ANSWER.—­Those who stand ready to join our societies on the first suitable occasion, may be set down as equal in number to those who are now actually members.  Those who are ready fully to co-operate with us in supporting the freedom of speech and the press, the right of petition, &c, may be estimated at double, if not treble, the joint numbers of those who already are members, and those who are ready to become members.  The Recording secretary of the MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY stated, a few weeks ago, that the abolitionists in the various minor societies in that state were one in thirty of the whole population.  The proportion of abolitionists to the whole population is greater in Massachusetts than in any other of the free states, except VERMONT,—­where the spirit of liberty has almost entirely escaped the corruptions which slavery has infused into it in most of her sister states, by means of commercial and other intercourse with them.

In MAINE, not much of systematic effort has, as yet, been put forth to enlighten her population as to our principles and proceedings.  I attended the anniversary of the State Society on the 31st of January, at Augusta, the seat of government.  The Ministers of the large religious denominations were beginning, as I was told, to unite with us—­and Politicians, to descry the ultimate prevalence of our principles.  The impression I received was, that much could, and that much would, speedily be done.

In NEW HAMPSHIRE, more labor has been expended, and a greater effect produced.  Public functionaries, who have been pleased to speak in contemptuous terms of the progress of abolitionism, both in Maine and New Hampshire, will, it is thought, soon be made to see, through a medium not at all deceptive, the grossness of their error.

In RHODE ISLAND, our principles are fast pervading the great body of the people.  This, it is thought, is the only one of the free states, in which the subject of abolition has been fully introduced, which has not been disgraced by a mob, triumphant, for the time being, over the right of the people to discuss any, and every, matter in which they feel interested.  A short time previous to the last election of members of Congress, questions, embodying our views as to certain political measures were propounded to the several candidates.  Respectful answers and, in the main, conformable with our views, were returned.  I shall transmit you a newspaper containing both the questions and the answers.[A]

[Footnote A:  Since the above was written, at the last election in this state for governor and lieutenant governor, the abolitionists interrogated the gentlemen who stood candidates for these offices.  Two of them answered respectfully, and conformably to the views of the abolitionists.  Their opponents neglected to answer at all.  The first were elected.—­See Appendix, B.]