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Black Republic of Letters

Cardinal Lavigerie's Letter to the King of Holland

Following the anti-slavery congress in Paris, Cardinal Lavigerie sent two letters, one to the Queen of the Netherlands and the other to the King, urging them not to hinder the work of the Brussels conference by refusing to allow their government to join. We have extracted the following passages from these two documents.

To Her Majesty the Queen of the Netherlands:

Paris, 27 rue Cassette, 22 September 1890,

Madam,

It is to Your Majesty that I come to ask you to kindly deliver to the king, through the pure hands of his daughter, the petition that I take the liberty of addressing to him, begging him to hasten, by an act of his sovereign power, the salvation of an entire continent doomed to torment and death.

It is mainly women and children who are the victims of the evils of slavery. I dare to ask Your Majesty to be their advocate with your august husband. I ask him to involve his beloved daughter in his efforts, upon whom such an act of mercy cannot fail to bring the blessings of Heaven for her entire life. God promises to reward us for giving a simple glass of cold water in his name. What then if ons has stopped so many torrents of blood and saved so many poor creatures from terrible misery? Now, the king can do this if he wants to, and I have no doubt that he will want to if Your Majesty deigns to ask him.

Please excuse, madam, the boldness of an old pastor, and accept the assurance of the profound respect with which I have the honour to be,

Your Majesty's very humble and obedient servant.

Charles, Cardinal Lavigerie

Archbishop of Carthage and Algiers

===

To His Majesty the King of the Netherlands:

Sire,

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5. "News & Rumours" News in Brief: Celebrations for the anniverary of Auguste Comte's death – A new Russian society in Paris – Gathering for newspapers – Anglo-Portuguese treaty reactions – Anniversary of Mexican independence – News on the abolition of the slave trade in Zanzibar – Fire at Thessaloniki – Flood in Senegal – A duel in Holland – News from Haiti's National Bank – Tensions in Dahomey – Bulgarian elections – A celebration for the centenary of Lamartine – First woman joins the Association of Parisian Journalists – Shortened season at the Hippodrome – Eruption of Vesuvius – "Meat bill" in the United States – New US consul-general in Paris – New imports bill in the United States – Obituaries
12. News & Rumours In brief: Cardinal Lavigerie's activities after the Anti-Slavery Congress – Haiti's ex-president left for Jamaica – Attempted attack on the Mexican president – Switzerland recognized the Republic of Brazil – Anti-English demonstrations in Portugal – Haiti's Minister in Spain visiting Paris – Congratulations to La Fraternité – An eye operation – New treaty negotiation over Africa – A theatre troupe's travels – Date set for the Chambers' return – Protectionism in Argentina – New deadline for trade deals with USA – Copyright conference – Marriage of Dumas fils's daughter

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