In this letter, Frederick Douglass references a previous meeting with Abraham Lincoln. The main issue discussed in this meeting had to do with helping slaves in the rebel states to escape. Frederick Douglass outlines the conditions that he wants Lincoln to abide by in order to carry out his plan. These conditions include: appointing a general to oversee 20-25 men who support the cause and want to help, allowing the "agents" involved to do their work without being molested or arrested, letting the freed men from these states to be subsided until they are employed or join the army, making sure that proper records are attained from both the general and the agents, and giving Douglass a salary in order to carry out his intricate plan. Based on this letter, it is apparent that Douglass, even as a slave, had immense power in gaining civil rights for African Americans. It shows his leadership qualities, as well as his intelligence. At this time, many believed that blacks were incompetent, but this racist ideal is squashed in Douglass' short letter to Abraham Lincoln. The fact that Lincoln would meet with him and even consider his plan shows a lot about Douglass' character and importance to his people.

Frederick Douglass writes this letter in a very tentative manner. It discusses his apprehension in working with Abraham Lincoln. He is worried whether or not Lincoln is one hundred percent trustworthy in his pursuit of the emancipation of slaves. Douglass wonders if Lincoln's number one priority is to help Douglass' cause or if he has a hidden agenda. The statements that are written in this letter make complete and total sense. White people had not always been the most trustworthy race when dealing with slaves because the slaves' best interest was usually not on their minds. Although Lincoln turns out to be an ally of Douglass, he was not about to risk the well-being of his race before he was sure that Lincoln's intentions were good. Douglass' apprehensive nature highlights his intelligence. He would rather be safe than sorry. African Americans were not intelligent people whatsoever. They were not given enough credit because of their place within society and were looked down upon, simply, because of the color of their skin.

In 1825, Francis Wright came up with the idea of creating a utopian community where freed slaves and whites would live together. It was proposed as her antislavery experiment, known as Nashoba. Wright's goal was to rid the U.S. of both slaves and former slaves, and she thought of this as a perfect place to start. Nashoba was a place where the slaves would receive education and tools that would prepare them for their freedom. Although Wright's heart was in the right place, even becoming known as a "champion of emancipation," Nashoba only lasted for three years, collapsing in 1828. This shows the extremes that many people would go to in an attempt to create a better life for slaves and former slaves. A utopian community sounds very unrealistic, but at least people, like Wright, were willing to give some new ideas a try. Many people were exhausting the same things over and over again to end slavery, but the idea of Nashoba was seen as a refreshing, new way to incorporate the white people in the ending of slavery. However, on the other hand, some did not see the difference between Nashoba and the real world. Even though the intention was to prepare slaves for freedom, some whites continued to take on the role of the "violent slave master." Simply put, most whites were not in favor of the emancipation of slaves. This is why Nashoba ultimately ended up collapsing.

The Algerine Captive, or, The Life and Adventures of Doctor Updike Underhill, Six Years a Prisoner Among the Algerines, Volume 2, is an 18th century narrative about a fictional Boston native, Dr. Updike Underhill. In the previous volume, it talks about Underhill's childhood, college years and his failed attempt at becoming a school teacher. He ends up becoming a surgeon and embarks on a journey to Africa as the head doctor on a slave ship. He is then captured by the Algiers and is taken into slavery for six years. Volume 2 describes his brutal enslavement and compares it to slavery in America. He creates his ideal perception of what it is to be an American. The purpose of this narrative is for the nation to come together, and, indirectly, suggests his wish to end slavery in America. It is a huge wake up call for America. It makes people think about slavery in a different way. Slave narratives are usually written by African American or Native American people. This narrative was written by a successful, white, doctor who is brutalized during his enslavement in Africa. He brings his story back to America in order to unite the nation and spark equality among men. He explains that, "by uniting we stand, by dividing we fall."