The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-11-09
For the Voice of Freedom.
4 Ut 'IrO Or0O VI FVOUUrII'
Quechee, Nov, S, 1889.
To C. L. KNAPP, Esq.

To c. L. KNAPP, Esq.
Dear SRI find letter in your last "Voice
of Freedom" addressed to myself by the Rev. H.
F. Leavitt in answer to letter of mine some
time since published in the Chronicle. | could
have wished, dear sir, that the letter to which
that purports to be an answer, might have gone
with the answer, and spoken for itself, if speak
it could, to any charges or structures made against
it. then should not have said word more, but
willingly have left the two letters TO be read to-
gether for still assert that the letter of mine
presents The whole matter in perfect and open sim
plicity, just as it was, in any essential respect, so
far as | then knew, or, so far as | now know, ex-
cept Mr.. Leavlt's declaration, that he supposed |
made no objection to his appointment; and which
is to be understood suppose, as indirectly saying
that he supposed he had my consent to the meas
ures. Nor should fear that the ingenious mind,
with my letter before it, could easily be made to
see it in any perverted light. But, if the letters
cannot go together, will you oblige me by inserting
in your paper this and the following.
ours &C. LENAO DLlCto.
To Rec. II. F. Leariu President of The Vermont
Anti Slavery Society:
Dear Sri have carefully read your letter ad
dressed to me in the last Voice of Freedom"
and confess. also with no small degree of aston
ishment. did feel sir, that my letter either de-
served different kind of an answer or else de
served none at all.
With respect to my unkind or reproachfu
phrases shall answer none of them any if no
one discerns any there, very well. Nor would
it become me, or consist with a consciousness of
integrity, to attempt 10 answer any direct or mpli-
ed charges of unchristian and unworthy motives.
Ny own moral character must stand or fall
upon other witness than my own and even
admoniton and entreaty respecting duty and min
myself am the one implicated and towards whom
the language is used and spirit exhibited. Nor do
think it expedient to answer any questions rea-
ting TO my own concerns or responsibilities exclu-
sively, and inn way connected with that one
point of duty and principle to which all of my
former letter was con6ned-nor, in short, to re-
ply to any dlgressons from that subject and
things involved in it. And bear with me, dear
sir when | say that it is not my purpose to an
swer your letter at all at present, believing, as
would, that in time and upon due and prayerful
reconsideration and re-perusal you will be dispo-
sed to answer much Off at least YOURSELF ifnot |
may answer some parts Of it in due time; though
certainly not mnder any address TO yourseG
will only add now, that, so far as the mistake
goes Or your misunderstanding about my consent,
it was perfectly needless for you to send into my
parish for letters. should certainly have taken the
word of minister of the gospel for it without
any such proof. And as to the fact that you were
invited by one man or many, it plainly has moth
ing to do with ministerial relation, to which point
my letter was confined. For surely, no third per-
son can stand in your stead or mine, or in the
place of the Great Head Of the Church, our
only Authority and Judge. The whole is, that
from that fact &c. you concluded my assent.
And yet, even here in determining the relative
duties Of minister to minister, it would be fiji
and important question, whether you mean byI
my making no opposition, simply, that | should
not forbid it. land such thing never drcampt of
or, that | should not engage in any active meas