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This is no letter from as a slave. It claims to be is an letter dictated by another person from a slave. A fine point to be sure but one missed by many here.

I notice there is no original document, just a copy of an newspaper And just happens to be printed in an northern abolistists newspaper for an northern abolistist audience.

As an amateur historian I've read many authentic letters and excerpts from historical sources, but something strikes me as very queer about this, it sound too pat, as it addresses all the talking points one would find in a political diatribe from that era with a few chose phrases to ‘mammy it up’ to fit a northern abolitionist appetite that would precieve how a former slave might talk..

There may well have been such an former slave but I have suspecion it hadbeen heavilyedited and rewritten by an overzealous activist editor.

Educated slaves were a uncommon commity, some with approval of their masters but many without the knowledge of their masters. But all took great pride in it and who took to great pains to show their educational level. Just look at the writings of Fredick Douglas. and especialy anyone with the skills who would write to a former master.

However the text in the manner it was written looks as if it was 'dumbed down' to meet what some

Methinks there is an(abolistist) ghost writer involved in this "letter"