Shortly after Frederick Douglass arrived in Ireland in September 1845, his autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, was republished in Dublin by Webb and Chapman. The reasons for the republication were both dogmatic and economic. Aside from providing an opportunity for the dissemination of an antislavery argument of impact and importance, proceeds from the sale of the book provided Douglass with a degree of financial independence. While Douglass was in Europe, it was doubly important that he have an assured source of income with which to support himself and his family in the United States. Tours by US abolitionists in Europe were often used to promote and increase financial as well as moral support for the antislavery cause by encouraging contributions to anti-slavery bazaars and other fund-raising activities, but the out-of-pocket expenses of speakers on that circuit might not necessarily be met in full by anti-slavery organizations. In a letter to J.B. Estlin from London commenting on Douglass's UK tour, for example, W.L. Garrison observed, ‘As to … [Douglass's] means of support, he is chiefl y dependent on the sale of his Narrative, but I believe he is at this time receiving a small stipend from the Edinburgh friends, though they do not defray his travelling expenses.’ Sales of the Narrative in Ireland significantly augmented Douglass's overseas returns, providing him with a sizeable income above and beyond payment for his immediate expenses.

Lecture tours appear to have proved lucrative for black speakers in Ireland, who aroused considerable sympathy and support throughout the country. Writing in early 1842 shortly after Charles Lenox Remond's departure for the United States, Richard D. Webb claimed: ‘Remond carried more money out of Ireland for himself than Collins got for the American Anti-Slavery Society. This was, first, because he was a coloured man; then because he was eloquent – then because he has good manners – then because he is young, handsome and interesting.’ Frederick Douglass, younger, by all accounts extremely handsome, and doubtless even more interesting, could expect, and indeed received, substantial support from the abolitionist community and its satellites in Ireland.