American Missionary Association 204 West [Maden?] St Chicago Jan 9 1872 Hon. Frederick Douglass Dear Sir: Since listening to your instructive and truly inspiring lecture on Santo Domingo I am the more convinced that your sentiments regarding the great mission of this country to that long oppressed people ought not to be confined to the considerably few who can hear your voice. As soon as the Island is under our flag it will fall to the lot of our Association (which represents some 8500 membership scattered throughout the land and embracing in one union the energy & character of the old abolitionists headed by such men as the Tappans of New York) to start upon the work of Education there, with all the [???] of Primary, normal & collegiate schools as have [???] in the South. Now I beg you let some one write off for me some of the introduction and a part of the closing portion of your lecture if you have not the time and strength and inclination to prepare especially an article bearing on this subject. I shall gladly pay you for your valuable Contribution at your accustomed rates. And I shall be grateful both for my own part & for the cause which we trust is that of the Master and which I doubt not you will be satisfied to aid of if you consistently can. Please inform me by Eastern mail or as soon as convenient what you can do. I would like the article before the end of February—but if I can know it is coming would wait longer. Very Respectfully C. H. Howard Western Secretary A.M.A. Washington Jan 9, 1872 Fredk. Douglass Esq: Your Sons inform me that you think too much space is given to the Tariff. My reasons for giving the subject so much prominence is first because I think it is more intimately concerns the welfare of the working men of the country than almost any other, and second because I hope to make it of direct advantage to the paper. The manufacturing is, next to agriculture, the great interest of the country. Production is its breath of life. They will make a desperate struggle to save it from the free traders. The New Era is the only defender they have here, and they must help its circulation. As an effort to help the paper in this way is consistent with its views, and therefore requires no sacrifice of principles, it has seemed to me that it may [illegible] done. When the tariff bill is [illegible] it will bring the protection—its here, and then we will see whether I am right in the hope I have intimated. The Syracuse Post now have ordered 300 copies of the next no. and 300 of a succeeding no. on account of an article in favor of continuing publication to that intent. Whatever I may say about the republican opponents of Grant, I think is a legitimate criticism, since I make no attacks upon his personal character, and never charge them with corruption &c. I have always thought a man’s political career is fair game, as Gen. Grants enemies certainly do. It dont hurt the paper to be talking about [???] [???] [???], provided there is no other course than that we differ from them on political questions and acts and say so plainly. But if you desire that no reference should be made to the Republicans who are as free in their comments upon the President, except of a complimentary character, all you have to do is to say so [and] I will avoid that subject. Yours Truely, Joseph WarnerWashington D.C. January 20th 1872 Dear Father, My delay in writing to you has been in consequence of your being constantly on the wing. Though I am kept pretty busy I don’t urge that as an excuse for my negligence. I have the supervision of two school buildings now being erected in the County, and in connection with my clerical duties I am kept closely and continually employed. I have successfully baffled all attempts made by Brown4 for the removal of the school house. I have been before the Legislature, and my letters and testimony showing Brown to be a person given to petty lying to carry his points,—are to be published in the report of the Comm on schools in that body. The building opposite me is nearly ready for the roof, the sides having been closed in this week. Brown got tired fighting me, and turned his attention to Lew. He has failed all round. Langston has simply made a fool of himself by trying to build himself up in running you down. He took your letter published in last weeks Era to Senator Sumner, in order to get him to say something against you that he might carry out. He also, at a public meeting of students, said that you had sent a letter here boasting of being accommodated at the same Hotel where the Grand Duke stopped, and representing that you claimed that you had all your rights.10 He got his dose the next day in the Senate chamber, in the presence of the largest and most intelligent assemblage of colored persons I have ever beheld in those Gallerys, when Senator Sumner in his great speech spoke in the most flattering terms of you and Gov. Dunn, leaving Langston entirely out of his remarks. Langston at that point left the gallery. He is not leaving a stone unturned to cripple the paper, and your popularity. The latter he can never do. People will begin to ask who is this man Langston? what has he sacrificed for the cause of his race? is he more than an ordinary stump speaker? Is he a a success at his profession? All these questions will have to be answered affirmatively and satisfactorily before he can ever succeed in injuring you before thinking people. I have no fears of it; but I do despise the man for making the attempt. He dare not over his own signature publish one thing against you. I had great respect for him once, but can never have again, he is too much a coward. I will be glad when you have finished your tour. I know you are having it rough enough. This time a year ago we were on the ocean. You saw many rough as well as pleasant times, now you are at it again. I hope you will make this your last winter of travelling. All my family are well. I have killed and smoked my hogs, over 300 weight. The weather is beautiful, resembling spring time. I never hearfrom mother, though I have written. That Howard boy2 was in my company in the 5th Cavalry. He came to the Regt. as a substitute, and asked to go in my Co. I had to tie him up by the thumbs quite often. His offense was stealing. Mr. Loguen is here— All join in love Aff. Yr. son Chas. R. Douglass ASSEMBLEE NATIONALE Paris le 30 Janvier 1872 Au Citizen Frederick Douglass Editeur et Rédacteur en chef @ New National Era Cher citizen et très illustre frère de race J'ai l'honneur de vous adresser pour ce courier un [d?] du Journal républicain la Constitution, contenant votre bio écrite pour moi. Veuillez agréer, Je vous prié, ce sincère [t?] comme un faible hommage de l'admiration et de la fraternelle affection que j'éprouvé pour vous. Veuillez agréer ami mes excuses de vous envoyer si tardivement ce [?] de la Constitution: les occupations multipliés, que m'improve mon mandet de Déporté de la Guadaloupe, mon eté natale, à l'Assemblée nationale, en sout la cause. C'est avec des notes- à coup sur incomplètes, recuellies par-ce par-là, que, je suis parvenue à composer sur votre personne cette modeste étude. Ne vous étonnez donc pas s'il d'y trouvait de lacunes regrettables. Mai permettez moi de vous dire que malgré son insuffisance, elle n'a valu de nombreuses fèlicitations: Ces félicitations, Je le sais,- ont été provoquéer beaucoup [*4*] [*3058*]plus par l'heureuse idée que j'ai un de me faire connaître en France que par le mérité de mon travail Au nombre de cens qui ont valué votre nom de leur enthousiasme. Je suis heureux de vous nommer Victor Hugo, le grand poste Du Dix-neuvième siècle, l'illustre tribune de la cause républicaine. J'ai en l'honneur, quelque Jouvre après l'opposition de mon article, de causer longuement avec lui de vous, et Je puis vous assurer que vous possédez toute ses sympathies. Je dois vous dire, ecouté, que cet article a été reproduit avec plaisance Journaux des Départements et dans toutes les [???ies] françaises. Depuis le jour ou, par l'entremise de feu M. Bufferon [?] [ecrivaine?] une si belle lettre de vous, - lettre que j'ai fais publier à cette époque dans le Place de la Loire. Je n'étais bien souvent promis de vous écrire de nouveau et de faire maitre aussi entre vous et moi une correspondance qui, tout en étant de plus précieuses pour moi, aurait par servir à la défense de la cause à la quelle nous nous somme vous, mais mille circumstances sont venus à la traverse de la désir, entre autre, la terrible guerre de 1870-71. J'ai, depuis lors, été élu par le libre suffrage de mes concitoyen de la Guadeloupe Député à l'Assemblée nationale où le siège sur le banc des républicain radicaux Depuis le mois de Juin. Je vous ai fait part de cet heureuse incident de mon existence dans une lettre.de recommendation, que j'ai remise pour vous à l'un de me intime aussi, M. de Blézer, Statesaire éminent, l'auteur de beau buste de l'immortel John Brown. M. de Blézer est à New York depuis le moi d'Octobre; il m'a écrit le 2 Novembre; mais il ne m'annonce pas qu'il vous avait remis la lettre dont il était parten pour vous. Je reçu exactement, par l'entremise de M. Fuller, employé au Consulat de Etats-Unis à Paris, les mots de votre vaillant Journal le New National Era: Je vous remercie de ce prècieuse envoi; C'est pour moi; une source [d'???] [but?] renseignements, une serie de documents qui m'ai de vous dans l'oeuvre à la quelle Je travaille depuis bien deux années: l'Histoire de la Race Africaine dans le Nouveau Monde Bon courage et bonne Santé, cher et illustre frère; et veuillez croire que sur cette vielle terre de France vous avez en moi un sincère admirateur, un ami devoué. Melvil Bloncourt Député de la Guadeloupe à l'Assemblée Nationale 41. Rue de DoucéeCabin Home- Hannibal Mo. May 21, 1872 Dear Friend, My delay to answer your favor, has been from the necessity of waiting till events could develop the resource from which I could enclose to you the Interest money due you, on the business matter which lies between us as well as from a pressure of occupation attendant on the additional exertion of Gertie's marriage. Had you been at your house in Rochester on the momt. of the 11th inst, you might have been greeted by the "happy pair" who were on their journey to their abode in Fall River. The marriage was consummated in house of our own on the 9th of May; being the 29th Anniversary of that event. Many friends contributed loving gifts, and the church was decorated bountifully with Flowers, and it was said the bridal party looked very beautiful but so far as posible the entirest simplicity and absence of conventionality [*2106*] [*2106*]was maintained, and there was no mar to the general satisfaction of the entire occasion. You see I tell you particulars as to a dear good Uncle, who is I am sure interested in such an era in the life of his sisters darling child. Do I presume too much? When I wrote you last I think I told you of Wms sickness in the winter, and the later nescessity from the condition of his health to drop his entire connection with the paper. He is now overseeing the 3 acres and hopes thereby to regain his last energies; but he is far more spent than ever before, and it will take much time and patient care, to bring him up to par. We have been fortunate in finding a young man & his wife, who live here on shares and who are faithful & trusting. Since they have been here, & Wm has spent more time the place has much improved. The fine breeds of Fowls have brought some returns, and were William in sufficient health he could have an unlimited amount of Teaching. I wish you could see at this moment just how beautiful everything is here. We are seriously considering the plausibility of hiring money to put up a moderately sized house- which would enable us to time things all round to better account than we can at present to our limited accommodations. We can make it a perfectly secure operation to anyone loaning us, because the certain increase in the value of the place, is sufficient and we cannot have the help alone we need to manage the place successfully in this little house, & live in it, and if we had room we could take the patients from Dr Glass' Care, [an] in some other way make the house profitable & perhaps pay for it, or if we could not pay for it we could have it so arranged that we could enjoy a comfortable house while we live, & when we die we could not if we would carry it with us. I do not know as anything will come from these present suggestions, but we are sure this out door life is the only one Wm will ever be able to lead, consequently there is no chance for us to go East, and a Gentleman friend here, who controls considerable money, rather advises the undertaking. I write you these particulars believing you will like to know them. In regard to our taking up the note you hold, if you are willing to let it remain, it will be a great favor. From a little money left me by my Father, now in Bank in Providence I draw a dividend which I shall faithfully reserve as assurance of your payment, if things here should fail to meet it, and it is fromthis source, that Gertie will forward to you immediately in P.O. order the amt. due in this year; [and] the rec. of wh. you will please acknowledge to me. And now have I wearied you in talk of our selves? I wish I knew as much of you & yours. I am very sorry that you have not found the "New Era" a financial success. I don't want you to be poor, unless I can grow rich - for - I need not say it- but I should like the opt. to have you know how large my heart might be - but after all, is money the only or the greatest wealth? Of course you care nothing for the Hannibal Courier, & since Wm is not with it, suppose you order the Era sent to us instead of to it. I am glad to learn that you sustain Grant. For myself I cannot see the force of the charges against him and am so rejoiced that Sumner could not be induced to go to Cincinnati. I only hope the Democrats will repudiate Greely as he deserves - I should like to see Chas Sumner President, but that is wishing too far in advance of Time. Do you spend the hot weather in Washington? Can't we induce you to speak apart at least of it, with us? These hills would offer you relaxation & rest - and our Home in the City, as well as the Cabin here the warmest & truest welcome. Do try it. Wm joins me in best in best wishes & sincerest love - as always Martha W GreeneAyer, June 12 th 1872. Wm Mitchell, Post Office, Box 211, Ayer, Mass. My dear Mr. Douglass, Though I have never had the pleasure of seeing you, I have so often heard Aunt Jessy, Aunt Fanny, and Uncle Arthur, talk about you, that I feel as if you were a friend of mine. Aunts Jessy and Constance have written to you, but have never received an answer. I know you will be very much surprised to hear that [*2103*]Uncle, and Aunt Fanny, and Jessy, have come to America, they are living with Father and Mother. Father has a Mill about two miles from the house, it is a very large brick one. I should not have taken the liberty to write to you, if it had not been to express our great sympathy with you, in your loss, for we read in the paper that your house had been burnt, and the beautiful trees and flowers about it, I felt very sorry to hear that a poor cow was burnt. When I was in England I used to collect a good deal of money for the "Royal Society", and so did Aunts. Last twenty-fourth of April I was eleven years old, but I did not keep my birthday, because Mother was very ill, but I am going to keep it either this week or next. Mother, Father, Aunts, Uncle, and all of us would be very much pleased if when you are lecturing in Boston you would come and see us. We live in a very pleasant place with alarge garden in front, and a hill covered with pine trees behind, and from the back win- dows we have a view of a chain of Mountains, among which are Wachusett, and Monadnock. I hope you will do me the honour to write back to me; I shall watch the post every day till I get an answer for we want to know how you & all your family are. Goodbye dear Mr Douglass, all unite in love with me, I remain , Your affectionate , Kitty Mitchell.Paterson July 3 1872 Fred'k Douglass Esq. My dear friend, I have yours of 1st inst. & I am not a little pained by learning from it that you lost so heavily by your firm. So poor [???] most probably four leaves n.y.! Bid him farewell for me. You will find by reading the enclosed Special that I wrote it out for a friend employed amongst the colored voters. I will send you a dozen copies. Do get them into right hands in the South - especially in N. Carolina where there is an Election about 1st August. I wish you would send me at least 50 names of Southern men with [*3088*]their P. Office address so that I may send the special to them. I hope it may be copied by many Southern newspapers. My wife joins me in loving your wife, yourself & children. Cordially yours, Gerrit SmithBlank No. 1 THE WESTERN UNION TELEGRAPH COMPANY The rules of this Company require that all messages received for transmission, shall be written on the message blanks of the Company, under and subject to the conditions printed thereof, which conditions have been agreed to by the sender of the following message. THOS. T. ECKERT, Gen'l Sup't, NEW YORK WILLIAM ORTON, Pres't } NEW YORK O. H. PALMER, Sec'y } Dated: Cincinnati/ 14 Sept. Received at 730 P To Hon Fred Douglas we have the great mass meeting for Ohio 2 here on twenty first we urgently request you to come you can do us great good answer immediately C H Blackburn Chm Ham'n Co Rep Ex Com [*26 Pd Ra6*] THIS TELEGRAM HAS B EEN RECEIVED AT THE OFFICE AT NO. 511 PENNA AVENUE WHERE ANY REPLY SHOULD BE SENT. Direct WiresSept 25 - 72 Hon Fredrick Douglass My Dear Sir Although one of your sincere admirers, fortune has not favored me with a meeting with you. I now seek such distinguishment Were not my present surroundings such as demand greatest possible economy of movement, I would readily do tribute to your great & distinguished ability by requesting permission to enjoy an audience with you at your place, Still I must not forego [*2104 2104*]at this crisis, a possible opportunity of conversing with you relative to matters of great import - not to say of great interest. I therefore beg that you honor me with a call at such hours as you may chose to designate Tomorrow bt the hours of Two '2 - T Five - 5 - PM, I will be at your command I pray you accept my most sincere esteem with which I have the honor to be Sir Your admiring obl-Svt, J Milton Turner Wormley House &c &c &c Sept 25-'72 Washington DCWashington[,] D.C. [???] 26 1872 My Dear Sir: Your note of the 26th expressing a wish on the part of friends of mine, in Rochester N.Y., that I would sit to Mr Mund[y] a bust (of marble or bronze) designed to be placed in some pu[blic] Hall of that city, has just been handed me by the distinguished artist selected for the work. I am very sincerely obliged to you for your respected note and am deeply sensible of the honor implied in the request it contains. I beg to assure you and such of any friend as takes an interest in the matter, that it will give me very great pleasure to sit as requested to Mr Mundy, both because I desire to gratify my friend in the beautiful City of Rochester, and because I know something of the talents, skill and fidelity of the sculptor to whom you have been pleased to commit the work of producing my features. I am, dear sir, very truly yours, Fredk. Douglass Sam[uel] D. Porter Esqr. Rochester N. Y. The New National Era Published Weekly at Washington DC Frederick Douglass, Editor Douglass Brothers, Publishers Address Frederick Doublass Jr., Lock-Box 31. Subscription, $2.50 per year in advance or five copies for $10 Washington, D.C. November 2d 1872 Gen'l O.E. Babcock: My dear sir: Please accept my thanks for the large parcel of Crocus and Tulips you were so good as to send me. I shall find a use for them all, if not in my own garden, which is small, among my friends here and elsewhere. I see nothing in the outlook to complain of. The country will vindicate its friends and give fresh evidence to a sceptical world of the ability of the people to Govern themselves. Wait till Tuesday. Very truly yours Fred'k Douglass. [*178*] [*2889*]The New National National Era Published Weekly in Washington, D. C. Frederick Douglass, Editor. Douglass Brothers, Publishers. Address Frederick Douglass Jr., Lock Box 31. Subscription, $2.50 per year in advance, or five copies for $10. Washington, D. C. Nov. 7th 1872 Samuel D. Porter Esqr. My dear Sir: I see no objection to the publication of the correspondence in question, and as the artist (who is doing his work admirably) desires to retain a copy of your letter, of Oct. 25th I have placed it in his hands, with instruction - to send the letter thereafter to you. I find Mr Mundy quite desirous to have public attention called to his work and for his sake as well as for my own satisfaction I would like to see this correspondence in print. Very truly yours Fred'k Douglass [*179*] [*2890*]PRIVATE New Orleans, Dec 19 1872 HON FREDERICK DOUGLAS MY DEAR SIR The purpose of my letter will be my excuse for intrusion on you to day. You are aware of our “situation.” You know the distinguished services rendered all the time but especially recently by our mutual friend Gov Pinchback. We think he ought to be sent by our Legislature when it meets in Jany ’73 to the U. S Senate, not only because he deserves this high recognition & endorsement, but also because our people ought to have a representative in the higher branch of the National Legislature & one who is competent & who can & will be a representative of the “true & tried” sort. There is a splendid opportunity for us all to rally to the support of Gov Pinchback now. There is no candidate in the field against him that is or ever was so prominently Republican as to eclipse the Governor’s claims. Our white republicans (of course) like him, & endorse & laud him, but then—they must prefer one of their color for the place. They are insidiously working on the minds of some of our colored Representatives to keep in the lower House, & not create a vacancy there—dont claim everything for him & all that sort of stuff. It seems to me that “now’s the day, & now’s the hour” for us to elect him to the U. S Senate. And it has occurred to me that through your paper you could do your man service in this matter if the thing strikes you favorably. Should you conclude to write & advocate it, send a copy of your paper with the article to the addresses on the back [&] your bill to me for payment. Respectfully WM. G. BROWN James F Casey—Collector N. O P F Herwig—Deputy do J H Ingraham—Survey in port Thomas Ong—appraiser Geo W Carter—New Orleans P. O G W Lowell " " “ John Ray” " “ J P Norton” " “ A E Barber” " “ H C Warmoth” " “ H C Dibble” " " Jacob Hawkins—sup. Court— “ E C Billings—N. G.” E H Durell—" " “ Col Jas Lewis” " “ J H Burech—Grand Era—Bat Rouge National Republican—N. O. N O Times” N O Picayune “ N O Bee" German Gazette “ N O Republican” BOSTON LYCEUM BUREAU BOSTON - 36 Bromfield Street CHICAGO - 471 Wabash Avenue. JAMES REDPATH, GEORGE L. FALL. Boston, Dec 20 1872 Fredk. Douglass Esq. Care H. Otis Newman Esq Plainfield N. J. Dear Sir Herewith we send you your list up to near the close of January. There after a few open eve'gs - which however will all probably be filled. You will receive another list from Mr Hathaway of Chicago office from Jan 6th forward - giving counties. hotels &c &c, which you will please consider as final. Should it any conflict with the list herein please follow it - Mr. Hathaway's. Up to & including Jan 3rd everything is now fixed. Will you please acknowledge receipt of this & oblige. yours Redpath & Fall [*2101*]