FREDERICK DOUGLASS TO GERRIT SMITH

Rochester, [N.Y.] 10 June 1851.

Gerrit Smith Esq.

MY DEAR SIR—

I am most thankful—for your ready compliance with my request for two hundred dollars; and, also, for the good letter you have sent me for my New paper. I have been absent from home,¹No other record has been found of Douglass’s traveling immediately prior to writing this letter. and got somewhat behind in my work: otherwise, I should have written immediately on the reciept of your letter, containing the money order.

It will be impossible to get the new paper out before the 26th June. The prospectus for it will be published to day in the “Star”²Douglass published an editorial in the North Star on 12 June 1851 announcing the impending merger of his paper with the Liberty Party Paper and possibly the Impartial Citizen. The first issue of Frederick Douglass’ Paper appeared on 26 June 1851. and will be at once forwarded to you. I do hope you will be pleased with it.

Julia Griffith,—my faithful friend, and co worker,—(to whom I am greatly indebted for many lessons of wisdom—) is all zeal in our new enterprize.

The call of L Party Convention,³Gerrit Smith held a national nominating convention for the Liberty party in Buffalo on 17 and 18 September 1851. The call for this convention appeared in the inaugural issue of Frederick Douglass’ Paper on 26 June 1851. FDP, 4, 25 September, 20 October 1851; New York Daily Times, 19 September 1851; New York Daily Tribune, 19 September 1851; Douglass Papers, ser. 1, 2:337–41. shall appear next week. Thomas⁴John Thomas. shall be written to come on here next Monday.

In great haste Yours most faithfully and affectionately

FREDERICK DOUGLAS

ALS: Gerrit Smith Papers, NSyU.