Samuel Joseph May writes William Lloyd Garrison reminding him that "great dependence" is placed upon Garrison's presence at the annual meeting, and states his hopes that nothing will prevent Garrison's attendance. May states that Theodore Parker will be a welcome addition to the meeting, and praises Parker's discursive eloquence. May states that if Wendell Phillips can also join them, all of their "reasonable wishes would be gratified". May exhorts that Garrison bring his wife Helen with him to the meeting, as he fears that otherwise his hopes to see her as well must be deferred indefinitely. May asserts that the "true doctrinces respecting civil government and the extent of our obligations to it" must be ennunciated and detailed to the people, and notes that while "adherence to principle" is one thing, "obedience to law" is "quite another".