Record Data
Source citation
Parker, Theodore, to Miss Grover, Boston, MA, 6 November 1857. As printed in The Life and Correspondence of Theodore Parker, ed. John Weiss. Archives and Special Collections, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA. p. ###
Recipient (to)
Miss Grover
Type
Letter
Date Certainty
Exact
Transcriber
Wes McCoy
Transcription date
Transcription
The following text is presented here in complete form, as true to the original written document as possible. Spelling and other typographical errors have been preserved as in the original.
To Miss Grover.
My Dear Miss Grover,- I have just conferred with one of the best lawyers in Boston, who thinks there is no danger in the woman’s remaining in Lawrence. The Supreme Court of Massachusetts long ago decided (in the Med case) that a slave brought to Massachusetts by her master was by that act free. It will still adhere to that decision. It seems to me she might quit the service of her claimant, and go about her business. I think he would not dare molest her. But, perhaps you had better talk with some lawyer in Lawrence. If the young woman is timid, and will be in fear of her master, then it will be perfectly safe to send her to the Quakers. I don’t like to advise in this matter. You and she will know better than I which to do. Please let me know what is done finally, and her name, and so oblige,
Yours faithfully,
Theodore Parker.
Our Supreme Court will not heed the Dred Scott decision.
My Dear Miss Grover,- I have just conferred with one of the best lawyers in Boston, who thinks there is no danger in the woman’s remaining in Lawrence. The Supreme Court of Massachusetts long ago decided (in the Med case) that a slave brought to Massachusetts by her master was by that act free. It will still adhere to that decision. It seems to me she might quit the service of her claimant, and go about her business. I think he would not dare molest her. But, perhaps you had better talk with some lawyer in Lawrence. If the young woman is timid, and will be in fear of her master, then it will be perfectly safe to send her to the Quakers. I don’t like to advise in this matter. You and she will know better than I which to do. Please let me know what is done finally, and her name, and so oblige,
Yours faithfully,
Theodore Parker.
Our Supreme Court will not heed the Dred Scott decision.