From the Women of Philadelphia U.S.A. in Answer to the Friendly Address of the Women of Exeter, England, on the Subject of Peace

Handwritten draft of a reply to an address from women of Exeter, England, in response to their plea urging their American sisters to help prevent war between England and the United States. This draft, of which the final version no longer exists, warns that a mother could sow the seed of blood-thirsty ambition in her son "when in his childish hours she gave him tiny weapons, and taught him how to mimic war's murderous game." Signed by Lucretia Mott. The reply, which was sent to England and is now lost, was signed by 3,525 Philadelphia women. Friendly Addresses were inspired by Joseph Crosfield, an English Quaker, and Elihu Burritt, an American, to promote friendship between the United States and Great Britain on a person-to-person level. (C.f. Merle Curti, The American Peace Crusade, p. 114-116).