Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-02-21

Finally. in September. 1888. he fled from
Baltimore and made his way to New York
and thence to New Bedford Mass. taking
up his residence in the latter place, where
he supported himself by day labor. He
married Annie Murray, a free woman.
While in New Bedford he changed his name
from Lloyd to Douglass. At that time the
slavery question was being discussed In
New England, and Mr.. Douglass force and
elCquence as public speaker was soon
recognized, and he was soon regularly en-
plcyed as the agent of the Massachusetts
Arti-Slavery Society and travelled through
out New England delivering lectures.
First Visit to Europe.
He had the friendship of William Lloyd
Garrison. who aided him in his efforts to
secure an education. In 1915 he went to
Europe. where he lectured on slavery. and
the following year the sum of $3.50 was con-
tributed by friends in England to purchase
his liberty He returned to the United
States free man, and in 1SiI he began the
publication of a newspaper in Rochester,
N. Y. which was known as the North Star.
He WAS indicted in 1859 for completely in
the John Brown raid. and he went to Eng
land. where he remained for several
months.
At the outbreak Of the war he returned
and took an active part in inducing Presi-
dent Lincoln to arm the slaves. He as
sisted in raising several colored regiments
in Massachusetts. He advocated the COM
plete enfranchiS, ment of the colored race,
and became involved in a controversy with
President Johnson on that subject. He con-
tfnued on the lecture platform. and in 1870
he became the editor of the new National
Era. which was published in this city. In
1871 he was appointed assistant secretary
to the commission to San Domingo to as
certain the wishes of the people of that
country regarding annexation with this
country. Upon the completion of this mis-
sion he was appointed a member OF the
nf he fnrr al iaSyiSl cty nf
the District. He was presidential electOr-
at-large for the state Of New York in 1872.
and was appointed to carry the electoral
vote of the state to this city He made his
permanent home here, and here he spent
the balance of his life.
Offices in This District.
He was appointed United States marshal
of the District by President Hayes in 1877,
and upon the election Of President Garfield
the latter made him recorder of deeds for
the District. He held the latter place until
1856. His first wife died in 1882, and in
1884 he married a white woman. Miss Helen
Pitts who survives him. She had been en-
ployed as clerk in the Office of recorder
of deeds. The marriage created a great
deal of comment at the time both among
the white people and those of his own race.
He made another visit to England in 1856.
and i'll 1889 was appointed by President
Harrison minister to Hayti. This was the
held. although in 1892 he was appointed by
Hayu as one of her two commissioners to
the worlds fair.
The closing years Of his life have been
spent at his home in Anacostia. The house
is Il comfortable structure of frame, sur
rounded by large grounds. Mr.. Douglass
was a man of considerable means. In addi-
ton to his lectures and newspaper writings,
Mr.. Douglass was the author of several
books. His published works are entitled
Narrative of My Experience in Slavery
Boston. 1S4D: My Bondage and My Free
DOM dorchester. 1850. and Life and
Times OF Frederick Douglass (Hartford.
lSS1).
of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
but withdrew from active membership. OF
late years he has been regular attendant
IN the services of that church.
Mr.. Douglass leaves three children by his
first marriag@I4ouis H. Douglass and
Charles Douglass of this city and Mrs. r.
Sprague of Takoma Park.
Fred. Douglass and Andrew johnson.
The answer by Mr.. Douglass to Presi-
dent Johnson's famous proclamation Of
himself as the Moses who was to lead the
colored race to the promised land Illus
trated his remarkable powers of clear
statement, and incisive. yet dignif1ed ar
gument. Mr.. Johnson seemed but q pig
my In the hands of an athlete in this bout
with Mr.. Douglass.