Frederick Douglass Gerrit Smith, April 12, 1856
FREDERICK DOUGLASS TO GERRIT SMITH
Rochester[, N.Y.] 12 April 1856[.]
HON. GERRIT SMITH
MY DEAR SIR.
My throat is better1A notice posted in the 2 March 1856 issue of Frederick Douglass’ Paper announced that Douglass, having returned “from his recent arduous and protracted tour," was ill and unable to answer his correspondence. Douglass suffered from a “throat disorder," which he mentioned in a letter to Smith dated 22 March 1856. In another letter to Smith, dated 16 April 1856, Douglass stated that he would not be making a planned trip to Watertown because he had lost his voice. Douglass to Gerrit Smith, 22 March, 16 April 1856; FDP, 2 March 1856; Douglass Papers, ser. 1, 3:xxv.
—and for ten days I have been out on a lecturing
tour—I am now quite hoarse—and am [illegible] to lecture in Water-
town Jefferson Co2Douglass did not make his lecture appointment in Watertown, as he related in his letter to Gerrit Smith dated 16 April 1856, printed later in this volume: “I did not go to Watertown as I told you. My voice forsook me two days before and is just returning.” Watertown, New York, was the seat of Jefferson County, located approximately 160 miles west-northwest of Albany and 86 miles north-northwest of Utica. Douglass to Gerrit Smith, 16 April 1856, Gerrit Smith Papers, NSyU; Thomas and Baldwin, Lippincott’s Gazetteer, 2:2082.—Tues day and Wednesday of next week. My meetings are fully attended, and I beleave, make a good impression for the
cause. I however, find it hard work to get new Subscribers—or to keep
old ones—and my list has fallen off considerably—from what it was last
year—The coming presidential Campaign will Severely try, and perhaps
break down my paper. Radical Abolitionism—is too far a head of these
degenerate times—to be well Supported. I Shall, however nail my colors
to the maSt—and 1f I go down—1it will be with all colors flying. I Shall not
be able to be preSent at our nominating Convention in Syracuse3The first Radical Abolitionist Convention was held at city hall in Syracuse, New York, on
26-28 June 1855. Gerrit Smith was named the party’s nominee for the 1856 presidential election. A second party convention was called for on 28 May 1856, again at Syracuse’s city hall. Douglass Papers, ser. 1, 3:xxv, 134-42; Foner, Life and Writings, 5:385-90; Stauffer, Black Hearts of Men, 8-9, 20; EAAH, 3:89.—I have
appointments in Ohio at that time.4Douglass spoke at the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society meeting at Corinthian Hall on 22 May 1856. It is unknown what other speaking engagements he had in late May, but he must have rescheduled them, because he spoke at the Radical Abolitionist Convention on the 28th. FDP, 30 May 1856; Douglass Papers, ser. 1, 3:xxv, 114-133. My presence there would be more
important to myself than to any Body else Upon this rely—I Shall stand
by the action of the Convention—unless it Shall be less radical—than I
expect it will be. Please accept my thanks for your kind mention of me,
to the assembled wisdom of the State in your speech on the colored negro suffrage question.
With love to your Dear family yours Truly
FREDERICK DOUGLASS—
ALS: Gerrit Smith Papers, NSyU.