Frederick Douglass, answered from the texts and cited to the page.
English friends raised the money and bought my freedom, and I was glad of it. The objection is that paying admitted the right; it admitted nothing but the power. A man walking past a highwayman's pistol who hands over his purse has not conceded that robbery is lawful. I had a wife and children and a price on my head, and I chose to be able to work in my own country rather than to be a fugitive in someone else's.123
In witness whereof, I set my hand and seal, this thirteenth day of November, eighteen hundred and fort3 T -six. THOMAS AULD. "Signed, sealed, and delivered in presence of "Wrightson Jones. "JOHN C. LEAS." The authenticity of this bill of sale is attested by N. Harrington, a justice of the peace of the state of Maryland, and for the county of Talbot, dated same day as above.My Bondage and My Freedom, pp. 375–376
But books on England are abundant, and the public may, therefore, dismiss any fear that I am meditating another infliction in that line; though, in truth, I should like much to write a book on those countries, if for nothing else, to make grateful mention of the many dear friends, whose benevolent ac- tions toward me are ineffaceably stamped upon my memory, and warmly treasured in my heart.My Bondage and My Freedom, p. 374
To this end, I visited and lectured in nearly all the large towns and cities in the United Kingdom, and enjoyed many favorable opportunities for observation and information. I should like to write a book on those countries, if for nothing else, to make grateful mention of the many dear friends whose benevolent actions towards me are ineffaceably stamped upon my memory, and warmly treasured in my heart.Life and Times of Frederick Douglass
Contested by Garrisonian purists at the time, who held that the transaction recognised the legitimacy of the claim, and still raised as the first evidence of a pragmatic streak that would later take him to the Constitution and to federal office.