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Frederick Douglass Amy Post, October 28, 1847

1

FREDERICK DOUGLASS TO AMY POST

Boston, [Mass.] 28 Oct[ober] 1847.

MY DEAR AMY,

I have finally decided on publishing the North Star in Rochester, and to make that city my future home.1 In November 1847, after completing his speaking tour of the western states, Douglass moved to Rochester, New York, to prepare publication of the North Star. By locating his newspaper in Rochester, Douglass established his independence from William Lloyd Garrison and the New England Garrisonian abolitionists. The Rochester region of western New York was known as a hotbed of reform and as the final stop on the Underground Railroad. The political abolitionists and other reformers in the area offered significant encouragement and support for Douglass’s publication. The first issue of the North Star appeared on 3 December 1847. In February 1848, Douglass returned to Lynn, Massachusetts, to retrieve his family, who boarded in Rochester until Douglass could purchase a house. Two months later, the Douglass family moved into their home at 4 Alexander Street, in the midst of white neighbors. Rochester society at first gave Douglass and his family a less than enthusiastic welcome, but the rave reception of his paper by other printers and journalists in the city soon smoothed the way for their acceptance. NS, 21 January, 5 February 1848; Horton and Horton, In Hope of Liberty, 250–51. I am now buying type and all the little &c.s of a printing establishment. I shall probably be able to essue my first number as early as the Middle of November, any delay can only do the enterprise harm, I have therefore resolved to commence at once. As I shall see you soon, and having no time now must delay further communication till I see you. My best love to every member of your family.

Yours Sincerely

F. DOUGLASS

ALS: Post Family Papers, NRU.

Creator

Douglass, Frederick

Date

1847-10-28

Publisher

Yale University Press 2009

Type

Letters

Publication Status

Published