Treasury Department, REGISTER’S OFFICE. 8 July, 1881. Hon. Frederick Douglass My dear sir. I have made several efforts to secure the appointment of Dr. Browns daughter to a position in the Treasury Department, but without success. I suggest that you and I call on Col. Fish as soon as may be and urge him to give her a [*2440*]place. Please indicate when it will be convenient for you to go over. Yours truly, B. K. Bruce13 Court Sq Boston July 12, 1881 Hon Fredrick Douglass. Sir Will you please let me know when your book will likely be out and when the introduction should be given to the printer Yours &c George L. Ruffin [*2439*]Portland Maine July 30 1881 Dear Sir, I trust you will excuse me for trespassing upon your time, but your acquaintance with my grandfather Gen’l Samuel Fessenden of this city prompts me to ask you to give me your recollection of his place and services in the cause of abolitionism together with such reminisces of him as may [*2441*]great interest and value by his family. Respectfully yours, Francis Fessenden Hon Fredrick Douglas remain in your memory. If I am not mistaken, he was with you on one occasion in this City, when you were threatened with violence by a mob and it would give me great pleasure to have your recollections of the affair. My object in writing is to obtain such facts and opinions as would be valuable for a memoir of my grandfather and I need not say that anything of the kind which you would furnish would be esteemed of Rochester NY Aug 6. 1881 Hon Frederick Douglass Wash DC. Dear friend — Enclosed find statement and draft - also bill for plumbing that I forget to enclose the last time I remitted. Mr. Vincent could not pay rent for July until next Monday so I am unable to enclose it with this remittance. Geo. [Breuck?], informed me that he had sold $200 worth of currents this year off of your old place. He has that of a dry house for drying fruit. He has 500 pear trees that are bearing nicely — and this year he intends to put up a dwelling house for himself and devotes his whole time and attention [*2478*] [*2478*]to cultivating the place. He will retire from the grocery business - Mr. Keller his brother in law sells a great many flowers and plants raised on the old place. I hear you are recorder of deeds now. is it so? How does it pay compared to the marshallship Since the Banks reduced the rates of interest to 4 per cent, real estate in the city has advanced, and if there should be a financial crash in NYork, as predicted by some, it will go booming upwards - Regards to all your family - Yours &c B. F. BlackallHoboken August 28 1881 Hon. Frederick Douglas Dear Sir I shall send you by [??] pm to morrow one large box containing 425 cigars. I shall send some more next week. The cigars will improve very much in six weeks, because the are to fresh; and please keep them in a dry place and that box with you want to use first, leave it open they will dry sooner. I sapose you read that our friend Miss Assing [*2479*]arrived in Germany, I hope she will succede in her affairs and have a good time. I dare say I miss her very much, we have been so many years together I feel often very lonesome. How is your family? I hope they are well and enjoying this beautiful summer give my best respects to all and espessially to Mrs Douglas. Dear Sir if you ever should comme to New York I wished you would comme and stay with us we would be ever so glad to see you. Mr. & Mrs. Heyne sends their best love and so they children. I am truly Eliza WerpupAugust 22, 1881. The last work I done for Mr Douglass up righting the barn fixing the trimmers and centre of the parlor hearth and fileing the wood saw and putting on the [rof] roof of the cellar way in all $525 five dollars and twenty five cents I am sorry to send to you tell I finish, but I have got down sick and cant do eny better at this time but as soon as I get able I will be glad to finish it if you can wait but I am very sick and have been for two weeks so I cant do eny thing at this time I have got the hingers and screnes down to my house. James H. Miles. [*2477*]Guaranteed Circulation over 10,000 per day. Published Daily, Sunday and Weekly. OFFICE New Yorker Volks-Zeitung, [*184 WILLIAM ST*] Sun Building, P.O. Box 3560. New York, August 24 1881 Fred. Douglass Esq., Washington D.C. Dear Sir. You will certainly excuse my intruding once more on your valuable time for the sake of the cause in behalf of which I am pleading. As you know from the St. Petersburg dispatch published recently in the papers, the Russian Government has resolved to request the extraction of Leo Hartmann, who resides at present in this city & is therefore liable to be arrested if the Secretary of State should see fit to consider the Russian Government's request favorably. The latter seems to be bent on pushing the extradition business here even more vigorously than it did in Paris. From private & trustworthy intelligence received by me I infer that a special secret agent furnished with ample means & accompanied by witnesses for H.'s identification is at [*2[?]44*]present on his way to this country. He has resolved not to leave the U.S. unless there be an imminent danger of his being delivered up. He is now residing in the neighborhood of this city in a safe place where he is not likely to be found. But in order to insure his safety his friends must be acquainted as soon & as accurately as possible of two things: 1st: of the precise moment where the official request for H’s extradition shall be forwarded by the Russian Minister to the State Dpt. & 2nd: of the steps the latter is going to take in consequence of that request. - I therefore take the liberty of appealing to you in this case. With your connections in Washington, enjoying the universal respect of friend & foe, as you do, I am sure it will be an easy task for you to get from the State Dpt. the information required. - As you know, it is a matter of life & death for our friend. So I am convinced that you, as a champion of liberty & justice, will do all in your power to save him from the gallows & the U.S. from the shame of hanging him to it. If you entertain my request favorably, please address a few words - yes or no - to my present address [*S.E.S. to F.D.*]2) Guaranteed Circulation over 10,000 per day. Published Daily, Sunday and Weekly. OFFICE New Yorker Volks-Zeitung, [*184 WILLIAM ST*] Sun Building, P.O. Box 3560. New York, 188 S. E. Shevitch 2 Sea view ave. - East Long Branch I remain there two weeks more & a letter addressed thus will reach me sooner than if it is addressed to my office. - Have you had the occasion of putting to any use the memorandum I handed to you? If you should hear something of immediate importance, please telegraph to the same address, & if possible at such an hour that the dispatch should reach Long branch before 8 p.m., there being no night service in that place. One more question: should a warrant of arrest be issued by the State Dt. against H. would you be inclined to give your name for an [committee] anti-extradition committee eventually composed of Wendell Phillips, Frank B. Paulon, John Swinter & a few others? Once more - excuse my intruding on you Thurs. The cause for which I am pleading is my only excuse. I hope & trust you will consider it a sufficient one. Most respectfully yours S. E. Shevitch [*2444*]The oftener I hear, & the sooner I see you the better I shall like it. I need not try to tell you how deeply and sincerely I appreciate the kind mention you make of me in your book. I will tell you all the rest. Sincerely E Thompson Littleton N.H. Sept 3d /. 81 Dear Mr. Douglas You cannot imagine how much pleasure your letter gave me. I wish you would always write whenever you feel like it whether I have written last or not. I enclose you a letter from my good old friend Dr. [Weeks?] as it will or may be interesting to you. When you have read it you may if you please return it to me. You see I am thinking of staying here so long as I can even if it be all winter!??! I have had a terable sickness caused by going to take care of a friend who had the small pox and wasshut up almost alone and left to rot and die alone like a dog — I had my trunk all packed to go to the "School of Philosophy in Concord Mass, but I left all and went alone to the house where there was with cook - chamber maid or Laundry all having left in affright and I stayed there until I breake dawn my silf — but why do I write this? it is enough to have gone through with it without ever thinking of it after it is passed None but God ad myself can ever know what I went through with - I saved my friends life a Doctor Weipe saved mine Enough — Enough — Yes, I shall be here with my brother until it gits so cold I can stay no longer and you may be sure we shall all be glad as well as proud to wellcome you — Come not only come but just so often as you can — You know I am lonely the autumn is with its cool nights & briet days, the sparkling stream & folages etc - etc -Washington DC 8 Sept 81 Hon Fred’k Douglass My dear Sir. Our mutual friend Parker wishes us to say a good word for him at the department in which he is employed. I suggest that we go down tomorrow at such a time as you may designate and give the good brother "a lift". Our friend Garnett, I see, is to be banquetted on his return to Washington in Sept. Good. With best wishes for yourself & family I am, yours truly, B.K. Bruce (over) [*2480*]PS I forgot to say that I will not be at my office for two or three weeks, having taken my leave of absence. Would be obliged if you would call at my residence for me as you have a first class trotter and I am horseless. BLittleton, N.H. Sept 10th, /'81 Dear Mr. Douglas, Yours of the 7th made me realize how easy and quickly we all pass judgment upon the saying and doing of others because we have seen one phase or heard and repeat. Do you not know that there is more than one link in the chain of life? or one large as you think. There is so little differences in the results of those who nurse for love and those who do it for money?! But we will talk about this when we meet. Which will be soon, I hope- 2482I often explain aloud to my self - When I realize how differently we all see, feel and understand things - I often ask my self why an person even passes judgement upon another --. But enough If you feel like coming to Littleton I shall be very glad to see you. I should like to be better acquainted. I am tired now for I am not yet very strong With kind regards and High Esteem I am as ever E ThompsonMuswell Hill Cottage Carlisle Sept. 17th 1881. My dear Friend I was very much pleased & greatly interested with the welcome letter received from my old fiend Fredk. Douglass, a few weeks since. It did remind me of old times to see the well known writing once again & very much interested I have been with its contents. I was so pleased to hear about all & to know that your family are all comfortably settled in life & yourself free from cares as regards your "daily bread". How thankful I am to be assured of all this, Tho' I had little [*2483*]doubt but this would be the case, for I knew you wd "be up & doing" & would support yourself & family by manual labour rather than starve ! but as you say "better things were in store for you." I heard that you had been appointed United States Marshal of the District of Columbia sometime ago, & I am as deeply interested as you may suppose. What a life yours has been what changes, what wonderful events! to think of what you were in childhood & what you suffered, & how to compare it with yr present position! Your letter has been most interesting to me & to my friends, I sent it first of all to the "other Eliza" to read to herself & mother & greatly interested they were, they were in Ireland at the time staying with Hannah Maria Wigham the H. M. P. ! that used to write sometimes for the "North Star" in days gone bye! I think you knew that she married a Brother of Eliza W's. Well she, Eliza & her Mother wished me to give "their kindest remembrances, & to say they do not forget F. D. nor all the interest of the cause in which he was associated", and she adds, "it is a wonderfully interesting thing that he can now write as he does of the years of his life"! My Brother & Sister Carr too were deeply interested in yr letter, & very much pleased withyour grateful remembrance of them. They retain a very warm interest in you & if you should ever set your foot in England, they as as as many other dear friends of yours would be rejoiced to see you. I wonder if we shall ever have that pleasure! I am so glad to know that the Office you now hold is congenial to your feelings, & freer from care & responsibility, than the one you held previously. How grieved you wd be when President Garfield was shot at & so dangerously wounded, what a sadly anxious time it has been but I do trust from the most current reports there is now hope of his recovery. The deepest interest2 has been excited in this country regarding him, & in yours it must have been intense! So you are writing the story of yr life - how extremely interesting it will be, & to those who know you, it will have a double interest! I always thought it was Anna R. who suggested the idea wh led to your being ransomed from slavery, but of course you will know better than I do. And if Ellen Richardson was the one who first thought of it, Anna was one of the active ones who assisted in carrying it out, and I believe my Brother Carr was the one who sent the letter to your old master! Oh what stirring times those were, what timesof wonderful interest! So yr oldest grandchild is a daughter of Rosa, & actually 16 years of age, how time passes, oh so quickly! I can scarcely think it is five & thirty years since that interesting & wonderful time in Estwick, such as there has never been since in my remembrance! And of what excitement about the money! "Send back the money" used to resound from rock to rock on Arthur's Seat & Salisbury Crags!! Even since then what changes have taken place! And in ourselves too, how differently are some of us now circumstanced, & of course wonderfully changed in appearance! I wonder if you would recognize the "other Eliza" & myself were you to meet us sometime unexpectedly. I think we should know thee. Well I am surely rambling on too long but when you think of days gone bye, one is apt to dwell too much on the past My sister Cass and I are the only two that are left of our own immediate family, my Sisters Wigham & Peale are neither of them living, but I trust we shall meet again in a Better Land, & dear friend trust we may meet in Heaven, if not on this side the grave. "The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all Sins," & again "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believethon Him should not perish but have "Everlasting Life." So may we not look forward with a blessed Hope to an Eternity beyond, for we belong to the Whosoever, and have we not believed, and are not our sins "washed away in the precious blood of Christ." And now dear friend I must conclude & with very kind remembrances to Mrs Douglass & yourself, believe me to be yours very truly Eliza Barlow. My Brother & Sister Carr send their kind remembrances also My son & daughter who w'd much like to know you. What is the right address please I dare say I have put more than is necessary. E.B.Note change of address EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT THE CENTURY MAGAZINE UNION SQUARE NEW YORK Sept. 29.” 1881. Hon. Frederick Douglass, Washington D.C. My dear Mr. Douglass, I suppose your publishers have informed you that we have made arrangement, with them for the use in Scribner[*x*] of a portion of the Autobiography. The part we have selected is the account of the Escape from Slavery and establishment in work at New Bedford. We had a certain amount of space left in the November number when we received the permission from The Park Publishing Co., and so we have been obliged to make slight omissions from the account in one to give it the continuity necessary for x - The November "Century" [*2484*]a single magazine paper, and to bring it within our limits. I hope you will be pleased with our presentation of the account. The amount agreed upon with the publishers was $100. I hope you will yet see your way clear to a thorough paper on The Progress of Education among the Colored Race in America. The data are accessible, I should think, and your generalizations would give them great significance. Faithfully yours, R. U. JohnsonConeygar Villa, Bridport. Sept 30th. 1881 My dear Mr. Douglass, I have just read over with great interest - your last letter dated Nov. 1880 - written when you were earnestly working for the election of the President who was so soon to be taken from the people who loved & honored him. The universal sorrow caused by his death is very striking & touching- I hope that his successor will be wise enough to follow in his steps & carry out his policy. I enclose you a cutting from our Bridport paper giving an extract from a sermon of Mr Carpenter's after hearing of Garfield's death. We are both very sorry that we have not seen your friend Dr. Tanner [*are going to be married in the Spring & so the world goes on. Hoping soon to hear from you & with a good report of yr own health & prosperity. I remain with kindest remembrance in which Mr Carpenter joins very Sincerely yours Mary Carpenter*] [*2485*]Unfortunately we were away from home (in Switzerland) when he was in this part of the country; - as soon as we returned, & received your note of introduction, Mr Carpenter wrote to Dr. T. hoping that he might still be able to come & see us in Bridport; - but it was too late. His plans were formed, & his time too short - for him to come again to this remote corner of England. Soon after our return home we had a visit from another countryman of yours, Professor T. H. Allen of Cambridge - he had been travelling in Europe with a son & daughter for some weeks; - they were still in Italy, but he had to return home after the vacation, & spent a few days with us before leaving England - he is an old & valued friend of my husband's & had visited us some six & twenty years ago at Birkenhead. I must tell you where we have been wandering this summer - we were away from home for first ten weeks, first paying visits to my sisters - near Bristol, (Lucy) & at London (Anne) While in London we attended the very interesting meeting of the International Federation for the Abolition of legalized vice - which were well attended by visitors from France, Italy Germany Belgium Sweden, &c. We left London on the 27th June, & crossed from Harwich to Rotterdam, having a curiosity to see something of Holland, which we had never visited.. We spent a fortnight in seeing the Hague, Harlem, Amsterdam - & thenSaardam where a cottage is shown in wch Peter the Great lived for a short time, when he went to Holland to learn ship-building, & frm - Saardam to Alkmar one of the old Zuyderzee Cities, - & on to the Helder, where a magnificent granite dyke keeps off the North Sea. - Hundreds of windmills are to be seen in this part of Holland. Then we turned south to Utrecht, - to Cologne with its glorious Cathedral wch is now completed, - & is most beautiful; - by the Rhine to St Goar, where we spent a pleasant quiet Sunday taking two long walks over hills commanding fine view. - Then to Heidelberg for 3 or 4 days, Baden Baden also 3 or 4 days, Constance where the Insel Hotelis itself a curiosity. - It was once a Dominican Monastery - the old Refectory is still the eating room. a vast- & very handsome one. - From Constance are when by Rhine Boat to Schaffhausen [so -] [wh] where we only spent a couple of hours in refreshing our remembrance of former visits, & on to Basle, Ourby & Les Avants.- At the latter spot we spent about ten days very delightfully, we had been travelling fast- & working rather hard at sight-seeing in very hot weather, so here, 2000 feet above Montreux, on Lake Geneva, we resolved to have a good rest - the hotel is a very pleasant one beautifully situated - with charming walks all round - & when the time came to leave it we did so with regret. But still more glorious scenerywas to come- from Martigny we crossed the Tête- Noire to Chamonix & here again stayed a week taking long walks to Glaciers — the Mer de Glace &c & enjoying the views of Mount Blanc & the fine range of snow mountains which we saw from our windows. We returned home by Geneva & Paris, Caen a very quaint interesting old town, - Bayeux with its cathedral & tapestry, Cherbourg to Weymouth, & home on Aug. 16th. I have left no space for other matters & hope I have not tired you with my list of the places we visited. I have not heard from Mrs. Crofts since March - & must write soon & ask whether her step-daughter Mattie's wedding has taken place -- it was to be in June. One of my nephews has just married a brave girl who is going with him to the Falkland Islands - two othersThursday I. 30 Sept 1881. Dear Sir! You must excuse me for answering your letter, - but as mother is out of town since last monday, in account of a slight attack of malaria, I thought it would be no more then right, as to let you know, that your letter arrived here on Tuesday - I expect mother to be back in a few days, and I suppose she will then answer your letter as soon as possible. [*2493*]Your first letter and money came in mother's hands also, and she was very glad you liked the little cigars so well, Mr. Heyne is more fond of those little cigars, than he is, of those others bought in the cigar-store, and for mother it is always a little money extra, - which to her is always welcome,- and I believe she would be very much pleased if you could get her an other costumes; but I suppose that is pretty difficult.- I wonder how miss Assing likes her new home,- mother had one long letter since she is gone- I suppose yours had more,- mother misses her a great deal - because they used to play cards till late in the night, when every body else use to be asleep.- Hoping that you and your family are well, I remain respectfully your E. HeyneOffice of Park Publishing Co. PUBLISHERS OF STANDARD SUBSCRIPTIONS BOOKS, 284 Asylum Street. Hartford, Conn. Oct. 5th 1881 Hon Frederick Douglass, Washington D.C. Dear Sir, I am quite anxious to get your book finished as soon as possible. and hope soon to receive [more?] manuscript. Mrs. Greene was in our office a few days since, and she has concluded to canvass for the work. She has not asked me to credit her with books but I presume she will. I am obliged therefore to ask you confidentially whether it would be safe to trust her with what books she would need. Very truly yours S. M. Betts [*2486*]From Mr BettsOffice of Park Publishing Co. PUBLISHERS OF STANDARD SUBSCRIPTION BOOKS, 284 Asylum Street. Hartford Conn. Oct 8th, 1881 Hon Frederick Douglass Washington D. C. Dear Sir. I have received yours of Oct 7th and reply by return mail. I enclose copy of the last part of the book. thus far "set up". which is the conclusion of the 482d page. I desire to bring the book up to 518 pages. I propose to have your speech in regard to Garfield. follow directly after. and then your speech on Abraham Lincoln. but before the speech appears in the book. it is necessary that something preliminary should appear. to save the apparent abruptness, that would naturally appear. What comes after the Garfield speech should appear in the form of a supplementary chapter, which of course will include the speech on Lincoln. This will not bring the book up to the 518 pages. and something more should be added. I think from what I last wrote you enough additional matter can be prepared. Yours respectfully Sylvester M. Betts [*2488 *]Washington, D.C. Oct. 10th,1881 Dear Sir: Pardon the delay in answering your your esteemed letter of 30th July. It came like many others at a time when we here in Washington, like good men everywhere were absorbed by the condition of our late President. The agony of suspense the conflict between hope and fear and the possible consequences to the country which might result from the death of the president were enough to fill all patriotic hearts and minds here and elsewhere. They certainly compelled me to postpone all correspondence which did not seem to me to need immediate attention. In answer to your inquiry, I have to say: I certainly do remember your grandfather General Samuel Fessenden Portland Maine, and I may add than [once saw him] no man who once [*1814*]saw him would be likely to forget him and I have both seen him and heard him in private and in public in the City Hall in Portland and at his table and fireside and my impression of him is as distinct and vivid as if I had passed out of his presence but yesterday. It is now nearly thirty years ago since it was my good fortune to meet General Fessenden. I had arrived in Portland late in the afternoon - tired from a nights and a days journey - and was advertised to speak in the city Hall that night. Thinking that I could get a short nap and be the better prepared to speak in the evening - I took a room I think at the American House and went to sleep hoping to awake in good time for the meeting- but sleep got the Mastery and held me firmly till nearly an hour after the meeting had assembled when a committee [cause then] had found my whereabouts came thundering at the door of my room- and roused me and took me to the meeting with the sleep still in my eyes. General Fessenden was speaking to the large audience assembled and I shall never forget the kind and benignant expression with which he received me - During the evening some fellows of the baser sort sought to disturb the peace of the meeting when General Fessenden arose and with that impressive dignity which distinguished him rebuked the turbulance after which order and decorum prevailed and I had one of the most successful antislavery meetings I ever held in Portland - and I have held many there - and I may say I seldom held one when General Fessenden was not present. When not on the platform presiding, he was in the body of the house. But no crowd could conceal him for he was at least a head above ordinary men. When I saw his massive head, manly form, his blue coatand brass buttons and white cravat in a public antislavery meeting even in the stormiest days, when an abolitionist was supposed to be rightful game for all sorts of missiles, brick bats and bad eggs I always felt protection and safety. General Fessenden was a great Man: too great to be small in anything. While he was a political abolitionist, and believed in carrying his convictions against slavery to the Polls, he was ready to encourage the labor of moral suasionists and do all he could to make their meetings successful when they came to Portland. I am glad to know that it is intended to prepare his memoir, and that the anti slavery side of his grand life will be brought to view. Very truly yours Fredk. DouglassLittleton N H Oct 12th /81 Dear Mr. Douglas I did receive your letter from Fall River and it should have been answered; but I was so sorry for the fate of our dear President that I had no regrets for any thing else. You may believe [that] there are few things that could give me more pleasure than a few days in your society- I should like to listen to your experiences in human nature and to learn the results - but - But - But. It is a long journey from here to Washington when one has no more life, hope, or ambition than I have at this time [*2489*] I am so tired of beggers, and still more tired of the little nothings of social life The world will not allow me the natural life my soul craves, so I prefer to stay here with the snow caped mountains - the bears frozen nature until I too become as cold and frozen as they [am] or as some people think me - I am not alone or even lonely when I am with the hills and mountains of N H & Vt - I love the frost and snow better than the artificial warmth of city life - yet I may find it too cold by & by - if I do I shall run to N.Y. or Washington most likely to Washington - then I shall hope to see much of you - The judge & Mrs. Mac Arthur invited me to spend the winter with them - but I could not keep up with their life - I am more inclined to go to the root of things, to try and find the cause of the present effect than I am to gather flowers by the way side without asking how or why she hapined to be there - I have had my little hours in this whirl pool of "conglomerate events" which makes this play called life, and am more than willing to retire; that others, who fancy they have an individual life & work may take up the toys or tools I have put down - Poor lambs, they will soon learn that there is no individualaty [and] as they will that every ray of yellow light does not reflect a nuget of pure gold But enough - you will think me melancholly, but I am not, I am quiet & what is more Isatisfied to be still and let God (if there be a god) do his own work - I have come to the conclusion that these anxious sensitive souls do more harm than good in the evaluation of life and interlect. I hope here after to stand still that I may the better see the salvation of the Lord - Yet I do not regret [any] the passed - I have learned a lesson that no other experience could have taught me - I do not believe it wise to try to ripen green fruit by injecting [ripe] the juice of of the riper. I am comparatively well - comparatively happy - what more can I expect? Let me hear from you so often as you find time and inclinations And believe me Ever and always your friend E ThompsonMaple Square, Capitol Hill. Washington Oct 16, 1881. (Sunday.) Dear Mr Douglas: Do you not recall when last at my house, that I said I was lacking in that veneration which is usually accepted by a few favored of our kind? I remember your reply, which most women would [think] attribute to the most delicate gallantry on the part of your sex; but I appreciated the sweet irony! The colors were laid on with a Master's hand. Now, I cannot let you think for a moment that I believe myself so elevated there is nothing mortal above me. My small voice comes from the deep valley of humiliation. I see the majesty of law every where, and a perfect equilibrium as soon as the mind enters the grand domain which lies beyond all human influence [*2490*]moving the machinery of the chess board and the Vanderbilts are grubbing for gold, the poor man takes notes of another kind. One of the most delightful men I have ever met is a master mechanic of Philadelphia, A man who delves in brick and mortar, and carries his tin dinner pail to his daily toil every day. He can conceive with his mind one of those immense manufacturing establishments that must contain tons and tons of machinery upon the different floors giving work and bread to hundreds, sometimes thousands of his fellow creatures. President Arthur Senator Edmunds or Vanderbilt couldn't do it. You could not. As for me I couldn't build an oven that would bake a loaf of bread. Have I made myself understood? The World balances and this accounts for my lack of veneration. Sincerely Yours. ("Olivia".) or interference. One person may be far more learned in book lore than another, but it does not follow that the Scholar has or is possessed of the most wisdom. He is the richest who carries his knowledge like so much small change in the pocket of his soul, so that he can use it at all times and season to buy happiness. The man or woman who has enjoyed most and been the means of imparting happiness to others are the successful ones of this life. None of us can enjoy anything beyond food clothes fuel shelter and companionship. Quality alone makes the difference for which we strive If the tent keeps out the elements as well as the palace it is just as good so long as civilization does not get a blow. The lowest stratum of mankind of average intellect is much closer to Nature than the Statesman. Whilst the Statesman is COPY. Sylvester M. Betts, My dear sir: I am no more reconciled than ever to the publication of my life with the illustrations, and I ask and insist, as I have a right to do, that an edition of the book shall be published without illustrations, for Northern circulation. I beg to remind you, that in the contract made with me, for the publication of the book, ypu say nothing about illustrations; you only bind yourself to publish the book on "good white paper," with a steel engraving of the author. This contract does not permit you to load the book with all manner of coarse and shocking wood cuts, such as may be found in [to] the news papers of the day. If the wood cuts had been submitted to my approval, and I had given it, I should have been estopped from objecting as I now do, but you have gone outside the contract, taken the matter in your own hands, and, I hold, have marred and spoiled my work entirely. I have no pleasure whatever in the book, and shall not have while the engravings remain. I think I have ground for appealing to the law under the contract, and getting an injunction against your publishing the book in its present shape. I hope you will not drive me to this last resort. Regretting the necessity that compels me tp speak thus plainly, Respectfully yours, Frederick Douglass. October 30, 1881. I shall not reach home till Thursday next, when I shall be glad to hear from you, and if the response you make to the foregoing shall be as I hope, I will gladly send you the copy needed to finish the work. Again respectfully, F. D. [*1813*]Worcester Nov. 9 _ 1881 Dear Mr. Douglass: Your very kind letter came nearly a month ago, but as you must know, my hands, as well as my heart, have been so full, that in my feeble condition, I have not been able to tell you how grateful to me it was to see again your hand writing, and read your comforting words. My husband had had a long illness, with great suffering, and his constant desire was to be called away. Altho we are bereaved and saddened we know it is well for him and it should be well for us. You kindly offer pecuniary aid if the utterances at the memorial services are to be printed in pamphlet form [*2491*]they will not be. We have sent copies of the Womans Journal which contained them, to such of his friends as we thought would care to read them. My husband, as well as myself, [have] had great pleasure in seeing you appointed to positions of trust and influence in the government. We have not been reconciled to the slow progress towards equality of political, religious, educational and social rights, by the freed man, yet we rejoice in every little gain and know the time must come when the old heathenish - hellish - prejudice shall disappear. God speed the right. My daughter joins with me in kindest regards. Abby K. FosterOFFICE OF A. MCKINLAY & SON, LUMBER DEALERS, Cor. Queen St. and Gladstone Avenue Parkdale, Nov- 9th 1881 My Dr nephew Yr card after a little delay safely to hand I am sorry to learn of the death of Bossie. Strange to say no one has written me a line but you for the last 2 years I[f]t does look as if they have given me the Cold shoulder, one would think when death occurs in the family one would brake through a stoney heart and mention of so sad an event. Would be glad if you have further information conserning his last &c &c let me know. I am also sorry to learn of Lady's sickness I hope she is better; I am anxious to go South this winter, if I can get away I will let you know before I start. This I wish to keep a secret. Hope this will find you well, Geo.We shall not forget to send you photos as son as we can [raise?] the wind and courage to set for them.Office of Park Publishing Co. PUBLISHERS OF STANDARD SUBSCRIPTIONS BOOKS, 284 Asylum Street. Hartford, Conn. Nov 11th 1881 Hon Fred’k Douglass Washington. DC. Dear Sir- I have examined the copy you sent and corrected proof. Gov. Long and prominent republicans of Boston have subscribed for the book. Gov. Bigelow of New Haven and other prominent republicans there, have also subscribed. As I wrote you, I have requested our agent in Washington to call on you to get the names of prominent people there that you might be acquainted with, who could probably subscribe for the book. I trust you will excuse me for the suggestion but if Mr Bolton should call upon you, you will do all interested a great favor not to say anything disparaging to the illustrations as it will dishearten our Gen agent there and do no good. I consider one or two states near Washington the best territory that there is and of course desire all done there that can be done. Yours respectfully, Park Publishing Company [*2492*] [*2492*]Littleton NH Mar 18 / 81 Dear Mr Douglass I was glad to see your hand writing even tho' it did trouble me to read it — I always imagine that I can read your mind by your hand writing — I thank you very sincerely for all your kind expressions and should love dearly to see you with some fine other friends in Washington. But alas — alas! I begin [*2494*]to feel old age coming on -- I have had my little hour in the play called life. I am tired, and must I say it? Yes it is a fact - I find mor pleasure or contentment here away from every body, alone with the cold gray autumn than I could with the chattering crowd of city or fashionable life. I have got bravely on the idea of helping any one — I have learned that if you should really do good to others you must at first know how and [let] then let them alone to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling— I sit day after day with my book, or my sewing work in my hand looking out into space and over the cold frozen earth and wonder what it is all about -- I take up the newspapers and they make my heart ache with the sin of ignorence, there is abroad, I lay them down and crawl back into myself and wonder at all I see and hear — But what of it! I should like a few days in Washington but Washington is far far away. When one has with hope a ambition to helpthem on — I still love my few, oh very few friends, but I am tired of people Yet I may try a few days or perhaps weeks of city life before the winter is all gone — In the mean time let me hear from you often — I am always glad to read your letters and could I write as well or as eloquently as you I should feel like writing much oftener Please remember me most kindly to Mrs. Briggs She is a wonderfully bright clear-seeing woman -- I wish I had her ability in various ways --- Well I have come to the end of my paper, so I must say good by With best wishes & pleasant memories I am as ever E ThompsonU.S. Senate Chamber Washington Dec 12 1881 Hon. Frederick Douglass Washington D.C. Dear Sir, I inclose to you a letter from Mr. C.H. Thomas a respectable colored man of Hartford, who is troubled that he receives no answer to his letters, and hope that you can render him the favor desired. Yours truly, Jos R Hawley The people of Hartford in general would be glad to see hear you, I am sure. H. 2495Office of Park Publishing Co. PUBLISHERS OF STANDARD SUBSCRIPTION BOOKS, 284 Asylum Street. Hartford, Conn. Dec 16h 1881 Mrs. M.W. Greene Fall River. Mass. Dear Madam, Yours of Dec 12h is at hand, In the first place I am not aware, of any mistakes being made in the past. that the Park Publishing Co. are responsible for. When I told the Author that I had the names of thousands of agents. in different parts of the country I told him the facts of the case, but you must understand. that it takes time to get agents at work. and all agents will not sell this book. One of my agents is now canvassing the towns in Herkimer Co. near where Mr. Douglass lectured, and will canvass that same village. I have a man engaged who is to take Providence and canvass the city. he is a great admirer of the Author and will do the book Justice. The whole State of Tenn. & Kentucky, are in the hands of a very smart firm in Louisville. who employ canvassers throughout those two states. and who will do [*2496*]Office of Park Publishing Co. PUBLISHERS OF STANDARD SUBSCRIPTION BOOKS, 284 Asylum Street. Hartford, Conn. .......18.. the book justice. The book has been very extensively advertised in the New England states and is still being advertised. You are entirely mistaken in regard to Scribners Magazine. They offered to pay us a certain sum of money which we accepted, and if they had offered a thousand dollars it would been accepted. We requested the editors to say that the extract was from a new book to be published by the Park Publishing Co. but from some reason or other, it did not appear. We also sent them quite a lengthy advertisement to be inserted in the same number of the magazine, but did not appear. The new book will be done justice to, by us, and if there is any sale to it, it will be brought out. Yours respectfully Park Publishing Co. [* 2496 *]Office of Park Publishing Co. Publishers of Standard Subscription Books 284 Asylum Street. Hartford, Conn. Dec 22d, 1881 Hon Fredk Douglass Washington, D.C. Dear Sir, We enclose bill for books sent to you yesterday, which we trust will reach you promptly. We have just received a copy of the Troy N.Y. republican paper that contains a short review of your book. together with the name of the agent canvassing there. The time for you to lecture in any large place is while the canvasser is at work upon the book, as he can use the book the few weeks succeeding your address and do well, while the impressions received from the lecture, are fresh upon the minds of the people. Yours respectfully, Park Publishing Co. [*2497*]