Birmingham, Jan 4 1846/7
Dear Friend Taylor
I can write but a
word now. I met the Committee
of the A.S. Society a few weeks ago and laid
before them in detail the principles of Free
Labour Produce Association. It was received
with attention and favour. You will see in A.S.
Reporter an Address to all the Abolitionists
in the Kingdom on the subject. I meet everywhere
a disposition to consider the subject. I am sure
it is coming to be a great movement in England.
There is a leaning towards the special encourage
-ment of Free Labour Cotton, Sugar, Rice and
Coffee in the British Colonies, but this will not
deliver them from Free Labour Produce in
America. But the present is a crisis unfavourble
to press the movement. The awful state of
Ireland is absorbing the heart of the nation.
When this is met by some adequqate provisions
it will be a favourable time to move the subject
to agitation. We must be very discreet, and
let no malignant spirit mingle in our
movements. Much will depend upon this. There
is a little hesitation now in England with regard
to encouraging applications for money from America
as they are becoming rather frequent. We must
chiefly rely upon our own resources until the
measure is a little more advanced. Now, I hope
it may be possible to send the agent South as
proposed, for at least three months, to begin
with. He ought to be one who would do it not
for money, but for the cause. I would urge
that no stir nor sound of combination be be
heard at the North, to stir up the suspicions
of the Slaveholders. We will work on the
public mind at the North + West, while
the arrangement is making in the South.
I will operate through the Citizen, and get
out an address here. Perhaps you had
better not refer to me in your publication
as connected with you in this movement,
especially while your agent is at the South.
If I live, I will give this measure all the
advocacy I can. Move by next steamer. Ever yours Elihu Bruit.
[On Reverse]
George W. Taylor
50 North Fourth Street
Philadelphia
Pa.
