J[ames] R[awson] J[ohnson] to Frederick Douglass, July 31, 1855

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DEAR DOUGLASS:—Your paper of July 27th reached me this morning, July 31st. Either my own blunder, or some blunder of your types, makes me say that the Fourth of July speech of Hon. Francis Gillette, at Putnam, Ct., "was neither polished nor finished." I meant to say that it was both polished and finished. But I do not mean any such sort of "polished" as would subtract from its boldness and strength; but it was polished as a shaft to do appropriate execution. This correction is due to the Hon. Mr. Gillette, and to the cause which he advocates.

Mr. C. C. Burleigh has been to see us again. I heard him Saturday evening, 28th inst., at the Quinnebaugh Hall. He stated that the forming "Republican Party" were not radical enough in their positions, though he gave great credit to individuals among them who are far in advance of their party platform. He then frankly stated the position of the Liberty Party, and such as endorsed the recent Syracuse Convention; and he did his work thoroughly and honorably. I would not ask for an amendment. He made an appointment to speak in that Hall the next morning, ("Lord's day,") at the usual hour of morning service. The Hall is but a few rods from our meeting-house. As the hour of service appointed, I asked Mr. Burleigh to occupy my place to give the sermon to the people. He accepted. I conducted the introductory services as usual. Read from the Bible the following passages: "So I returned," &c.—Eccles. iv., 1. "If thou seest the oppression of the poor," &c.—Eccles. v., 8. "Thous shalt not deliver," &c.—xxiii., 15, 16., and the 10th psalm, which thus ends: "The LORD is KING forever. LORD, thou has heard the desire of the humble; thou wilt prepare their heart; thou wilt cause thine ear to hear; so judge the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may NO MORE OPPRESS." We sung:

"The Lord shall cure the afflicted breast, His arm shall vindicate the oppressed, Earth's mightiest tyrant feel his power," Nor sin nor Satan vest them more."

Mr. Burleigh selected as the theme of his speech, "Come out of her many people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues."—Rev. xviii., 4. He preached a good Gospel sermon against church endorsement of American slavery. Rev. Thos. James, of Wrentham, Mass., addressed us in the evening. He sends his regards to you, and hopes soon to be so situated that he can enlist as agent for your paper again. He highly esteems it.

Yours,

J. R. J.