Voice from Bristol, England., January 28, 1863

Voice from Bristol, England.

To his excellency the President of the United States:

Sir: As an assembly of Englishmen, and having no corporate capacity, we venture to address to you a few words of respectful sympathy. Language fails us to express how deeply we deplore the calamity which has befallen your country, how earnestly we desire to hear of the cessation of the fearful struggle which afflicts it, and how fervently we hope that the system of slavery, which has caused the war, will perish with it. That the struggle between slavery and freedom has arisen from your elevation to the presidential chair, we take the liberty of considering as the highest honor which could be accorded to you.

We deem it disrespectful to yourself, and to the great people whom you are called to govern, to pronounce any opinion on your political measures; but we beg permission to assure you of our full appreciation of the heavy burden of responsibility under which you labor, and our earnest desire that you may be able to accomplish an object which must be dear to every philanthropic heart— the freedom of the slave. Should this be, as we devoutly hope, one of the issues of the war which now distresses your people, we believe that a more hearty and confiding amity will be cemented between them and the people of Great Britain than has ever previously existed.

Meanwhile we trust that neither the severity of criticism nor the apparent complicity of some British citizens, in upholding slavery, will be allowed to disturb the good will which ought ever to prevail between two great nations so closely allied; and we welcome with sincere satisfaction, as an expression of national good will, the liberal contributions by American citizens to the relief of our distressed operatives.

To this expression of our sympathy we desire to add our prayers that you may. be divinely guided through the difficulties of your exalted position, and that, in the emancipation of millions of bondsmen, the afflicted widows and orphans of your people may find some alleviation of their sorrow.

With sentiments of profound respect, we are, sir, your obedient servants.

Signed in behalf of the meeting—