Frederick Douglass: A Lifetime Of Achievement

10 Pages 2616 Words

and newspapers. On his errands he paid for lessons from poor white children with bread pieces. He slowly learned to read and write. He was eventually able to buy The Columbian Orator. This was a collection of essays dealing with democracy, liberty, and courage. This inspired Frederick. He began to hate slavery. He was thirteen years old when he was sent back to the plantation to be divided in the property dispute. Lucretia Auld chose him and sent him back to Baltimore. Not even a year later, he was sent back to the plantation.
Frederick was put to work in the fields again. His master Thomas Auld starved his slaves. Instead of being down and giving up Frederick organized Sunday services for the slaves in Saint Michaels. Thomas Auld led a mob to stop the services. He felt that Frederick needed to be “broke”.
Frederick was sent to a man who was known for breaking slaves. This man was Edward Covey. Covey’s slaves were worked from dawn to dusk. If they were found not working they were beat severely. One day Frederick was so exhausted that he collapsed. Covey tried to beat him, but was beat himself. After working on Covey’s farm for a year he was sent to William Freeland. Even though Freeland was a kind master Frederick still wanted his freedom. He plotted his escape. The escape plan was complete and to be carried out Easter of 1863. The plan failed. Frederick was thrown in jail.
Frederick was sent back to Hugh Auld in Baltimore. He was eighteen years old and strong. Auld allowed him to apprentice as a caulker. He became a highly skilled caulker. Frederick was paid for his work, but was forced to give all his pay to Hugh Auld. Frederick was resentful for this. During this time he met with the East Baltimore Mental Improvement Society. This is where he learned to debate. He also met his future wife Anna Murray. They were engaged in 1838. During his courtship he realized how much he hated being...