Julia Griffiths to Frederick Douglass, June 23, 1854
TORONTO, C. W., June 23, 1854.
DEAR FRIEND:—You have kindly said to me on more occasions than one, that you like my letters in Frederick Douglass' Paper; and partly to evince my willingness to oblige you, and yet more to render a tribute where it is eminently due, I cannot consent to quit the shores of Canada without jotting down some thing in the shape of a letter.
It will not, perhaps, strike you as strange, that one must go from home to be distinguished; and hence, you will not be surprised that I seldom venture into the newspaper a letter of etceteras without having had a very pleasant jaunt abroad. Making no pretensions to any power of generalization, since you will have a letter, you must be content with simple incidents and scenes which chance and my journey fling in my way. You must know that I was brought to Canada, not entirely for pleasure, but for Anti-Slavery business. In fact, I came on the extraordinary errand (perhaps you will say) of selling goods. You would have smiled could you have seen me at Charlotte, the point of our departure, surrounded with boxes and parcels, in the midst of a crowd of busy, bustling passengers, exerting my vocal organs (perhaps more loudly than lady-like) to prevent the porters from handling my luggage too roughly. It is absolutely too bad, the malicious knocks dealt by these rude porters against our unoffending boxes!! I could not content myself until I had given them quite a lecture. As I look back to that lecture, standing alone as I was, unattended by any gentleman, completely at the mercy of those I took the liberty to rebuke, it seems the sublime of audacity.
"Thrice is he armed who hath his quarrel just." These cowardly assailants of the boxes stood somewhat in awe on finding themselves so sharply and confidently called to account!
But our boat has quitted the American shore, and is paddling her way on the broad bosom of Lake Ontario. My first impulse is joy to be rid of the confusion attendant upon getting all my large and little parcels safe on board the "Highlander"—for nothing must be left, you know—dolls, dresses, Honiton laces, mats and cushions, and endless varieties of crochet work—the sacred offerings of dear Anti-Slavery friends in Britain, and Ireland, must be borne in safety to the market kindly opened for them by the "Ladies' Anti-Slavery Association" in Toronto.
I could not have asked for a pleasanter day for the voyage. The sky was blue as that of Italy, and ONTARIO might, at least, that day be called a silvery lake, for scarcely a wave rippled its surface. The sun shone brightly, the breeze was refreshing. In a former letter, I told you something of the characteristics of this inland sea. I watched the disappearance of the American shores with interest; and soon after I dimly discovered the shores of Canada—free Canada—where the British flag waves, under whose protection the poorest and the meanest fugitive from slavery finds, not only a shelter, but a welcome.
The first Canadian town we reached was Coburg, where some of our passengers landed. We then skirted along the Canadian coast, calling at each little town en passant between Coburg and Toronto. With these numerous delays, it was no wonder that the shades of night has stolen o'er us, long before we came to our destination and, I therefore
F.D.P. 30 June, 1854 p.2 c.6-7
fore, had no chance of them beholding the
beautiful Bay of Toronto. The lady passengers
did not land that night; and as I
had been telegraphed in Rochester to
remain on board until my friends met me early
on the following morning. I betook myself
to my berth; but vain were all hopes of
sleep! An elderly lady, in a very excited
state of mind, and wholly at war with SOMNUS
herself, took good care that none of us
should come under his balmy influences.—
So she talked and talked incessantly, and
had, evidently, apprehensions of being left
in the wrong place. She appeared to be
vigorous in her efforts to defeat some
imaginary plan formed against her by somebody!
for she had completed her toilet long before
dawn, and finally disappeared from the cabin
of the "Highlander." She made me
think of Dickens and some of his graphic
portraitures.
I landed soon after sunrise, and speedily
found myself beneath the hospitable roof of
Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Willis, where a warm
welcome awaited me. You, my dear friend,
know so well my English prejudices, predilections
and sympathies, and are (like the
best of my American friends) so used to my
National bias, that you will not think it
strange, that, prominent among the charms
of Canadian Society, is its strict resemblance
to that in Great Britain. These Canadians
are thoroughly British in their sentiments,
tastes, manners, habits, and customs.
England, Scotland and Ireland are represented
here in one nation. OF COURSE I WAS AT
HOME.
I took a delightful drive through the
suburbs of the city—and then was introduced to
KNOXES CHURCH, (a very fine edifice,) where
the Synod of the Presbyterian Church of
Canada was holding its sessions. Nearly one
hundred ministers were present. On entering
the Assembly, an observing stranger could
not fail to be struck by the air of intelligence
that pervaded it. There were no vacant
faces—no blank countenances. All present
appeared deeply interested in the deliberations
going forward; and each speaker that
I heard address the meeting, showed a
reason for what he said. On my remarking this
to a young Scotch lady, she rejoined, in a
rich and musical Scotch accent, "Oh! if the
heart of a Scotchman be right, there's nae
fear about his head." My first peep at the
Synod was brief; for I had to be present in
the afternoon at a meeting of the "Ladies'
Anti-Slavery Association," to assist in making
the final arrangements for the Bazaar. Here
I could enlarge; but that time and space will
not admit.
The Association was, most evidently, composed
of the very best people in Toronto;
and a thorough acquaintance, both with the
principles and the details of the Anti-Slavery
question, proves that they have given the
subject the most earnest attention.
I must pass rapidly over much of interest
that has occurred during the last delightful
week—the social gatherings met—"the feast
of reason" enjoyed—the new acquaintances
formed—the Christian and valued friendships
made—the intensely interesting debates
listened to—the fine speeches heard—most of
these things can be felt better than described
and will be long remembered.
It was a treat to spend the Sabbath in
Toronto. But to the Synod. On Tuesday,
Missions, at home and abroad, were under
discussion. Among the Reports of domestic
missions, was one read by the Rev. Mr.
KING, of Buxton, who is a missionary among a
large settlement of colored people there.—The account of the progress and prosperity
of his mission was full of hope and encouragement.
The subject of Slavery came up
incidentally in the afternoon, and it was again
brought forward in the evening, when several
very fine speeches were made. Pre-eminent
among these was the right noble, and
truly eloquent speech of the Rev. Dr. WILLIS,
in which he bore a powerful and telling
testimony for the slave. He was listened to
with deep attention, and his remarks
produced a powerful impression on the minds of
his hearers. I am rejoiced to say here that
the "Presbyterian Church of Canada" is
sound on the subject of Slavery—the theories
and practice of certain learned Scotch
Divines notwithstanding. It is deeply to be
regretted that, even the great and good Dr.
DUFF failed (during his recent visit to the
States) to bear any testimony, but a silent
one, against the terrible system of Slavery.
He appears (like Barnabas of old) to have
been "carried away with the dissimulation"
of his American brethren. To this, Dr. Willis
reverted in his own peculiarly powerful
manner; and, evidently, he made his mark
on the meeting. As an illustration of the
warm interest felt on the question of Slavery
by the members of the Synod, I would
mention that nearly all the ministers were
present to listen to FREDERICK DOUGLASS, at
the Annual Meeting of the "Canada
Anti-Slavery Society," which was held on
Wednesday evening; and several of the most
distinguished among them expressed to me
their ungratified approbation of the able
speech he made on that occasion.
Dr. Willis has, doubtless, done much to
imbue the minds of the students of Knoxes
College (of which he is the honored and
much loved President) with right views on
the subject of Slavery. He gives them "line
upon line, and precept upon precept;" and his
excellent lady, Mrs. Willis, never misses an
opportunity, in her social intercourse with
these young men, of impressing them with
her sound views and wise precepts on the
subject. But 'tis said, truly, that "example is
better than precept;" and no one can witness
the daily walk and conversation of the much
esteemed friends under whose roof I now
am, without seeing and feeling that amidst
the many benevolent enterprises and
institutions they do so much towards sustaining, the
cause of the poor slave is never forgotten.
I have no time now to tell you about the
Bazaar—its success—the many agreeable
circumstances, and the many friendly rencontres
connected with it—nor about the
"Annual Meeting of the Canada Anti-Slavery
Society," and able speeches made
there by Rev. Dr. Willis, Dr. Burns, Messrs.
Henning, Scoble, Douglass, Rev. Mr.
McLaren, Mr. Brown—nor about the second and
far greater speech of Frederick Douglass
last evening. I will try soon to tell you something
about the city of Toronto—its fine
buildings, and charming suburbs—its pleasant
drives, and agreeable people. My regret
at bidding so many warm-hearted and
truly generous friends adieu, is only lessened
by the hope of soon meeting them again.
Yours, &c.,
J. G.