d civilized man in fellowship. The
leaders themselves will be regarded as _mere ambitious men_; not taking
rank with those whose ambition is "eagle-winged and sky-aspiring," but
belonging to that mean and selfish class, who are instigated by
"rival-hating envy," and whose base thirst is for _notoriety_; who cloak
their designs under vile and impious hypocrisies, and, unable to shine
in higher spheres, devote themselves to fanaticism, as a trade. And it
will be perceived that, even in that, they shunned the highest walk.
Religious fanaticism was an old established vocation, in which something
brilliant was required to attract attention. They could not be George
Foxes, nor Joanna Southcotes, nor even Joe Smiths. But the dullest
pretender could discourse a jumble of pious bigotry, natural rights, and
driveling philanthropy. And, addressing himself to aged folly and
youthful vanity, to ancient women, to ill-gotten wealth, to the
reckless of all classes, who love excitement and change, offer each the
cheapest and the safest glory in the market. Hence, their numbers; and,
from number and clamor, what impression they have made on the world.

Such, I am persuaded, is the light in which the abolitionists will be
viewed by the posterity their history may reach. Unless, indeed--which
God forbid--circumstances should so favor as to enable them to produce a
convulsion which may elevate them higher on the "bad eminence" where
they have placed themselves.

I have the honor to be
Your obedient servant,
J. H. HAMMOND.

THOMAS CLARKSON, Esq.

NOTE.--The foregoing Letters were not originally intended for
publication. In preparing them for the press, they have been revised.
The alterations and corrections made, however, have been mostly verbal.
Had the writer felt at liberty to condense the two letters into one, and
bring up the history of abolition to the period of publication, he might
have presented a more concise and perfect argument, and illustrated his
views more forcibly, by reference to facts recently developed. For
example, since writing the first, the letter of Mr. Clarkson, as
President of the British Anti-Slavery Society, to Sir Robert Peel,
denouncing the whole scheme of "Immigration," has reached him; and after
he had forwarded the last, he saw it stated, that Mr. Clarkson had, as
late as the first part of April, addressed the Earl of Aberdeen, and
d