MORAN OF THE LADY LETTY(莱提女士的莫兰).pdf

MY ESCAPE FROM SLAVERY
MY ESCAPE FROM
SLAVERY
By Douglass, Frederick.
1
MY ESCAPE FROM SLAVERY
In the first narrative of my experience in slavery, written nearly forty
years ago, and in various writings since, I have given the public what I
considered very good reasons for withholding the manner of my escape.
In substance these reasons were, first, that such publication at any time
during the existence of slavery might be used by the master against the
slave, and prevent the future escape of any who might adopt the same
means that I did. The second reason was, if possible, still more binding to
silence: the publication of details would certainly have put in peril the
persons and property of those who assisted. Murder itself was not more
sternly and certainly punished in the State of Maryland than that of aiding
and abetting the escape of a slave. Many colored men, for no other crime
than that of giving aid to a fugitive slave, have, like Charles T. Torrey,
perished in prison. The abolition of slavery in my native State and
throughout the country, and the lapse of time, render the caution hitherto
observed no longer necessary. But even since the abolition of slavery, I
have sometimes thought it well enough to baffle curiosity by saying that
while slavery existed there were good reasons for not telling the manner of
my escape, and since slavery had ceased to exist, there was no reason for
telling it. I shall now, however, cease to avail myself of this formula, and,
as far as I can, endeavor to satisfy this very natural curiosity. I should,
perhaps, have yielded to that feeling sooner, had there been anything very
heroic or thrilling in the incidents connected with my escape, for I am
sorry to say I have nothing of that sort to tell; and yet the courage that
could risk betrayal and the bravery which was ready to encounter death, if
need be, in pursuit of freedom, were essential features in the undertaking.
My ess was due to address ra