A Visit To The United States In 1841 | Page 2

of universal suffrage -- a full, fair and free
representation of the people. It was reserved for the untitled Quaker of
Birmingham to take the lead in the great and good work of uniting, for
the first time, the middle and the working classes of his countrymen,
and in so doing, to infuse hope and newness of life into the dark
dwellings of the English peasant and artisan. The Editor of the London
Non-Conformist, speaking of this movement of Mr. Sturge, says: "The

Declaration is put forth by a man, who, perhaps, in a higher degree than
any other individual, has the confidence of both the middle class and
the working men. The former can trust to his prudence; the latter have
faith in his sincerity."
Such is the man, who, prompted by his untiring benevolence, visited
our shores during the past year. This volume is the brief record of his
visit, and of the impressions produced upon his mind by our conflicting
interests and institutions. It is now republished, in the belief that the
opinions of its author will be received with candor and respect by all
classes of our citizens, and that they are calculated to make a permanent
and salutary impression, in favor of the great cause of universal
freedom.
Boston, May, 1842.

PREFACE TO THE ENGLISH EDITION.
In visiting the United States, the objects which preferred the chief claim
to my attention were the universal abolition of slavery, and the
promotion of permanent international peace. Deeply impressed with
the conviction that the advancement of these is intimately connected
with the progress of right views among professing Christians in that
country, it was my desire not only to inform myself of the actual state
of feeling and opinion among this important class, but if possible, to
contribute my mite of encouragement and aid to those who are bearing
the burden and heat of the day, in an arduous contest, on whose issue
the alternative of a vast amount of human happiness or misery depends.
This general outline of my motives included several specific, practical
objects, which will be found detailed in the ensuing pages.
For obvious reasons, the abolition of slavery in the United States is the
most prominent topic in my narrative; but I have freely interspersed
observations on other subjects of interest and importance, as they came
under consideration. Short notices are introduced of some of the
prominent abolitionists of America; and, though sensible how

imperfectly I have done justice to exertions, which, either in degree or
kind, have scarcely a parallel in the annals of self-denying benevolence,
I fear I shall occasionally have hurt the feelings of the individuals
referred to, by what they may deem undeserved or unseasonable praise;
yet I trust they will pardon the act for the sake of the motive, which is
to introduce the English anti-slavery reader to a better acquaintance
with his fellow laborers in the United States. My short stay, and the
limited extent of my visit, prevented my becoming acquainted with
many who are equally deserving of notice.
Less than twelve months have elapsed since I embarked on this "visit;"
and though, with the help of steam by sea and land, an extensive
journey may now be performed in a comparatively short time, yet,
during this brief interval, my own engagements would have prevented
my placing the following narrative so early before the public without
assistance. It is right to state that a large portion of the work has been
prepared for the press from a rough transcript of my journal, from my
correspondence, and other documents, by the friend who accompanied
me on a former journey to the West Indies, and who then compiled the
account of our joint labors.
Nearly the whole of the narrative portion of this publication has been
sent to America, to different individuals who were concerned in, or
present at the transactions related, and has been returned to me with
their verification of the facts; so that the reader has the strongest
guaranty for their accuracy. The inferences and comments I am solely
responsible for, and I leave them to rest on their own merits.
In undertaking this journey, I was careful not to shackle my individual
liberty by appearing as the representative of any society, whether
religious or benevolent; and, on the other hand, none of those friends,
who kindly furnished me with letters of introduction, are in any way
responsible for my proceedings in the United States, or for any thing
which this volume contains.
In conclusion, -- should these pages come under the notice of any, who,
though well wishers to their species, are not yet identified with
anti-slavery effort, I would entreat such to "come over and help us." If

they are ambitious of a large and quick