97 Islington

Liverpool 23^rd Decr. 1862.

Mr. Fredrick Douglass

Dear Sir,

I have read your "appeal to the British Nation" and am pleased with it. I hope it will do good. I have just written a letter to the Rev. W. H. Channing, late of Liverpool and now of Washington, the following is a copy to which I beg your particular attention.

And am faithfully yours,

Alexander Innes

"Dear Sir,—Your removal from Liverpool has been missed by the small company of the friends of the Slave in this neighborhood. But I have no doubt but you have been able to turn your influence to better account in America in taking advantage of the mighty struggle which is now going on between oppression and liberty. The 1^st of January 1863 will be a day ever to be remembered in the history of America. It was scarcely possible that such a mighty revolution would take place without much blood-shed, and our prayer must be that this might be restrained as much as possible.

I need not tell you that I have been ashamed of England during this struggle. The leanings, if not the direct encouragement, which has been given to the South, shows that there is still a strong Slavery feeling in the country, chiefly among the higher classes, which shows that the abolition of Slavery so far as the English nation is concerned, has not been with their consent. There may be other causes to account for the feeling towards America among the higher classes in England, for I believe it to be confined entirely to the higher classes. I should say the people are with America almost to a man. But the British aristocracy have never got the better of the Declaration of Independence. The aristocratic pride was dreadfully wounded at that time, and it is always ready to rise out when they find America in trouble. The best thing for the American Government and people to do

under such circumstances is to take no notice of them, for depend upon it it is nothing else but aristocratic wounded pride. They predicted that the American form of Government would never stand and they rejoice at the least sign of the fulfilment of their prediction. My prayer is that America may come out of the furnace of affliction refined and purified and that he might prove a blessing to mankind.

My chief reason for writing at the present time is to bring before you the subject which brought me home from Africa in 1860. You will remember the meetings we had in St. Mathias School and in Gill Street Chapel to form an Anti-Slavery Society. I was in hopes that something might have been done for Africa through that medium but hitherto nothing has been done. I have printed and circulated a considerable number of papers calling public attention

to the cruelties committed by the European traders and others upon the Natives on the Coast of Africa; but nearly the whole of the expenses have been borne by myself.

I have now determined to bring the whole subject before a Court of Justice: this will be attended with considerable expenses, but it is the only course from which any good can be expected.

There are few here to subscribe, the poor people cannot do it. M^r. William Rathbone has given a subscription and I am prepared to do a good part myself. Will you have the kindness to bring the subject before the friends in America, and if they can Aid me either in money or in produce I shall be glad. If the funds are prepared I shall bring it forward at the February Session. Please to write and let me know.

I am faithfully yours,

Alexander Innes