dvocate of human rights, was
quite indignant, that a Convention called for such liberal measures
should reject women on the flimsy plea, "that it being contrary to
English usage, it would subject them to ridicule and prejudice their
cause." She was unremitting in her attentions to the American women,
doing many things to make their visit pleasant while in London, and
afterward, entertaining several as guests in her own "quiet home."
Amelia Opie, with her happy face and genial manners, was in constant
attendance at the Convention. On entering one of the sessions, she
accosted Mrs. Mott, saying, "though in one sense the women delegates
were rejected, yet they were held in high esteem, and their coming
would have immense influence on the action of future assemblies."
At the "Crown and Anchor," one evening, the members of the Convention
took a parting cup of tea; nearly five hundred persons were present.
As the resolution excluding women did not extend to this company, Mrs.
Mott gave her views on the use of slave products, which were well
received. In the course of her remarks she referred to the example and
faithfulness of the "Society of Friends," in using as far as possible
the produce of free labor in their families. Josiah Forster, ever
vigilant on the battlements of bigotry, could not allow this allusion
to pass unnoticed, and when Mrs. Mott sat down, he arose and said he
"could not conscientiously refrain from informing the company, that
Mrs. Mott did not represent the Society of Friends. He did so with no
other than feelings of kindness, but,"--when he had proceeded thus far
it was evident he was about to disclaim religious fellowship with
her, and a general burst of disapprobation was manifested by cries of
"down, down! order, order! shame, shame!"--but he finished his
disavowal amidst the confusion, though few heard what he said, neither
did they wish to hear his expressions of intolerance. As soon as he
had finished his speech he left the room, probably displeased that his
feelings met with so little sympathy, or at the manifestation of
dissatisfaction with his remarks.
At a dinner party, at Elizabeth J. Reid's, a few days after, Lady
Byron was one of the company; with whom Mr. and Mrs. Mott had a
previous acquaintance, through a letter of introduction from George
Combe. As Colonel Miller, one of the American delegation, had been in
the Greek war with Lord Byron, and knew him well, several interesting
intervi
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