Letter from S.M. Booth to Lewis Tappan
Description
A letter from Sherman M. Booth acknowledging Lewis Tappan's letter to which A.F. Williams responded. Booth responds to Tappan's letter to John T. Norton with suggestions. He writes that he does not object to Theodore Weld's request to take the girls to Belleville [New Jersey] "unless they are to appear with the men in the [Broadway] Tabernacle on Wednesday." If so, they should be there by at least Tuesday afternoon to rehearse with the men. Booth believes Cinque will make a good speech in Mendi and Kinna in English and suggests two groups read at the meeting, as well as sing hymns. He says the audience "might have liberty to question Kinna & Foole about their country & on religious subjects.” Booth asks if he will be expected to speak at the meeting and suggests topics on which to speak. He is aware that Leonard Bacon is to speak but suggests that as he is most acquainted with the Africans, he could provide information which others could not. In regards to having one of the girls live with Weld, Booth believes "it would be quite inexpedient to have one go at present." He feels some of them would travel to New York if they did not all return and writes that they are all in "religious Anti-Slavery families, who feel a deep interest in them & take great pains in instructing them.” Booth claims that it would be "highly impolite" to remove the girls from their current homes. He then makes note of the letter Lewis Tappan forwarded to Theodore Weld with a message stating it would be best if Weld not take the girls to Belleville until after Wednesday. He adds that he will talk with him regarding the question of separating the girls. Weld appends a response stating he agrees about the girls coming to Belleville and that they should not come at all.