Mr. Douglass, on rising to respond, was received with the greatest enthusiasm. He spoke as follows:

‘It would be useless for me to attempt to conceal my embarrassment in rising to respond to the eloquent and highly complimentary address, together with the golden gift with which I have just been presented, by the Belfast Anti-Slavery Society.(cheers) I am unequal to the work: my feelings are too deep, too strong, too big for easy utterance. I have often, in the course of my short, though not uneventful life, been called upon to respond in accents of warm and heartfelt gratitude for noble deeds and generous favors conferred upon me by the friends of my long enslaved and deeply outraged fellow-countrymen, but never have I been more at a loss for language to fulfill that duty than on the present thrilling and interesting occasion. (applause)

The incidents of this morning will form a period in my humble history- a period to which, with all my hopes and aspirations, I never looked forward; but one to which, while memory holds its place, I shall ever look back with the most grateful emotion. I accept, thankfully, this Bible; and while it shall have the best place in my house, I trust, also, to give its precepts a place in my heart. (great applause)

The happy incidents of this morning, have called into remembrance some of my early struggles after knowledge, and the difficulties that then lay in the way of its attainment. I remember the first time I ever heard the Bible read, and I tell you the truth when I tell you that, from that time, I trace my first desire to learn to read. I was over seven years old; my master had gone out one Sunday night, the children had gone to bed, I had crawled under the centre-table, and had fallen asleep, when my mistress commenced to read the Bible aloud,-so loud that she waked me- she waked me to sleep no more ! I have since learned that the chapter that she then read was the first chapter of Job. I remember my sympathy for the good old man; and my great anxiety to know more about him, led me to ask my mistress- who was at this time a kind lady- to teach me to read. She commenced, and would have, but for the opposition of her husband, taught me to read. She ceased to instruct me, but my desire to read continued, and, instead of decreasing, increased; and, by the aid of little boys, obtained at different times, I finally succeeded in learning to read. (applause)

After learning to read, my desire for the books was equal to my early desire to learn how to read. I have frequently, with my fingers, from the mud and filth of the gutter, raked leaves of the sacred volume. These I have washed and dried, and read the words of heavenly wisdom which they contained with a glad heart, considering myself fortunate to enjoy such a privilege. I trust I shall not be deemed presumptuous or egotistical, when I say, that, from my present position, I see points in my humble history which seem marked by the finger of God. (applause)

Twenty years ago, while lying, not unlike a pet dog, at the feet of my mistress, in her house in Philpot-street, Fell’s Point, Baltimore, I was roused from the sweet sleep of childhood, to hear the narrative of Job. A few years afterward found me searching for the Scriptures in the muddy street-gutters, and rescuing its pages from the filth into which neglect and wastefulness had plunged them. A few years later, I escaped from my chains, gained partial freedom, and became an advocate for the emancipation of my race. During this advocacy, a suspicion obtains that I am not what I profess to be, to silence which, it is necessary to write out my experience in slavery, and give the names of my enslavers. This endangers my liberty. Persecuted, hunted, outraged in American, I have come to England, and behold the changes!- The chattel becomes a man. (applause) I breathe, and I am free. (applause) Instead of culling the Scriptures from the mud, they come to me dressed in polished gold, as the free and unsolicited gift of devoted hearts. (applause) I will take it, and while I live preserve it, and long after I have gone hence to my reward, if my will is carried out, it shall be preserved by my children, and remain a memento in the house of Douglass till times shall melt it into dust. (applause)

I assure you, gentlemen of the Committee, you have selected a proper mode of expressing your regard for me. What could be better than the Bible to me, contending against oppression, fraud and wrong? It is full of wisdom and goodness- faith, hope, and charity sparkle on every page, all of which deal death to slavery. An attempt has been made to press the Bible into the service of slavery. The abolition party in America find no more determined opponents of the cause which they advocate, than the expounders of the word of God. That, to this audience, might appear strange, but such is the fact. I thank God that a change for the better is taking place; a purer and a higher grade of men are finding their way into the ministry, and brighter days are beginning to dawn upon my country. (applause) You could not have given to me a token so appropriate as this Bible. It contains all that is right, and is opposed to all that is wrong. (applause) It knows no one by the color of his skin. (applause) It treats all alike, and says to all, ‘Whatsoever you would that men should do unto you, do you do so unto them.’ If you claim liberty for yourself, then grant it to your neighbor, is the doctrine it inculcates. I feel much struck with the changes in my circumstances; only a few months ago, I was in a land where I was hated and abhorred- where the bloodhound might have been put on my track, and I have been hunted down and carried back into slavery. I left that land, and in 11–12 days I set my foot on British soil, and was free.(applause) I now find myself surrounded by kind friends, the very expression of whose countenance beams with sympathy such as I never expected to meet with, and which has quite overcome and unmanned me. (applause)

I could expose slavery in the midst of those who would uphold it- I could contend for the great principles of liberty in the face of the most determined opposition- (applause)- but I am not equal to address those who sympathy has been excited for my race, and who have showed me so much kindness. I shall always remember the people of Belfast, and the kind friends I now see around me, and I wherever else I feel myself to be a stranger, I will remember I have a home in Belfast. (applause) I will look forward with pleasure to the day which will find me with you again- (applause)- and, in the meantime, you shall hear from me wherever my lot may be cast. (applause) Let me thank you with my whole heart for the address and the beautiful present you have made me, as well as for the deep interest you have taken in the cause of the wronged and oppressed slaves of America. You have discharged your duty nobly, and as Christians should do. When I came a stranger among you, I was taken by the hand, and, I may say, my hand has been held throughout.- The Committee have endeavored in season and out of season, to give effect to any feeble efforts for the emancipation of my race. Without the Committee, I could have done nothing; to them all the praise is due. Once more, accept my thanks for all the kindness I have experienced at your hands’.

Mr. Douglas then resumed his seat amid the warmest demonstrations of applause.