Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1836-12-01
EsreckeMridge's letter.

REV. ROBERT J. BREcKENR1DGE.-
The suhjoned highly interesting letter is
from the pen Of this distinguished individual.
II was elected by the following circumstan-
ces, which we extract from the Journal of
Commerce.
Mr.. Breckenridge went out 10 England as
Delegate from the Presby terrain church in
The United States 10 some of the churches in
Great Britain, and purposed no doubt to
conflne himself to the legitimate objects of
his mission. But scarcely had he landed on
these shores, when he received a challenge
from the notorious George Thompson TO
measure lances with him on the subject of
American slavery. Although there was
nothing in the character or standing of Geo.
Thompson which entitled him to make the
challenge, yet Mr. Breckenridge, thinking
that refusal TO accept il would be construed
into sense of the weakness of his cause
and hoping by his remarks TO enlighten the
public mind in Great Britain on a subject
concerning which, as applicable to this coun,
try, they are strangely ignorant, took up the
gauntlet which Thompson had thrown down.
The discussion was held in Glasgow, before
select assembly of u hundred people and
continued for severa! evenings in succession.
Mr.. Brech enridge iabored under some dis
advantage from not having within his reach
r..
while Thompson on the other hand was a
bundantly fortified with Liberators, Eman.
cipa,ors, and other publications OF the A
merican boli,ionis,s, all Of whose state.
ments, no matter how eStravagant and false
are received as law and gospel by the people
OF England. Yet Notwithstanding this IN
favorable circumstance, and the fact that he
was consciously addressing an assembly
whose verdict was already made up agains,
him, he acquitted himself with great ability.
so much SO that il seems the Glasgow All
oiItionists deemed il necessary 10 guard hy
published resolutions, against the impression
that ne had carried off The palm, both in ar
gument and in the goodness of his cause.
These resolutions, being spread before the
public, were the immediate occasion of the
letter being written and we are sure the
American people will rejoice that the occa-
sion was afforded. A very intelligent and
JudIclous friend, who has read the letter sew
eral times, declares that il s not, in his opip =
ion, Tor piih and point and real cIoouence
surpassed 10y the Letters Of Junius.
TO the Rev. Ralph Wardlaw, d. D., Of
Giasgo,0.
SIR, | observe il the London Patriot Of
last week, an abstract Of the proceedings of
The Glasgow Emancipation Society, ON the
ISL oil this month, al public meeting held
"for the purpose of expressing the senli-
meBts Of the society in reference TO The re-
cent discussion on American Slavery he
tween the Rev. r j. Breckenridge and MIR.
George Thompson" The greater portion
of The report before me, is occupied with a
speech made by you on that occasion in pro-
posing to The meeting the following resulu-
lion, viz, "fhai in The deliberate Judgment
OF this meeting the " sb announced by Mr.
George Thompson, 10 meet publicly any an
iagonist, especially any minister Of the Cos
pei from The United States, on the subject of
American Slavery, or on any one Of the
branches Of FIAT subject, was dictated by a
well founded consciousness Of the integrity
oil his purpose, and assurance Of the correct,
ness OF his facts; and that the recent discuss
sion in this city between him and the Rev.
X. ). breckenridge, Of Baltimore, has left Il,
moi merely unsbaken but confirmed aud aug
mented their confidence in the recliIude of
his principles, the purity Of his motives, the
proPriety OF his measures, the fidelity Of bis
statements, and The straightforward honesty
and uDdaunied intrepidiiy of his zeal" This
motion was seconded by the venerable and