Letter from Gerrit Smith.

Frederick Douglass: My Dear Friend: Have you read, in the last number of the National Era, the letters of Lewis Tappan and Dr. LeMoyne? Before reading them, I did not intend to go to the Convention, which is to be held in Pittsburgh 11th of August. But, now, I have so much hope, that all the friends of freedom will be welcomed to the Convention, that I mean to attend it.

What an unspeakably happy thing, should that Convention take ground in favor of an every way just civil government! What a blow (perhaps a death-blow it would be to American slavery, [)] should that Convention declare that no such abomination can be legalized! For the Convention to yield to expediency, and to take any lower position than these, would be to make itself a curse, instead of a blessing.

I think, that several persons from this county will attend the Pittsburgh Convention. I hope that you will not fail to attend it.—Many Liberty Party persons should attend it.

How happy it would be if the Liberty Party Convention, which is to be held in Buffalo, 1st September, should have nothing to do but to concur in the truth and wisdom, and bravery of the Pittsburgh Convention! God grant, that it may be so!

In haste, your friend,

Gerrit Smith.

Peterboro, July 14th, 1852.