Margaret Douglass letter from William Craft narrative

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury, and His Honor Judge Scalawag,

I feel that I am living in an upside-down world, here in Norfolk County. Your language – your discussion of an “enlightened society”, of an “evil disposition”, of a “civilized country” – ought to point to the opposite conclusion. But instead of encouraging the spread of freedom, enlightenment, and, indeed, the word of God, you have decided to send me to jail for teaching a young girl to read the Bible. Shouldn’t this action be celebrated? Shouldn’t everyone have the opportunity to learn of the love and peace of our faith? How on earth is it “to the great displeasure of Almighty God” to spread His word to the poor and wretched? I should think this would please Him enormously.

And you say that “in any other civilized country you would have paid the forfeit of your crime with your life.” What civilized countries do you speak of? Slavery is (rightfully) illegal in nearly every other civilized country, just as it is immoral everywhere. Likewise, any civilized country wouldn’t think of punishing an upstanding woman for teaching a young girl to read the Bible. You speak as though slavery is some great moral right, and anything that threatens it is consequently wrong. The opposite is true.

I beg you to reconsider both your verdict and your values.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Margaret Douglass