Letter from William Goodell, Providence, [Rhode Island], to William Lloyd Garrison, 1836 Feb[ruary] 25th

Item Information

Title:
Letter from William Goodell, Providence, [Rhode Island], to William Lloyd Garrison, 1836 Feb[ruary] 25th
Description:
William Goodell writes to William Lloyd Garrison after hearing from George Wiliam Benson that Garrison was writing a book about Dr. William Ellery Channing and "how much he has taken from Abolition writers without giving them Credit." Goodell says he "had some thoughts not to say feelings on this subject" and offers some suggestions, noting that it is hard to prove where a writer finds ideas. He remarks that "Dr. Channing, whether he knows it or not (some of his admirers do) is a man of little orginal thinking & chiefly excels [in] presenting old ideas in a more lucid and attractive garb." He also argues that "original, if argumentative writers" need other writers, like Channing, to help their ideas be read and understood by the larger public. He asks Garrison how he plans to present these charges against Channing, suggesting placing "parallel passages & let the readers judge for themselves." Goodell then discusses how his own work, essays titled "Human Rights" that were printed in the Emancipator, was echoed in a book by Dr. Channing. Goodell says that Channing had used "almost every essential argument I had used; & without the addition, as I can find, of a single one besides!" He encourages Garrison to "to let the facts speak for themselves, without any accusation of plagiarism," and regardless of who gets the credit, "Our principles will get the credit of being correct ... & that is the main thing." He then says he was invited by the New York State Anti-Slavery Society to "go to Utica & take charge of a new abolition paper (a weekly) under their auspices," asking Garrison if he should go.
Author:
Goodell, William, 1792-1878
Addressee:
Garrison, William Lloyd, 1805-1879
Date:
February 25, 1836
Format:
Letters/Correspondence
Manuscripts
Location:
Boston Public Library
Rare Books Department
Collection (local):
Anti-Slavery Collection
Subjects:
Abolitionists--United States--19th century--Correspondence
Antislavery movements--United States--History--19th century
Social reformers--United States--History--19th century
Abolitionists--United States--History--19th century
Antislavery movements--United States
Social reformers--United States
Goodell, William, 1792-1878
Channing, William Ellery, 1780-1842
Garrison, William Lloyd, 1805-1879
Extent:
1 leaf (4 p.) ; 25 cm.
Permalink:
https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/2z111870r
Terms of Use:
No known copyright restrictions.
No known restrictions on use.
Place of origin:
Providence, [Rhode Island]
Language:
English
Notes:
Holograph, signed.
Title devised by cataloger.
On verso, the letter is addressed, "To William Lloyd Garrison Brooklyn."
Identifier:
5724064
Call #:
MS A.1.2 v.6, p.13
Barcode:
39999086048335