Ask the Scholar

Henry Wigham writes to William Lloyd Garrison, notifying him that either he or the American Anti-Slavery Society has been given the home of "the late Mrs. Bruce." Wigham tells Garrison that they met "in Edinburgh, under my Father's roof" and Wigham has been a regular subscriber to the Liberator, so he is "intensely acquainted with thy proceedings & labors." He then describes a "circular issued by some ladies in Glasgow suggesting that the friends of the slaves in this country" should switch their support from the American Anti-Slavery Society to the Vigiliance Committee. Wigham also discusses his theological views with regard to abolitionism, commenting that Henry C. Wright's idea of "setting aside the authority of the Old Testament, in order to controvert the arguments of pro slavery Professors of Christianity ... is unnecessary." He argues that he and many others "w[oul]d rather take their ground on the firm basis of Christianity, whose precepts are so diametrically at variance with slavery." Wigham insists that he is not challenging Garrison but wants him to "know the opinions of some of thy warmest friends & well wishers." He then shares his opinions of William Wells Brown and discusses "the disgraceful attack upon Frederick Douglass" and sends his regards to H.C. Wright, F. Douglass, and James A. Buffum, along with "the other noble fellow workers ... for the cause of the slave."