Frederick Douglass Salmon P. Chase, May 30, 1850
FREDERICK DOUGLASS TO SALMON P. CHASE
Rochester, [N.Y.] 30 May 1850.
Hon. S. P. Chase.
MY DEAR SIR,
I feel honored by the receipt of your favor of 4th May,1Salmon P. Chase’s 4 May 1850 letter to Douglass appears in this volume. and should have replied to it sooner, but for my absence from home.2Douglass traveled to New York City for the anniversary meeting of the American Anti-Slavery Society, which was held at the Broadway Tabernacle on 7 May 1850. He remained in the city for another week to attend a fundraising fair for the benefit of the North Star. NS, 16 May 1850. Please accept my thanks for the donation of five dollars as well for its morale as for its intrinsic value.
On the subject, on which you have done me the honor to ask my views, I have taken the liberty to enclose two articles from my pen—originally published in my paper, the “North Star.” The article under the caption “The destiny of Colored Americans,”3Douglass published the editorial “The Destiny of Colored Americans” in the 16 November 1849 issue of the North Star. although not as elaborate and as well supported by argument as it might easily have been, contains my present opinion, as to the probability of our remaining in this country. You will observe that, in my speculation, I make no reference to Climate and its influence in determining the question of our destiny. It is my humble opinion that this is a question with which climate and geography have but little to do. Experience, I think, has demonstrated beyond all reasonable doubts, that the black’ s man’s constitution as readily adapts itself to one climate as another. I think that the causes likely to influence or affect our destiny, are wholly moral and political, and although these do not appear very favorable to our remaining here—viewed unconnected with the parts—yet I think there has been no time in the history of our country when there were more favorable indications than are to be seen at this day.
Most gratefully yours
FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
ALS: Chase Papers, DLC. PLSr: Foner, Life and Writings, 2:120–21; Chase, Chase Papers, 2:296–97.