Assuming Solomon Northup knew that the main audience would be northern white readers, I believe that his collaboration with editor David Wilson was a measure taken to ensure that the believability of his story could be bolstered by the aid of a white man’s insurance.
Wilson offers preliminary notes for the reader, affirming that he accurately took down Northup’s dictations and pointing out that Northup’s story can be corroborated by public evidence. Wilson also offers his own endorsement of Northup and states his belief that the former slave “has adhered strictly to the truth.” As a precursor to what will follow, Wilson briefly identifies the setting of Northup’s tale in the “Pine Woods” and “Bayou Boeuf. Finally, Wilson declares his integrity
Wilson offers preliminary notes for the reader, affirming that he accurately took down Northup’s dictations and pointing out that Northup’s story can be corroborated by public evidence. Wilson also offers his own endorsement of Northup and states his belief that the former slave “has adhered strictly to the truth.” As a precursor to what will follow, Wilson briefly identifies the setting of Northup’s tale in the “Pine Woods” and “Bayou Boeuf. Finally, Wilson declares his integrity