Frederick Douglass to his former master Hugh Auld - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC07484.06
From Archive Folder	Documents Relating to 1857
Title	Frederick Douglass to his former master Hugh Auld
Date	4 October 1857
Author	Douglass, Frederick (1818-1895)
Recipient	Auld, Hugh
Document Type	Correspondence
Content Description	Douglass writes to his former master after twenty years, admitting that he has often wanted to hold correspondence with Auld. Inquires after the Auld children, who are dear to Douglass: "...I feel nothing but kindness for you all- I love you, but hate Slavery." Asks Auld what year he came to live with the Auld family (the same year a frigate was built by Mr. Beacham). Inquires as to the date of his birth. Mentions seeing Amanda (daughter of Thomas and Lucretia Auld) and that he would like to see other members of the Auld family. Writes, "I could have lived with you during life in freedom though I ranaway from you so unceremoniously, I did not know how soon I might be sold." Letter is in the hand of Benjamin Auld, Hugh Auld's son. Accompanied by an incomplete newspaper clipping entitled "Douglass as a Slave. Recollections of His Early Life and His Escape from Bondage." Newspaper clipping measures 17 x 6 cm.
Subjects	Slave Life African American Author African American History Slavery Slave Sale Runaway Slave Fugitive Slave Act Abolition
People	Douglass, Frederick (1818-1895) Auld, Hugh (b. 1799)
Place written	Rochester, New York
Theme	Slavery & Abolition; African Americans
Sub-collection	The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Additional Information	Frederick Douglass, a former slave, became an African American abolitionist, social reformer and writer.
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Transcript	Show/hide Rochester Oct. 4th (1857 Hugh Auld Esq My dear Sir. My heart tells me that you are too noble to treat with indifference the request I am about to make, It is twenty years since I ran away from you, or rather not from you but from Slavery, and since then I have often felt a strong desire to hold a little correspondence with you and to learn something of the position and prospects of your dear children. They were dear to me – and are still – indeed I feel nothing but kindness for you all – I love you, but hate Slavery, Now my dear Sir, will you favor me by dropping me a line, telling me in what year I came to live with you in Aliceanna St. the year the Frigate was built by Mr. Beacham. The information is not for publication – and shall not be published. We are all hastening where all distinctions are ended, kindness to the humblest will not be unrewarded Perhaps you have heard that I have seen Miss Amanda that was, Mrs. Sears that is, and was treated kindly such is the fact, Gladly would I see you and Mrs. Auld – or Miss Sopha as I used to call her. I could have lived with you during life in freedom though I ran away from you so unceremoniously, I did not know how soon I might be sold. But I hate to talk about that. A line from you will find me Addressed FredK Douglass Rochester N. York. I am dear sir very truly yours. Fred: Douglass

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