JOHN BROWN, JR., TO FREDERICK DOUGLASS

[Troy, N.Y. 15 December 1851].

FRIEND DOUGLASS:—

I have little further to add than to enclose an additional $2 bill for your paper, to be sent to me at Vernon, Trumbull County, Ohio, and to express my joy that you are bringing the strong batteries of fundamental constitutional law to bear upon the injustice of our government. I am glad that there is one paper in existence whose mission is to teach the people of this land what law is, and that that paper is your own. Perhaps on no other question of equal importance are our people more ignorant.—They have not yet learned to distinguish between statutes or enactments and law. The work is a great one in which you are engaged. You may meet with much to discourage you; yet in time the lesson will be learned, the principles of justice, of right, national, eternal right, will triumph. There are many at the West who are ready to take the ground advocated by Gerrit Smith, yourself and others, and if we can only get these views you hold thoroughly disseminated among our people, it would not long be said that the Liberty Party comprises only “a baker’s dozen.”¹A baker’s dozen is thirteen counted as twelve. Eric Partridge, A Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English, 6th ed. (New York, 1967), 26.

I will if I can, get some subscribers for you on my return to Ohio. I, for one, am resolved to vote for the Liberty candidate if I cannot get another in my town to join me.

With best wishes, I am Faithfully yours,

JOHN BROWN, JR.