Burwell Clark Glenny Family Fonds, 1817-1878
There are several items of interest in this fonds, including a travel log describing the writer’s attendance at the Free Soil convention in Buffalo in 1848. The Free Soil Party Convention occurred in Buffalo on August 9 and 10, 1848. The convention was held to establish the new Free Soil party in an effort to prevent the extension of slavery into the Western Territories. The convention attracted upwards of 20,000 delegates, and the committee nominated former president Martin Van Buren for president. Although the party did not win the presidential election, they were successful in having 14 Congressmen and 2 Senators elected.
The author of the travel log describes in detail his travels, including a two-page account of his trip to Niagara Falls. Other letters describe the growth and development of Buffalo, comment on events of the American Civil War, and provide commentary on the Franco-Prussian War. One letter describes the events around Navy Island during the aftermath of William Lyon McKenzie’s failed rebellion in Upper Canada, when the rebels retreated to Navy Island in the Niagara River.
Material from this collection has been digitized and is available in the Digital Repository.
First page of a travel log describing the author's trip to the Free Soil Convention in Buffalo, August 13, 1848
The first entry of the jouranl begins "Just returned from the Buffalo convention, was absent ten days, had a very pleasant journey and the high satisfaction of being present at the erection of that glorious platform of Liberty, a platform broad enough for this free republic to stand...at the laying of the cornerstone of that grand edifice...will ere long be laid amid the shouts of a free nation, amid the shouts of the three million now in bondage..."
Last page of a travel log describing the author's trip to the Free Soil Convention in Buffalo, August 13, 1848
An entry on the last page dated November 7, 1848 describes the creation of a free soil club “by the Free Soilers of this town”, adding that “today we have been called upon to vote for electors for president, the result has been for Van Buren 146, Taylor 92, and Cass 52”.