Frederick Douglass Gerrit Smith, March 18, 1849
FREDERICK DOUGLASS TO GERRIT SMITH
Rochester, [N.Y.] 18 March 1849.
Gerrit Smith.
MY DEAR SIR,
I very much regret the publication of your letter in the “North Star” of last week.1In a letter dated 9 February 1849, Gerrit Smith criticized Douglass’s contention that the U.S. Constitution was a proslavery document. That letter appears in this volume. NS, 16 March 1849. Had I dreamed that it was merely a private friendly letter, intended
for myself only it should have been held sacred. I shall of course publish the letter just come to hand unless otherwise directed by yourself.
You will of course excuse—my mistake and believe me sincerely and gratefully yours in the cause of Rightious Liberty
FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
ALS: Gerrit Smith Papers, NSyU.