Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1873-03-27
FRED. DOUGLASS ESCAPE.
The story Fold for the First Time.

The Story Fold for the First Time.
The Academy of Music was densely
crowded this evening, to hear Mr.. Fred
erick Douglass rehearsal of his ere
miniscences1f Slavery and Anti Slavery"
Mr.. Douglass gave the following rehear-
sal of his own escape: While slavery
| existed, had good reasons for not tell
ing the story of my escape from bondage,
and now that the great trial is over, do
not know any good reason why [ should
not tell it. People generally imagined
that it was marvellous recital. but It is
one of the most simple and common
place stories that could be given. was
owned IN Talbot county, on the eastern
shore of Maryland, in 1885, and few
years after that time made my escape.
L had been sent up to Baltimore by my
master to brother of his for safe keep
ing, but it was a strange movement to
send me sixty miles nearer my liberty.
When determinedon escaping, looked
about for proper means to accomplish
my purpose. At that time great vigilance
was exercised by the authorities Every
body was strictly watched, and if q slave
were found outside the limits of his
masters plantation, he would be liable
to show by what right he was out of
place. L was put to work in O ship
yard, and commenced to learn the bust
ness OF shlp-carpentering and caulking.
Here L had frequent intercourse with
sailors, and in them / thought discov-
cred feeling of sympathy and kindness.
Although the difficulties and obstacles
against escape were apparently insur-
mountable, L conceived an idea that /
could secure my release by dressing in
sailors clothing and making a surrepti-
tious retreat. But I had no papers by
which could pass from place to place.
Fortunately, l met with man named
Stanley, who lived in Baltimore and
who was free. He resembled me in
stature, and from him [ obtained suit
OF sailors clothes, and his protection
papers, and in this apparel, provided
with the necessary articles, ], in Sep
TENDER, 1888, secured my liberty. got
Isaac Rhodes to take my bundle, and,
by arrangement, after the train started
he threw it in, and [ ran after and
Jumped on the car. Ii compelled to buy
a ticket, it would have been necessary to
undergo the most rigid examination, and
all description in the papers must CORE
spond exactly with the marks on my
person. Accordingly, the scheme was
carried out, and l soon arrived at Will
mlngton. Here / met Frederick Skein.
for whom [ had worked, but I was SO
perfectly disguised that he did not know
me. In few moments the train from
Philadelphia, bound south, arrived, and
on this was Capt. MCGOWAN, of the Rev
enue Cutter, of Baltimore, whom [ had
known intimately, and who also had 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
III an arrogant manner, told me kindly
that he supposed 1 had my free papers.
l responded in the negative, but his sur
prise was great, and his indignation not
apparent, when / told him that my only
pass was an American Eagle. Looking
upon it, he stated that I was all right,
: and with this assurance I came through
to Philadelphia, and proceeded to New
York. L got there at 2 O'Clock, and
strayed about and slept in the streets
} until morning. [ did not know that |
1 had a friend there, but on the next morn
ing met Isaac Dixon, at whose house
r had lived in Baltimore, and he referred
me to David Ruggles, a philanthropist
( and generous-m minded citizen. While in
, the city, where [ remained several days,
: [ visited the Tombs, and there I saw
[ Isaac Hopper, who, for the great offense
1 of assisting 'Tom,' well-known char
acter, in making his escape, was under
going trial"
/ Mr.. Douglass said be had kept this
S story secret until this time, because the
S conductor who allowed him to pass from
e Baltimore to Philadelphia would have
r been responsible to his master for the
e pecuniary extent of the loss sustained
: and because he did not want to expose
his friend Stanley, and because he did
! not want shareholders to know that
! slaves had any methods of escape His
a freedom, he said, was honorably pur-
D chased by British gold, $3.50 having beer
paid for him by friend of his in En-
gland, and the negotiations having beer
1 conducted by the Hon. VIM. Meredith
l of this city, who is at present the pre-
siding officer of the Convention for the
Revision of the State Constitution
which is now in session. -Philadelphio
| LETTER.