Abolition in the Archives: #2

Letter, Will Harned to Robert Bowne Parsons, 1849

In this 1849 appeal, William Harned and Charles B. Ray, officers of the New York Vigilance Committee, task Robert Bowne Parsons with helping their fundraising appeal in Queens and safeguarding any large donations. Robert Bowne Parsons is resident at Bowne House during this period.

New York, July 28th, 1849.

Esteemed friend,

            Our Vigilance Committee must have money, or give up our business. In our emergency, we are under a necessity of employing every lawful & honorable means of raising funds. We have concluded to send out our friend Robert Edmund, of whom we hear a good report, to make an appeal in our behalf to all who have a heart to sympathize with the slave. Chas (Charles) B. Ray & I have concluded to let him commence among your villagers. Will you not give him all the “aid & comfort” you can? And see that he is put on the track of every one who will be likely to sympathize with the object of his mission? In laboring in your vicinity, I shall request him to deposit any surplus funds he may collect with you. You will, I hope be able to counsel him as to his operations in adjacent towns & neighborhoods.

Yours truly, but in mine Haste,

Will Harned

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