Frederick douglass in galt

Before the american civil war, and almost a decade before confederation, abolitionist and former slave frederick douglass visited galt (present-day cambridge, ontario), and ayr, canada west. it was mid-december 1857, and he lectured about "the brotherhood of nations." douglass was a familiar figure on the lecture circuit, having helped many fugitive slaves flee to canada through the underground railroad. although douglass had been a close associate of radical abolitionist john brown, he also developed a friendship with president abraham lincoln that lasted until lincoln's assassination by john wilkes booth. the lecture series that winter in galt included other well-known speakers, but all other speeches were free to the residents of the town, except for the douglass lecture, for which there was a 12-and-a-half cent admission charge. proceeds helped defray travel costs for douglass, and fund his anti-slavery newspaper in rochester, n.y. when he died in 1895, he was one of the best-known men in america.