Abraham Booth, London, to ?, 29 July 1796.

London, July 29, 1796.

Dear Sir,

         Your friendly communication came safe to hand; that is, your affectionate Letter, & the three Pamphlets: one of which, viz. the Minutes of the Conventional Abolition Society, for 1795, you had before favoured me with. I am very much obliged to you for your kind regards. As the best return which it is in my power to make, at present, I desire your acceptance of a small Book, on a very important subject, which I have just published. I have sent two Copies of it; one for yourself, & one for the Library of the College, Rhode Island; which you will be so kind as to transmit, your first opportunity.

         It gives me great pleasure to find, that the Abolition Societies are likely to persevere, in endeavouring to effect their very desirable object. May the Lord speedily abolish every system of oppression, of tyranny, & of despotism! As to our British Legislature, I dl not expect any effectual interference for the abolition of, either West Indian slavery, or the Arican Slave Trade; but I do hope, that God will ere long plead the cause of the oppressed Africans, & rescue them out of ^the^ hands of avarice, of injustice, & of cruelty. I consider the oppression of the poor Africans, & of the Hindoos, as the national sin of this cou^n^try.

         Yes, Mr. Peter Edwards has given me a severe drubbing! I think myself happy, however, that as I am not conscious of having deserved such treatment at his hands; so, as far as I can perceive, the public do not applaud his conduct respecting me. By this time, I suppose, you have seen an anonymous piece, which was prefaced, & published by Mr. Dore. Till I saw Edwards’s abusive language concerning me, collected & arranged as it is in that Piece, I could not have thought, even though I had read his Book twice over, that it had been so violently abusive as it is. I have been lately informed, that the selfimportant Edwards has another Piece in the press, in defence of his Candid Reasons: but, he may go on as long as he pleases without my appearing against him. May I have an heart sincerely to pray for him!

         Another of our Ministers, (Pastor of a Baptist church near London) whose name was Joseph Swain, has been removed by death the last spring. He had been in the ministry but about five years; & yet, such was his usefulness, that he had gathered a large Church – a Church, if I mistake not, of about 160 members. Of all the Ministers whom I know, I do not think there is one who appears to be so much devoted to God, as he was. His Meeting House had been enlarged twice, & the people were preparing to enlarge it again: but, he had finished his work, & the Lord took him home. May we, who yet remain, work while it is day, & be found ready at any moment!

         War, horrid war, still rages, & Infidelity is gaining ground in Europe. What the end of these things will be, the Lord only knows. May God prepare us for whatever is approaching! – The Lord be with you & yours. I remain,

                     dear Sir,

                                 affectionately yours,

                                             A. Booth

Address: none

Postmark: none

Text: Gratz Collection 250A, Case 10, Box 27, folder 15, Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. The recipient of this letter could be a number of individuals in America, possibly Thomas Manning, at that time president of Rhode Island College; but given the reference to the Abolition Society in Philadelphia, and the reciept of some pamphlets from America, the best choice may reside with William Rogers of Philadelphia. Other references above are to Peter Edwards, formerly the Particular Baptist minister at White’s Row, Portsmouth (1785-94), whose pamphlet, Candid Reasons for Renouncing the Principles of Antipaedobaptism (1795), formally announced his decision to become an Independent. James Dore was the minister at the Baptist meeting in Maze Pond, Southwark. Dore published two responses to Edwards on infant baptism, the second one being the source for Booth’s comment above: Baptism of Abortives Defended, by the Demonstrative Arguments of Mr. Peter Edwards, in his Candid Reasons (London, 1795), and The Principles of Antipedobaptism, and the Practice of Female Communion completely consistent. In Answer to the Arguments and Objections of Mr. Peter Edwards in his Candid Reasons: with Animadversions on his Temper and Conduct in that Publication (London, 1795), which appeared anonymously. Joseph Swain (1761-96) had been the minister at East Lane [Street] in Walworth, and also known for his hymns.