FREDERICK DOUGLASS Gains Freedom, Manumitted by Hugh Auld, Original 1846 Newspaper
Boston: The Odd Fellow, 1846. 1st Edition. Very Good. Item #16093
An original 1846 newspaper with an inside-page report announcing that English Abolitionists have raised the necessary $711 to purchase the freedom of orator and abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
After the publication of his first autobiography 'Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: An American Slave' in 1845, Douglass feared is new found fame could lead to his capture and return to a life of slavery. He traveled to safer shores in England and Ireland for an extensive tour. While abroad, Douglass' friends began negotiations with Hugh Auld, still legally Douglass' owner in Maryland, to purchase his freedom. Douglass was manumitted by Auld in December, 1846 after Auld received the required payment of $711 (150 British Pounds).
This newspaper was published in the same month Douglass received his freedom and the author, while happy for Douglass' freedom, in essence mocks Douglass for choosing others to fight his battle instead of returning to the U.S. to fight for his own freedom.
The anonymous author "thinks Douglass ought to have had the manhood to battle it out for his freedom, in case he was molested, rather than submit to the sneaking process of obtaining free papers, by putting the large sum of $750 into the hands of a slaveholder."
The report is headlined "FREDERICK DOUGLASS" in bold black type and runs approximately 7-8 inches of one column.
The newspaper is complete in eight pages and in Very Good condition. Disbound. #2D-053.
Sold