[Letter to] Dear friend May
Contributors: May, Samuel, 1810-1899, recipient
Series: William Lloyd Garrison Correspondence (1823-1879)
Published: 1874
Place of publication: Roxbury, [Mass.]
Language: eng
Format: [manuscript]
Subjects: Correspondence; History; Antislavery movements; Abolitionists
Notes: Transcribed, handwritten copy of letter; not William Lloyd Garrison's handwriting.

William Lloyd Garrison writes: "On Saturday last, 12th inst., I completed by seventieth year." He philosophizes about death and future life. He quotes poetry. He considers himself an old man. He tells of Mrs. Garrison's "taking upon herself whatever additional burdens were imposed by the requirements of anti-slavery hospitality" wholly without help. He expresses his gratitude for the National Testimonial, which Samuel May helped to raise funds.

On the last page of this manuscript, there is a notation: "Mr. May writes on the envelope containing this: 'A memorable letter, (to be preserved & used--when?) On his 70th birth-day.'" And also this information: "It afterwards was discovered that he [William Lloyd Garrison] was born in Dec. 1805 (not 1804) and so was 69, not 70, at time of writing this. It was an error of the Newburyport recording officer."