Frederick Douglass Sydney H. Gay, August 13, 1847
FREDERICK DOUGLASS TO SYDNEY H. GAY
Pittsburgh, Pa. 13 Aug[ust] 1847.
MY DEAR GAY.
Pardon my neglect in not having written to you before now respecting my proposed alliance with the [“]Ram’s—Horn”. I wish you carefully to examine the Books of the establishment—and if you find that the publication
of the paper be not likely to involve me in monetary obligations and the payment of debts—already contracted by the publishers of that paper, you may draw up an agreement, with Mr. Vanrensselaer1Thomas Van Rensselaer. in writing making me a third party to concirn for six months after the agreement shall be mutually signed. But should you find that the concim is in debt, I beg you will make no arrangement whatever—further than that—I will act as a corrisponding Editor of that paper without compensation so long as I may find it conveenent so to do—and that I will not take upon me any pecuniary responsibilty—except to make the concirn a donation of $25—if such a donation may be needed by the publishers.—
In great haste Yours sincerely—
F. DOUGLASS
ALS: Gay-Otis Family Papers, NNC.