Belfast 5th. Dec. 1845

Dear FriendWebb, Richard Davis

Richard D. Webb was a Garrisonian abolitionist from Dublin, Ireland, whom Douglass met on his first trip to the British Isles in 1845. Originally a Quaker, he turned toward Unitarianism as his antislavery passions became more radical. A successful printer, Webb guided the small, but intensely active, Hibernian Anti-Slavery Society in Dublin, of which James Haughton and his family were also members. Webb printed the organ of the British Garrisonian abolitionist movement, the Anti-Slavery Advocate, out of his Dublin-based office. The British Garrisonians were active pamphleteers, and Webb's own The National AntiSlavery Societies of England and the United States (1852) was one of the most confident and able statements of the Garrisonian cause to appear on either side of the Atlantic. Temperley, British Antislavery, 210, 212-13, 227, 237, 239, 244, 252-54, 256, 259; Taylor, British and American Abolitionists, 241-44, 248, 258-59, 293-94. , After a tedious journey I arrived here last night about half past Eight oClock. I was met at the Depot by a gentleman directed by Mr Stanfield to meet me and to bring me to the Victoria Hotel. I found Mr. Stanfield at the Hotel awaiting for my arrival. I was much pleased with his face and more so with his Conversation. I observed a heartyness about him a little uncommon to those of his age. He was somewhat fearful I might disappoint them. In consequence of the severe frost our horses—made little headway in the morning—so much were we detained that we missed the train which usually brings Dublin passengers. I have seldom seen any one that appeared more glad to see me. Soon after my arrival

at the Hotel There came Two other antislavery friends whose names have escaped me. They appeared to be in ernest about my meetings and doing what they could to make them successful. Though here as elsewhere the enemies of Anti slavery have been busy in creating prejudice against me. On the ground of my heterodoxy. From what I can learn, The Methodist Ministers in Cork as well as Dublin, have united here, against me. So you see mine will be no bed of roses. These Revd. Gentlemen, are determined to identify themselves with their slave holding brethren in America, They must take the consequences—for despite of them I shall have a hearing—and if I do they shall gain nothing for their pains. I have a meeting tonight in

Independent Chapel—the Mayor is to preside, good notice has been given, and the probability is strongly in favor of a large meeting. Friend Stanfield Thinks there is no doubt but that we shall get the primative Methodist meeting house, and has some hope of the Wesleyans since he has seen My letters of introduction from Mr. Shortt to the Ministers here. I go at 11 O'Clk to day to see the person to whom I have letters. I am sorry Friend Allen did not find it convenient to introduce me to his friends here. He may do so yet—send them. I shall need Books immediately—if I may judge from the representations of friends here. The gentleman that met me at the railway is named Calder.Calder, Francis Anderson

Francis Anderson Calder (1787–55) was a member of the Royal Navy and a humanitarian reformer in Belfast. Born in Edinburgh, Calder joined the Royal Navy in 1803, serving in the Napoleonic Wars. In his retirement, Calder chose to live in Belfast, spending his remaining years in Northern Ireland. In addition to serving as the secretary of the Belfast Anti-Slavery Society, Calder was particularly ardent in his dedication to the humane treatment of animals, founding the Belfast Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. On Douglass’s trip to Belfast in 1846, he was met at the train station by Calder, who escorted him to the Victoria Hotel. After his death in 1855, the citizens of Belfast erected a fountain in his honor. They were sure to include troughs for livestock to drink from. “The Calder Fountains, Belfast,” Illustrated London News, 17 September 1859; Belfast and Province of Ulster Directory for 1852, lennonwile.co.uk; Hannah-Rose Murray and John R. McKivigan, Frederick Douglass in Britain and Ireland, 1845–1895 (Edinburgh, U.K.: Edinburgh University Press, 2021), 27; Christine Kinealy, Black Abolitionists in Ireland (New York: Routledge, 2020), 115, 131n74; “Francis-Calder-The Calder Fountain Memorial,” Belfast Entries, Belfastentries.com. He is deeply interested. He has this moment sent me a number

antislavery documents bearing on the doings of the free Church—It will be necessary to say much about them here. I got a letter from Wm. SmealSmeal, William

William Smeal (1793-1877) was a Glasgow Quaker and a successful tea merchant. He was a leading member of the Glasgow Emancipation Society and often served in its powerful position of secretary. He and his brother, Robert, also edited and published the British Friend, a monthly Quaker journal, in 1843. A friend and devoted supporter of William Lloyd Garrison, Smeal believed with Garrison that abolitionism could be achieved only under a program that pursued such related reforms as peace, temperance, and women's rights with equal fervor. A strong Union supporter during the Civil War, Smeal and Andrew Paton prevented some clippers bound for the Confederacy from leaving Glasgow. Garrison and Garrison, William Lloyd Garrison, 2:398, 402; 4:67, 222-23, 283; C. Duncan Rice, The Scots Abolitionists, 1833-1861 (Baton Rouge, La., 1981), 37, 41-44; Temperley, British Antislavery, 210-13. pressing me to come to Glasgow—instead of going to Birmingham. I shall write him to day that I do not feel at liberty to break my engagement at Birmingham—but that I will come if it will suite his purpose immediately after the Birmingham meeting. I got the package of letters from Dublin. The letter from James was quite satisfactory. In haste Yours

F. Douglass