Frederick Douglass

Introduction

September 3, 1838, dawned as any other day in Baltimore. But for Frederick Douglass, this day would be unlike any other he had ever experienced.

In his pocket were the borrowed identification papers of a free black sailor. These papers were a lifeline, but they also posed a significant risk. The papers didn’t resemble Frederick. But they held an authority, the American eagle imprinted on the document. Frederick hoped that would be enough to see him through. It also helped that he was dressed in the style of a sailor and had the knowledge of one. There tended to be a kindness towards sailors. Though Frederick was not one himself, he understood the profession well.

“My knowledge of ships and sailor’s talk came much to my assistance, for I knew a ship from stem to stern, and from keelson to cross-trees, and could talk sailor like an ‘old salt,’” he would say.

As he approached the train station, the moment’s weight bore down on him. But steadying his nerves, he boarded the train as it was already departing from the station.

The rhythmic chugging of the train echoed the pounding of Frederick’s heart. He was anxious. The train moved fast but felt slow. Then, the conductor came to check Frederick’s papers and collect the fare. This was the moment Frederick was worried about.