of Mr. R. Alexander and Clarkson's son (who are the Executors of the late Wm. Walcot's estate) Reference to other lands at Leverington, Terrington, etc. (possibly identified by the pencilled note at the head of the letter). The death of Clarkson's brother is mentioned and Peckover is thanked for his letter of sympathy.  Peckover's suggestion that Clarkson and Mrs. Clarkson visit Wisbech is warmly endorsed.

WISFM : TCC/18

Clarkson to R.H. Townshend, 23rd August, 1829

Clarkson acknowledges receipt of book, 'The System'.  Townshend Collection.

WISFM : TCC/35

Mrs. C. Clarkson (?) to Mrs. E. Shewell, 1830 (?).  (The note on the back of the letter seems to indicate that it was written shortly after the speech was given, indicating a date of 1830).

Transcript of a speech given by Clarkson at a meeting on Saturday, 15th May, 1830.

Given by Miss P.H. Peckover. 8-8-1927.

WISFM : 1929.6  

Clarkson to Sir Henry Bunbury, Bart., M.P. 27th March, 1831.

Clarkson is lobbying his MP to vote against compensation to slave owners, he writes: 'Perhaps you do not know, but the Evidence before Parliament in 1789, 1790 and 1791 will prove the fact (upon which the Slave Trade was abolished) “that the Slaves from Africa, were to the amount probably of ninety nine in a hundred, stolen from their relatives and their Country. Therefore, who bought these could have no Title to them but as the Purchasers of the Rights of the Robbers: and they, who detained the Children of these in Slavery, could have no Title to them, because they were the Children of Persons stolen. The poor Slave in fact is the only one of the two parties, who has just Right to Compensation, a Compensation for all Injuries done to himself, and heaped upon the heads of his forefathers for more than one hundred and fifty years. 'On the back of the letter is half a seal impression in red wax, depicting a bird with spread wings.  Given by Mr. F.J. Gardiner. 24-4-1929.

WISFM : TCC/20

Clarkson to R. Dykes Alexander, C. 1842. 

(The letter is not dated. In another hand, details concerning the contents of the letter are supplied, including that it was written in Clarkson's 78th year, hence circa 1842).

Clarkson wishes to add to the resolution discussed as 'apprentices' are not being treated in the way that they were led to believe and they are asking for immediate emancipation, Clarkson writes: 'that facts relative to the cruel treatment of the apprentices having come to our knowledge, we are desirous & pray that the apprenticeship should be immediately dissolved, and the apprentices be set free.' Given by Miss Anne Stephenson. 28-12-1870.

WISFM : TCC/24 

Clarkson to Miss Anne Stephenson, 10th January, 1844.

A). A letter sent with what Clarkson describes as 'the last little essay I shall ever try to write on the subject of slavery or the slave trade' (this essay appears to be missing).  The letter includes details of the transcription of the essay and various other details pertaining to it.  Clarkson mentions a lock of hair also enclosed. B).  An envelope inscribed 'Scrap of Thomas Clarkson's hair ...' containing two locks of hair tied up with yellow silk ribbon.  One decayed, the other in good condition.  C).  Also previously attached to the above letter is a manuscript copy of a letter from Benjamin Stanton, describing his visit to Playford Hall in September, 1840. This letter was written while visiting R.D. Alexander in Ipswich and was afterwards printed in the 'New York American'.  All three items given by Miss P.H. Peckover. 8-8-1927.

WISFM : TCC/26

Clarkson to Mr. J.T. Shewell, 31st January, 1844.

Clarkson is writing regarding his manuscript on the ill treatment of black people in America on account of the colour of their skin, which he hopes to have published and circulated in the United States to effect change, he asserts: 'I think I may teach them, by wounding their pride and making them ashamed of themselves'  He requests that Shewell read it and make any corrections if necessary. It was published on page 43 in the Anti-Slavery Reporter on Wednesday 20 March 1844: ‘On the ill treatment of the people of colour in the United States on account of the colour of their skin. A Letter to a friend by Thomas Clarkson’ (Anti-Slavery Reporter 1844-03-20: Vol 5 Issue 6) Given by Miss P.H. Peckover. 8-8-1927.

WISFM : E21/9

Clarkson to M. Soul, Saturday March 22 1845              

Clarkson is writing to Mr Soul following receipt of a newspaper publication from Mr Cassius M. Clay owner and editor of the True American, an abolitionist newspaper in Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.A. Clay addresses the inhabitants of Kentucky that ‘slavery is against their interest’ and he encloses it with the letter for Mr Soul and any Committee member to read. Clarkson also includes a draft of an article he is writing for publication in the Anti Slavery Reporter.The copy of the True American and Clarkson’s draft article are missing. Joseph Soul (1805-1881) Secretary of the Anti Slavery Society.

Cassius M. Clay (1810-1903) was born into a slave owning family. He studied Law and was inspired by hearing a lecture given by William Lloyd Garrison. In 1844 he freed the enslaved Africans on the plantation he owned and went on to found his abolitionist newspaper: ‘True American’ in June 1845. He believed in gradual abolition and used an economic argument to encourage others to back the abolition cause. He was a minority in the slave owning South and he and his newspaper were threatened. In 1853 he gave land to found Berea College in Kentucky.

WISFM : 1880.48

Clarkson to an unidentified correspondent, possibly a newspaper editor, 10th March, 1792.

Clarkson is writing on behalf of the Committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade to place a list in the provincial paper. In the postscript, Clarkson is keen to hurry up the petition from St Neots and all petitions and writes that Wilberforce has given notice of a motion in favour of abolition on the 29th. He also asks the recipient to let Dr Jowett know that he has received his letter and also Mr Jones. Given by Mr. Frend. 3-XI-1880. (William Frend - writer, formerly Fellow of Jesus College Cambridge) There is no list attached. A network of newspaper editors who were sympathetic to the cause provided a means to get messages out to the public on behalf of the London Society/ Committee for the Abolition of the Slave Trade. They helped to further the reach of the campaign and mobilize local activists. It is unclear what the list contained exactly but it is possible that it would have been a list of names of individuals who back the cause which would encourage the public to sign petitions. By 19 March 1792 Parliament had received 206 petitions and ahead of the motion in April 1792 even more petitions poured in. Wilberforce's motion was defeated and adjourned, eventually an amended version was passed which set in motion 'gradual' abolition. It is possible this letter has a Cambridgeshire connection as it appears to read St Neots and a Dr Jowett was working at St John's College in Cambridge at this time.

WISFM : TCC/1

Clarkson to Peckover, 24th February, 1807.

Clarkson joyfully informs Peckover of the 283-16 Commons victory in favour of the bill to abolish the slave-trade.  Clarkson wrote a number of these letters to his network of anti-slavery supporters and activists.

WISFM : 1942.8  

Clarkson to R. Dykes Alexander, 4th May, 1807.

Clarkson has received a letter from Stephen Lushington, M.P. for Great Yarmouth, and relays his situation to Dykes Alexander and finishes the letter, 'Pray support him'.  At the head of the letter, 'The Friend of the slave' is written in pencil by another hand. Given by the Hon. Alexandrina Peckover. 24-1.-1942.Stephen Lushington (1782-1873) addressed Parliament in favour of the bill to abolish the Slave Trade on 23 February 1807. He went on to resign from his role as MP in June the following year and returned to studies in Law gaining a Doctorate and continued his legal practice, before returning to Parliament in 1818.  Within his close family, an Uncle and two bothers through marriage were joint owners of plantations in Jamaica and his father was a Director of the East India Company between 1782 and 1800, nonetheless he continued in his role as an anti-slavery advocate and activist throughout his life. Richard Dykes Alexander (1788-1865) was the son of Ipswich banker, Dykes Alexander Junior, and Hannah Brewster, daughter of Catherine Peckover and Richard Brewster. A friend of Thomas Clarkson, philanthropist, Peace Society Committee member and anti-slavery activist, Clarkson and Dykes Alexander corresponded regularly.

WISFM : TCC/2   

Clarkson to Peckover, 2nd June, 1808.        

Clarkson writes concerning the distribution and payment for eight copies of Clarkson's work - presumably the two-volumed History … of the Abolition of the African Slave-trade. Also details concerning the further distribution of this volume, its price and supply.

WISFM : TCC/3

Clarkson to Peckover, 13th June, 1808.

Concerning further promotion and sale of Clarkson's work - presumed to be his two-volume History.

WISFM : TCC/16

Clarkson to Jonathan Peckover, 21st January, 1813.

Written on loose pages of Clarkson's The Life of William Penn.  The letter refers to the details of publication of this work at the top and at the end Clarkson wishes Peckover to let I Massey of Spalding and I Bateman of Chatteris know: ‘RE:  I have the Pleasure of informing you that the African Seas are pretty well scanned of Slave Ships.’

No provenance.

WISFM : 1930.1

Clarkson to R. Dykes Alexander, 28th November, 1814.

Clarkson’s writing towards the end of the letter concerns an Edict passed by Louis XVIII of France, forbidding all French subjects to trade in slaves along 2,000 miles of the African coast-line. Given by Miss P.H. Peckover. 16-1-1930.

WISFM : TCC/4

Clarkson to Peckover, 14th February, 1824.

After a journey to Surrey in the coming week, Clarkson will have visited every county in England, Scotland and Wales while campaigning against Slavery. A visit to Wisbech in the not-too-distant future is mooted.

WISFM : TCC/5

Clarkson to Peckover, 21st February, 1824.

The organisation and conduct of a proposed public meeting at Wisbech on the following Thursday is discussed.  The letter is dated 'Saturday Evening'.

WISFM : TCC/6

Hanbury to Peckover, 23rd February, 1824.

W. L. Hanbury informs Peckover that Clarkson is gratified that Peckover's efforts have spared him the trouble of visiting Wisbech as he needs repose after visiting all the counties of England; Stephen's work on Colonial Law is mentioned and a 'List of Books for Wisbech' is appended. The seal on the letter bears the anti-Slavery Society motto. W. L. Hanbury was the Secretary of the Anti-Slavery Committee at the time of writing.

WISFM : TCC/8   

Clarkson to Peckover, 28th April, 1828.

The condition of the Emneth property is discussed. The disposal of this property is in the hands of Mr. R. Alexander and Clarkson's son (who are the Executors of the late Wm. Walcot's estate) Reference to other lands at Leverington, Terrington, etc. (possibly identified by the pencilled note at the head of the letter). The death of Clarkson's brother is mentioned and Peckover is thanked for his letter of sympathy.  Peckover's suggestion that Clarkson and Mrs. Clarkson visit Wisbech is warmly endorsed.

WISFM : TCC/18

Clarkson to R.H. Townshend, 23rd August, 1829

Clarkson acknowledges receipt of book, 'The System'.  Townshend Collection.

WISFM : TCC/35

Mrs. C. Clarkson (?) to Mrs. E. Shewell, 1830 (?).  (The note on the back of the letter seems to indicate that it was written shortly after the speech was given, indicating a date of 1830).

Transcript of a speech given by Clarkson at a meeting on Saturday, 15th May, 1830. Given by Miss P.H. Peckover. 8-8-1927.

WISFM : 1929.6  

Clarkson to Sir Henry Bunbury, Bart., M.P. 27th March, 1831.

Clarkson is lobbying his MP to vote against compensation to slave owners, he writes: 'Perhaps you do not know, but the Evidence before Parliament in 1789, 1790 and 1791 will prove the fact (upon which the Slave Trade was abolished) “that the Slaves from Africa, were to the amount probably of ninety nine in a hundred, stolen from their relatives and their Country. Therefore, who bought these could have no Title to them but as the Purchasers of the Rights of the Robbers: and they, who detained the Children of these in Slavery, could have no Title to them, because they were the Children of Persons stolen. The poor Slave in fact is the only one of the two parties, who has just Right to Compensation, a Compensation for all Injuries done to himself, and heaped upon the heads of his forefathers for more than one hundred and fifty years. 'On the back of the letter is half a seal impression in red wax, depicting a bird with spread wings.  Given by Mr. F.J. Gardiner. 24-4-1929.

WISFM : TCC/20

Clarkson to R. Dykes Alexander, C. 1842. 

(The letter is not dated. In another hand, details concerning the contents of the letter are supplied, including that it was written in Clarkson's 78th year, hence circa 1842).

Clarkson wishes to add to the resolution discussed as 'apprentices' are not being treated in the way that they were led to believe and they are asking for immediate emancipation, Clarkson writes: 'that facts relative to the cruel treatment of the apprentices having come to our knowledge, we are desirous & pray that the apprenticeship should be immediately dissolved, and the apprentices be set free.' Given by Miss Anne Stephenson. 28-12-1870.

WISFM : TCC/24 

Clarkson to Miss Anne Stephenson, 10th January, 1844.

A). A letter sent with what Clarkson describes as 'the last little essay I shall ever try to write on the subject of slavery or the slave trade' (this essay appears to be missing).  The letter includes details of the transcription of the essay and various other details pertaining to it.  Clarkson mentions a lock of hair also enclosed. B).  An envelope inscribed 'Scrap of Thomas Clarkson's hair ...' containing two locks of hair tied up with yellow silk ribbon.  One decayed, the other in good condition.  C).  Also previously attached to the above letter is a manuscript copy of a letter from Benjamin Stanton, describing his visit to Playford Hall in September, 1840. This letter was written while visiting R.D. Alexander in Ipswich and was afterwards printed in the 'New York American'.  All three items given by Miss P.H. Peckover. 8-8-1927.

WISFM : TCC/26

Clarkson to Mr. J.T. Shewell, 31st January, 1844.

Clarkson is writing regarding his manuscript on the ill treatment of black people in America on account of the colour of their skin, which he hopes to have published and circulated in the United States to effect change, he asserts: 'I think I may teach them, by wounding their pride and making them ashamed of themselves'  He requests that Shewell read it and make any corrections if necessary. It was published on page 43 in the Anti-Slavery Reporter on Wednesday 20 March 1844: ‘On the ill treatment of the people of colour in the United States on account of the colour of their skin. A Letter to a friend by Thomas Clarkson’ (Anti-Slavery Reporter 1844-03-20: Vol 5 Issue 6) Given by Miss P.H. Peckover. 8-8-1927.

WISFM : E21/9

Clarkson to M. Soul, Saturday March 22 1845              

Clarkson is writing to Mr Soul following receipt of a newspaper publication from Mr Cassius M. Clay owner and editor of the True American, an abolitionist newspaper in Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.A. Clay addresses the inhabitants of Kentucky that ‘slavery is against their interest’ and he encloses it with the letter for Mr Soul and any Committee member to read. Clarkson also includes a draft of an article he is writing for publication in the Anti Slavery Reporter.The copy of the True American and Clarkson’s draft article are missing. Joseph Soul (1805-1881) Secretary of the Anti Slavery Society.

Cassius M. Clay (1810-1903) was born into a slave owning family. He studied Law and was inspired by hearing a lecture given by William Lloyd Garrison. In 1844 he freed the enslaved Africans on the plantation he owned and went on to found his abolitionist newspaper: ‘True American’ in June 1845. He believed in gradual abolition and used an economic argument to encourage others to back the abolition cause. He was a minority in the slave owning South and he and his newspaper were threatened. In 1853 he gave land to found Berea College in Kentucky.