m U_ _,r I - "^aiAiNaawv ^lUBR/ ■^(J/OjUVJ-iU' ^MEUNIVER% vK:lOSANCElfj> A-OFC/U <: r= -eC i^ t^ '^^/iajAiNamv ^ %: ^ME-UNIVER% ' < ^WE■UNIVER% o An'iwrj\rj^ > ^OFCAtlF0% > as ! < - UNIVERS/^ ^ o^ ..rf- % ■A ^ ^' ■a; .^ ^ .<;:OFC/ ,<;Of-CALIFO% ^ %3DNVS0V'^'^ %a3AINI}3WV .^. ^ V 5 r iit'ii irnr , ■'.aa/J(l'3WV^ "^^ ./' JOSEPH STCJBGE. \ KoK.N AiGisi 2, i;ir„, ])iti. Miv II IV, MEMOIRS OF JOSEPH STURGE. BY HENRY RICHARD. '"'""■"'f^^Ufy^'-:: , , - ELTiEHTOX. TITE BTIITHPLAPE OF .TOSKPH STt'ROE. LONDON : 8. W. PAKTEIDGE, 9 PATERNOSTER ROW; A. W. BENNETT, 5 BISHOPSGATE WITHOUT. 1864. War, and the great in war, lot others sing, Favoe and spoil, and tears and trinmi^hing ; The morning march that flashes to the sun. The feast of vultures when the day is done : And the strange tale of many slain for one ! I sing a Man, amid his suiferings here. Who watched and served in humbleness and fear; Gentle to others, to himself severe. Rogers. LONDON rjiisTED r;y spottiswoode axd co. NEW-STREET SQ0AUE ^ //r i 0( PREFACE The writer of tlie following work is by no means con- vinced that it is an unmixed advantage for the memoirs of an individual to be published very speedily after his death, especially if he were one who had taken any prominent part in connection with public affairs. Still, for the sake of others who may think differently, he cannot but regret the delay that has occurred in the appearance of this volume. But there were many reasons why it was out of his power to accomplish his task sooner. He was so placed that he could only work at it by snatches, in the intervals of official duties always exigent, and sometimes very urgent, which it was impossible for him to pretermit. The work itself, also, proved a much more serious one than he anticipated, when he first acceded to the request with which the family of Joseph Sturge honoured him, to prepare some memorial of the life and labours of his revered and beloved friend. Mr. Sturge was a man whose sympa- thies were so broad, and whose activities were so varied, that to tell intelligibly the story of his life it was necessary to understand something of most of the lead- ing pubhc events of the last thirty or forty years. Then the materials which came into the writer's hands, out of which to construct the work, were formidable both A 2 201S134 IV PREFACE. ill bulk and quality. lie had to read through a corre- spondence carried on l)y Mr. Sturge witli all sorts of persons, on a great diversity of subjects, extending to between three and four thousand letters, some of them very lengthy, and not a few written in characters almost as difficult to decipher as the Egyptian hiero- glyphics. But besides letters there was a large number of other documents and records, including diaries, reports of societies, minutes of committees, pamphlets, newspapers, &c., many of them, indeed, yielding little that was profitable for his purpose, could he only have known their contents without reading them, but none the less consuming; a larixe amount of time in the examination. His labour was, moreover, all the greater because he was determined to i-estrict the work to one voliune, whereas it would have been much easier to have made it two or three. Takinof all this into ac- count, he hopes any of Mr. Stin^ge's friends who may have grown impatient with him will acknowledge that he IS entitled to some indulgence for the delay, as well as to some credit for the forbearance with which he has used the mass of materials placed at his disposal. The author is under obligations to many friends who have assisted him in his work. And first he has a melancholy pleasure in acknowledging the gene- rous kindness of the late Mr. Thomas Pumphrey, who, when he had prepared a valuable paper called ' Brief Recollections of Joseph Sturge,' which he was urged by many to publish, preferred, rather than detract from, by anticipating, any interest supposed to attach to the forthcoming Memoir, to place his production in the hands of the biographer, with full liberty to make any I'llKFACE. V use of it he iniglit tliink proper. Of this permission it will be seen he has liberally availed himself, especially ill the early part of the volume. It is not without a keen ]rAng of regret he reflects that the book itself will never meet the eye of one who would have oj^ened it with so much of interest and sympathy. But long before it was ready for the press, Mr. Pumphrey had himself passed away to join his friend ' In the blest kingdom meek of Joy and Love.' To Mr. Eobert Charleton of Bristol, Mr. Walter Sturge of the same city, Mr. William White of Bir- mingham, and the Eev. John Clark of Jamaica, the author begs to express his grateful acknowledgments for important contributions bearing upon different portions of Mr. Sturge's life. The privilege of constant commu- nication with his friend Mr. Joseph Cooper has also been of great value to him, a gentleman whose own labours in the fields of philanthropy have been abundant and long continued. Mr, William Morgan of Birmingham has been most kindly and perseveringiy helpful to the biographer, permitting him to draw at will out of his ample stores of information, in reference to most of the public enterprises in which Mr. Stuige was engaged, and ill many of which he was his efficient and constant helper. Above all, however, is the author indebted to Mr. Thomas Harvey of Leeds. He cannot express here half of what he feels as to the extent of his obli- gations to this dear friend, not for material help only, though that has been ample and most important, but for the warm interest, the wise counsel, the delicate sympathy, the generous encouragement, with which he VI PRE FACE. has sustained and cheered him tlirough tlie Avhole undertakino;. The hiboiir of preparing this vohmie lias not been without a rich reward, for it has brought the author into yet more intimate acquaintance than he had before with one of the most beautiful characters, one of the most unselfish hves, he has ever known. There is one expression that has accompanied him through all his labours, haunting his mind hke some favourite musical refrain, an expression which might indeed be made the runnino; headline for the whole of this volume — ' He lived not unto himself.'' In examining the hundreds of Mr. Sturge's letters that have passed under his eye, nothing has struck him so forcibly as this — how little they contain about Mr. Sturge ; how rare are the allu- sions to himself, to his own circumstances, his own business, his own health, his own feelings, and even his own labours. He talked very little about even the work he was doing, not from any constrained or inten- tional reticence, but fi'om simple unconsciousness that he was doing anything deserving or requiring to be talked about. His hfe was indeed a life devoted with rare singleness of purpose to the good of others and the glory of God. The biographer hardly dares hope that he has suc- ceeded in commemorating that life in a manner at all worthy of its singular excellence. All he can say is, that if he has failed, it has not been throuoh Avant of either love or labour. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. BIRTH AND EAItLY YEAKS. Place of his Birth — Family of the Stur<,'es — Their Early Union with the Society of Friends — Extract from the Jom-nal of George Fox — His Mother's Family, the Marshalls — Ett'ect on his Character of his Descent from a (^uaher Ancestry — Anecdote of his Childhood — Visits his Grandfather at Kingiey, and resides with him several Years — Manner of Life there — His Character as a Child — Revisits Kingiey in Old Age — Incidents connected with that Visit — Retnrns Home to his Father's House— Goes to School at Thoruhury, then at Sidcot — Anec- dote of his School-days — Leaves School — First Religious Lnpressions — Morbid Jealousy — His high Spirit as a Boy — Follows a Farmer's Life for a while — Joins the ' Endeavour Society ' at Bristol — First Engagements in Works of Benevolence — Visit of William Forster and other Ministers— Its Eftect on his Mind — Is drawn for the Militia — Refuses to serve, and has his Sheep taken . . . I'age I CHAPTER II. IN BUSINESS AND IN THE FAMILY. Leaves Farming and becomes a Corn-factor at Bewdley — A Visit to North Wales— Begins House-keeping — His proposed Plan of Life — - Death of his Father — His Tenderness to his Mother — Letter to her — Death of his Mother — Receives his Brothers and Sisters to his own Home — His Affection and Care for them — His early Experience in Business — Hazardous Nature of the Corn Trade — Losses and Dis- couragements — His Industry and Energy — Attention to his Religious Duties amid the Pressure of Business — And to Works of Benevolence and Charity — Gradual Commercial Prosperitj- — Removal to Birming- ham — Relaxes his Attention to Business — His Apprehension of the Dangers of great Wealth — His Brother Charles's great Services — His rigid Commercial Integrity — Sacrifices in the Temperance Cause — Anecdote illustrating Conscientiousness in Business— His Conduct as an Employer of Labour — His Leniency to the Unfortunate . 25 VlU CONTENTS. CHAPTER III. AS A CITIZEN. His Views of a Christian's Duty as respects Citizenship — Elected a Member of the Birmingham Commissioners — His Objections to Ora- torios — Extract from John Xewton— Letter to the Commissioners re- specting the use of Town Hall for Oratoiios — Appeal to the People of Birmingham — His first Appearance in Political Matters — Election at Bridgeuorth — 3Ir. Wohycli Whitmore — Election at Bristol — Mr. Protheroe — The Reform Agitation — Excitement in tlie Country — The Political Unions — Mi-. Sturge joins that at Birmingham — The Justifi- cation of himself and his Brother ..... Page 58 CHAPTER IV. EAHLY ANTI-SLAVKRY LABOUIW. Long Interval between the Abolition of the Slave Trade and Agitation against Slavery — Reasons for this — Absorbing Nature of the great War — Necessity of preventing the Evasion of the Slave Trade Abo- lition Act — Measures adopted to this End — Mr. Brougham's Bill for making the Slave Trade Felony — Mr. Stephen's Slave Registration Act — Mr. Zachary Macaulay at the Congress of Vienna— The Question of Slavery in the West India Colonies comes gradually before the Countiy and Parliament — Debates in the House of Commons — Cruelties of the System brought to Light — Perverseness of the Colonial Legislatures and Press — Persecution of the Missionaries — Necessity for a more popidar Element in the Anti-Slavery Party — Character of 'The African Institution' and the old Anti-Slavery Society — Joseph Sturge well adapted to be the Leader of the Popular Party — Mr. Buxton's first Motion on the Subject in Parliament — Extracts from Mr. Sturge's Journal — Remarkable Discussion at Friends' Yearly Meeting — His Acquaintance with James Crojiper and their public Cooperation — Extracts from the Letters of the latter — Joseph Sturge adopts the Principle of immediate Abolition — His Address at the Friends' Yearly Meeting in 1830 73 CHAPTER V. THE EMANCIPATION ACT. Difference of Opinion among the Abolitionists — Meeting at Freemasons' Hall — Separation of the Two Parties — Mr. James Cropper's and Mr. Sturge's generous Offer — Formation of the Agency Committee — Appeal to the Country by Lectures — Mr. George Thompson — Mr. Sturge's Part in this Agitation— Rev. William Marsh— Mr. Buxton and Mr. Sturge— Letter of Mr. Buxton— The Movement suspended by the Reform Agitation — Then renewed with additional Vigour — CONTENTS. IX I'llectiou of 18.:i2 — Boards of CorrespoiidL'iice and their J:^ti'fct — The Ueforiu Ministry indisposed to take up the Question — Letter to Mr. Sturge — Meeting of Delegates in London — Delegates wait in a Body on the Prime Minister — Tlie Govornnient Measure of Emanci- pation — Disappointment of the Abolitionists — The Apprenticeship Clause and the Compensation to l*lanters — The Abolitionists are divided as to the Government Measure — Letter from Mr. Buxton to Mr. Sturge— Mr. Sturge's Letter to Mr. Forster — Mr. Buxton's pro- posed Compromise — Disapproval of some of tlie Abolitionists I'age 92 CHAPTER VL KUUTHEK ANTI-SLAVEKY LADOUKS. WOliKlNG OF THE AI'l'lUCNTICESlIIl' SYSTEM. Mr. Sturge's Marriage — Early Death of liis Wife — Its Effect upon liim — His Sister Sophia returns to him — Letter to her — Slavery in the United States — Complicity of the Christian Churcli in the System — Speech of Mr. Sturge on that Subject — Addresses the Wesleyan Conference at Birmingham — Controversy with Rev. Dr. Fisk — Efiect of Emanci- pation in the West Indies — Good Behaviour of the Negroes — Oppres- sive Working of the Apprenticeship System — Dangerous Provisions of the Act — Measures passed by the Colonial Legislatures — The Negro still virtually a Slave — Unsuccessful Efforts of the Abolitionists to get the Apprenticeship repealed — Mr. Sturge appeals to the Country — Great Meeting at Birmingham — His Speech there — Difficulty of prociuing Evidence from the W^est Indies — His Apprehension that the Colonial Legislatures would defeat the Object of the Abolition Act^ — Determines to visit the West Indies — Address to him from liis Fellow-citizens at Birmingham — Letter from Rev. .1. A. James on liis Departure — His own Feelings in anticipation of his Journey — Mr. Thomas Harvey is associated with him in his Mission . .110 CHAPTER \ll. VISIT TO THE WEST INDIES. Intercourse with West India Planters on board Ship — Mr. Sturge's Fidelity of Rebuke — He and his Friends reach Barbados — Proceed thence to Antigua — Mysterious Disappearance of a Packet of Letters — Spent a Month at Antigua, which had already passed an Act of Emancipation — Inquiry into its Effects — Testimony of Dr. Nugent, Speaker of the Assembly — Satisfactory Results of the Act — Retm-n to Barbados — But touch first at Montserrat — State of that Island — Then at Dominica — And at Martinique — Baron de Mackau, the Governor — St. Lucia— Sir John Jeremie, ' the I'ere I'resident ' — Recall liarbados — Description of the Island — LTugenerous Conduct of the Planters — Oppressive Operation of the Apprenticeship System — Fearful I'rison X CONTENTS. Cruelties — Insidious Sclieme for Apprenticing of young free Chikli-en — Travellers proceed to Jamaica — Investigations there among all Classes of Men — Vidts various Missionary Stations— Aifecting Inter- view with the Eector of St. Ann's Bay — Brown's Town and Eev. John Clark — Negro Manager of an Estate — Falmouth and Montego I5ay— Rev. Messrs. Burchell and Kuibb — Arcadia and Ilev. John Vine — Lucia and Rev. Mr. Stainsby, &c. — Results of Investigation — Few resident Proprietors — Character of Overseers and Book-keepers — Stipendiary Magistrates — Number and Severity of Punishments — The Tread-mills — Drunken ^Magistrate — Capricious Tyranny of the Over- seers — Summary of the Effects of the Apprenticeship System Page 133 CHAPTER MIL ABOLITIOX OF THE APPRENTICESHIP. Mr. Sturge's Determination to overthrow the Apprenticeship — Combi- nation of Influences opposed to him— Public Breakfast to him at Bir- mingham — His Speech on that Occasion — ^Yisits other large Towns — The Anti-Slavery Committee refuses to move — Provisional Committee formed at Birmingham — Conference at Exeter Hall — Central Negro Emancipation Committee— Its Operations — The Coimtry roused — Lord Brougham's Speech and Resolutions in the House of Lords — Appeal to the House of Commons — Meeting of Delegates in London — Sir George Strickland's Motion for the Abolition of Apprenticeship — Excitement in the House — The Debate — O'Connell's Speech — Motion defeated, but the Division a virtual Victory — Joseph Stm'ge goes to Work again — Another Meeting at Birmingham — Notice of another Motion by Sir J. Eardley AVilmot — Another Call of Delegates — The Motion is carried — Excitement in the Galleries — Letter of Mr. Buxton — The Government refuse to yield, and persuade the House to revoke its Decision — But the Colonial Legislatures act on the First Decision, and pass Acts of Emancipation — Joy of the Missionaries— Letters of Phillippo and Knibb — The ]?ritish Government then accepts Emanci- pation — Act of Emancipation — 3Ir. Edward Baines' Description of it — Lord Brougham's Testimony as to who had done the Work — Cele- bration of the Day of Freedom at Birmingham — Public Meeting — Letters of Mr. O'Connell and Rev. J. A. James — Speech of Dr. Lushington — Letter of 3Ir. Buxton — Anecdote of Lord Brougham — Mr. Sturge's S^ieech at the Meeting — Celebration of the 1st of August in the West Indies — Good Behaviour of the Coloured People — Testimony of Mr. Phillippo — And of Sir Lionel Smith . , 163 CHAPTER IX. CARE FOR THE 'emancipated NEGROES. Acknowledgment by Mr. Sturge of others' Services — Dr. I'almer — ■ Driven from hi,s Office as Stipendiary Magistrate — Subscription raised CONTEXTS. XI for him in England — Mr. Charles Harvey — His Defence of the Negroes —These Gentlemen publicly entertained at Birmingham — The Marquis of Sligo — Becomes a Convert to Abolitionism — His liberal Conduct as Governor of Jamaica — A Testimonial from the Negroes to him — INIr. Sturge's continued Interest in the Coloured Population — Attempts made in the West Indies to coerce and defraud them — -Police and Vagrancy Laws — Mr. Sturge's Intervention — Persecution of Mis- siouai'ies — Subscriptions raised for them — ' The "West India Land In- vestment Company' — The Occasion and tlie Object of starting it — Snccessful Prosecution of the Scheme— But frustrated by a legal DiflicLdty— Mr. Sturge's personal Efforts to supply tlie Want— Educa- tion of the Negroes — ' The Jamaica Education Society' - Importance of accustoming the Negroes to help themselves . . Page 188 CHAPTEIf X. WOULD S CONVENTION. The old Anti-Slavery Society extinct— Joseph Sturge's earh' Idea of Comprehensive Association against Slavery — Letter on that Subject to William Forster — The Idea deferred, but now resumtsd — Meeting of Delegates to form the British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society — Its fundamental Principle — Difficulty in carrying it — Letters of Mr. Sturge on that Subject to INIr. John Cropper and Mr. Lewis Tappau — The New Society calls a ' World's Convention ' — Mr. Sturge's com- prehensive Plan — His Labours in connection with the Convention — Letters to G. W. Alexander — Convention meets at Freemasons' Hall — The Elements of which it was composed — Thomas Clarkson — Ilaydon's Description of the opening Scene . . . . 203 CHAPTER XL VISIT TO AMERICA. Relations of the Society of Friends to the Anti-Slavery Question in America — Their early Exertions against Slavery — John Woolman and Anthony Benezet — Change in tlieir Feelings and Conduct — J. G. Whittier — Letter from him — Mr. Sturge's Letter to him — Letters from Dr. Wardlaw — Mr. Cobden and Thomas Clarkson on his Departure to America — Dreadful Storm in going out — Letters to his Sister — New Yoi'k — Philadelphia — Yearly Meeting of Friends there — Feeling re- specting the Anti-Slavery Movement — Baltimore — Visits a Slave- trading Establishment— The Baptist Triennial Convention— Wilming- ton — America and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society — liunaway Slaves — Albany — Interview with Governor Seward — Feeling among Friends respecting the Slavery Question — Visits Dr. Channing — At Provi- dence — Addresses a Letter to the (hvner of the Slave-trading Estab- XI 1 CONTENTS. lislinient — Moiiioiiai tu thu Presideiit refused — Mr. Stiirge publishes it — Ilis supposed Intlueiice on the Debates at Washington — Tries to heal Divisions among- Abolitionists— Effects of his Visit to America — Letters from L. Tappan and J. G. Whittier — His own Estimate of its effects— Letter to T. Harvey ..... Page 220 CnAPTEK XIL SUNDAY TliAVELLlNG. P.IOTS IN BIRMINGHAM. Mr. Sturge becomes a Dii-ector of the London and Birmingham Railway — The Question of Sunday Travelling — Friends' View of the Sabbath — Ilis Eeasons for objecting to nnining Trains on that Day— Injustice to the Company's Servants — Injurious 3Ioral Effect — Submits a Motion to the Board — Then appeals to the Proprietors — His Speech on that Occasion — Is defeated and retires from the Direction — Is chosen an Alderman of Purmingham — IJefuses to subscribe the Declaration — Disturbed State of the Town— The Meeting at the Bull Ping—' Tlie National Convention' — The London Police brought doA\ii — Collision with the People — Angry Excitement— 'The National Holiday' — Riot — Mr. Sturge saves some of the Rioters from Execution — Moves a Committee to enquire into the Causes of the Riot — Its Report — Peculiar Civic Government of Birmingham at the Time — Govern- ment jMeasure of Police — Its despotic Provisions — Mr. Sturge opposes it — Exciting public Meeting — His Influence in calming the People — His Speech on that Occasion — Is .'ieverely censured — His Defence of his own Conduct — Extracts from his Letters .... 250 CHAPTER XIII. ANTI-C(tl;N-LA\V AGITATION. CHINA WAi!. 3Ir. Sturge Aery early a I'ree Trader — Letters from Mr. MUiers and Lord Brougham — Joins the League from its first Formation — Letters from Mr. J. B. Smith and Mr. Cobden — Attends the Free-Trade Con- ventions — Special Services to the Movement — Helped to give it a Moral and Religious Tone — And to ensure simple Adherence to Prin- ciple — Mr. Cobden's Appreciation of his Services in this respect — Letter from Mr. Cobden — Jealousy of any Departure from I'rinciple — Difference with the Leaguers on the Sugar Question — Letter of Mr. O'Connell — Jen iTvapvil of Mr. Cobden — Mr. Sturge's own Views on the Subject — The China War — History of the Opium Traffic — Mr. .Sturge's strong Abhorrence of it — His Appeal to the Public — Meeting at Freemasons' Hall -Later ICxertions in the same Cause . . 2G9 CO.VTH.NTS. XI 11 CIlAPTEIi XIV. THE SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT. State of the Country twenty Years ago — Great Depression and Siifferin<>- — Bad Feeling- between the Middle and Working Classes — The latter in the liaiids of bad Advisers — Physical Force Chartists — Riots in the Manufacturing Districts — Panic and Prejudice of the ^liddlc Classes — Mr. Sturge's deep Sorrow at this condition of things — The ' Nonconformist ' Newspaper — Mr. Sturge's Qualifications to lead the Suffrage ^lovenient — Letters from Mr. Cobdenand Lord Brougham — Tlis first Public Step in the Cause — Early Success of the Movement — Conference of Delegates at Birmingham— The Result — Mr. S. Craw- ford's ^Motion in Parliament — Nottingham Election — Mr. Sturg(^ becomes a Candidate — His Speech at the Nomination — Mr. Walter is returned, but unseated on Petition — Extracts from Miss Sturge's Letters— Union of the Middle and Working Classes during: the Election — Further Progress of the Suffrage Movement — Obstacles in the Way — Feargus O'Connoi' — His Character and Influence with the Working- Classes — Another Conference at Birmingham — Mr. Sturge's Speech — Violent Debates — The two Parties fail to agree, and separate Page 291 CHAPTER XV. THE SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT — Continued. Perseverance of the Leaders — P>ut the Movement languishes — Election at Birmiug-ham — ^Ir. Sturge's Defeat — Letters from him and his Sister — The Middle Classes absorbed with Free Trade — The Chartists bring Discredit on the Cause by Violence — ^fr. Sturge gradually retires from the Movement — But retains his Convictions — His Politics connected with his Christianity — The distinctly Christian Tone he gave to his Advocacy of the Suffrage— Good Effects on the Working Classes — Testimony of Rev. C. Vince and Mr. Henry Vincent — Opposition from Members of his own Society — Letter of Miss Sturge — His own Religious Feelings during the Excitement — T^etters to Mr. Tappan — Letters from Mr. Miall — Conversaticnis with his Sister on her Death- bed — His last Appearance in Politics — Education Controversy — With- draws from the British and Foreign School Society — Election at Leeds " . . 819 CPL4PTER XVL PHILANTHROPY NOT FORGOTTEN IN POLITICS. Did not neglect his Philanthropic Objects during the Sufft-age Move- ment — Fidelity to the Cause of tlie Slave— Conference called at Paris XIV COXTl^NTS. by Frencli Abolitionists — Letter of Mr. \V. Forster — Mr. Sturge goes — The French Government forbids the Meeting — Kefuses M. Guizot's Hospitality — Second Anti-Slaveiy Convention — His Anxiety and Labour to make it Successful — Letters to Mr. Tappan and Mr. Whit- tier — Convention held at Freemasons' Hall — First Peace Convention — Originated by Mr. Sturge — The care of it devolves upon him — I^etters of ]Miss Sturge — Held at Freemasons' Tavern — Anxieties in Business at the Time — Continued Interest in West Lidian Affairs — Correspondence with Missionaries — His high Estimation of their Character — Letter from Rev. John Clark — Watches intently the Pro- gress of American Abolitionism — Extensive Correspondence with Friends there — Action respecting Texas — Letters from Mr. Whittier and Mr. Jay Page 342 CIL\PTER XVII. DEATH OF HIS SISTER, EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE. Sophia Sturge— Her Character — Her Devotion to lier Brother — Extracts from her Letters — Her Illness — And Death — Letter from Mr. Sturge on the Occasion— His second Marriage — Mr. "VMiittier's Lines on Miss Sturge's Death — The Evangelical Alliance— Its Object and Con- stitution — Mr. Sturge remonstrates with Ilev. J. A. James on its Test-Creed — Mr. James's Reply — The Question of Slavery before the Alliance — First Invitation to America contained no Reference to the Question — The Birmingham Resolution — Embarrassment of the American Delegates — Their Protest against any Reference to Slavery — Exciting Discussion at the Conference — The Compromise adopted — Unsatisfactory and unsuccessfid — Sorrow of the English and American Abolitionists — Lettere from Mr. Whittier ..... 366 CHAPTER XVIII. THE FKEE LABOUR MOVEMENT. The Cotton Manufacture of England the great Support of Amei'ican Slavery — Superiority of Free over Slave Labour — Mr. John Sturge's Paper on this Subject — Fund for procm-iug Free Labour Goods — Letters to Mr. G. W. Alexander, Mr. Samuel Rhoades, and Mr. Tappan — Appeal to the Friends of Abolition — New Impulse given to the Question by Mrs. Stowe's Visit — ' Uncle Tom's Cabin ' — Mr. and Mrs. Stowe at Birmingham — Mr. Stm-ge enlists them in the Free Labour Movement — Letter to them — Tries to connect Free Labour with India Reform— Letter to Mr. Bright — Exertions of Mr. Elihu Burritt — Spirit of Trade too strong for Philanthropy — 'Mi: Sturge's personal Abstinence from whatever was tainted with SlaveiT . 384 CONTENTS. XV CIIAPTElt XIX. ENGLAND AND AMERICA. FRENCH HEVOLUTION. ANTI-PAPAl, ACITATIOX. Disturbed Relations between England and America— The Maine Boun- dary Question— Mr. Sturge's Anxiety and Exertions— Lord Asbbur- ton's Settlement— Letter from Mr. Tappan— Tlie Oregon DifRciilty— Great Excitement in America— International Addresses— Mr. Sturge's Activity in promoting them— Their good Eiiect— ^Letters from Mr, Whittier and Mr. Tappan— The Militia Bill— Successful Opposition to it— Letter from Mr. Douglas Jerrold — The French Revolution of 1848 — Deputation to the Provisional Government— Abolition of Slavery in the French Colonies — Mr. Sturge's Interview with M. Arago and M. Schcelcher — Presentation of Address to Provisional Government — Religious Libertj^- The Pope's Rescript— Great Excitement is occa- sioned—Meeting called at Birmingham — Mr. Sturge's Address to his Fellow-Townsmen — Moves an Amendment at the Meeting — The Result Page 398 CHAPTER XX. THE PEACE MOVEMENT. Mr. Sturge's Principles respecting War — Long interval of Rest after the Peace of 1816 — Growth of Pacific Sentiments in Europe — Speeches of Sir James Mackintosh and Sir Robert Peel — Accession of the Whigs deemed an additional Guarantee for Peace — The Change in our Foreign Policy — Wars and Rumours of Wars — Revival of old Ani- mosity between England and France — First Invasion Panic — Efforts of the Friends of Peace — Diffusion of the Christian Doctrine of Peace — Movement in favour of International Arbitration — Mr. Cobden's Motion in Parliament — Peace Congresses on the Continent — Mr. Sturge's large Share in the Peace Movement — The Value of his Services — Extracts from his Letters to Mr. Tappan, Rev. John Clark, and Mr. Whittier 414 CHAPTER XXI. MEDIATION BETWEEN DENMARK AND SCHLESWIG-HOLSTEIN. Appearance of Dr. Bctdenstedt at the Frankfort Peace Congress — His Proposal to that Body — Could not be entertained — Mr. Sturge deter- mines to visit the Scene of War himself — ^Nlr. E. Burritt and Mr. F. Wheeler accompany him — Nature of their Intervention — Journey to Kiel and Rendsburg — Interview with the Authorities of the Duchies — They accept the Principle of Arbitration — Mr. Sturge and his Com- panions proceed to Copenhagen — Interview with Count Molcke, the XVI CONTKXTS. Prime Minister — With the Baron De Keedtz, Foreign Secretary — Results of these C'onferences — Msit to the Duke of Angusteuburg — Conversation with tlie Duchess — Second Interview with the Autlio- rities at Eendsburg — Hopeful Aspect of the Negotiation — But ulti- mately fails ......... Page 434 CHAPTER XXn. THE RUSSIAN WAR. VISIT TO ST. PETERSBURG. The Industrial Exhibition of 1851— Its Pacific Tendency — Mr. Sturge's Receptions at Hyde Park — ^The Coup (TEtnt and the Empire in France — The Invasion Panic in England — Efforts of the Peace Party to oppose it — The Eastern Question — Sudden Change of the Public Feeling — Outcry against Russia — Mr. Sturge's son'owful Apprehension of War — A Visit to the Emperor of Russia is proposed — Minute of the Society of Friends — Mr. Sturge and his Companions start for St. Petersburg — Account of the Journey — Sledge-travelling — A Misad- venture on the Road — Arrival at St. Petersburg — Interview with Count Nesselrode — Sights of the City — Appointment to see the Emperor ........... 4o0 CHAPTER XXIII. INTERVIEW WITH THE EMPEROR OF RUSSIA. Motives that prompted the Mission — The Address from the Society of Friends — Mr. Charleton's Accoimt of the Interview — The Emperor's Emotion — Interview with the Empress — The Emperor's Reply — ilis Request to the Deputation to postpone their Departure — Interview with the Grand Duchess of Leuchtenberg — Altered Aspect of Affairs — Ai'rival of the English Mail — Violent Speeches in Parliament — Effect of ihe Friends' Mission in England— Continued Kindness to the Deputation at St. Petersburg — Results of the Mission — Mistaken Notion of its Influence on the War — Unfounded Accusation against tlie Peace Partv of bavin"- occasioned the War — Its real Causes 473 CHAPTER XXIV. EFFORTS DURING THE WAR ANll AT ITS CONCLUSION. Mr. Sturge's Sorrow at the W^ar and its Effects — Letters to Mr. Tappan and Mr. Rhoades — Endeavours to allay the War Spirit — The Obloquy to which he was exposed — Accusations by some of his Fellow-citizens — His Replies — Letter to the Working Classes — Letters from IMr. Jay — Altered Feeling now as to the War — Conclusion of tlie AVar— CONTENTS. XVll Anxiety of the Peace Party to get Arbitration recognised in the new Treaties — Deputation to Lord Clarendon— His Lordship's Reply — Mr. Stm-ge determines to go to Paris— Communications with the Plenipo- tentiaries — Interview with Lord Clarendon — His Promise — How well redeemed— The Arbitration Protocol — Mr. Sturge's Letter to Lord Clarendon Page 487 CHAPTER XXV. MISSION TO FINLAND. Destruction of Private Property by the British during the War — Account of the Merchants of Uleaborg — The Poor plundered — The Admirals in the Baltic opposed to this System — Distress of the People — Mr. Sturge is touched with the Story of their Sufferings — Determines to visit Finland — Mr. Thomas Harvey accompanies him — Extracts from Mr. Sturge's Letters — Helsingfors — Tamersfors — Abo — Nyistad — Evidence of the Sufferers— Influence of these Acts of Spoliation on the Feelings of the Inhabitants — Committee of Relief formed at Abo — Subscription opened in England for relieving the Finns— How it was administered — Good Effect on the Minds of the Inhabitants — Aclmowledgment from the Emperor of Russia — The Conquest of Finland — Mr. Whit- tier's Lines 503 CHAPTER XXVI. NEW JOURNALS. INDIAN MUTINY. SIU JAMES BROOKE. The Peace Party not fairly represented in the Press— Effect of this during the Russian War — Remedy for this Evil — Mr. Sturge's Reluctance to take the matter in hand — At last consents, and prosecutes it with great Energy — The 'Morning' and 'Evening Star' started — The Indian Mutiny — Mr. Stm-ge's dissatisfaction with our Policy in the East — Letters on the Mutiny — His Desire for an Enquiry into Native Grievances — Consults Mr. Dickinson of the India Reform Association — Offers to bear the Expense of a Commission to India — Could not find a suitable Person for the Service — Determines to go himself— Invites the Biographer to accompany him — Reasons why this Design was not accomplished — Sir James Brooke — Proposition urged upon the Chambers of Commerce — Mr. Sturge opposes it at Birmingham — The Reasons why — Buys an Estate in the West Indies . . 519 a XVlll CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXVII. CHARITY AT HOME. Ml-. Stiirge's Reputation in his OTvn Neiglibourhood — Testimony of a Prisoner in Birmingham Gaol — Tenderness and Faithfulness in the Family Circle — The Peace and Love of his Home — Dr. George Wilson's Experience — As an Employer of Labour — His Interest in the Welfare of his Workmen and their Families — His thoughtfid Kindness for them — Their Tribute to his Memory — His Sympathy with the Working Classes generally — His Anxiety to get them Places of Re- creation — Address to his Fellow-Townsmen — Devotes a Field in Edgbaston to the People of Birmingham — His Reply to the Objections of some of the Residents — Hydropathic Establishment for the Poor — Moral Elevation of the Working Classes — Freehold Land Societies — Deep Interest in the Temperance Movement — Bands of Hope — Education ......... Page 535 CHAPTER XXVIII. CHARITY AT HOME — Continued. Friends' Sunday Schools — Mr. Sturge's Agency in establishing them — Formation of ' Friends' First Day School Association ' — Great Ex- tension of the Birmingham School — Its happy Results — Mr. Sturge entertains the Teachers every Sunday — His wise Counsel and En- couragement — The Effect of the News of his Death on the Pupils — Unsectai-ian Spirit — Juvenile Crime — Mr. Sturge's Interest in the Subject — Brings Mr. John Ellis from Loudon to make an Experiment — Its Success — Buys an Estate at Stoke for a Juvenile Reformatory — Correspondence with Sir John Pakington — Success of the Reforma- tory 5-19 CHAPTER XXIX. LAST SERVICE. DEATH AND FUNERAL. Elected President of Peace Society in 1858 — His Remarks on that Occasion — Anxiety to enlist the Yoimg in the Cause of Peace — Visits the North with Mr. Smith and Mr. Richai'd — His touching Addresses during that Journey — Letter to Mr. Alexander — Attends Meeting of Voluntaiy School Association — Intended to take the Chaii" at Anni- versarj^ of the Peace Society — Retires to Rest in his usual Health on the 13th of May — Prayer at his Son's Bed-side— Rises at Six on the 14th — Attacked by a distressing Cough^ and suddenly expires — The Fimeral — Meeting for the Erection of a Memorial — Rev. J. A. James's Speech — The Inauguration of the Memorial — j\Ir. Bright's Speech 564 CONTENTS. XIX CHAPTER XXX. HIS CHARACTER. Description of his Person — His Character founded on Peligion — The Source of his Strength — Extract from Mr. Whittier — His Habit of early Rising and Meditation — Not ashamed of his Religion — Anec- dotes illustrative of this — Sense of the Responsibility of Life — Fear of the Effects of increased Riches — His Liberality increasing with his Means — His Benevolence a matter of Principle — Extract from Mr. James's Funeral Sermon — The spontaneous Character of his Gene- rosity — His Stedfastuess — His Loyalty to Principle — His Courage — His Energy — His Gentleness and Charity — His humble Estimate of himself — His Failings — Mr. Whittier's Poem on his Death Page 585 APPENDIX 605 MEMOIRS OF JOSEPH STURGE. >o>>StJo