Ask the Scholar

In this letter to Samuel May, Charles Brigham discusses plans for Stephen S. Foster and Abby Kelley Foster to come lecture in Feltonville. Brigham proposes they speak first in Marlborough and then come to Feltonville the next day, "as we can get a better attendance, and save the expense of paying for two places in one day to hold our meetings in." He also suggests that they hold "a large convention first," telling May that Parker Pillsbury has already agreed to come and "to help us make the arrangement some time since ..." He argues that Feltonville would be a good location for a convention as it is located "in the center of a number of Towns where there has long been some tried friends of our cause" and with the upcoming presidential election it is particularly important to engage citizens and politicians. Brigham asks if Wendell Phillips and other speakers could come to this convention, requesting Charles Lenox Remond as a replacement "if Wendell's health will not permit" him to come. He tells May that "Conventions should be large in order to be effective ... to create an interest for people first to attend & then we can get a meeting at any time withough depending" on well known speakers.