The Garies and Their Friends

The Garies and Their Friends

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Title: The Garies and Their Friends
Author: Frank J. Webb
Release Date: February 21, 2004 [EBook #11214]
Language: English
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THE GARIES
AND
THEIR FRIENDS
Frank J. Webb
1857
Preface by Harriet Beecher Stowe

TO THE
LADY NOEL BYRON
THIS BOOK

IS, BY HER KIND PERMISSION,
MOST AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED,
WITH PROFOUND RESPECT,
BY HER GRATEFUL FRIEND,
THE AUTHOR.

PREFACE.
The book which now appears before the public may be of interest in
relation to a question which the late agitation of the subject of slavery
has raised in many thoughtful minds; viz.--Are the race at present held
as slaves capable of freedom, self-government, and progress?
The author is a coloured young man, born and reared in the city of
Philadelphia.
This city, standing as it does on the frontier between free and slave
territory, has accumulated naturally a large population of the mixed and
African race.
Being one of the nearest free cities of any considerable size to the slave
territory, it has naturally been a resort of escaping fugitives, or of
emancipated slaves.
In this city they form a large class--have increased in numbers, wealth,
and standing--they constitute a peculiar society of their own, presenting
many social peculiarities worthy of interest and attention.
The representations of their positions as to wealth and education are
reliable, the incidents related are mostly true ones, woven together by a
slight web of fiction.
The scenes of the mob describe incidents of a peculiar stage of
excitement, which existed in the city of Philadelphia years ago, when
the first agitation of the slavery question developed an intense form of
opposition to the free coloured people.
Southern influence at that time stimulated scenes of mob violence in
several Northern cities where the discussion was attempted. By prompt,
undaunted resistance, however, this spirit was subdued, and the right of
free inquiry established; so that discussion of the question, so far from
being dangerous in Free States, is now begun to be allowed in the Slave
States; and there are some subjects the mere discussion of which is a
half-victory.
The author takes pleasure in recommending this simple and

truthfully-told story to the attention and interest of the friends of
progress and humanity in England.
(Signed) H.B. Stowe.
ANDOVER, U.S.,
August 17, 1857.

FROM LORD BROUGHAM.
I have been requested by one who has long known the deep interest I
have ever taken in the cause of Freedom, and in the elevation of the
coloured race, to supply a few lines of introduction to Mr. Webb's
book.
It was the intention of Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe to introduce this
work to the British public, but I am truly sorry to learn that a severe
domestic affliction, since her return to America, has postponed the
fulfilment of her promise.
I am, however, able to state her opinion of the book, expressed in a
letter to one of her friends.
She says:--"There are points in the book of which I think very highly.
The style is simple and unambitious--the characters, most of them
faithfully drawn from real life, are quite fresh, and the incident, which
is also much of it fact, is often deeply interesting.
"I shall do what I can with the preface. I would not do as much unless I
thought the book of worth in itself. It shows what I long have wanted to
show; what the _free people of colour do attain_, and what they can do
in spite of all social obstacles."
I hope and trust that Mr. Webb's book will meet with all the success to
which its own merit, and the great interest of the subject, so well entitle
it. On this, Mrs. Stowe's authority is naturally of the greatest weight;
and I can only lament that this prefatory notice does not come
accompanied with her further remarks and illustrations.
4, Grafton-street, July 29, 1857.
* * * * *
Note.--Since the above was written, the preface by Mrs. Stowe has
been received. It was deemed best, however, to still retain the
introduction so kindly given by Lord Brougham, whose deep interest in
the freedom and welfare of the African race none feel more grateful for

than does the author of the following pages.

CONTENTS
1.--In which the