In 1868, friends of Harriet Tubman raised money to aid the former slave in keeping her home in Auburn, N.Y. Frederick Douglass, who lived in nearby Rochester, wrote a letter to Tubman that he knew would be published in support of this effort. Here it is:
Letter from Frederick Douglass. ROCHESTER, August 29, 1868.
DEAR HARRIET: I am glad to know that the story of your eventful life has been written by a kind lady, and that the same is soon to be published. You ask for what you do not need when you call upon me for a word of commendation. I need such words from you far more than you can need them from me, especially where your superior labors and devotion to the cause of the lately enslaved of our land are known as I know them.
The difference between us is very marked. Most that I have done and suffered in the service of our cause has been in public, and I have received much encouragement at every step of the way. You, on the other hand, have labored in a private way. I have wrought in the day—you in the night. I have had the applause of the crowd and the satisfaction that comes of being approved by the multitude, while the most that you have done has been witnessed by a few trembling, scarred, and foot-sore bondmen and women, whom you have led out of the house of bondage, and whose heartfelt “God bless you” has been your only reward. The midnight sky and the silent stars have been the witnesses of your devotion to freedom and of your heroism. Excepting John Brown—of sacred memory—I know of no one who has willingly encountered more perils and hardships to serve our enslaved people than you have. Much that you have done would seem improbable to those who do not know you as I know you. It is to me a great pleasure and a great privilege to bear testimony to your character and your works, and to say to those to whom you may come, that I regard you in every way truthful and trustworthy.
Your friend,
FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
From: Bradford, Sarah Hopkins. Harriet, the Moses of Her People (pp. 110-111). Kindle Edition.
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Such a touching comparison of two roles in emancipation. Has anyone read David Blight’s book on Frederick Douglass?
Here is my review of the book:
https://thereconstructionera.com/book-review-frederick-douglass-prophet-of-freedom-by-david-w-blight/
This post is superb!!!!!! Bravo!!!!
It brings up a good example that the role of women in Black American/slavery-emancipation/etc, etc, history has received far less attention than it ought.
Giving as much attention to the role of women as men in history doubles what the historical record can tell us about the past. Why limit information?
Also, we see Douglass’ own admission that he attempted to put himself forth as ‘the’ focal point through which to view and understand Black American history in the 19th Ce. I do not say that through any sense of disparagement, etc. This was a deliberate strategy of Douglass through which to attack slavery and racism against Black Americans.
It was, in a way, of trying to accrue the aura of ‘personality power’, which I’m convinced he observed/learned/adapted by watching the development of US Presidential candidates and elections, as these took on their more modern, ‘spirited’ form in the same era. One can’t argue he was ambitious; this is certainly not wrong, nor can it be denied he directed it to a good cause, but it’s important to recognise.
But this, for him, was so successful, that he essentially eclipsed in his lifetime and the unfolding historical record. This led to problems at times, as he had disputes with other significant Black American figures in the era, or, his life’s work and approach was at odds with those of others, such as Thomas Morris Chester, Martin Delany and Henry Highland Garnett.
This way of looking at Douglass’, as ‘the’ way to view Black American history has been over-emphasised by Blight, his biographer.
Both his words of respect on Garnett’s death and these to Tubman serve to remind us Douglass never forgot those giving themselves to the same life purpose for which he lived.
A fitting story between fitting figures of history.
Thanks!