Letter from Alex Campbell to Robert Owen

Scope and Content

Manuscript letter that opens by referring to a petition made to the House of Lords by the Bishop of Exeter (Henry Phillpotts). The petition was presented as an attack on socialism and socialists, groups of whom the Bishop claimed were illegal. Campbell asks Owen for information on the matter as it "relative to our Society" .

Campbell also requests information on the result of a motion before the House of Commons against Mr [William] Pare. (which resulted in Pare leaving his position as the Superintendent Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages in Birmingham due to his position in the 'socialist' society).

Continuing, Campbell insists that in this present "crisis in our affairs", signified by the actions in Parliament, they should ensure that they are as "harmless as doves and cunning as serpents"

The letter closes with Campbell detailing his recent visits to a host of towns in the north of England carrying out his work as a 'Social Missionary' for the 'Universal Community Society of Rational Religionists'

Note

Stamped number: 1245