1831 WILLIAM WILBERFORCE. Affectionate Letter to Daughter of Fellow Abolitionist with Practical Advice.

A wonderful 3pp very personal letter by William Wilberforce to the daugher of a long-time co-laborer in the abolition of the slave trade. Letters from this period in his own hand are rare; by this time, he was nearly blind and often employed an amanuensis and simply signed. His own handwriting was saved for his most personal affairs. 

Wilberforce, who would pass away just 18 months after the writing of this letter, here addresses the daughter of his long-time friend, fellow abolitionist, and member of the Clapham Sect, William Smith [1756-1835].  He was among the very first to publicly lobby for the end of the slave trade, pre-dating even Wilberforce. His daughter Patty [Martha Frances Smith, 1782-1870] is here addressed. She was also the sister-in-law of Florence Nightingale, so a lovely group of connections here.

Patty never married, was an avid abolitionist herself, but suffered greatly from depression, anxiety, and was reputed to have been a hypochondriac. She seems also to have been an advocate of workers rights, along with her father and other Evangelical activists like Wilberforce. This is perhaps the source of his caution in traveling to Europe with a group of friends of diverse views. Tensions were high as labor strikes and borderline revolts were taking place and Wilberforce seems afraid that the trip could turn sour if Ms. Smith only takes the groups to company that align with her views. 

"Highwood Hill, Middx,
Sunday, N+27 1831

My dear Patty,

For really the affectionate feelings I have for you warrant me in the use of this style of address. I am about to prove to you that I repose full confidence in your kind feelings toward myself & in your doing me the Justice to believe that my openness arises from my having the same dispositions toward you. 

I am half tempted to regret that I did not recollect when you were with us, that would have be desirable for me to say to you what I am now about to write. When a minute's talk might have explain'd what might be left ambiguous when expressed by letter, especially when written as mine is, without previous consideration of thought of guarding against misconceptions. When the idea of your being a Compagnonde Voyage of my travelers was mentioned, I almost instinctively answered, as I still on more reflection think, that you would be a great comfort to them, raw travelers, from your familiarity with foreign people & things. But on consideration, it has suggested itself to me & I have been speaking on the Subject to many, that perhaps your acquaintance with foreign People being already formed & each of your Connections being probably united in opinions & goings on (to use an intelligible but not very elegant phrase) with others of his own kind, & the people abroad, (I understand especially in Geneva) being split into parties, there might be danger lest your being tied with a certain set might prevent your fellow travelers being admitted into other sets into which they would desire to obtain admission. I really say all I mean, for I do not know any individuals to whom I might be supposed to point. My counsel is, all of you be frank & honest to each other & then there can be no suspicion, no supposing that either party has a secrete meaning he does not express. I scarcely know what I am writing & besides, my eyes are so weak & can scarcely see to write. So farewell my dear Patty. May a gracious Providence direct your steps out & home & if it seems good to Him, may the Almighty bring you all back to us in safety. 

Ever affectionately yours,
WWilberforce."