byFrederickDouglassInthefirstnarrativeofmyexperienceinslavery，writtennearlyfortyyearsago，andinvariouswritingssince，IhavegiventhepublicwhatIconsideredverygoodreasonsforwithholdingthemannerofmyescape。Insubstancethesereasonswere，first，thatsuchpublicationatanytimeduringtheexistenceofslaverymightbeusedbythemasteragainsttheslave，andpreventthefutureescapeofanywhomightadoptthesamemeansthatIdid。
Thesecondreasonwas，ifpossible，stillmorebindingtosilence:
thepublicationofdetailswouldcertainlyhaveputinperilthepersonsandpropertyofthosewhoassisted。MurderitselfwasnotmoresternlyandcertainlypunishedintheStateofMarylandthanthatofaidingandabettingtheescapeofaslave。
Manycoloredmen，fornoothercrimethanthatofgivingaidtoafugitiveslave，have，likeCharlesT。Torrey，perishedinprison。
TheabolitionofslaveryinmynativeStateandthroughoutthecountry，andthelapseoftime，renderthecautionhithertoobservednolongernecessary。Butevensincetheabolitionofslavery，Ihavesometimesthoughtitwellenoughtobafflecuriositybysayingthatwhileslaveryexistedthereweregoodreasonsfornottellingthemannerofmyescape，andsinceslaveryhadceasedtoexist，therewasnoreasonfortellingit。
Ishallnow，however，ceasetoavailmyselfofthisformula，and，asfarasIcan，endeavortosatisfythisverynaturalcuriosity。
Ishould，perhaps，haveyieldedtothatfeelingsooner，hadtherebeenanythingveryheroicorthrillingintheincidentsconnectedwithmyescape，forIamsorrytosayIhavenothingofthatsorttotell；andyetthecouragethatcouldriskbetrayalandthebraverywhichwasreadytoencounterdeath，ifneedbe，inpursuitoffreedom，wereessentialfeaturesintheundertaking。Mysuccesswasduetoaddressratherthancourage，togoodluckratherthanbravery。Mymeansofescapewereprovidedformebytheverymenwhoweremakinglawstoholdandbindmemoresecurelyinslavery。
ItwasthecustomintheStateofMarylandtorequirethefreecoloredpeopletohavewhatwerecalledfreepapers。
Theseinstrumentstheywererequiredtorenewveryoften，andbychargingafeeforthiswriting，considerablesumsfromtimetotimewerecollectedbytheState。Inthesepapersthename，age，color，height，andformofthefreemanweredescribed，togetherwithanyscarsorothermarksuponhispersonwhichcouldassistinhisidentification。Thisdeviceinsomemeasuredefeateditself——sincemorethanonemancouldbefoundtoanswerthesamegeneraldescription。Hencemanyslavescouldescapebypersonatingtheownerofonesetofpapers；andthiswasoftendoneasfollows:Aslave，nearlyorsufficientlyansweringthedescriptionsetforthinthepapers，wouldborroworhirethemtillbymeansofthemhecouldescapetoafreeState，andthen，bymailorotherwise，wouldreturnthemtotheowner。Theoperationwasahazardousoneforthelenderaswellasfortheborrower。Afailureonthepartofthefugitivetosendbackthepaperswouldimperilhisbenefactor，andthediscoveryofthepapersinpossessionofthewrongmanwouldimperilboththefugitiveandhisfriend。Itwas，therefore，anactofsupremetrustonthepartofafreemanofcolorthustoputinjeopardyhisownlibertythatanothermightbefree。Itwas，however，notunfrequentlybravelydone，andwasseldomdiscovered。
Iwasnotsofortunateastoresembleanyofmyfreeacquaintancessufficientlytoanswerthedescriptionoftheirpapers。
ButIhadafriend——asailor——whoownedasailor’sprotection，whichansweredsomewhatthepurposeoffreepapers——describinghisperson，andcertifyingtothefactthathewasafreeAmericansailor。
TheinstrumenthadatitsheadtheAmericaneagle，whichgaveittheappearanceatonceofanauthorizeddocument。
Thisprotection，wheninmyhands，didnotdescribeitsbearerveryaccurately。Indeed，itcalledforamanmuchdarkerthanmyself，andcloseexaminationofitwouldhavecausedmyarrestatthestart。
Inordertoavoidthisfatalscrutinyonthepartofrailroadofficials，IarrangedwithIsaacRolls，aBaltimorehackman，tobringmybaggagetothePhiladelphiatrainjustonthemomentofstarting，andjumpeduponthecarmyselfwhenthetrainwasinmotion。
HadIgoneintothestationandofferedtopurchaseaticket，Ishouldhavebeeninstantlyandcarefullyexamined，andundoubtedlyarrested。
InchoosingthisplanIconsideredthejostleofthetrain，andthenaturalhasteoftheconductor，inatraincrowdedwithpassengers，andrelieduponmyskillandaddressinplayingthesailor，asdescribedinmyprotection，todotherest。OneelementinmyfavorwasthekindfeelingwhichprevailedinBaltimoreandothersea—portsatthetime，toward\"thosewhogodowntotheseainships。\"\"Freetradeandsailors’rights\"justthenexpressedthesentimentofthecountry。InmyclothingIwasriggedoutinsailorstyle。
Ihadonaredshirtandatarpaulinhat，andablackcravattiedinsailorfashioncarelesslyandlooselyaboutmyneck。Myknowledgeofshipsandsailor’stalkcamemuchtomyassistance，forIknewashipfromstemtostern，andfromkeelsontocross—trees，andcouldtalksailorlikean\"oldsalt。\"IwaswellonthewaytoHavredeGracebeforetheconductorcameintothenegrocartocollectticketsandexaminethepapersofhisblackpassengers。Thiswasacriticalmomentinthedrama。
Mywholefuturedependeduponthedecisionofthisconductor。
AgitatedthoughIwaswhilethisceremonywasproceeding，still，externally，atleast，Iwasapparentlycalmandself—possessed。
Hewentonwithhisduty——examiningseveralcoloredpassengersbeforereachingme。Hewassomewhatharshintomeandperemptoryinmanneruntilhereachedme，when，strangeenough，andtomysurpriseandrelief，hiswholemannerchanged。SeeingthatIdidnotreadilyproducemyfreepapers，astheothercoloredpersonsinthecarhaddone，hesaidtome，infriendlycontrastwithhisbearingtowardtheothers:
\"Isupposeyouhaveyourfreepapers？\"
TowhichIanswered:
\"Nosir；Inevercarrymyfreepaperstoseawithme。\"
\"Butyouhavesomethingtoshowthatyouareafreeman，haven’tyou？\"
\"Yes，sir，\"Ianswered；\"IhaveapaperwiththeAmericanEagleonit，andthatwillcarrymearoundtheworld。\"
WiththisIdrewfrommydeepsailor’spocketmyseaman’sprotection，asbeforedescribed。Themerestglanceatthepapersatisfiedhim，andhetookmyfareandwentonabouthisbusiness。ThismomentoftimewasoneofthemostanxiousIeverexperienced。
Hadtheconductorlookedcloselyatthepaper，hecouldnothavefailedtodiscoverthatitcalledforaverydifferent—lookingpersonfrommyself，andinthatcaseitwouldhavebeenhisdutytoarrestmeontheinstant，andsendmebacktoBaltimorefromthefirststation。WhenheleftmewiththeassurancethatIwasallright，thoughmuchrelieved，IrealizedthatIwasstillingreatdanger:IwasstillinMaryland，andsubjecttoarrestatanymoment。Isawonthetrainseveralpersonswhowouldhaveknownmeinanyotherclothes，andIfearedtheymightrecognizeme，eveninmysailor\"rig，\"
andreportmetotheconductor，whowouldthensubjectmetoacloserexamination，whichIknewwellwouldbefataltome。
ThoughIwasnotamurdererfleeingfromjustice，Ifeltperhapsquiteasmiserableassuchacriminal。Thetrainwasmovingataveryhighrateofspeedforthatepochofrailroadtravel，buttomyanxiousminditwasmovingfartooslowly。Minuteswerehours，andhoursweredaysduringthispartofmyflight。AfterMaryland，IwastopassthroughDelaware——anotherslaveState，whereslave—catchersgenerallyawaitedtheirprey，foritwasnotintheinterioroftheState，butonitsborders，thatthesehumanhoundsweremostvigilantandactive。
Theborderlinesbetweenslaveryandfreedomwerethedangerousonesforthefugitives。Theheartofnofoxordeer，withhungryhoundsonhistrailinfullchase，couldhavebeatenmoreanxiouslyornoisilythandidminefromthetimeIleftBaltimoretillIreachedPhiladelphia。
ThepassageoftheSusquehannaRiveratHavredeGracewasatthattimemadebyferry—boat，onboardofwhichImetayoungcoloredmanbythenameofNichols，whocameverynearbetrayingme。Hewasa\"hand\"ontheboat，but，insteadofmindinghisbusiness，heinsisteduponknowingme，andaskingmedangerousquestionsastowhereIwasgoing，whenIwascomingback，etc。IgotawayfrommyoldandinconvenientacquaintanceassoonasIcoulddecentlydoso，andwenttoanotherpartoftheboat。Onceacrosstheriver，Iencounteredanewdanger。
Onlyafewdaysbefore，Ihadbeenatworkonarevenuecutter，inMr。Price’sship—yardinBaltimore，underthecareofCaptainMcGowan。
Onthemeetingatthispointofthetwotrains，theonegoingsouthstoppedonthetrackjustoppositetotheonegoingnorth，anditsohappenedthatthisCaptainMcGowansatatawindowwherehecouldseemeverydistinctly，andwouldcertainlyhaverecognizedmehadhelookedatmebutforasecond。Fortunately，inthehurryofthemoment，hedidnotseeme；andthetrainssoonpassedeachotherontheirrespectiveways。Butthiswasnotmyonlyhair—
breadthescape。AGermanblacksmithwhomIknewwellwasonthetrainwithme，andlookedatmeveryintently，asifhethoughthehadseenmesomewherebeforeinhistravels。Ireallybelieveheknewme，buthadnohearttobetrayme。Atanyrate，hesawmeescapingandheldhispeace。
Thelastpointofimminentdanger，andtheoneIdreadedmost，wasWilmington。Hereweleftthetrainandtookthesteam—boatforPhiladelphia。InmakingthechangehereIagainapprehendedarrest，butnoonedisturbedme，andIwassoononthebroadandbeautifulDelaware，speedingawaytotheQuakerCity。OnreachingPhiladelphiaintheafternoon，IinquiredofacoloredmanhowIcouldgetontoNewYork。HedirectedmetotheWilliam—streetdepot，andthitherIwent，takingthetrainthatnight。
IreachedNewYorkTuesdaymorning，havingcompletedthejourneyinlessthantwenty—fourhours。
MyfreelifebeganonthethirdofSeptember，1838。Onthemorningofthefourthofthatmonth，afterananxiousandmostperilousbutsafejourney，IfoundmyselfinthebigcityofNewYork，aFREEMAN——
onemoreaddedtothemightythrongwhich，liketheconfusedwavesofthetroubledsea，surgedtoandfrobetweentheloftywallsofBroadway。
Thoughdazzledwiththewonderswhichmetmeoneveryhand，mythoughtscouldnotbemuchwithdrawnfrommystrangesituation。Forthemoment，thedreamsofmyyouthandthehopesofmymanhoodwerecompletelyfulfilled。
Thebondsthathadheldmeto\"oldmaster\"werebroken。Nomannowhadarighttocallmehisslaveorassertmasteryoverme。Iwasintheroughandtumbleofanoutdoorworld，totakemychancewiththerestofitsbusynumber。IhaveoftenbeenaskedhowIfeltwhenfirstIfoundmyselfonfreesoil。ThereisscarcelyanythinginmyexperienceaboutwhichIcouldnotgiveamoresatisfactoryanswer。
Anewworldhadopeneduponme。Iflifeismorethanbreathandthe\"quickroundofblood，\"Ilivedmoreinthatonedaythaninayearofmyslavelife。Itwasatimeofjoyousexcitementwhichwordscanbuttamelydescribe。InaletterwrittentoafriendsoonafterreachingNewYork，Isaid:\"Ifeltasonemightfeeluponescapefromadenofhungrylions。\"Anguishandgrief，likedarknessandrain，maybedepicted；butgladnessandjoy，liketherainbow，defytheskillofpenorpencil。DuringtenorfifteenyearsIhadbeen，asitwere，draggingaheavychainwhichnostrengthofminecouldbreak；
Iwasnotonlyaslave，butaslaveforlife。Imightbecomeahusband，afather，anagedman，butthroughall，frombirthtodeath，fromthecradletothegrave，Ihadfeltmyselfdoomed。AlleffortsIhadpreviouslymadetosecuremyfreedomhadnotonlyfailed，buthadseemedonlytorivetmyfettersthemorefirmly，andtorendermyescapemoredifficult。
Baffled，entangled，anddiscouraged，Ihadattimesaskedmyselfthequestion，MaynotmyconditionafterallbeGod’swork，andorderedforawisepurpose，andifso，Isnotsubmissionmyduty？
Acontesthadinfactbeengoingoninmymindforalongtime，betweentheclearconsciousnessofrightandtheplausiblemake—
shiftsoftheologyandsuperstition。Theoneheldmeanabjectslave——aprisonerforlife，punishedforsometransgressioninwhichIhadnolotnorpart；andtheothercounseledmetomanlyendeavortosecuremyfreedom。Thiscontestwasnowended；mychainswerebroken，andthevictorybroughtmeunspeakablejoy。
Butmygladnesswasshort—lived，forIwasnotyetoutofthereachandpoweroftheslave—holders。IsoonfoundthatNewYorkwasnotquitesofreeorsosafearefugeasIhadsupposed，andasenseoflonelinessandinsecurityagainoppressedmemostsadly。Ichancedtomeetonthestreet，afewhoursaftermylanding，afugitiveslavewhomIhadonceknownwellinslavery。Theinformationreceivedfromhimalarmedme。ThefugitiveinquestionwasknowninBaltimoreas\"Allender’sJake，\"butinNewYorkheworethemorerespectablenameof\"WilliamDixon。\"Jake，inlaw，wasthepropertyofDoctorAllender，andTollyAllender，thesonofthedoctor，hadoncemadeanefforttorecaptureMR。DIXON，buthadfailedforwantofevidencetosupporthisclaim。
Jaketoldmethecircumstancesofthisattempt，andhownarrowlyheescapedbeingsentbacktoslaveryandtorture。HetoldmethatNewYorkwasthenfullofSouthernersreturningfromtheNorthernwatering—places；
thatthecoloredpeopleofNewYorkwerenottobetrusted；thattherewerehiredmenofmyowncolorwhowouldbetraymeforafewdollars；
thattherewerehiredmeneveronthelookoutforfugitives；
thatImusttrustnomanwithmysecret；thatImustnotthinkofgoingeitheruponthewharvesorintoanycoloredboarding—house，forallsuchplaceswerecloselywatched；thathewashimselfunabletohelpme；and，infact，heseemedwhilespeakingtometofearlestImyselfmightbeaspyandabetrayer。Underthisapprehension，asIsuppose，heshowedsignsofwishingtoberidofme，andwithwhitewashbrushinhand，insearchofwork，hesoondisappeared。
Thispicture，givenbypoor\"Jake，\"ofNewYork，wasadampertomyenthusiasm。Mylittlestoreofmoneywouldsoonbeexhausted，andsinceitwouldbeunsafeformetogoonthewharvesforwork，andIhadnointroductionselsewhere，theprospectformewasfarfromcheerful。Isawthewisdomofkeepingawayfromtheship—yards，for，ifpursued，asIfeltcertainIshouldbe，Mr。Auld，my\"master，\"
wouldnaturallyseekmethereamongthecalkers。Everydoorseemedclosedagainstme。Iwasinthemidstofanoceanofmyfellow—men，andyetaperfectstrangertoeveryone。Iwaswithouthome，withoutacquaintance，withoutmoney，withoutcredit，withoutwork，andwithoutanydefiniteknowledgeastowhatcoursetotake，orwheretolookforsuccor。Insuchanextremity，amanhadsomethingbesideshisnew—bornfreedomtothinkof。WhilewanderingaboutthestreetsofNewYork，andlodgingatleastonenightamongthebarrelsononeofthewharves，Iwasindeedfree——fromslavery，butfreefromfoodandshelteraswell。IkeptmysecrettomyselfaslongasIcould，butIwascompelledatlasttoseeksomeonewhowouldbefriendmewithouttakingadvantageofmydestitutiontobetrayme。SuchapersonIfoundinasailornamedStuart，awarm—heartedandgenerousfellow，who，fromhishumblehomeonCentrestreet，sawmestandingontheoppositesidewalk，neartheTombsprison。Asheapproachedme，Iventuredaremarktohimwhichatonceenlistedhisinterestinme。Hetookmetohishometospendthenight，andinthemorningwentwithmetoMr。DavidRuggles，thesecretaryoftheNewYorkVigilanceCommittee，aco—workerwithIsaacT。Hopper，LewisandArthurTappan，TheodoreS。Wright，SamuelCornish，ThomasDowning，PhilipA。Bell，andothertruemenoftheirtime。
Allthese（saveMr。Bell，whostilllives，andiseditorandpublisherofapapercalledthe\"Elevator，\"inSanFrancisco）havefinishedtheirworkonearth。
Onceinthehandsofthesebraveandwisemen，Ifeltcomparativelysafe。
WithMr。Ruggles，onthecornerofLispenardandChurchstreets，Iwashiddenseveraldays，duringwhichtimemyintendedwifecameonfromBaltimoreatmycall，tosharetheburdensoflifewithme。
Shewasafreewoman，andcameatonceongettingthegoodnewsofmysafety。
WeweremarriedbyRev。J。W。C。Pennington，thenawell—knownandrespectedPresbyterianminister。Ihadnomoneywithwhichtopaythemarriagefee，butheseemedwellpleasedwithourthanks。
Mr。Ruggleswasthefirstofficeronthe\"UndergroundRailroad\"
whomImetaftercomingNorth，andwas，indeed，theonlyonewithwhomIhadanythingtodotillIbecamesuchanofficermyself。
Learningthatmytradewasthatofacalker，hepromptlydecidedthatthebestplaceformewasinNewBedford，Mass。
Hetoldmethatmanyshipsforwhalingvoyageswerefittedoutthere，andthatImighttherefindworkatmytradeandmakeagoodliving。
So，onthedayofthemarriageceremony，wetookourlittleluggagetothesteamerJohnW。Richmond，which，atthattime，wasoneofthelinerunningbetweenNewYorkandNewport，R。I。Forty—threeyearsagocoloredtravelerswerenotpermittedinthecabin，norallowedabaftthepaddle—wheelsofasteamvessel。Theywerecompelled，whatevertheweathermightbe，——whethercoldorhot，wetordry，——
tospendthenightondeck。Unjustasthisregulationwas，itdidnottroubleusmuch；wehadfaredmuchharderbefore。
WearrivedatNewportthenextmorning，andsoonafteranoldfashionedstage—coach，with\"NewBedford\"inlargeyellowlettersonitssides，camedowntothewharf。Ihadnotmoneyenoughtopayourfare，andstoodhesitatingwhattodo。Fortunatelyforus，thereweretwoQuakergentlemenwhowereabouttotakepassageonthestage，——
FriendsWilliamC。TaberandJosephRicketson，——whoatoncediscernedourtruesituation，and，inapeculiarlyquietway，addressingme，Mr。Tabersaid:\"Theegetin。\"Ineverobeyedanorderwithmorealacrity，andweweresoononourwaytoournewhome。Whenwereached\"StoneBridge\"
thepassengersalightedforbreakfast，andpaidtheirfarestothedriver。
Wetooknobreakfast，and，whenaskedforourfares，ItoldthedriverIwouldmakeitrightwithhimwhenwereachedNewBedford。
Iexpectedsomeobjectiontothisonhispart，buthemadenone。
When，however，wereachedNewBedford，hetookourbaggage，includingthreemusic—books，——twoofthemcollectionsbyDyer，andonebyShaw，——andheldthemuntilIwasabletoredeemthembypayingtohimtheamountdueforourrides。Thiswassoondone，forMr。NathanJohnsonnotonlyreceivedmekindlyandhospitably，but，onbeinginformedaboutourbaggage，atonceloanedmethetwodollarswithwhichtosquareaccountswiththestage—driver。
Mr。andMrs。NathanJohnsonreachedagoodoldage，andnowrestfromtheirlabors。Iamundermanygratefulobligationstothem。
Theynotonly\"tookmeinwhenastranger\"and\"fedmewhenhungry，\"
buttaughtmehowtomakeanhonestliving。Thus，inafortnightaftermyflightfromMaryland，IwassafeinNewBedford，acitizenofthegrandoldcommonwealthofMassachusetts。
OnceinitiatedintomynewlifeoffreedomandassuredbyMr。JohnsonthatIneednotfearrecaptureinthatcity，acomparativelyunimportantquestionaroseastothenamebywhichIshouldbeknownthereafterinmynewrelationasafreeman。ThenamegivenmebymydearmotherwasnolesspretentiousandlongthanFrederickAugustusWashingtonBailey。
Ihad，however，whilelivinginMaryland，dispensedwiththeAugustusWashington，andretainedonlyFrederickBailey。
BetweenBaltimoreandNewBedford，thebettertoconcealmyselffromtheslave—hunters，IhadpartedwithBaileyandcalledmyselfJohnson；
butinNewBedfordIfoundthattheJohnsonfamilywasalreadysonumerousastocausesomeconfusionindistinguishingthem，henceachangeinthisnameseemeddesirable。NathanJohnson，minehost，placedgreatemphasisuponthisnecessity，andwishedmetoallowhimtoselectanameforme。
Iconsented，andhecalledmebymypresentname——theonebywhichIhavebeenknownforthreeandfortyyears——FrederickDouglass。
Mr。Johnsonhadjustbeenreadingthe\"LadyoftheLake，\"
andsopleasedwashewithitsgreatcharacterthathewishedmetobearhisname。Sincereadingthatcharmingpoemmyself，Ihaveoftenthoughtthat，consideringthenoblehospitalityandmanlycharacterofNathanJohnson——blackmanthoughhewas——he，farmorethanI，illustratedthevirtuesoftheDouglasofScotland。
SureamIthat，ifanyslave—catcherhadenteredhisdomicilewithaviewtomyrecapture，Johnsonwouldhaveshownhimselflikehimofthe\"stalwarthand。\"
ThereadermaybesurprisedattheimpressionsIhadinsomewayconceivedofthesocialandmaterialconditionofthepeopleattheNorth。
Ihadnoproperideaofthewealth，refinement，enterprise，andhighcivilizationofthissectionofthecountry。
My\"ColumbianOrator，\"almostmyonlybook，haddonenothingtoenlightenmeconcerningNorthernsociety。Ihadbeentaughtthatslaverywasthebottomfactofallwealth。Withthisfoundationidea，IcamenaturallytotheconclusionthatpovertymustbethegeneralconditionofthepeopleofthefreeStates。InthecountryfromwhichIcame，awhitemanholdingnoslaveswasusuallyanignorantandpoverty—strickenman，andmenofthisclasswerecontemptuouslycalled\"poorwhitetrash。\"
HenceIsupposedthat，sincethenon—slave—holdersattheSouthwereignorant，poor，anddegradedasaclass，thenon—slave—holdersattheNorthmustbeinasimilarcondition。IcouldhavelandedinnopartoftheUnitedStateswhereIshouldhavefoundamorestrikingandgratifyingcontrast，notonlytolifegenerallyintheSouth，butintheconditionofthecoloredpeoplethere，thaninNewBedford。IwasamazedwhenMr。JohnsontoldmethattherewasnothinginthelawsorconstitutionofMassachusettsthatwouldpreventacoloredmanfrombeinggovernoroftheState，ifthepeopleshouldseefittoelecthim。There，too，theblackman’schildrenattendedthepublicschoolswiththewhiteman’schildren，andapparentlywithoutobjectionfromanyquarter。Toimpressmewithmysecurityfromrecaptureandreturntoslavery，Mr。Johnsonassuredmethatnoslave—holdercouldtakeaslaveoutofNewBedford；
thattherewerementherewhowouldlaydowntheirlivestosavemefromsuchafate。
Thefifthdayaftermyarrival，Iputontheclothesofacommonlaborer，andwentuponthewharvesinsearchofwork。OnmywaydownUnionstreetIsawalargepileofcoalinfrontofthehouseofRev。EphraimPeabody，theUnitarianminister。Iwenttothekitchendoorandaskedtheprivilegeofbringinginandputtingawaythiscoal。\"Whatwillyoucharge？\"
saidthelady。\"Iwillleavethattoyou，madam。\"\"Youmayputitaway，\"
shesaid。Iwasnotlonginaccomplishingthejob，whenthedearladyputintomyhandTWOSILVERHALF—DOLLARS。TounderstandtheemotionwhichswelledmyheartasIclaspedthismoney，realizingthatIhadnomasterwhocouldtakeitfromme，——THATITWASMINE——THATMYHANDSWEREMYOWN，andcouldearnmoreofthepreciouscoin，——onemusthavebeeninsomesensehimselfaslave。MynextjobwasstowingasloopatUncleGid。Howland’swharfwithacargoofoilforNewYork。Iwasnotonlyafreeman，butafreeworking—man，andno\"master\"stoodreadyattheendoftheweektoseizemyhardearnings。
Theseasonwasgrowinglateandworkwasplenty。Shipswerebeingfittedoutforwhaling，andmuchwoodwasusedinstoringthem。
Thesawingthiswoodwasconsideredagoodjob。WiththehelpofoldFriendJohnson（blessingsonhismemory）Igotasawand\"buck，\"
andwentatit。WhenIwentintoastoretobuyacordwithwhichtobraceupmysawintheframe，Iaskedfora\"fip’s\"worthofcord。
Themanbehindthecounterlookedrathersharplyatme，andsaidwithequalsharpness，\"Youdon’tbelongabouthere。\"Iwasalarmed，andthoughtIhadbetrayedmyself。AfipinMarylandwassixandaquartercents，calledfourpenceinMassachusetts。
Butnoharmcamefromthe\"fi’penny—bit\"blunder，andIconfidentlyandcheerfullywenttoworkwithmysawandbuck。Itwasnewbusinesstome，butIneverdidbetterwork，ormoreofit，inthesamespaceoftimeontheplantationforCovey，thenegro—breaker，thanIdidformyselfintheseearliestyearsofmyfreedom。
NotwithstandingthejustandhumanesentimentofNewBedfordthreeandfortyyearsago，theplacewasnotentirelyfreefromraceandcolorprejudice。ThegoodinfluenceoftheRoaches，Rodmans，Arnolds，Grinnells，andRobesonsdidnotpervadeallclassesofitspeople。ThetestoftherealcivilizationofthecommunitycamewhenIappliedforworkatmytrade，andthenmyrepulsewasemphaticanddecisive。ItsohappenedthatMr。RodneyFrench，awealthyandenterprisingcitizen，distinguishedasananti—slaveryman，wasfittingoutavesselforawhalingvoyage，uponwhichtherewasaheavyjobofcalkingandcopperingtobedone。Ihadsomeskillinbothbranches，andappliedtoMr。Frenchforwork。He，generousmanthathewas，toldmehewouldemployme，andImightgoatoncetothevessel。Iobeyedhim，butuponreachingthefloat—stage，whereothers[sic]calkerswereatwork，Iwastoldthateverywhitemanwouldleavetheship，inherunfinishedcondition，ifIstruckablowatmytradeuponher。
Thisuncivil，inhuman，andselfishtreatmentwasnotsoshockingandscandalousinmyeyesatthetimeasitnowappearstome。
Slaveryhadinuredmetohardshipsthatmadeordinarytroublesitlightlyuponme。CouldIhaveworkedatmytradeIcouldhaveearnedtwodollarsaday，butasacommonlaborerIreceivedbutonedollar。Thedifferencewasofgreatimportancetome，butifIcouldnotgettwodollars，Iwasgladtogetone；andsoIwenttoworkforMr。Frenchasacommonlaborer。TheconsciousnessthatIwasfree——nolongeraslave——keptmecheerfulunderthis，andmanysimilarproscriptions，whichIwasdestinedtomeetinNewBedfordandelsewhereonthefreesoilofMassachusetts。
Forinstance，thoughcoloredchildrenattendedtheschools，andweretreatedkindlybytheirteachers，theNewBedfordLyceumrefused，tillseveralyearsaftermyresidenceinthatcity，toallowanycoloredpersontoattendthelecturesdeliveredinitshall。NotuntilsuchmenasCharlesSumner，TheodoreParker，RalphWaldoEmerson，andHoraceMannrefusedtolectureintheircoursewhiletherewassucharestriction，wasitabandoned。
BecomingsatisfiedthatIcouldnotrelyonmytradeinNewBedfordtogivemealiving，Ipreparedmyselftodoanykindofworkthatcametohand。Isawedwood，shoveledcoal，dugcellars，movedrubbishfrombackyards，workedonthewharves，loadedandunloadedvessels，andscouredtheircabins。
Iafterwardgotsteadyworkatthebrass—foundryownedbyMr。Richmond。
Mydutyherewastoblowthebellows，swingthecrane，andemptytheflasksinwhichcastingsweremade；andattimesthiswashotandheavywork。
Thearticlesproducedhereweremostlyforshipwork，andinthebusyseasonthefoundrywasinoperationnightandday。Ihaveoftenworkedtwonightsandeveryworkingdayoftheweek。Myforeman，Mr。Cobb，wasagoodman，andmorethanonceprotectedmefromabusethatoneormoreofthehandswasdisposedtothrowuponme。WhileinthissituationIhadlittletimeformentalimprovement。Hardwork，nightandday，overafurnacehotenoughtokeepthemetalrunninglikewater，wasmorefavorabletoactionthanthought；yethereIoftennailedanewspapertothepostnearmybellows，andreadwhileIwasperformingtheupanddownmotionoftheheavybeambywhichthebellowswasinflatedanddischarged。
Itwasthepursuitofknowledgeunderdifficulties，andIlookbacktoitnow，aftersomanyyears，withsomecomplacencyandalittlewonderthatIcouldhavebeensoearnestandperseveringinanypursuitotherthanformydailybread。Icertainlysawnothingintheconductofthosearoundtoinspiremewithsuchinterest:theywerealldevotedexclusivelytowhattheirhandsfoundtodo。Iamgladtobeabletosaythat，duringmyengagementinthisfoundry，nocomplaintwasevermadeagainstmethatIdidnotdomywork，anddoitwell。ThebellowswhichIworkedbymainstrengthwas，afterIleft，movedbyasteam—engine。
Douglass，Frederick。\"Reconstruction。\"
AtlanticMonthly18（1866）:761—765。
RECONSTRUCTION
TheassemblingoftheSecondSessionoftheThirty—ninthCongressmayveryproperlybemadetheoccasionofafewearnestwordsonthealreadymuch—worntopicofreconstruction。
Seldomhasanylegislativebodybeenthesubjectofasolicitudemoreintense，orofaspirationsmoresincereandardent。
Therearethebestofreasonsforthisprofoundinterest。
Questionsofvastmoment，leftundecidedbythelastsessionofCongress，mustbemanfullygrappledwithbythis。Nopoliticalskirmishingwillavail。
Theoccasiondemandsstatesmanship。
Whetherthetremendouswarsoheroicallyfoughtandsovictoriouslyendedshallpassintohistoryamiserablefailure，barrenofpermanentresults，——
ascandalousandshockingwasteofbloodandtreasure，——astrifeforempire，asEarlRussellcharacterizedit，ofnovaluetolibertyorcivilization，——anattempttore—establishaUnionbyforce，whichmustbethemerestmockeryofaUnion，——anefforttobringunderFederalauthorityStatesintowhichnoloyalmanfromtheNorthmaysafelyenter，andtobringmenintothenationalcouncilswhodeliberatewithdaggersandvotewithrevolvers，andwhodonotevenconcealtheirdeadlyhateofthecountrythatconqueredthem；orwhether，ontheotherhand，weshall，astherightfulrewardofvictoryovertreason，haveasolidnation，entirelydeliveredfromallcontradictionsandsocialantagonisms，baseduponloyalty，liberty，andequality，mustbedeterminedonewayortheotherbythepresentsessionofCongress。Thelastsessionreallydidnothingwhichcanbeconsideredfinalastothesequestions。
TheCivilRightsBillandtheFreedmen’sBureauBillandtheproposedconstitutionalamendments，withtheamendmentalreadyadoptedandrecognizedasthelawoftheland，donotreachthedifficulty，andcannot，unlessthewholestructureofthegovernmentischangedfromagovernmentbyStatestosomethinglikeadespoticcentralgovernment，withpowertocontroleventhemunicipalregulationsofStates，andtomakethemconformtoitsowndespoticwill。WhilethereremainssuchanideaastherightofeachStatetocontrolitsownlocalaffairs，——
anidea，bytheway，moredeeplyrootedinthemindsofmenofallsectionsofthecountrythanperhapsanyoneotherpoliticalidea，——nogeneralassertionofhumanrightscanbeofanypracticalvalue。Tochangethecharacterofthegovernmentatthispointisneitherpossiblenordesirable。
Allthatisnecessarytobedoneistomakethegovernmentconsistentwithitself，andrendertherightsoftheStatescompatiblewiththesacredrightsofhumannature。
ThearmoftheFederalgovernmentislong，butitisfartooshorttoprotecttherightsofindividualsintheinteriorofdistantStates。
Theymusthavethepowertoprotectthemselves，ortheywillgounprotected，spiteofallthelawstheFederalgovernmentcanputuponthenationalstatute—book。
Slavery，likeallothergreatsystemsofwrong，foundedinthedepthsofhumanselfishness，andexistingforages，hasnotneglecteditsownconservation。Ithassteadilyexertedaninfluenceuponallarounditfavorabletoitsowncontinuance。Andto—dayitissostrongthatitcouldexist，notonlywithoutlaw，butevenagainstlaw。
Custom，manners，morals，religion，areallonitssideeverywhereintheSouth；andwhenyouaddtheignoranceandservilityoftheex—slavetotheintelligenceandaccustomedauthorityofthemaster，youhavetheconditions，notoutofwhichslaverywillagaingrow，butunderwhichitisimpossiblefortheFederalgovernmenttowhollydestroyit，unlesstheFederalgovernmentbearmedwithdespoticpower，toblotoutStateauthority，andtostationaFederalofficerateverycross—road。
This，ofcourse，cannotbedone，andoughtnotevenifitcould。
Thetruewayandtheeasiestwayistomakeourgovernmententirelyconsistentwithitself，andgivetoeveryloyalcitizentheelectivefranchise，——arightandpowerwhichwillbeeverpresent，andwillformawalloffireforhisprotection。
OneoftheinvaluablecompensationsofthelateRebellionisthehighlyinstructivedisclosureitmadeofthetruesourceofdangertorepublicangovernment。Whatevermaybetoleratedinmonarchicalanddespoticgovernments，norepublicissafethattoleratesaprivilegedclass，ordeniestoanyofitscitizensequalrightsandequalmeanstomaintainthem。Whatwastheorybeforethewarhasbeenmadefactbythewar。
Thereiscausetobethankfulevenforrebellion。Itisanimpressiveteacher，thoughasternandterribleone。Inbothcharactersithascometous，anditwasperhapsneededinboth。Itisaninstructorneveradaybeforeitstime，foritcomesonlywhenallothermeansofprogressandenlightenmenthavefailed。Whethertheoppressedanddespairingbondman，nolongerabletorepresshisdeepyearningsformanhood，orthetyrant，inhisprideandimpatience，takestheinitiative，andstrikestheblowforafirmerholdandalongerleaseofoppression，theresultisthesame，——societyisinstructed，ormaybe。
Sucharethelimitationsofthecommonmind，andsothoroughlyengrossingarethecaresofcommonlife，thatonlythefewamongmencandiscernthroughtheglitteranddazzleofpresentprosperitythedarkoutlinesofapproachingdisasters，eventhoughtheymayhavecomeuptoourverygates，andarealreadywithinstrikingdistance。
Theyawningseamandcorrodedboltconcealtheirdefectsfromthemarineruntilthestormcallsallhandstothepumps。Prophets，indeed，wereabundantbeforethewar；butwhocaresforprophetswhiletheirpredictionsremainunfulfilled，andthecalamitiesofwhichtheytellaremaskedbehindablindingblazeofnationalprosperity？
Itisasked，saidHenryClay，onamemorableoccasion，Willslaverynevercometoanend？Thatquestion，saidhe，wasaskedfiftyyearsago，andithasbeenansweredbyfiftyyearsofunprecedentedprosperity。SpiteoftheeloquenceoftheearnestAbolitionists，——pouredoutagainstslaveryduringthirtyyears，——
eventheymustconfess，that，inalltheprobabilitiesofthecase，thatsystemofbarbarismwouldhavecontinueditshorrorsfarbeyondthelimitsofthenineteenthcenturybutfortheRebellion，andperhapsonlyhavedisappearedatlastinafieryconflict，evenmorefierceandbloodythanthatwhichhasnowbeensuppressed。
Itisnodisparagementtotruth，thatitcanonlyprevailwherereasonprevails。Warbeginswherereasonends。
Thethingworsethanrebellionisthethingthatcausesrebellion。
Whatthatthingis，wehavebeentaughttoourcost。ItremainsnowtobeseenwhetherwehavetheneededcouragetohavethatcauseentirelyremovedfromtheRepublic。Atanyrate，tothisgrandworkofnationalregenerationandentirepurificationCongressmustnowaddressItself，withfullpurposethattheworkshallthistimebethoroughlydone。Thedeadlyupas，rootandbranch，leafandfibre，bodyandsap，mustbeutterlydestroyed。Thecountryisevidentlynotinaconditiontolistenpatientlytopleasforpostponement，howeverplausible，norwillitpermittheresponsibilitytobeshiftedtoothershoulders。Authorityandpowerareherecommensuratewiththedutyimposed。Therearenocloud—flungshadowstoobscuretheway。
Truthshineswithbrighterlightandintenserheatateverymoment，andacountrytornandrentandbleedingimploresrelieffromitsdistressandagony。
Iftimewasatfirstneeded，Congresshasnowhadtime。
Alltherequisitematerialsfromwhichtoformanintelligentjudgmentarenowbeforeit。Whetheritsmemberslookattheorigin，theprogress，theterminationofthewar，oratthemockeryofapeacenowexisting，theywillfindonlyoneunbrokenchainofargumentinfavorofaradicalpolicyofreconstruction。Fortheomissionsofthelastsession，someexcusesmaybeallowed。AtreacherousPresidentstoodintheway；anditcanbeeasilyseenhowreluctantgoodmenmightbetoadmitanapostasywhichinvolvedsomuchofbasenessandingratitude。Itwasnaturalthattheyshouldseektosavehimbybendingtohimevenwhenheleanedtothesideoferror。Butallischangednow。Congressknowsnowthatitmustgoonwithouthisaid，andevenagainsthismachinations。
Theadvantageofthepresentsessionoverthelastisimmense。
Wherethatinvestigated，thishasthefacts。Wherethatwalkedbyfaith，thismaywalkbysight。Wherethathalted，thismustgoforward，andwherethatfailed，thismustsucceed，givingthecountrywholemeasureswherethatgaveushalf—measures，merelyasameansofsavingtheelectionsinafewdoubtfuldistricts。ThatCongresssawwhatwasright，butdistrustedtheenlightenmentoftheloyalmasses；
butwhatwasforborneindistrustofthepeoplemustnowbedonewithafullknowledgethatthepeopleexpectandrequireit。
ThemembersgotoWashingtonfreshfromtheinspiringpresenceofthepeople。
Ineveryconsiderablepublicmeeting，andinalmosteveryconceivableway，whetheratcourt—house，school—house，orcross—roads，indoorsandout，thesubjecthasbeendiscussed，andthepeoplehaveemphaticallypronouncedinfavorofaradicalpolicy。Listeningtothedoctrinesofexpediencyandcompromisewithpity，impatience，anddisgust，theyhaveeverywherebrokenintodemonstrationsofthewildestenthusiasmwhenabravewordhasbeenspokeninfavorofequalrightsandimpartialsuffrage。
Radicalism，sofarfrombeingodious，isnotthepopularpassporttopower。
ThemenmostbitterlychargedwithitgotoCongresswiththelargestmajorities，whilethetimidanddoubtfularesentbyleanmajorities，orelseleftathome。ThestrangecontroversybetweenthePresidentandtheCongress，atonetimesothreatening，isdisposedofbythepeople。
Thehighreconstructivepowerswhichhesoconfidently，ostentatiously，andhaughtilyclaimed，havebeendisallowed，denounced，andutterlyrepudiated；
whilethoseclaimedbyCongresshavebeenconfirmed。
Ofthespiritandmagnitudeofthecanvassnothingneedbesaid。
Theappealwastothepeople，andtheverdictwasworthyofthetribunal。
Uponanoccasionofhisownselection，withtheadviceandapprovalofhisastuteSecretary，soonafterthemembersoftheCongresshadreturnedtotheirconstituents，thePresidentquittedtheexecutivemansion，sandwichedhimselfbetweentworecognizedheroes，——menwhomthewholecountrydelightedtohonor，——and，withalltheadvantagewhichsuchcompanycouldgivehim，stumpedthecountryfromtheAtlantictotheMississippi，advocatingeverywherehispolicyasagainstthatofCongress。
Itwasastrangesight，andperhapsthemostdisgracefulexhibitionevermadebyanyPresident；but，asnoevilisentirelyunmixed，goodhascomeofthis，asfrommanyothers。Ambitious，unscrupulous，energetic，indefatigable，voluble，andplausible，——apoliticalgladiator，readyfora\"set—to\"inanycrowd，——heisbeateninhisownchosenfield，andstandsto—daybeforethecountryasaconvictedusurper，apoliticalcriminal，guiltyofaboldandpersistentattempttopossesshimselfofthelegislativepowerssolemnlysecuredtoCongressbytheConstitution。Novindicationcouldbemorecomplete，nocondemnationcouldbemoreabsoluteandhumiliating。
Unlessreopenedbythesword，asrecklesslythreatenedinsomecircles，thisquestionisnowclosedforalltime。
Withoutattemptingtosettleherethemetaphysicalandsomewhattheologicalquestion（aboutwhichsomuchhasalreadybeensaidandwritten），whetheronceintheUnionmeansalwaysintheUnion，——agreeablytotheformula，Onceingracealwaysingrace，——itisobvioustocommonsensethattherebelliousStatesstandto—day，inpointoflaw，preciselywheretheystoodwhen，exhausted，beaten，conquered，theyfellpowerlessatthefeetofFederalauthority。TheirStategovernmentswereoverthrown，andthelivesandpropertyoftheleadersoftheRebellionwereforfeited。
InreconstructingtheinstitutionsoftheseshatteredandoverthrownStates，Congressshouldbeginwithacleanslate，andmakecleanworkofit。
Lettherebenohesitation。ItwouldbeacowardlydeferencetoadefeatedandtreacherousPresident，ifanyaccountweremadeoftheillegitimate，one—sided，shamgovernmentshurriedintoexistenceforamalignpurposeintheabsenceofCongress。Thesepretendedgovernments，whichwereneversubmittedtothepeople，andfromparticipationinwhichfourmillionsoftheloyalpeoplewereexcludedbyPresidentialorder，shouldnowbetreatedaccordingtotheirtruecharacter，asshamsandimpositions，andsupplantedbytrueandlegitimategovernments，intheformationofwhichloyalmen，blackandwhite，shallparticipate。
Itisnot，however，withinthescopeofthispapertopointouttheprecisestepstobetaken，andthemeanstobeemployed。
Thepeoplearelessconcernedaboutthesethanthegrandendtobeattained。
TheydemandsuchareconstructionasshallputanendtothepresentanarchicalstateofthingsinthelaterebelliousStates，——wherefrightfulmurdersandwholesalemassacresareperpetratedintheverypresenceofFederalsoldiers。
Thishorriblebusinesstheyrequireshallcease。Theywantareconstructionsuchaswillprotectloyalmen，blackandwhite，intheirpersonsandproperty；
suchaoneaswillcauseNorthernindustry，Northerncapital，andNortherncivilizationtoflowintotheSouth，andmakeamanfromNewEnglandasmuchathomeinCarolinaaselsewhereintheRepublic。
NoChinesewallcannowbetolerated。TheSouthmustbeopenedtothelightoflawandliberty，andthissessionofCongressisreliedupontoaccomplishthisimportantwork。
Theplain，common—sensewayofdoingthiswork，asintimatedatthebeginning，issimplytoestablishintheSouthonelaw，onegovernment，oneadministrationofjustice，oneconditiontotheexerciseoftheelectivefranchise，formenofallracesandcolorsalike。Thisgreatmeasureissoughtasearnestlybyloyalwhitemenasbyloyalblacks，andisneededalikebyboth。
Letsoundpoliticalpresciencebuttaketheplaceofanunreasoningprejudice，andthiswillbedone。
Mendenouncethenegroforhisprominenceinthisdiscussion；
butitisnofaultofhisthatinpeaceasinwar，thatinconqueringRebelarmiesasinreconstructingtherebelliousStates，therightofthenegroisthetruesolutionofournationaltroubles。Thesternlogicofevents，whichgoesdirectlytothepoint，disdainingallconcernforthecolororfeaturesofmen，hasdeterminedtheinterestsofthecountryasidenticalwithandinseparablefromthoseofthenegro。
Thepolicythatemancipatedandarmedthenegro——nowseentohavebeenwiseandproperbythedullest——wasnotcertainlymoresternlydemandedthanisnowthepolicyofenfranchisement。
Ifwiththenegrowassuccessinwar，andwithouthimfailure，soinpeaceitwillbefoundthatthenationmustfallorflourishwiththenegro。
Fortunately，theConstitutionoftheUnitedStatesknowsnodistinctionbetweencitizensonaccountofcolor。NeitherdoesitknowanydifferencebetweenacitizenofaStateandacitizenoftheUnitedStates。
Citizenshipevidentlyincludesalltherightsofcitizens，whetherStateornational。IftheConstitutionknowsnone，itisclearlynopartofthedutyofaRepublicanCongressnowtoinstituteone。Themistakeofthelastsessionwastheattempttodothisverything，byarenunciationofitspowertosecurepoliticalrightstoanyclassofcitizens，withtheobviouspurposetoallowtherebelliousStatestodisfranchise，iftheyshouldseefit，theircoloredcitizens。Thisunfortunateblundermustnowberetrieved，andtheemasculatedcitizenshipgiventothenegrosupplantedbythatcontemplatedintheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates，whichdeclaresthatthecitizensofeachStateshallenjoyalltherightsandimmunitiesofcitizensoftheseveralStates，——sothatalegalvoterinanyStateshallbealegalvoterinalltheStates。