Canandaguia, Sept. 29, 1850.

Friend Douglass.ーThis has truly become a land of oppression and slavery. My mind was never so much convinced of that fact, until after the fugitive slave bill became a law. Formerly the poor panting slave had some chance of escaping, even if his master did get hold of him; (in what is called a free State;) now he has none. The oath of every vile man-stealer is considered sufficient evidence in Court to deprive a man of his liberty for life. This is American libertyーthis American freedom of the 19th century. We may talk of oppressions in monarchical Europe as much as we please, but they all fall to the ground when compared to the slavery of republican America, that boasted land of freedom where hundreds of ministers of the gospel tell you every Sabbath that in this happy land every man can sit under his own vine and fig tree, none daring to make him afraid, when at the same time hundreds of men and women in the Southern States are pursued with dogs and guns, and shot down like wild cats if they do not stand till their masters overtake them; and while the bloody lash is continually cutting up the flesh of poor suffering humanity, still these ministers cry all is peace and happiness. O liberty what crimes are committed in thy name!

Yours respectfully,

S. Brown.