J. W. C. Pennington to Frederick Douglass, May 11, 1855

Mr. Editor:–In my last, there occurred a few typographical errors, such as, he "shared his [illegible]," &c., which will appear so obvious to the intelligent, that I shall not attempt further to correct. The main objective of this paper, is to show your readers another specimen of cruelty which I have been called to suffer at the hands of those who profess to be friends of the race. I received it, as you will see, nearly one year since, when I was engaged in that painful struggle for the redemption of my brother, Stephen Pembroke. It is as follows:

Albion, Michigan, June, 1854.

"Dr. Pennington: Sir:–We, friends in the cause of the down trodden slaves who deeply sympathise with all such, and do so especially in the case of your brother, have noticed your appeal to all who thus sympathize and friends in the cause of humanity, to aid in your brother's behalf. But sir, we, although friends to the cause and desire to help in all such worthy causes, cannot do so in this one, in consequence of your countenancing the resolution proposed by Dr. Hatfield in one of our late Conventions in New York, to put off and remain silent in regard to the question (small sin) of slavery, or of its agitation in your church. You there and then said, that any action upon the subject, was undersirable and inexpedient, and that you could concur in the resolutions. If you thus join hands with the pro slavery hypocrites, to thus treat the system of stealing your fellow man and brother, then we desire to say to you that we think it undesirable and inexpedient to offer you our aid in your pretended deep affliction; but would recommend to you to do just the same in your own case–to suspend your painful feelings (so suddenly awakened) for some further time, more befitting when more calm and unexciting. Such we send you as our aid to your pretended deep affliction.

"Your friends. in the cause,"

Albion A. S. Society.

"M.H TUTTLE, Cor. Sec'y."

At first blush, on receiving the above, I supposed it must be a hoax. But on examining the post mark, I became satisfied it was mailed at Albion, Michigan, and hence, one of two things must be true; either some shameless fellow has undertaken to ape an A. S. Society, or else the A. S. Society has offered me, through their impudent Secretary, a gross and cruel insult. Hoping that the former supposition may be true, I shall make this letter short; but in the event the latter should be the real truth, I will only make these points:

1. I made no appeal to Mr. Tuttle or his Society for aid in the redemption of my brother, Stephen Pembroke, from slavery. 2. What he states in regard to my action on Dr. Hatfield's resolution, is not true; and, therefore, the Sec'y is at fault in his logic in a false position as to his mode of controversy, of which he is evidently fond, and seriously liable to me for personal abuse. 3. I received at that time for the relief of my "painful feelings," letters of tender sympathy, enclosing material "aid" from persons of all classes–from members of Congress, ex Governors, &c., down to inmates of orphan schools, varying from $100 to $1,00, which enabled me, in exactly thirty days from the time my brother was taken from New York, to pay $1000 and expenses, and got him back, with a portion of his family which result was made public, and rejoiced in by those who had taken part in rendering aid. 4. But, from that day to this, no word or sentence of congratulation has been received from the worthy Sec'y at Albion. Let the world judge between us.

J. W. C. PENNINGTON.

New York, May, 1855.