Rochester, N. Y. July 2, 1855.
Dear Friend: I have
long entertained, as you very well know, the somewhat positive repugnance to
writing or speaking anything for the public, which could, with any degree of
plausibility, make me liable to the imputation of seeking personal notoriety,
for its own sake. Entertaining that feeling very sincerely, and permitting its
control, perhaps, quite unreasonably, I have often refused to narrate my
personal experience in public anti-slavery meetings, and in sympathizing
circles, when urged to do so by friends, with whose views and wishes,
ordinarily, it were a pleasure to comply. In my letters and speeches, I have
generally aimed to discuss the question of Slavery in the light of fundamental
principles, and upon facts, notorious and open to all; making, I trust, no more
of the fact of my own former enslavement, than circumstances seemed absolutely
to require. I have never placed my opposition to slavery on a basis so narrow
as my own enslavement, but rather upon the indestructible and unchangeable laws
of human nature, every one of which is perpetually and flagrantly violated by
the slave system. I have also felt that it was best for those having histories
worth the writing — or supposed to be so — to commit such work to hands other
than their own. To write of one's self, in such a manner as not to incur the
imputation of weakness, vanity, and egotism, is a work within the ability of
but few; and I have little reason to believe that I belong to that fortunate,
few.
These
considerations caused me to hesitate, when first you kindly urged me to prepare
for publication a full account of my life as a slave, and my life as a freeman.
Nevertheless, I
see, with you, many reasons for regarding my autobiography as exceptional in
its character, and as being, in some sense, naturally beyond the reach of those
reproaches which honorable and sensitive minds dislike to incur. It is not to
illustrate any heroic achievements of a man, but to vindicate a just and
beneficent principle, in its application to the whole human family, by letting
in the light of truth upon a system, esteemed by some as a blessing, and by
others as a curse and a crime. I agree with you, that this system is now at the
bar of public opinion — not only of this country, but of the whole civilized
world — for judgment. Its friends have made for it the usual plea — “not
guilty;” the case must, therefore, proceed. Any facts, either from slaves,
slaveholders, or by-standers, calculated to enlighten the public mind, by
revealing the true nature, character, and tendency of the slave system, are in
order, and can scarcely be innocently withheld.
I see, too, that
there are special reasons why I should write my own biography, in preference to
employing another to do it. Not only is slavery on trial, but unfortunately,
the enslaved people are also on trial. It is alleged, that they are, naturally,
inferior; that they are so low in the scale of humanity, and so utterly
stupid, that they are unconscious of their wrongs, and do not apprehend their
rights. Looking, then, at your request, from this stand-point, and wishing
everything of which you think me capable to go to the benefit of my afflicted
people, I part with my doubts and hesitation, and proceed to furnish you the
desired manuscript; hoping that you may be able to make such arrangements for
its publication as shall be best adapted to accomplish that good which you so
enthusiastically anticipate.
Frederick Douglass.
SOURCE: Frederick
Douglass, My Bondage and My Freedom, p. vi-viii
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