, 1873-03-13
FRED, DOUGLASS ESCAPE.


pu1DApELpu1A, Pa, March 10, 1873.
Tho Academy Of Music Was donsoly crowded
this evening, to hear Mr. Frederick Douglass
rehearsal Of bis t. "Reminiscences Of Slavery and
Anti-8lavery." Mr. Douglass gave the following
rehearaal Of his own escape "WMle slavery
existed, had good roaaons for not telling the
story OF my escape from bondage, and now that
tho great trial Ia over, do not know any good
reason why should not toll 1t. People general
ly imagined that 1t WIS marvellous recital, but
II is ono Of. the most simple and commonplace
atories that could bo giyeu. WIS ownod III TIL
bot County, on the eastern shore of Maryland,
in 1885, and few years after that time mado
my escape. I had been eont up to Baltimore
by ny master Or. to brother rsd o. hig 5ofo Tor
mont to send mo sixty miles nearer my liberty.
When determined on escaping, looked about
for q proper mems to accomplish my pur-
pose At that time greet vigilance vas e1er
strictly watched, and II alave were found OUT
side the limits Of his masters plantation, he
would be liable to ehow by what right. he
WAS out OF place: vas Pnt to ~ m9rk nls ls,aaa IN
Of ship-carpenterin and caulklng. Here had
freouont intercourse with sailors, and in them
I thought discovered foelinE Of sympathy
and Kindness. Although the difficulties and OBJ
ruountablo, conceived an Idea that could es-
euro my release by dressing in Bailor'a clothing
and making nurreptltious retreat. But had
piaeeo. pI eap'l For}uhatoly, mot With man named
Btanley, who lived In Baltimore, and who Was
| freq. IIo regemblcd mo In stature, md from
him obtained q auit OF SAILORS olotheB, and his
protection papers, and in this apparel, provided
with the necessary artices, !. in Bensomber,
1883, occurred my liborty got 1Baao Rhodes to
hra Y M aaa paa ase and
Jumped on tho car. II compelled to buy, ticket,
| It would have peen necessary to undergo tho
most rigid examination, aud AL az aesorlp s@rlp
| spond exactly with tho marks on
| my person. Accordingly, tue -, scheme
vas carried out, and Hoop nrrivoa at Whining
ton. Hore mot Frederick Bkein, for whom |
had worked, but | was so perfectly disguised
that he did not know mo. In few momonts
tic train from Philadelphla, bound south, ar-
rived, and on this was Capt. Modowa1, Of THO
payon,le Outtor, OF Baltimore, whom had
known intimately, aud who also bad boou &C.
oualutea with me- but he, too, failed to tosocoSnazo
mo. when tho conductor camo through the tram
ho rudoly caltod on all thu passengers Tor tickets,
but WHOM he came to mo, !natoad Of spoHklng
In an arrogant manner, told me kindly that he
supposed had my FREQ papers, I responded
In tho negative, but bis aurprise WAS great,
and his Indignation not apparent, when
| Told him tlat my only pasH wAn an American
Eagle. Looking upon It, he stated that I was
Ill right, and with this assurhnca casua through
to Phlladclplia, and proceeded to Now York.
rot there At o'clock, and atrayed about aud
know that had friend there, but on tue nox
morning met Inaao Dixon, at whose house
hpl llyed in Baltimore, and ho referred ma ts
David nuggleB, philanthroplBt and generous
minded Citizen. While In tho city, Wheso re-
mainod several days. visited the Iombs, an!
there saw 1haao Hopper, who, fof tue 81eat OF
fouHo Of asslstlnG Tom. "olI'kao"a Guar