Wendell Phillips's Letter Phillips is happy that true recollections of slave experiences are now being published, allowing the history of slavery to be completely understood. Previously, the history of slavery was limited to the facts supplied by slaveholders. Now that more accurate information is available, others can make better judgments about past events. Phillips's letter was written in response to an article that had appeared a few months earlier in the National Era, a leading abolitionist newspaper. The article's author, William Lloyd Garrison, had criticized those who were using fiction for entertainment purposes instead of contributing to the effort to abolish slavery. In his letter, Phillips states that he agrees with everything said in the article, but that it would have been better if it had not been written in print because this allows the reader to "disbelieve all they choose" after reading them. He goes on to say that people need to remember what it was like to be slaves and that writing about their experiences makes this possible. Finally, he argues that no one should try to hide from reality by ignoring it or by refusing to talk about it. This letter is important because it shows that even though Phillips was not actually involved in slavery, he was still active in the abolitionist movement. It also demonstrates how different people in the movement felt about literature used for educational purposes.