y to the inhabitants of the deep. But
a resolute captain and a few friends were able to reduce the wrath of
the Southerners to a minimum. The occurrence on shipboard duly found
its way into the public journals of London; and the Southern gentlemen
in an attempt to justify their conduct in a card drew upon themselves
the wrath of the United Kingdom of Great Britain, and gave Mr.
Douglass an advertisement such as he could never have secured
otherwise.

Mr. Douglass spent nearly two years in Europe lecturing and writing in
the cause of anti-slavery. He made a profound impression and helped
the anti-slavery cause amazingly.

During his absence he wrote an occasional letter to the editor of the
"Liberator," and the first is, for composition, vigorous English,
symbols of thought, similes, and irony, superior to any letter he ever
wrote before or since. It bore date of January 1, 1846.

"MY DEAR FRIEND GARRISON: Up to this time I have given no direct
expression of the views, feelings, and opinions which I have
formed, respecting the character and condition of the people of
this land. I have refrained thus, purposely. I wish to speak
advisedly, and in order to do this, I have waited till, I trust,
experience has brought my opinions to an intelligent maturity. I
have been thus careful, not because I think what I say will have
much effect in shaping the opinions of the world, but because
whatever of influence I may possess, whether little or much, I
wish it to go in the right direction, and according to truth. I
hardly need say that, in speaking of Ireland, I shall be
influenced by no prejudices in favor of America. I think my
circumstances all forbid that. I have no end to serve, no creed
to uphold, no government to defend; and as to nation, I belong to
none. I have no protection at home, or resting-place abroad. The
land of my birth welcomes me to her shores only as a slave, and
spurns with contempt the idea of treating me differently; so that
I am an outcast from the society of my childhood, and an outlaw
in the land of my birth. 'I am a stranger with thee, and a
sojourner, as all my fathers were.' That men should be patriotic,
is to me perfectly natural; and as a philosophical fact, I am
able to give it an _intellectual_ recognition. But no further can
I go. If ever I had any patriotism, or any capacity for th