Spring came quickly in the year of 1846. James was busy with his work in Baltimore. Isaac had settled into the routine of his ministry in Hagerstown as the Senior Pastor. Constance and the children were all excited about the coming trip to Great Britain in the summer. And I was researching the Temperance Movement, in preparation for the coming convention in London.
Through my good friend, Sarah Hale, and her editor, Louis Godey, I was introduced to Mister Jason Gamble, the news editor at the Philadelphia Inquirer. Mister Gamble was already familiar with my work at the Chambersburg Democratic Tribune, and was most interested in my ability and willingness to cover the coming Convention in London.
He had received word through his contacts in England that the whole English countryside was electrified with enthusiasm for Frederick Douglass as he travelled and lectured, speaking about the ills of slavery in America. It was even being rumored that Mister Douglass was considering accepting an offer to remain in England as a citizen, and would perhaps abandon his work in the states.
Mister Gamble wanted the full story of the eloquent black man, and agreed to hire my services for this event, if I would write about the reception and remarks of Mister Douglass at the Convention. He also agreed to assist with my expenses as well, which was, of course, a welcome addition to the financial arrangements. My only other obligation was to make the story an exclusive for the Inquirer, to which I heartily agreed.
Sarah and Mister Godey were both excited for me at this assignment and the sponsorship of the Inquirer. Louis Godey also said that he would make contact on my behalf with an editor he was familiar with at the London Times, who would be able to assist me with filing my story and caring for any additional needs I may have while in Great Britain. I thanked Mister Godey for his kindness, and assured him that I would some day return the favor.
By June, final arrangements for our travels and accommodations, once we arrived in England, had been completed. Passage had been booked for James, Constance, the four children, and me aboard the Cambria, a British steamer.
The Cambria was the same vessel that had transported Mister Douglass to England the previous year. Due to the fact that Frederick Douglass was a black man, he was denied first class passage, and instead was relegated to the lower decks in the steerage compartment and second class accommodations.
This action had outraged many sympathizers in Great Britain, and a demand was made from the Canard Line for an immediate apology. Mister Canard issued and published an open apology to Mister Douglass, and assured both him and the British people that this type of behavior would no longer be tolerated aboard his ships.
Mister Douglass would later write that Mister Canard had been faithful to his word, and that he was not aware of any further denial of any person aboard a Canard Line ship from first class passage, if they were able to pay the fare.
James told us that it was expected that the crossing would take approximately twenty-five days, and we would be traveling first class. James and I would each have a room of our own, while Constance and the children would share a room.
Caroline, upon hearing this, expressed her immediate disapproval.
“But Mamma”, she stated. “I want to stay in Auntie Liz’s room with her. The adventure will be much more fun in her cabin than with my brothers. Please say that it is all right with you, Mother.”
Constance often found it difficult to refuse her daughter when she would look at her with those large, beautiful, wide, green eyes and pure, angelic face.
“My dear little one, I can not commit to your request until I first speak with Elizabeth about the matter.”
Before Constance had the chance for us to speak, I entered the room to hear the child issuing her appeal of the matter to her mother.
“All right, now what is the fuss about, Caroline? You have some great desire you are pressing your mother with, so out with it, what is your wish?”
I looked to Constance with just the slightest hint of an amused smile. I could not help but to interject my voice upon the discussion, knowing that I would undoubtedly add fuel to young Caroline’s fire, which her mother was probably attempting to extinguish.
“Oh Elizabeth, Caroline is just expressing her displeasure at having to share a room with her brothers on the voyage before us. She would much rather room with you. But I have assured her we will discuss this later, in private.”
“My dear Caroline, I believe your mother is quite right in this. She and I must first discuss the matter privately, and then we will make a decision that your mother feels is best for you and all concerned. So now, you run off to play and let us talk.”
Caroline left the room with a demonstration of her displeasure at having to do so, to find her favorite doll, while Constance and I began to discuss our travel plans.
Once in London, we were to stay at the Parliament Hotel, which I was told was very near to Buckingham Palace and Exeter Hall, where the Temperance Convention was to be held.
James also informed us that William Lloyd Garrison, a significant leader of the Abolitionist movement and close friend to Frederick Douglass, would also be aboard the Cambria. This would give us further opportunity to engage in lively discussions regarding the state of the Negroes’ existence in this country, according to James.