An open letter Douglass wrote in 1848 to Thomas Auld, his former master, on the tenth anniversary of his escape from slavery to freedom. The letter reflects the powerful impact of the moral rights reflected in the Declaration of Independence. In his speech “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” delivered on July 5, 1852, Douglass makes the connection explicit with his passionate contrast between the ideals of the Declaration of Independence and the reality of slavery. He cites the “self-evident truths that all men are created equal”. And asserts the great promise and potential of the principles of the Declaration of Independence for all Americans.
Excerpt:
Sir:
… When yet but a child about six years old, I imbibed the determination to run away. The very first mental effort that I now remember on my part, was an attempt to solve the mystery, Why am I a slave? …
I had, through some medium, I know not what, got some idea of God, the Creator of all mankind, the black and the white, and that he had made the blacks to serve the whites as slaves. How he could do this and be good, I could not tell. I was not satisfied with this theory, which made God responsible for slavery, for it pained me greatly …
… I resolved that I would some day run away. The morality of the act, I dispose as follows: I am myself; you are yourself; we are two distinct persons, equal persons. What you are, I am. You are a man, and so am I. God created both, and made us separate beings. I am not by nature bound to you, or you to me. Nature does not make your existence depend upon me, or mine to depend upon yours. I cannot walk upon your legs, or you upon mine. I cannot breathe for you, or you for me; I must breathe for myself, and you for yourself. We are distinct persons, and are each equally provided with faculties necessary to our individual existence. In leaving you, I took nothing but what belonged to me, and in no way lessened your means for obtaining an honest living. Your faculties remained yours, and mine became useful to their rightful owner. I therefore see no wrong in any part of the transaction.
It is true, I went off secretly, but that was more your fault than mine. Had I let you into the secret, you would have defeated the enterprise entirely …
In doing this I entertain no malice towards you personally. … Indeed, I should esteem it a privilege, to set you an example as to how mankind ought to treat each other.
I am your fellow man, but not your slave,
FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
[Sources: Frederick Douglas: Selected Speeches and Writings. Also online at https://www.stephenhicks.org/2023/02/02/frederick-douglass-letter-to-his-former-master/.]