A Visit To The United States In 1841 | Page 5

his fellow citizens, notwithstanding the unpopularity of his views on
slavery, is the result of a long and undeviating career of public spirit
and private integrity, and of an uninterrupted succession of acts of
benevolence. During a series of years of commercial prosperity, his
revenues were distributed with an unsparing hand through the various
channels which promised benefit to his fellow creatures; and in this
respect, his gifts, large and frequent though they were, were probably
exceeded in usefulness by the influence of his example as a man and a
Christian.
His brother Lewis, with the same noble and disinterested spirit in the
application of his pecuniary resources, possesses the rare faculty of
incessant labor; which, when combined, as in his case, with great
intellectual and physical capacity, eminently qualifies for a leading
position in society. He unites in a remarkable degree, the apparently
incompatible qualities of versatility and concentration; and his
admirable endowments have been applied in the service of the helpless
and the oppressed with corresponding success. He has been from the
beginning one of the most active members of the central Anti-Slavery
Committee in New York, a body that has directed the aggressive
operations against slavery, on a national scale, with a display of
resources, and an untiring and resolute vigor, that have attracted the
admiration of all, who, sympathizing in their object, have had the
privilege of watching their proceedings. Of those who have impressed

the likeness of their own character on these proceedings, Lewis Tappan
is one of the chief; and he has shared with his brother the most virulent
attacks from the pro-slavery party. Some years ago he had the ear of a
negro sent to him by post, in an insulting anonymous letter. During the
past year, though marked by a severe domestic affliction, in addition to
his engagements as a merchant, in partnership with his brother Arthur,
and his various public and private duties as a man and as a citizen, in
the performance of which I believe he is punctual and exemplary, he
has edited, almost without assistance, the American and Foreign
Anti-Slavery Reporter, and has also been one of the most active
members of a committee of benevolent individuals formed to watch
over the interest of the Amistad captives. Besides superintending the
maintenance, education, and other interests of these Africans, it was
necessary to defend their cause against the whole power of the United
States'
Government, to raise funds for these objects, to interest foreign
Governments in their welfare, and more than all, to keep them
constantly before the public, not only for their own sakes, but that a
portion of the sympathy and right feeling which was elicited in their
favor might be reflected towards the native slave population of the
country, whose claim to freedom rests upon the same ground of natural
and indefeasible right. With what success this interesting cause has
been prosecuted is well expressed in a single sentence by a valued
transatlantic correspondent of mine, who, writing at the most critical
period of the controversy, says: -- "We, or rather Lewis Tappan, has
made the whole nation look the captives in the face."
Joshua Leavitt, proprietor and editor of the New York Emancipator, a
large weekly abolition newspaper, and secretary of the American and
Foreign Anti-slavery Society, is another remarkable man, clear and
sound in judgment, and efficient in action. He is justly regarded by
American abolitionists as one of their ablest supporters.
La Roy Sunderland, member of the Executive Committee, and editor of
"Zion's Watchman," a Methodist, religious, and anti-slavery newspaper,
with his slight figure, dark intellectual face, and earnest manner, is

pointed out to the anti-slavery visitor from the Old World as the most
prominent advocate of emancipation among the Wesleyans. His
boldness and faithfulness have combined against him the leading
influences of his denomination, but notwithstanding he has been
several times tried by ecclesiastical councils, they have always failed to
substantiate the charges against him, and his vindication has been
complete.
Theodore S. Wright, member of the committee, is a colored
presbyterian preacher in this city -- an amiable man, much and
deservedly respected.
All the above mentioned individuals, who have from an early period
been among the most zealous and laborious members of the
anti-slavery committee, found themselves placed by the events of last
year in the position of seceders from the American Anti-Slavery
Society, though their opinions had undergone no change. They now
belong to the American and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society, or as it is
technically called the "new organization," a distinction which will be
afterwards explained.
James M'Cune Smith, a young colored physician, I had known in
England, where he studied for his profession, having been shut out of
the colleges of his own country by the prejudice against his complexion.