My Bondage and My Freedom

, by Douglass, Frederick; Smith, John David

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ISBN: 9780140439182 | 0140439188
Cover: Paperback
Copyright: 2/4/2003

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"My Bondage and My Freedom," writes John Stauffer in his Foreword, "[is] a deep meditation on the meaning of slavery, race, and freedom, and on the power of faith and literacy, as well as a portrait of an individual and a nation a few years before the Civil War." As his narrative unfolds, Frederick Douglassabolitionist, journalist, orator, and one of the most powerful voices to emerge from the American civil rights movementtransforms himself from slave to fugitive to reformer, leaving behind a legacy of social, intellectual, and political thought. Set from the text of the 1855 first edition, this Modern Library Paperback Classic includes Douglass's original Appendix, composed of excerpts from the author's speeches as well as a letter he wrote to his former master. From the Trade Paperback edition.

Introduction

xix

John David Smith

Notes to the Introduction

xlix

Suggestions for Further Reading

lvii

My Bondage and My Freedom

Editor's Preface

(4)

Introduction

(20)

The Author's Childhood

Place of Birth

(1)

Character of the District

(1)

Time of Birth---My Grandparents

(1)

Character of my Grandmother

(1)

The Log Cabin---Its Charms

(1)

First Knowledge of being a Slave

(1)

Old Master---Griefs and Joys of Childhood

(1)

Comparative Happiness of the Slave-Boy and his White Brother

(2)

The Author Removed from His First Home

The name ``Old Master'' a Terror

(1)

Home Attractions---Dread of being removed from Tuckahoe

(1)

The Journey to Col. Lloyd's Plantation

(1)

Scene on reaching Old Master's

(1)

First Meeting with my Brothers and Sisters

(1)

Departure of Grandmother---Author's Grief

(1)

The Author's Parentage

Author's Father shrouded in Mystery

(1)

My Mother---Her Personal Appearance

(1)

Her Situation---Visits to her Boy

(1)

Cruelty of ``Aunt Katy''---Threatened Starvation

(1)

My Mother's Interference

(1)

Her Death

(1)

Her Love of Knowledge

(1)

Penalty for having a White Father

(2)

A General Survey of the Slave Plantation

Slaveholding Cruelty restrained by Public Opinion

(1)

Isolation of Lloyd's Plantation

(1)

Beyond the reach of Public Opinion

(1)

Religion and Politics alike Excluded

(1)

Natural and Artificial Charms of the Place

(1)

The ``Great House,''

(2)

Etiquette among Slaves

(1)

The Comic Slave-Doctor

(1)

Praying and Flogging

(1)

Business of Old Master

(2)

Sufferings from Hunger

(1)

Jargon of the Plantation

(1)

Family of Col. Lloyd---Mas' Daniel

(1)

Family of Old Master---Social Position

(1)

Gradual Initiation into the Mysteries of Slavery

Growing Acquaintance with Old Master---His Character

(1)

Evils of Unrestrained Passion---A Man of Trouble

(1)

Supposed Obtuseness of Slave-Children

(1)

Brutal Outrage on my Aunt Milly by a drunken Overseer

(1)

Slaveholders' Impatience at Appeals against Cruelty

(1)

Wisdom of appealing to Superiors

(1)

Attempt to break up a Courtship

(1)

Slavery destroys all Incentives to a Virtuous Life

(1)

A Harrowing Scene

(2)

Treatment of Slaves on Lloyd's Plantation

The Author's Early Reflections on Slavery

(1)

Conclusions at which he Arrived

(1)

Presentiment of one day being a Freeman

(1)

Combat between an Overseer and a Slave-Woman

(1)

Nelly's noble Resistance

(1)

Advantages of Resistance

(1)

Mr. Sevier, the brutal Overseer, and his Successors

(1)

Allowance-day on the Home Plantation

(2)

The Singing of the Slaves no Proof of Contentment

(1)

Food and Clothing of the Slaves

(1)

Naked Children

(1)

Nursing Children carried to the Field

(1)

Description of the Cowskin

(1)

Manner of making the Ash Cake---The Dinner Hour

(1)

Contrast at the Great House

(2)

Life in the Great House

Comfort and Luxuries---Elaborate Expenditure

(2)

Men and Maid Servants---Black Aristocracy

(1)

Stable and Carriage House

(1)

Deceptive Character of Slavery

(1)

Slaves and Slaveholders alike Unhappy

(1)

Fretfulness and Capriciousness of Slaveholders

(2)

Whipping of Old Barney by Col. Lloyd

(1)

William Wilks, a supposed son of Col. Lloyd

(2)

Curious Incident---Penalty of telling the Truth

(1)

Preference of Slaves for Rich Masters

(1)

A Chapter of Horrors

Austin Gore---Sketch of his Character

(1)

Absolute Power of Overseers

(1)

Murder of Denby---How it Occurred

(1)

How Gore made Peace with Col. Lloyd

(1)

Murder of a Slave-girl by Mrs. Hicks

(2)

No Laws for the Protection of Slaves can be Enforced

(1)

Personal Treatment of the Author

Miss Lucretia Auld---Her Kindness

(1)

A Battle with ``Ike,'' and its Consequences

(1)

Beams of Sunlight

(1)

Suffering from Cold---How we took our Meals

(1)

Orders to prepare to go to Baltimore---Extraordinary Cleansing

100

(2)

Cousin Tom's Description of Baltimore

102

(1)

The Journey

102

(1)

Arrival at Baltimore

103

(1)

Kindness of my new Mistress---Little Tommy

103

(1)

A Turning Point in my History

104

(1)

Life in Baltimore

City Annoyances---Plantation Regrets

105

(1)

My Improved Condition

106

(1)

Character of my new Master, Hugh Auld

106

(1)

My Occupation---Increased Sensitiveness

107

(1)

Commencement of Learning to Read---Why Discontinued

108

(1)

Master Hugh's Exposition of the true Philosophy of Slavery

108

(1)

Increased Determination to Learn

109

(1)

Contrast between City and Plantation Slaves

109

(1)

Mrs. Hamilton's Brutal Treatment of her Slaves

110

(2)

``A Change Came O'er the Spirit of My Dream.''

Knowledge Acquired by Stealth

112

(1)

My Mistress---Her Slaveholding Duties

113

(1)

Deplorable Effects on her Character

114

(1)

How I pursued my Education---My Tutors

115

(1)

My Deliberations on the Character of Slavery

115

(1)

The Columbian Orator and its Lessons

116

(1)

Speeches of Chatham, Sheridan, Pitt, and Fox

117

(1)

Knowledge ever Increasing---My Eyes Opened

118

(1)

How I pined for Liberty

118

(1)

Dissatisfaction of my poor Mistress

119

(1)

Religious Nature Awakened

Abolitionists spoken of

120

(1)

Eagerness to know what the word meant

121

(1)

The Enigma solved---Turner's Insurrection

122

(1)

First Awakened on the subject of Religion

122

(2)

My Friend Lawson---His Character and Occupation

124

(1)

Comfort Derived from his Teaching

124

(1)

New Hopes and Aspirations

124

(1)

The Irishmen on the Wharf---Their Sympathy

125

(1)

How I learned to Write

126

(1)

The Vicissitudes of Slave Life

Death of Young Master Richard

127

(1)

Author's Presence required at the Division of Old Master's Property

128

(1)

Attachment of Slaves to their Homes

128

(1)

Sad Prospects and Grief

129

(1)

General Dread of Master Andrew---His Cruelty

129

(2)

Return to Baltimore---Death of Mistress Lucretia

131

(1)

My poor old Grandmother---Her sad Fate

132

(1)

Second Marriage of Master Thomas

133

(1)

Again Removed from Master Hugh's

133

(1)

Regrets at Leaving Baltimore

134

(1)

A Plan of Escape Entertained

135

(1)

Experience in St. Michael's

The Village and its Inhabitants

136

(1)

Meteoric Phenomena---Author's Impressions

137

(1)

Character of my new Master and Mistress

138

(1)

Allowance of Food---Sufferings from Hunger

138

(1)

Stealing and its Vindication

139

(1)

A new Profession of Faith

140

(1)

Morality of Free Society has no Application to Slave Society

140

(2)

Southern Camp-Meeting---Master Thomas professes Conversion

142

(1)

Hopes and Suspicions

143

(1)

The Result---Faith and Works entirely at Variance

143

(1)

No more Meal brought from the Mill---Methodist Preachers

144

(1)

Their utter Disregard of the Slaves---An Exception

145

(1)

A Sabbath School Instituted

146

(1)

How broken up and by whom

147

(1)

Cruel Treatment of Cousin Henny

147

(1)

Master Thomas

Differences with Master Thomas, and the Consequences

148

(1)

Edward Covey---His Character

149

(1)

Covey, the Negro Breaker

Journey to my new Master's

150

(1)

Meditations by the way

151

(1)

View of Covey's Residence---The Family

151

(1)

Awkwardness as a Field Hand

152

(1)

First Adventure at Ox Driving

153

(1)

Unruly Animals---Hair-breadth Escapes

154

(1)

Oxen and Men---Points of Similarity

155

(1)

Sent back to the Woods

156

(1)

Covey's Manner of proceeding to Whip

156

(1)

His Cunning and Trickery---Severe Labor

157

(1)

Family Worship

158

(1)

Shocking Contempt for Chastity---An Illustration

159

(1)

Author Broken Down---His only Leisure Time

160

(1)

Freedom of the Ships and his own Slavery Contrasted

161

(1)

Anguish beyond Description

162

(1)

Another Pressure of the Tyrant's Vice

Experience at Covey's summed up

163

(1)

Scene in the Treading Yard

164

(1)

Author taken Ill

165

(1)

Unusual Brutality of Covey

165

(1)

Escape to St. Michael's---Suffering in the Woods

166

(2)

Circumstances Narrated to Master Thomas---His Bearing

168

(1)

The Case Prejudged---Driven back to Covey's

169

(2)

The Last Flogging

A Sleepless Night---Return to Covey's

171

(1)

His Conduct---Again Escape to the Woods

172

(1)

Deplorable Spectacle---Night in the Woods

172

(1)

An Alarm---A Friend, not an Enemy

173

(1)

Sandy's Hospitality---The Ash Cake Supper

173

(1)

A Conjuror---His Advice---The Magic Root

174

(1)

Want of Faith---The Talisman Accepted

175

(1)

Meeting with Covey---His Sunday Face

176

(1)

His Manner on Monday---A Defensive Resolve

176

(1)

A Rough and Tumble Fight

177

(1)

Unexpected Resistance

178

(1)

Covey's Ineffectual Commands for Assistance

179

(1)

The Victory and its Results

180

(1)

Effects upon my own Character

180

(3)

New Relations and Duties

Change of Masters---Resolve to Fight my Way

183

(1)

Ability to read a cause of Prejudice

184

(1)

Manner of Spending the Holidays

184

(1)

The Effects---Sharp hit at Slavery

185

(1)

A Device of Slavery

185

(3)

Difference between Master Freeland and Covey

188

(1)

An Irreligious Master Preferred---The Reasons Why

188

(1)

The Reverend Rigby Hopkins

189

(1)

Catalogue of Floggable Offenses

190

(1)

Rivalry among Slaves Encouraged

191

(1)

Improved Condition at Freeland's

191

(1)

Reasons for continued Discontent

192

(1)

Congenial Society---The Sabbath School

193

(1)

Its Members---Necessity for Secrecy

194

(1)

Affectionate Relations of Master and Pupils

194

(2)

Confidence and Friendship among Slaves

196

(1)

Slavery the Inviter of Vengeance

197

(1)

The Run-Away Plot

New Year's Thoughts and Reflections

198

(1)

Again hired by Freeland

199

(1)

Still Devising Plans for gaining Freedom

199

(1)

A Solemn Vow---Plan Divulged to the Slaves

200

(1)

Arguments in its Support---The Scheme gains Favor

201

(1)

Danger of Discovery---Difficulty of Concealment

202

(1)

Skill of Slaveholders---Suspicion and Coercion

202

(1)

Hymns with a Double Meaning

203

(1)

Author's Confederates---His Influence over them

204

(1)

Preliminary Consultations---Pass-Words

205

(1)

Conflict of Hopes and Fears---Ignorance of Geography

205

(1)

Survey of Imaginary Difficulties

206

(1)

Effect upon our Minds

207

(1)

Sandy becomes a Dreamer

208

(1)

Route to the North laid out---Objections Considered

209

(1)

Frauds Practiced on Freemen---Passes Written

209

(1)

Anxieties as the Time drew near

210

(1)

Appeals to Comrades---A Presentiment

211

(1)

The Betrayal Discovered

211

(1)

Manner of Arresting us

212

(1)

Resistance made by Henry Harris---Its Effects

213

(2)

Unique Speech of Mrs. Freeland

215

(1)

Our Sad Procession to Easton

215

(1)

Passes Eaten---The Examination at St. Michael's

216

(1)

No Evidence Produced---Who was the Betrayer?

217

(1)

Dragged behind Horses---The Jail a Relief

217

(1)

A New set of Tormentors

218

(1)

Release of my Companions

219

(2)

Author taken out of Prison and sent to Baltimore

221

(1)

Apprenticeship Life

Nothing Lost by the Attempt to Run Away

222

(1)

Reasons for sending the Author Away

223

(1)

Unlooked for Clemency in Master Thomas

223

(1)

Return to Baltimore---Change in Little Tommy

224

(1)

Trials in Gardiner's Ship Yard

225

(1)

Desperate Fight with the White Apprentices

225

(1)

Conflict between White and Black Labor

226

(3)

Description of the Outrage

229

(1)

Conduct of Master Hugh

230

(1)

Testimony of a Colored Man Nothing

231

(1)

Spirit of Slavery in Baltimore

232

(1)

Author's Condition Improves

233

(1)

New Associates---Benefits derived therefrom

233

(1)

How to make a Contented Slave

233

(1)

My Escape From Slavery

Manner of Escape not given---Reasons why

234

(1)

Craftiness and Malice of Slaveholders

235

(1)

Want of Wisdom in Publishing Details of Escape

235

(2)

Suspicions Implied by Master Hugh's Manner

237

(1)

Difficulty of Escape---Discontent

238

(1)

Author allowed to Hire his Time

239

(1)

A Gleam of Hope---Hard Terms

239

(1)

Author attends Camp Meeting without Permission

240

(1)

Anger of Master Hugh thereat

240

(2)

Plans of Escape Accelerated thereby

242

(1)

Painful Thoughts of Separation from Friends

242

(1)

The Attempt made---Its Success

243

(4)

Liberty Attained

Author a Wanderer in New York---Feelings on Reaching that City

247

(1)

An Old Acquaintance met

248

(1)

Unfavorable Impressions---Loneliness and Insecurity

249

(1)

Apology for Slaves who Return to their Masters

249

(1)

Make known my Condition---David Ruggles

250

(1)

Author's Marriage---Removal to New Bedford

251

(1)

Kindness of Nathan Johnson---Change of Name

252

(1)

Dark Notions of Northern Civilization enlightened

253

(1)

Contrast between the North and the South

253

(2)

Colored People in New Bedford

255

(1)

An Incident Illustrating their Spirit

255

(1)

The Author finds Employment

256

(1)

Denied Work at his Trade

257

(1)

The first Winter at the North

257

(1)

Proscription in the Church

258

(1)

An Incident at the Communion Table

259

(1)

First Acquaintance with the Liberator

260

(1)

Character of its Editor

260

(2)

Prompt Attendance at Anti-Slavery Meetings

262

(1)

Introduced to the Abolitionists

Anti-Slavery Convention at Nantucket

263

(1)

Author's First Speech

263

(1)

Becomes a Public Lecturer

264

(1)

Youthful Enthusiasm

265

(1)

Difficulties in his Position

266

(1)

His Fugitive Slaveship Doubted

266

(1)

Publishes his Narrative---Danger of Recapture

267

(1)

Advised not to Publish his Story

268

(1)

Twenty-One Months in Great Britain

Good arising out of Unpropitious Events

269

(1)

Embarks for England---Denied Cabin Passage

270

(1)

Mob on board the Cambria---Happy Introduction to the British Public

270

(1)

Letter to Mr. Garrison

271

(2)

``We don't allow Niggers in here,''

273

(2)

Time and Labors Abroad

275

(1)

Freedom Purchased---Free Papers

276

(1)

Abolitionists Displeased with the Ransom

277

(1)

How the Author's Energies were Directed in Great Britain

277

(1)

Reception Speech in Finsbury Chapel, London

278

(1)

Character of the Speech Defended

279

(1)

Causes Contributing to my Success

280

(1)

The Free Church of Scotland---Its Position

281

(1)

Agitation of the Slavery Question

281

(1)

Debates in the General Assembly---``Send back the Money,''

281

(3)

Dr. Cunningham's Speech---A Striking Incident

284

(1)

The World's Temperance Convention---Collision with Dr. Cox

285

(1)

Proposed Testimonial to the Author

285

(1)

Project of Establishing a Newspaper

286

(1)

Return to America---Again Denied Cabin Passage

287

(2)

Various Incidents

Unexpected Opposition to my Newspaper Enterprise

289

(1)

The Objections to it---Their Plausibility Admitted

290

(1)

Motives for going to Rochester

291

(1)

A Change of Opinions---Causes leading to it

291

(3)

Prejudice against Color---The ``Jim Crow Car''

294

(1)

An Amusing Domestic Scene

295

(1)

The Author in High Company

296

(2)

Elevation of the Free People of Color---Pledge for the Future

298

(3)

Appendix. EXTRACTS FROM SPEECHES, ETC.

Reception Speech at Finsbury Chapel, Moorfields, England

301

(16)

Letter to His Old Master

317

(9)

The Nature of Slavery

326

(7)

Inhumanity of Slavery

333

(7)

What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?

340

(5)

The Internal Slave Trade

345

(5)

The Slavery Party

350

(6)

The Anti-Slavery Movement

356

(9)

Explanatory Notes

365

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My Bondage and My Freedom

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials