Ketcham, John. Letter to Isaac Post.

Title

Ketcham, John. Letter to Isaac Post.

Creator

Ketcham, John

Contributor

Post, Isaac, 1798-1872

Date

1841-03-11

Description

Handwritten letter from John Ketcham to Isaac Post, March 11, 1841.

Is Part Of

Isaac and Amy Post Family Papers

Rights

The organization that has made the Item available believes that the Item is in the Public Domain under the laws of the United States, but a determination was not made as to its copyright status under the copyright laws of other countries. The Item may not be in the Public Domain under the laws of other countries. Please refer to the organization that has made the Item available for more information. http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/

Identifier

554

Location

Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Transcription

(Page 1)

   Amy & Isaac Post                                                Jericho 3^mo11^th 1841
            My dear friends [sic]
                                              It would be coming short of both incli=
nation and duty should I long defer the to acknowledge the
pleasure and satisfaction which the receipt of A^s favour of
the 15^th ult. afforded us, but in the first place (as it now comes up)
I will make confession of one fact in relation to it, which peradven=
=ture may be deemed a breach of confidence, if so I must submit to
the penalty of a transgressor and strive to mind my manners in
future _ but to the act. - last first day afternoon Joseph Post an [sic] Mary
came along going to H Willis’ _ they had Oliver Johnson with them and I
went too - well I mentioned having some late accounts from Rochester
and handed P.P. thy letter to look at - there was soon a wish expressed that it
might be read aloud _ I told them I did not know that it would hurt
any of them but O _ but it was soon decided to risk that and so it was
done – no doubt a part of it was quite as interesting to him as to any of
the company - the writer will understand what I allude to: but after
all some how I do not feel as if I had done much harm _ how I shall
feel when the rod comes can tell better then. O. had with Have you
seen the correspondence _ between O.J. & GFW. I believe it is causing
quite a sensation in a certain circle. It does indeed, I think, place
G in an “unenviable position” and however it is to be regretted that
there should a cause exist that should produce this effect, yet I am not
without hope that it may result in good. No doubt O will be denounced
in no measured terms for the course he has pursued, but would
an impartial observer condemn him, under all the circumstances;
I can hardly think he would; but the most mortifying part of the
business is that acted by G himself in the correspondence _ so it
seems to me: and yet I have no doubt there will be some who

(Page 2)

will strive at least to justify him in toto. What different eyes people
have, or rather it seems as if some folks have the faculty of making
a thing look, to themselves at least, just as they would like to have it
I can hardly encourage your making an attempt to get up a
friends Antislavery ^Association^ similar to ours – it would almost seem as if friends
were not the right sort of stuff for that business _ there are noble excep=
tions we know, but alas how few; I had hoped it was different with
you, but with us it must be acknowledged that there is a much
greater manifestation of the spirit of anti-abolition than of antislavery.
Had you been at our last Q. Mg you might have seen this spirit develop-
ed in powerful array _ At the close of the meeting C Marriot arose and
stated that the meeting of our association stood adjourned to 4 Oclock that
afternoon at that house (Rose street) and invited all present who felt
so disposed to attend with us – we were soon told we could not meet
there _ that the house would not be opened for us this was by one
of the committee having charge of the property and predicated on the
ground that said committee were restricted in a way that would not
allow them to permit it to be thus occupied, and as they were a
committee of N York M^oMg of course the Quarterly Mg had no jurisdiction
in the case; but there was another part of the case which does not
admit of such an excuse. I mean the grave conclusion of the Mg.
that no such notices should henceforth be given in Qly Mgs. friends
could not endure to have such extraneous topicks [sic] introduced. This I
thought was tithing of the Mind very closely, surely our ^title^ character to the
title of “Simon Pure” will not be likely to be called in question. Let us
just look at the thing in its simple garb _ A little company of friends
who have united to endeavour to aleviate [sic] the condition of the coloured
race, by such means too as are in accordance with our “Christian principles”
wish to inform their bretheren [sic], convened at a Q^ly Mg, of the time and place

[Text of page 2 continues on page 3 with line beginning “of holding one”]

[Text on bottom half of page, written upside down between lines of normal text]

unless it be our friend Lucretia’^s church “Thy sect is the righteous of Earth” &c—
So I can readily assent to thy belief that it “best to walk conformably to the light
we have and not borrow” – That is, not be depend implicitly on any men
or organized bodies of men without subjecting all to the test of the light we have”
We need not however, reject such light as may be emited [sic] from other’s lamps, only
try it by the best standard we have
     It is now first day afternoon the 14^th so I will this epistle to a close, you
will excuse its shortness as Jeffries and the girls may perhaps give you such
information as I have omited [sic] _ they talk of starting tomorrow – We are glad to learn
that you think of visiting us ere long – It is very pleasant to recieve [sic] from you the
fruits of the fire, but face to face interchange of ideas would be stil [sic] more grateful
to our feilings [sic]. I hope both modes of communion may be ejoyed [sic] as often as
circumstances will admit—My Rejoins in love to you & yours _ _
                                                                           from Your friend J Ketcham
                  ||P.S. dont omit to write because you may be thinking of coming before long
-two good things are better than one

(Page 3)

[Text at top of page, written normal, continued from page 2]

of holding one of their meetings, and to invite such as feel so inclined, to
attend it and this done too so as not to interfere with the business of the Mg-
-could it be immagined [sic] that any friend in his right mind could feel the
least objection, but facts must tell their story, a sad one that it be it
really it seemed to me as if some had got into a very narrow corner of the
Christian Country. It forcibly brought to mind the assertion made by some.
that the effect and tendency of religious organization is to contract and
darken, rather than to expand and ennoble the human mind – to
engender bigotry and intolerance instead of true christian liberality and
brotherly kindness _ This is a doctrine however which I have never ackno-
=wledged as a part of my creed. I have always, at least, cherrished [sic] the idea
of one exception; but what can we now say? Could such shriveled fruit
grow in any other spot than under the shaddow [sic] of the Sectarian hedge,
where the genial rays of Gospel light and love but dimly shine,
and where the owls and the bats of prejudice and the dread phantoms
of a distorted immagination [sic] love to congregate. Indeed I do bet
that it was very much owing to the minds of friends being ocupied [sic]
by those prejudices and phantoms that caused them to act as they did,
and for aught I know they “really thought” they were “doing God service”
for much real was manifest on the occation [sic], whether it was “according
to knowledge” (after saying what I have) I must leave _ The meeting was
held at the house of Sam^l Ross, who kindly invited us to do so – not much
business came before it except an account of a school for adult coloured
females which had been opened and conducted by the committee in
N York _ it consisted of about 30 pupils and the report of their progress was
highly satisfactory; it was “an evening school only” _ _ But to return to
the subject of such associations, I may confess I am not fully satisfied
that they are perfectly correct in principle. Why should we exclude all who
do not happen to be included within the pale of our religious faith; that

[Continues on page 4 with line beginning “is, professionally so”]

[Text written upside down, between lines of normal text]

It appears however that you do not meet with much encouragement to
circulate the reformatory periodicals of the day; seeing you have been
strictly forbidden to do so, in one instance at least: and are likely to gain
for your selves the character of spreaders of evil reports – Only to think that our
committee’s report – that “poor pussy sort of a thing,” as brother Johnson calls it
being only a little enquiry after Truth and then holding it up in the mildest form we
knew how – that such a thing should be so allarming [sic] – that any should be
afraid [sic] that such things as that, together with teaching a few coloured women
to spell and read should if persisted cause another separation! Really, what
real friend of the right and the true, would would not say, if this will
cause a seperation [sic], or even the anihilation [sic] of the Society, then let it come? For
surely a Society that would “fly off the handle” for such a cause, cannot be
worth much more for any useful purpose _ _ Indeed I do think it is time for
     our Society as well as each individual number to look around and try
     to discover the true place of our whereabouts _ whether our efforts and our
influence are on the side of good or of evil; for persuaded I am that we may
be operating against the cause of Truth and Righteousness, when we are flattering
ourselves that we are the very pillars that sustain it, and are denouncing others
because (with equal sincerity) they may not happen to see all things just as we do;
and especially if they do not see us not just not just as we fancy ourselves. But perhaps it
will be said “Phisician [sic] heal thyself” thy medicines are just such as thy own
case requires _ I freely admit it to be so, and desire to take my part tho’ others
should deem them no applicable to theirs _ _ I have lately rec’d thee or
four numbers of the “Herald of Freedom”, sent us I suppose by H C Wright, as the
wrappers bear his initials _ they are a good deal filled with the warfare going on
at the East, between Antislavery and the Church _ I could not but be struck
with some strong points of resemblance between those proceedings and some
things nearer home; enough almost to make one think that Church is
Church, wherever it be, and that it would be dificult [sic] to find one that is right

[Text on page 3 continued on page 2 with line beginning “unless it be”]

(Page 4)

[Text written normal, continued from page 3]

is, professionally so – for may not some who are without that pale be as
fully united in ^the^ object of our concern as those that are within it. And if
so, why not be allowed to participate with us in doing what we are fully
agreed in ? I believe there is no good reason why. The only one which I can
see, is that it may posibly [sic] meet the case of some who may feel a little
too pure to come in contact with others lest their sanctimonious garments
may get contaminated. but I think should such not be gained, it would
be no very great loss on the whole _ I am therefore not far from thy sinti=
ment [sic] that our light (if we have any_ would be more likely to shine where it

[Continued at bottom of page with line beginning “would do good”]

[Text at top of page, written upside down in between lines of normal text]

thing like retaliation in whatever shape. Not however to shrink from the
support of all that is right and true in principle; this is no part of the Non=
=reistance creed – By the way it seems you have not seen fit to comply with my
sugestion [sic] in relation to taking and circulating the “Non Resistant.” It is true that
considerable that comes in it is published also in the Liberator. It was not so much
on you [sic] own accounts that I mentioned it, as for the benefit of others. I do think that
good may be done by the circulation of x publications of that character where there
where there is an interest to read them, and perhaps a little effort even by an
individual may kindle an interest which may eventuate in unspeakable good.

[Continued on page 3 with line beginning “It appears however”]

[Text in center of page, written upward]

                     Isaac Post
                              Rochester
                                                  NY

[Text at bottom of page, written normal]

would do good by uniting with all without distinction of Sect or creed
and by the way, I should think it no marvel if our position in regard
to receiving [sic] as well as imparting light on this subject should be somewhat
improved _ _     What I have said in regard to our Quarterly Meeting folks
must not be construed into a wish to turn accuser of the bretheren [sic] turn back

[Text at bottom of page, upside down, between lines of normal text]

or a desire to “expose the weaknesses of Friends”, as was charged against W^m Bassett
but it seems proper to notice and examine the action of those with whom we
are thus connected, but still more ought we to examine ourselves and see if our
part has been acted well. It is truly no small attainment to be prepared to
meet such things as they should ever be met _ in the true spirit of christian
meekness and forgiveness _ the true spirit of Nonresistance, that can forego [sic] every

[Continued at top of page with line beginning “thing like retaliation”]

Tags

Abolitionism; Education; Quakers

Collection

D.93 Isaac and Amy Post Family Papers

Citation

Ketcham, John, “Ketcham, John. Letter to Isaac Post.,” RBSCP Exhibits, accessed November 23, 2024, https://rbscpexhibits.lib.rochester.edu/items/show/2852.

Transcribe This Item