The Frederick Douglass Letters (1855 1857)

These six letters were written by Frederick Douglass, former slave and prominent black antislavery activist and orator, to Miss Hannah Fuller, organizer of the Skaneateles Ladies AntiSlavery Society. Written between 1855-1857, the letters show the close working relationships that Douglass forged with white women leaders of the anti-slavery movement. It is clear from the letters that Douglass was an ardent proponent of women's rights and recognized the contributions women made to the anti-slavery movement. He also shared a warm personal friendship with Miss Fuller and her family. Four of the letters discuss arrangements for a speaking engagement in Rochester, New York for the anti-slavery activist, William Wells Brown. Like Douglass, Brown was born a slave. After escaping in 1834, Brown worked as a conductor on the Underground Railroad and became a prominent abolitionist speaker and author. These letters show that, though working for the same cause, Douglass and Brown were also rivals for prominence within the movement. These letters provide valuable insight into anti-slavery activities in upstate New York in the years just before the Civil War. The Frederick Douglass letters are in the collection of the New York State Library. Letter 1 My dear Friend Hannah Fuller, I shall leave Rochester on Monday the 15th at 8 A.M. I shall take my daughter Rosetta with me. It will be a treat for her and company for you. You should be in Rochester on Sunday to be ready to start on Monday in good time--Come and spend the Sunday quietly at our house. I have not yet quite recovered from my ague and fever attack though my health is improvingMy best regards to your Dear Mother. --Yours with respect and high esteem F. Douglass, Rochester Oct. 5, 1855

Letter 2 Rochester Sept. 9th, 56. All right Miss Hannah, the appointments are well and promptly made. I shall leave here for Skaneateles at 5. 45 minutes Saturday Morning. I cannot come a bit sooner. I am leaving to day

to lecture in Livonia shall lecture tomorrow in Elmira, and next day at Binghamton. Friday I shall come home - replenish my wardrobe and be off again Sat morn, as above. I have my hands full just now. How my friend Pryne is paying me off for supporting Fremont. Garrison gave me a stab last week.

Letter 3 Rochester April 6, 1857. My Dear Miss Fuller: I have just got home from my New England tourand find your note respecting Mr. Browns coming to Rochester. Had I been at home when your note came I should have addressed Mr. Brown a note assuring him of my willingness to assist in getting him a meeting in Rochester for the causes sake. It is now too late for me to get a word to him. He has according to your note left Oberlin ere this. Not having heard from me he will probably infer that no meeting has been arranged for him on the 13th. I enquired of his friends here this moring if they had heard from him and of his intention to come to Rochester and they say no. It would be hazardous therefore to engage Corinthian Hall at an expense of twenty dollars and to get out notices of the meeting for the 13th. You see how the matter stands and will I am sure make all needful explanations to Mr. Brown. I left word at my office when I went into Maine that should Mr. Brown wish a meeting here and desire our assistance we should promptly comply with his wishes. The voice of no worker should be suppressed at this time and personal feelings should not and shall not stand in the way of the emancipation cause so far as I am concerned.

Letter 4 Roch. April 10, 1857. My Dear Miss Fuller, As soon as yours came this morning I set about arranging for the meeting for Mr. Brown, assuming that you must know that he will be here without fail. I have secured Corinthian Hall, the finest in this city (and some say in W. New York) and am now having placards printed announcing a lecture by Mr. Wm Wells Brown for Sunday Evening. Now if he don't come who am I to hold accountable for the failure? You, my Dear Friend, are just the precious individual upon whom I shall fall back when I rise next Sunday Evening and state to the audience assembled to hear Mr. W that from some cause which I am unable to explain Mr. Brown is not present. Then you may expect have [sic] your own dear name spoken right out before the congregation. Right Truly your Sincere and grateful Friend Frederick Douglass

P.S. Instead of "Miss Fuller" I shall say "A Friend" acting for Mr. Brown assured me that the orator and dramatist would certainly be there. Letter 5 April 13, 1857. My Dear Miss Fuller, On Sunday Eve. Last the assembled at Corinthian Hall about five hundred persons to hear a lecture from Wm. W. Brown on Slavery. Mr. Brown did not come and the audience were [sic] disappointed. I had obtained the Hall placarded the city, procured editorial notices to be given in Saturday's papers and made all needful arrangements. I am disappointed. Not being in the habit of disappointing meeting myself, I have perhaps, the less patience with this disappointment. You have already received the placard announcing the lecture for Mr. Brown. I send you herewith the notices given in two of our leading City papers; the "American" and "Democrat." It seems that Mr. Brown Telegraphed here on Friday to know if arrangements had been made for a meeting and was answered that none had been made. Of this I did not know until Saturday afternoon. [page 2] As soon as it came to my knowledge I telegraphed him at Buffalo card of George Wren a friend of hisstating that arrangements had been made for a meeting urging him to come. Instead of enquiring of Mr. Post about the meeting Mr. Brown should have telegraphed those who were engaged to make arrangements for his meeting and who are responsible for the expense attending it. I am Dear Friend, with best regards to your Dear Mother. Very Truly, but a "little riled" friend F. Douglass

Letter 6 May 24, 1857. My Dear Friend, The mistake in the time of appointimg Mr. Browns meeting was owing to the absence of your first note from the office when I appointed the meeting. Relying upon my own memory and that of Rosetta and Mr. Watkins I appointed Sunday and Monday instead of Monday and Tuesday

evenings. Deeply do I regret the mistake since it has caused me to be suspected of a 'trick' which if I could have been guilty of it I should deserve only your contempt. I am just at home from New York and I have a large parcel of letters to answer. This must be my apology for not writing you a longer letter. I sympathise with the kind Huxtable Family in the sad bereavement they have just suffered Heaven save us from all future misunderstandings, in haste Yours Very Truly, Frederick Douglass My best regards to your kind mother. F. Douglass

Source: nysl.nysed.gov