48

200 LIFE AND TIMES OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS

hundred and fifty pounds sterling, I could not see either a violation of the
laws of morality or of economy. It is true I was not in the possession of my
claimants, and could have remained in England, for my friends would have
generously assisted me in establishing myself there. To this I could not consent.
I felt it my duty to labor and suffer with my oppressed people in my
native land. Considering all the circumstances, the fugitive bill included, I
think now as then, that the very best thing was done in letting Master Hugh
have the money, and thus leave me free to return to my appropriate field of
labor. Had I been a private person, with no relations or duties other than
those of a personal and family nature, I should not have consented to the
payment of so large a sum, for the privilege of living securely under our
glorious republican(?) form of government. I could have lived elsewhere, or
perhaps might have been unobserved even here, but I had become somewhat
notorious, and withal quite as unpopular in some directions as notorious, and
I was therefore much exposed to arrest and capture.*

Having remained abroad nearly two years, and being about to return to

*The following is a copy of these curious papers, both of my transfer from Thomas Auld, and from Hugh to myself:

"Know all men, by these presents: that I, Thomas Auld of Talbot county and state of Maryland,
for an in consideration of the sume of one hundred dollars, current money, to me paid by Hugh Auld, of
the city of Baltimore, in the said state, at and before the sealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt
whereof, I the said Thomas Auld, do hereby acknowledge, have granted, bargained, and sold, and by
these presents do grant, bargain, and sell unto the said Hugh Auld, his executors, administrators, and
assigns, ONE NEGRO MAN, by the name of FREDERICK BAILEY or DOUGLASS as he calls himself, he is now
about twenty-eight years of age— to have and to hold the said negro man for life. And I the said Thomas
Auld, for myself, my heirs, executors, and administrators, all and singular, the said FREDERICK BAILEY
alias DOUGLASS unto the said Hugh Auld, his executors, and administrators, and against all and every
other person or persons whatsoever, shall and will warrant and forever defend by these presents. In witness
whereof, I set my hand and seal, this thirteenth day of November, eighteen hundred and forty-six
(1846).

THOMAS AULD.

"Signed, sealed, and delivered, in the presence of Wrightson Jones, John L. Sears."

The authenticity of this bill of sale is attested by N. Harrington, a justice of the peace of the state
of Maryland, and for the county of Talbot, dated same as above.

"To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, Hugh Auld, of the city of Baltimore, in Baltimore
county in the state of Maryland, for divers good causes and considerations, me thereunto moving, have
released from slavery, liberated, manumitted, and set free, and by these presents do hereby release from
slavery, liberate, manumit, and set free, MY NEGRO MAN, named FREDERICK BAILEY, otherwise called
DOUGLASS, being of the age of twenty-eight years, or thereabouts, and able to work and gain a sufficient
livelihood and maintenance; and him the said negro man, named FREDERICK DOUGLASS, I do declare to be
henceforth free, manumitted, and discharged from all manner of servitude to me, my executors and
administrators forever.

"In witness whereof, I the said Hugh Auld, have hereunto set my hand and seal the fifth of
December, in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty-six.

HUGH AULD

"Sealed and delivered in presence of T. Hanson Belt, James N.S.T. Wright."