FREDERICK DOUGLASS TO SUSAN FARLEY PORTERPorter, Susan Farley

After her marriage to land agent Samuel D. Porter in 1835, Susan Farley Porter (1812–80) moved from Waldoboro, Maine, to Rochester, New York, where she became one of the city’s most active reformers. Among the founders of the Bethel Free Church and Rochester Orphan Asylum Association, she was also a member of the Rochester Female Charitable Society, an author of the constitution for the Home for Friendless and Virtuous Females, and president of the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society. The Porters aided fugitive slaves in crossing the border into Canada, and their barn was reputed to be a common hiding place. FDP, 11 March 1852; 1850 U.S. Census, New York, Monroe County, Rochester, 3rd Ward, 92; Nancy Hewitt, Women’s Activism and Social Change: Rochester, New York, 1822-1872, (Ithaca, N.Y., 1984), 55-56, 59-60, 111, 119-20, 149, 180, 206; Dexter Perkins, "Rochester One Hundred Years Ago," RH, 1:1-24 (July 1939).

Rochester, [N.Y.] 27 March 1852.
Mrs. S. D. Porter:

To the president of the Rochester Ladies A. S. Society

DEAR MADAM,

It is with sentiments of profound gratitude I acknowledge the reciept of two hundred and thirty three dollars, from the Treasurer of the “Ladies’ Antislavery Sewing Society,” and I beg that you will accept, for yourself, and for the excellent Ladies composing the Society, my heartfelt thanks, not more for the valuable donation, than for the kind appreciation of my Labor which it implies. Like most other Antislavery Journals, mine continues to need pecuniary support, over and above that, which is derived from its Subscription List; but for such aid, coming often in the moment of extreme need want, my enterprise must have, long since, perished; and the proslavery world would have again, had occasion to rejoice, at the failure of another press, under the management of a colored man.

Thank God! My Journal yet continues, and there is still a witness—of the sable race in the field;—humbly asserting emancipation for the slave, and progress for the free. It is gratifying to know that the Society which you represent, look kindly on this effort in behalf of my enslaved, slandered, and persecuted people, and that they do not, in a sectarian spirit, withdraw all support from my paper—because I am a “Liberty Party” man and think I can give a more direct vote against slavery by acting with that party—than by voting with any other.

Allow me to say that my spirit has been greatly cheered—by observing your enlightened Liberality, and your self denying Labors; and I rejoice to know that, niether you nor the Society over which you preside, are weary in well doing; and that you and they are resolved to press forward in the holy cause which you have espoused so earnestly, and have labored for so successfully.

It is to the Rochester “Ladies’ Antislavery Sewing Society” that I look for important services to the Antislavery cause in Rochester. The work of enlightening the mind, and improving the moral sense of this community, on the subject of human freedom,—seems, Providentially, committed to your society. It is for you to call conventions—secure the attendance of eloquent speakers, and make all needful arrangements—for the spread of antislavery truth here. Should you fail to do this—the work must fail, or others will take it up. At present you have the field to yourselves; and it is

meet that you should occupy it. Should you stand firm, always cultivating the truly catholic spirit which, has thus far, so beautifully characterised the proceedings of your society, you may hope to unite with you, all the useful friends of Antislavery in this community. Such an union of strength would be none too great for the work required to be done—since we, who feel for those “in bonds as bound with them;”²Heb. 13:3. are yet but a handful, when compared with our whole population. The friends of this cause are sometimes told, by those who know not the happiness that flows from disinterested and self-denying Labors, that our their efforts are useless—that the Nation is, even now, more impenitent than ten years ago. Little do such persons know of the true mission to which we are called; and of the spirit and power by which we are supported. What, to them, is a reason for giving up our efforts in this cause, is to us, a reason for clinging more firmly to that cause—and encreasing our efforts for its triumph.

We are only called upon to do “our duty”—and to leave, with the Eternal Father, the honor and glory of all our endeavors.

Hoping, Dear Madam,—ever to remain worthy of the kind co—operation of the Society over which you preside, I beg you to believe me, very truly your grateful friend.

FREDERICK DOUGLASS.

ALS: Porter Family Papers, NRU. PLSr: Foner, Life and Writings, 2:175–76. PLfSr: FDP, 1 April 1852.