Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-03-19

The Story OF FRED. DOUGLASS s ESCAPE
Fred. Douglass lectured before large and
intelligent audience in the Philadelphia
Academy of Music on Monday evening, on
=. "Reminiscences of Slavery and Anti-Slave
rv." and for the first time in public related
the story of his escape from bondage, as fol-
lows:
q was owned 10 Talbot county, on the
eastern shore of Maryland, in 1888, and
few years after that time made my escape.
| had been sent up to Baltimore by my
master to a brother Of his for safe keeping,
but it was a strange movement to send me
sixty miles nearer my liberty. W hen de-
termined on escaping, | looked about Tor the
proper means to accomplish my purpose;
At that time great vigilance was exercised
bv the authorities. Everybody was strictly
watched. and if slave were found outside
the limits of his masters plantation, he
would be liable to show by what right ne
was out of place. | was out to WORK IN
ship-yard, and commenced to learn the bust
ness of p-carpenterlng ana caulKlhg.
Here had frequent intercourse with sailors
and in them | thought discovered 1eeilng
of sympathy and kindness. Although the
difficulties and obstacles against escape were
apparently insurmountable, conceived an
| idea that | could secure my release by dress
ING in sailors clothing and making sur
reptitious retreat. But had no papers by
which | could pass from place to place.
| Fortunately met with man named stan
lev. who lived in Baltimore, and who was
| free. He resembled me in stature, and IRON
him obtained a suit Of sailors clothes, and
his protection papers, and in this apparel
nroyided with tie necessary articles, l IN
September, 1888, secured my liberty. got
Isaac Rhodes to take my bundle. and by ar
rangement, after the train started he threw
it in, and | ran after and jumped on the car
If compelled to buy ticket 1t would have
been necessary to undergo the most rigid ex-
animation, and all descriptions In the papers
must correspond exactly with the marks on
nv person. Accordingly the scheme was
carried out, and | soon arrived at inning
ton Here met Frederick Stein, tor whom
had worked, but | was so perfectly dis
guised that he did not know me. In lew
moments the train from Philadelphia, bound
south arrived. and on this was Capt. Nc
LGowan. of the revenue cutter at Baltimore,
whom | had known intimately, and who had
also been acquainted with me, but he, too,
failed to recognize me.
When the conductor came through the
train he rudely called on all the passengers
for tickets. but when he came to me, instead
of speaking in an arrogant manner, toio me
kindly that he supposed had my Tree pa,
pers. | responded in the negative, oue DIE
surprise was great and his indignation not
apparent, when told him that my only pass
was an American Eagle. Looking upon It.
he stated that was all right, and with tnis
assurance | camo through to Philadelphia
and proceeded to New York. got there al
O'Clock and stayed about and slept IN the
streets until morning. did not know tha'
1 had a friend there, but on the next morn,
ing met Isaac Dixon, at whose mouse
had lived in Baltimore, and be referred me
to David Ruggles, a phiIanthroplc ana gen
erous-minded citizen. While IN the CITY
where remained several days, | visited the
Tombs, and there l saw Isaac Hooper, VINO,
for the great offence of assisting Tom' a
well-known character, in making his escape
was undergoing trial"
Mr.. Douglass said he had kept this story
secret until this time, because the conductor
who allowed him to pass from Baltimore to