In 1871, Frederick Douglass and his son rode to Alexandria aboard the mail steamer Georgeanna. The Georgeanna was a side-wheel steamer that carried mail and passengers between Washington, DC and Aquia Creek from 1859 to about 1888.  It was 199 feet long.  The image below is not the Georgeanna, but is an example of a ship of this style.

A newspaper reported:

“On the Aquia Creek boat, when the dinner gong sounded, the San Domingo commissioners and suite proceeded to the dining-room, but upon reaching the door, Frederick Douglass was refused admission on account of his color, when the entire party retired, and came to this city dinnerless.  The matter coming to the knowledge of Mr. Sumner, he offered in the Senate, yesterday morning, a resolution directing the committee on the District of Columbia to inquire into the circumstances of the exclusion of Frederick Douglass and son from the common privilege of travelers in the mail steamer between Aquia Creek and Washington.  The resolution was objected to by Mr. Bayard, and was not received” (Daily State Journal, Mar. 29, 1871).

Mr. Douglass and his son were on their way to Washington as the first edition of his newspaper, the New National Era, was published on March 30, 1871 in Washington DC.    Below is the front cover of the new paper.

Frederick Douglas New National Era Paper

NEW NATIONAL ERA.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
Editor and Publisher.
LEWIS H. DOUGLASS. Assist. Editor.

We do not over estimate the position of this journal when we put on record the opinion that it is destined to be one of the most influential in America. As a national representative of one-eighth part of the forty millions of the American people, it is of rare import.   Indicated at the Capital of the Republic it speaks for all the States.

The New National Era is the embodied voice of at least five millions of our countrymen. It is the living  exponent of their condition, the authorized indicator of their rights. In line with the beat interests of all sections, this paper is the actual exponent of the views of all classes Capital and labor meet and part friends in
these columns. The greatest good if the greatest number it our only aim.

Faithfully devoted to our high position, it is easy to see that this paper must ere long obtain a very wide circulation. It is now read by many of the most influential citizens of our country.

Our subscription lists number men in positions of power.  There is not a measure advocated by the law makers of our nation, and fitted to be carried into effect by our national authorities, that does not find a practical relation to these columns. We speak for millions of people who have a direct personel concern in the maintenance of good laws. Many of our readers are just beginning to express their views, as citizens, in the administration of national affairs.  It is not too much to say that the time may come around and will hold the
balance of power in this country As they shall rote the controlling questions of the Government may be decided, how vastly important, then, that we go together, as a body, and that we go right!

What future destinies of this Republic hang on the decisions of the colored race It is for the Republican element of this country that we spread out the truth in these pages. Free men, free soil, free speech, a free press, everywhere in the land. The ballot for all, education for all. fair wages for all.

This is the broad and strong platform of the New National Era. We are looking forward to the time when it will be issued, and exert a much wider influence for good in a daily evening paper.