Showing 111 results

Expresses surprise that Clarkson has not written, doubtless hindered by business, since Brissot is being asked about his affairs at the Society [? the Societe des Amis des Noirs]. He attaches the Address [not here] which he and his colleagues have just presented at the National Assembly, but a great storm of opposition has arisen, especially in Bordeaux. The cause of Free Negroes has been discussed in a violent atmosphere at the General Assembly of the Hotel de Ville. The public is in support, but the Cabal is so strong that, fearing for success, the Societe preferred to withdraw the petition. Brissot is intending to print several good works and assumes that Clarkson will immediately translate the Address to the Assembly into English and place it in all the papers. Clarkson's letter to Mosneron de l'Auny has been published. Brissot urgently requests information about the progress of a treaty for the supply of slaves said to have been made between the English and Spanish Governments.

Discusses the fortunes of the debate about the abolition of 'Negro trade' in the National Assembly and its handling in Assembly committees, and in a committee at the Hotel de Ville. Brissot and his colleagues are asking that a private committee such as 'you have got in your Parliament' be appointed to consider the question. Brissot urges Clarkson to print his 'evidences' which will make a great impression in Paris, where The Patriot paper is regularly received. A furious battle for and against the cause of abolition is being conducted in the press. He recommends Bridel's affair.

Notifies the writer's intention to draw on behalf of the Societe £50 upon Messrs. Gwinel, Hoare and Harmand, bankers. Should the funds not be readily available, the representative of M. Claviere has orders to wait, but he begs Clarkson to send the money with utmost speed.

The writer excuses lack of correspondence on the subject of abolition by attention to urgent political matters. The victory achieved by the 'gens de couleur' over the whites in the French colonies, on behalf of which the Societe des Amis des Noirs had merely a propaganda role in Paris, will perhaps hasten the winning of equal rights for all men everywhere. He trusts that that class of oppressed citizens who owe their triumph to the philosophy of the present age, will acknowledge it by giving support to the Societe particularly devoted to the betterment of the condition of their brothers, the Africans (1). Lanthenas considers the opening of new colonies an opportunity to give support to the cause there. He endeavours to interest Clarkson in a new publishing and bookselling venture established at No. 4 Rue du Theatre Francois, which will begin by publishing the evidences submitted to the English Parliament against the slave trade. It is intended to revivify the Societe. (1) This is just the kind of platitude that Lubersac was inveighing against in November 1789.

Assures him of the pleasure of seeing him and his wife at their last visit to Paris, and of the effect it had for the cause. Clarkson's two letters were discussed in some papers, though in less depth than would have been desirable, and in several there was only a bare notice of them. Gregoire discusses the preponderant frivolity of the French press, though there are exceptions. Gregoire goes on to discuss the impact of censorship on the press, which has forced [? Messrs. Comte and Dunoye], editors, to cease publishing in journal form and publish instead separate volumes. He is sending by an intermediary, Captn. Scobell, 'un ami des noirs' a volume of Observations, twenty pages of which are devoted to Clarkson's works. He has received a work on the slave trade, and slavery of blacks and whites, but thinks it may not be allowed to go to press since it contains some hard truths explicitly dealt with. If so, he will send it in a manuscript. Gregoire attaches M. Egion's receipt (1), and asks for his own to be returned or destroyed. He acknowledges Clarkson sending him his work on the Quakers (2), and Mr. Foster (3), whom he has not met, sending his works on the same subject. He requests help with corrections to his own works, his Histoire des Sectes, and a new edition of his Litterature des Negres. Mr. Wilberforce has sent the second edition of the life of Toussaint Louverture, by M. Stephen (4). Gregoire intends to write to him and send him copies of the letters written to himself by 'ce general' [Toussaint]. Cambridge University which in times gone by [jadis] awarded a prize for Clarkson's work, opened a debate some years ago on the question 'what are the advantages and inconveniences which may result from the new republic of blacks and coloureds established in the West Indies?' Gregoire asks was the prize actually bestowed, and what was the result of the debate? (5) He sends his compliments to Mrs. Clarkson, Messrs Robinson, Stoddart, William Smith etc. etc.

(1) In a postscript, however, he says he cannot find it.

(2) Portraiture of Quakerism (1806).

(3) It could be the odd Baptist preacher John Foster 1770-1843 (DNB) but probably not.

(4) James Stephen 1758 - 1832. This work is not listed among his 'chief' in the DNB.

(5) The Prize is probably a garbled ref. to Clarkson's prize Essay on Slavery, 1786, but the debate?

Conveyed by their mutual friend, Mr Allen, who will supply further details. He acknowledges Clarkson's zeal in seeing to the insertion in the papers of Gregoire's letter rebutting the slanders of [?Bertrand-Molleville]; other friends have done similarly in the German papers. He has discussed the state of St. Dominique with Mr. Weatherley, who is on his way to Vienna. Ten letters written to him from St. Dominique have been mislaid, gone astray or been intercepted by various means. He has sent various parcels of educational and devotional works to St. Dominique, but doubts after his conversation with Weatherley, whether they will reach their destination. Gregoire discusses political conditions in St. Dominique at some length.

If the recipient is in London, he will receive the letter from the hands of the Marquis (?Piresi). He is sending printed works by various deliveries. He sends a new copy of the second printed letter which he has addressed to an Elector of [?Lisere]. He has sent [?what] to Zachary Macaulay and already forwarded to Lord Calthorpe notes which attest that Senegal continues the slave trade. He has set a cry of indignation ringing in many papers, especially the Chronique Religieuse, and despite the fury of the 'marchands de sanf' (i.e. slave traders) against him, does not waver. He sends compliments to Clarkson's wife.

Has taken the liberty to send Clarkson a piece he has written on the freedom of the African race.

Discusses a letter sent by Clarkson to be read at the next public meeting of the Anti Slavery Society. Proposes changes regarding the 10 articles of the Washington Treaty, especially those regarding the trial of fugitives from the Indies. Also points out inaccuracies regarding fugitives from Florida and asks that points regarding slave-grown produce be printed in the next copy of the 'Reporter'.

Discusses a contract agreed between the planters and Parliament at the time of the Emancipation Act which has allowed slavery to continue. Sets out the actions being taken by the Committee to fight against it; public meetings, publication of articles and signing of petitions. Offers sympathy for the death of Clarkson's son, remembers visit to Playford Hall fondly and passes on regards to Mrs Clarkson.