Douglass gave this speech on July 5, 1852 in a place called Rochester, New York. The purpose of the speech was to inform the crowd of what July 4th would mean to slaves. He asks the crowd "What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence?" Douglass describes the "immeasurable distance". He talks about the justice, liberty, prosperity, and independence that people gained during Independence, and how slaves gained nothing during this time. He states that "This fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn." He begins the end of his speech by revealing to the crowds the cruel injustices of slavery. He has a list of grievances that includes the treatment of slaves and the cruel work they are forced to do on daily basis. Toward the end he asks the crowd again "What, to the American slave, is your Fourth of July?" He answers saying that it is a "hollow mockery".
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