‘people,’ ‘citizens,’ are not, as with the vast majority of lecturers, mere glittering generalities, can understand that his grand principles of democracy are intended to be applied to woman equally with man.  I listen for the unthinking masses and pray that every earnest, manly spirit shall help make women free.”  In reply Mr. Curtis closed a long and cordial letter by saying:  “Believe me that I have thought of the point you make but the greater statement must inevitably include the less.”  She scribbled a comment on the back of this for her own satisfaction:  “Men still the greater, women the less.”

The last of January Miss Anthony went to Albany to attend the anti-slavery convention and remained six weeks during the legislative session to work in the interest of the women’s petitions and the Personal Liberty Bill.  This was a season of great enjoyment for her, notwithstanding much tramping about in the rain and snow and many discouraging experiences with the Legislature.  She writes a friend:  “Well, I am a member of the lobby but lacking the two most essential requisites, for I neither accept money nor have I any to pay out.  Dr. Cheever speaks tonight in the Assembly chamber on ’The Guilt of the Slave Traffic and of the Legislation by which it is Supported.’  I have been going about all day to collect enough to defray his expenses.”

Phillips, Garrison, Pillsbury and all the host were at the convention.  They dined in Lydia Mott’s simple little home and had a merry time.  Between the meetings the party visited the Legislature, Geological Hall, Palmer’s studio and other places of interest and managed to get a bit of holiday recreation.  Miss Anthony stayed with her friend Miss Mott, visited Rev. Mayo, called often on Thurlow Weed, went to Troy to hear Beecher lecture on “The Burdens of Society,” to Hudson to hear Phillips on “Toussaint L’Ouverture” and, whenever she could spare a day from her work with the Legislature, held woman’s rights meetings in neighboring towns; thus every hour was filled to overflowing.

In March she finished her lecture, “The True Woman,” and plunged into the preparations for the approaching woman’s rights convention.  She also indulged the love for gardening which her busy life so seldom permitted and, judging from her diary, must have given the hired men more attention than they ever received before or afterwards: 

Uncovered the strawberry and raspberry beds....  Worked with Simon building frames for the grape vines in the peach orchards....  Set out eighteen English black currants, twenty-two English gooseberries and Muscadine grape vines, also Lawton blackberries....  Worked in the garden all day, then went to the city to hear Dr. Cheever; few there, but grand lecture.  How he unmasked the church hypocrites!...  Wrote reports of the lecture for Standard and Liberator, and helped father plan the new kitchen....  Finished setting out the apple trees and the 600 blackberry bushes, then took the 6 o’clock train for Seneca Falls.  Hot and dusty, and I am very, very tired.

[Autograph:  Wendell Phillips]