Department of State. Washington, September 2, 1891. Frederick Douglass, Esq. Anacostia D.C. Sir In reply to your letter of the 29th ultimo, I have to say that your draft for $567 33/100 is held by the Treasury Department and will not be paid, until your final account has been received and it has been ascertained that the above amount is due you. It will be necessary for you to [*1005*]To render your final account at once, so that your draft may be paid within the time prescribed in it. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, William F Wharton Acting Secretary.Van Buren, Arkansas. Sept 4, 1891. Hon. Frederick Douglass, Dear Sir: Judge Isaac H. Bonsall, U. S. C. C. Commissioner at Arkansas City, Cowley County, Kansas, for a number of years, went to Kansas from Cincinnatti, O. in 1857, to fight to make Kansas a free state, served under Lane; had many narrow escapes from death in that service, and, I have good reason to think did as much, in his way, for that cause as any who became famous thereby. The history of his service then is full of acts of great personal bravery and he is today called the "Fighting Quaker" of Kansas. He was thrice rejected from enlistment in the Union Army during the Rebellion because of throat trouble; served in the rifle pits near Cincinnati and was again rejected, then went into and remained, until the close of the war I think, in the Secret Service of the Government. He is a very intelligent fine appearing man, a rigid Republican, as courageous as a lion and the soul of honor in the fullest sense. The Kansas "boom" has reduced him, with many others, from plenty to want. There is but little money in his office. His father's home at Cincinnati was often honored by the presence of Ex President Gen. William H. Harrison, Henry Clay, Corwin, and [*1006*]2 many other eminent in our history. He seeks a position. Can one be obtained for him, if what I say of him, is correct? I doubt whether the machine politicians would endorse him as he has always been far above them, but hundreds of good men at his home and elsewhere will. I am a Democrat and while I know that he would not vote for me on the Democratic ticket for any office of importance, yet on the basis of manhood, I know him to be one of the best men in the Republican Party. Investigation will prove the truth of what I say concerning him. Very Respectfully Yours, E. A. Andrews. Van Buren, Crawford Co. Arkansas.A. O. L. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, FIFTH AUDITOR'S OFFICE, WASHINGTON, D. C, Sept. 4, 1891. 189 Hon. Frederic Douglass, (Late United States Minister and Consul General , etc.), Anacostia, D. C. Sir: -- I respectfully inform you that your accounts for salary, contingent expenses and clerk-hire, for the quarter ended June 30, 1891, have been adjusted in this office, and transmitted to the First Comptroller of the Treasury. No returns of fees or services have been received at this office from your consular agencies for the quarter ended June 30, 1891, nor have any other accounts of yours been received here for time subsequent to June 30, 1891. Referring to the accounts of your agents for services to vessels, I beg leave to state that the receipts of the agent at St. Marc are informal, not containing your name but only acknowledging the receipt from the Legation. There is no receipt to you from the Jeremie agent. In case proper receipts shall not be placed on file, of course the Treasury drafts will be sent payable to the order of the agents. The acting agent at Petit Goave sends a claim for services 1007 2 to the vessel "Addie Snow," October 3, 1890, for $4.05, made up in part of a bill of health, $2.50, which he also includes in his fee returns as a fee collected. This will also require explanation. He also fails to furnish sworn form 168, which he should furnish if he still claims these services unpaid. Respectfully yours, L.W. Haberwen Fifth Auditor a.e.s.1013 arch Street Philadelphia, Pa Sep 4, 1891 Hon. Fred. Douglass Dear Sir, I called on you at your residence at Anacostia for an authorized biographical sketch of you for the "National Cyclopedia of American [*1008*]time. We are anxious in our forthcoming work to have the sketches of notable living men come from official sources - and be recognized as accurate. very truly, Geo. R. Prowell Biography "soon to be issued You pormised to preface one for use in about fifteen hundred words. Can you have it ready for me by the first of October? I will return to asking in about thatBooksX.B. TREASURY DEPARTMENT, FIRST COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE. WASHINGTON, D. C. September 7 1891. Hon. Frederick Douglass Late U.S. Minister of Counsel General to Haiti Case of the Department of State. Sir: The following of you accounts from January 1, 1891 to June 30, 1891 have been adjusted and found balanced. Report 153,616 Salary and Fees including Agency returns to March 31, 1891. Report 153,618 Clerk Heine. Report 153,617 Contingent Expenses. Respectfully yours, A.c. Matthews. First Comptroller. By JR Garrison Deputy First Comptroller. [*1031*]Logan Town Sept 9-- 1891 Hon. Frederick Douglass Dear Honored Sir & friend. fifty years ago, I was in Chester co. Pa, my Native State, feeling a lively interest in the Abolition of Slavery, & other Reforms —, Being associated with The Fultons Waltons-Coates, Coxes, Whitsons, Hambletons, Prestons, Brosins, Kents, Jacksons, Fussels-Motts, McKims, Barnards, Dugdales, & many others [*1009*]2 you can doubtless recall many of those grand old abolitionists, altho you may not remember my being a very Humble Citizen. Some years ago I was a Juryman in Council Bluffs, And you Lectured there And our mutual friend D.CV. Amelia Bloomer invited me to spend the Evening with them as you would be there. I did so and was well pleased. The very Honorable old Pair Have Celebrated their Golden Wedding3 since then. And now I wish to say, that if we linger till the close of this month Sept 30 - 1891, we will have rounded out our 50 years of married life - And would feel greatly Honored if we could Have a line of greeting from you at that time. Robert Purvis will likely Honor us in that way. He is past 81 - I was 77 July 2 - 1891 - you must be near my age.4 I Have a Solid friend (Alpheus Davison) who must live near you - He is in the Pension office, and Built a Home in Annacosta some years ago, was a Resident of Logan for many years. With a vivid- remembrance of Early life, when you were a Slave, I am as ever truly your friend. Jacob. T. SternPort-au-Prince, Haiti, September 10, 1891. Honorable Frederick Douglass, Cedar Hill, Anacostia, D.C. U.S.A Dear Sir: Your welcomed letter of the 28th ultimo has been received. I infer from its tone that your resignation has been accepted, this inference is further confirmed by an announcement that appeared in the 3rd instant in Audain's paper saying that "Mr. Durham the U.S. Consul at St. Domingo had been appointed as Minister Resident to Haiti, he further adds that Mr. Durham, would soon arrive here on a Man of war, that he has for mission to reclaim the execution of the unlucky Bazelon's treaty which gives to the yankees the clause of the most favored nation, permitting them to enjoy the same advantages accorded to the Dominicans, the right of becoming property holders among others. He concludes with saying: Therefore this is the moment for the Chambers to denounce the principle of this treaty, if they do not wish to see soon the Americans establish themselves in this country as in their own." Mr. Audain seems to have a mania for suggesting things which if carried out would not fail to augment the dislike and awaken the animosety [*1010*] [*[100]*]animosity of the American public. I do not believe a more unpropiteius time could be chosen for to abrogate the treaty of 1864; even if it should be desirable, and he is the first whom I have ever heard denounce that treaty. I have not had the pleasure of seeing your article in the "North American Review", but I learn with pleasure and satisfaction, from you letter, that the prejudices created by the correspondent of the White Squadron is melting away; which it must do before the strong light of truth. I have no doubt but that Haiti will find in you a true friend and an earnest defender, whenever she is attacked, her cause being more or less identified with that of our race, of which you have been the staunch defender for over a half century. Public affairs here are very quiet, not even any of the rumors in regards to the intention of the exiles at Kingston, which some weeks ago were kept circulating so briskly with the design of creating and keeping up in the public mind feelings of anxiety and apprehension. Mrs, Battiste sends her respects to you and Mrs. Douglass, and is happy to learn that you are both in enjoyment of good health. Mr. Jones and Sarah also send their respects and regret very much that you will not return. Trusting that I may have the pleasure of feeling the warm grasp of your hand before we leave this earth I remain Yours truly A. Battiste P.S. Mr. Durham arrived here at 11, by the Dutch Steamer from Jacmel. Yours truly A.B.Baltimore Sept. 11th 1891 Hon. Frederick Douglass, Dear Sir, I received your kind and friendly letter yesterday thanking me for the Small token of my good will towards you, I had intended to hear your address at the Centenial Church on last Sunday night, but was prevented by circumstances beyond my control My wife though was not to be put off, and was much pleased with your address, and also to have met you. She told me how anxious you were to see me, and that you would not leave Baltimore until the afternoon of Monday. So after I got through with my urgent business on that morning I determined that I would walk around to Mrs. Vodery's and See you, for the purpose of letting you know from my own lips, that I harbored not the least unkind feeling towards you, but on the contrary I have always felt a degree of pride when I have read, or heard of your being elevated to some important position, many of which you have filled with credit to yourself Since our estrangement, What took place at mothers house on Ann St. during the war I have long since regretted, and have felt that I did you a great wrong, but I had been reading [*84*] [*3011*]your Book and imagined that you had done Mother a great injustice in some of your remarks in regard to her. Mother would always speak in the kindest terms of you, whenever your name was mentioned. Father & Mother both have long since passed away, and nearly all the rest of our Family. There is none left of our immediate family but myself and brother Hugh Wilson. Father died suddenly in Dec./61. Mother died at my house on Washington near Balto. st on 4th July 1880, aged 82 years. Aunt Mary Ann Auld, Uncle Edwards widow was with us when she died, Brother Thomas was lost at sea, trying to save the crew of a British Brig that was in a sinking condition, Ann Lizzie died in New Orleans on 27th of last January She had been married twice, the first husband was Saml. A. Whitney from the state of Maine, but doing business as Ship Chandler in N.O. he died quite young a few years afterwards she married Capt. Geo. Glidden who also carried on the Ship Chandlery business in N.O. and after securing a competency retired from business he still survives. She never had any children by either husband, and I am the only one of our family who has kept up the family name I've have five sons and three daughters, three of my sons are married, and also my oldest daughter and they are all doing very well, Brother Wilson is a machinist by trade, works for Chas. Reeder on Federal Hill, where he has been employed for many years, he has been married twice but never had any children. At the age of 16 I was placed with Graham & Spedden as an apprentice to learn the ship Joining business, their shop was on Philpot St, directly opposite the house where I was born, and adjoining old Mr. Dougans dwelling I served 5 years apprenticeship, and then started out a full fledged ship Joiner, but never advanced to any degree above a Journey man, being of a wild turn, until I married, then I began to settle down to the realities of life, and the duties that I owed to my wife & children. I now thank God, that I have outlived all old animosities and have no ill will against any person in the world, and I do so endeavor to discharge my duties as an officer of the Law to all persons alike that I have many friends both white & colored in my district. The Book that I sent you, I thought would be interesting in some parts to you, and as a token of my kind regards, I remain yours very Respectfully Benj'm F Auld Eastern Police Station or 410 S. Patterson Park Ave. P.S. When you come to Baltimore at any time I will be pleased to see you either at the Station or my residence, B. F. A.[* ISI *] Department of State Washington, September 11, 1891 Frederick Douglass, Esquire late Consul General of the United States, Port au Prince, Anacostia, D.C. Sir: Please report to this Department the date of your departure from your post on recent leave of absence, and your arrival at your home, and whether there was any agreement between the Vice Consul General and yourself as to the compensation of the office during your absence I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, William T Wharton Acting Secretary [* 3124 *]Port au Prince 17 Sept. 1891 M My Dear Mr. Douglas, I received your kind and very interesting letter of the 27th ult., enclosing a check of $25.- for 50 copies of the pamphlet, for all of which please accept my best thanks. You would have read the article in the N. Y. Times (I think of the 29th ult.) written by Mr. Huse and headed: [a] A very stupid pamphlet published by John Demtsper. Well, Mr. Huse seems to be full of fight and I intend to meet him squarely. His article will be dissected very much in the same style as Mr. Reed's pamphlet was, but I will wait [*1011*]to gather up all the shafts that will be hurled at me, make a bundle of them and return the compliments in a second pamphlet, to make one work of it. Mr. Huse has laid himself bare ,in his article, in the most unaccountable manner: he goes back on Clyde, he insults Reade, he denounces the Government at Washington and only defends the Admiral and himself. I am glad to know through Mr. Huse that Clyde applied for the Mole in his first contract and was to turn it over to the U.S. afterwards!!! Of course your resignation was nothing to surprise me. You are a victim, but a glorious victims of a hell black scheme in which your very Government appears to be the principal actor.The new Minister arrived here yesterday. I see in the papers that he was appointed at the dictation of Clyde & C and Mr. Wannamaker & co to Doeninger, who are no doubt also at the bottom in the matter of his appointment to Port au Prince. What confirms me in this belief is that Capt. Reed arrived with the Minister here on the same boat! I hear that he is going to try to make trouble for me. It seems that decidedly the American Government is run by Wm. P Clyde & C as regards Hayti. In politics, everything is very quiet. The exiles are divided among themselves and although they may try to make a "coup" soon, I think they are powerless to upset Hyppolite for a while yet. Mrs. Metzger is well, and joins me in very kind regards and compliments to yourself and Mrs. Douglass. I shall always be most gratified to hear from you and shall be most happy to write you whenever I may have anything of interest to communicate. Believe me, Dear Mr. Douglass, to remain Yours faithfully John D. Metzger P.S. Mr. Reed has not come, but is expected. J.D.MCedar Hill, Anacostia, D.C. Sept. 16, 1891 Dear Captain Auld, You must allow me to thank you for your kind good letter of the 11th instant. In it, you told me much that I wanted to know. The death of your brother Thomas touched me deeply. I am glad to know that your brother Hugh Wilson, still lives and that you are able to transmit the family name. Your letter emboldens me to ask a further favor of your hands. Can you tell me in what year your father entered into partnership with Edward Harrison and began ship building on the city block? Can you tell me in what year he quitted work on the "frigate" in Beacham's Shipyard and went to work in Dongan & Bailys? - I had not begun to notice dates at that time. and a knowledge of these dates will help me to fix other dates and events about which I wish to be accurate. Perhaps, there are that within [*1061*]your acquaintance who can help you to this knowledge. I am especially desirous to know in what year Mr. James Beecham built the frigate. He went out of business as soon as that vessel was finished and built a residence on what is now Broadway. I was much interested in the biographical sketch of yourself in the volume you kindly sent me. It was like you that at the call of duty you went into that dangerous dance house and collared the thieves in the midst of their revelry and took them into custody. The Police System of Baltimore has been a string of time and developments. I remember when only two constables were anywhere to be seen on Falls Point and when Worth and Bangs were the only watchmen. In those days the Point and town boys often spent their Sundays in pitching cents and fighting near the old Drawbridge. I am sorry to say, that I with the Condery boys was often with them as bad as the worst. I sometimes wonder that I ever amounted to any thing in this world. Do tell me if you know what has become of "Jim" Bill and George Condery. George was much older than myself but I must not ask you any more questions - and even now fear I have too much trespassed upon your time. Should you ever come to Washington and I certainly hope you will, you will make me happy if you will come to my house if but for one hour. I have prepared a brief sketch of my life for a forthcoming encyclopedia - Before sending it off I will take the liberty to send you a copy of it which you will kindly return to me. With every sentiment of respect and esteem - Very truly yours - Frederick DouglassWashington D.C. Sept 19th 1891 Hon. F. Douglass. Dear Sir, Although not having the pleasure of a personal acquaintance, I have known of you since you lectured in New Brighton Beaver Co. Pa. about in 1844. When the over officious Capt. B. Boyes of the Stemer runing between Beaver & Pittsburgh, ordered you from the dinner table, & your friends, the Clark family, amoung whome, the now well known -- "Grace Greenwood," also quit the table & C. My purpose in now writing you, is having learned that the late Hon. Thad-- Steven's (the great statesman & governor of Pa.) property, the house in which he died, could be bought for the low price of fifteen thousand dollars (15.000$) I conceived the idea of the just and proper thing to do, upon the part of our colored friends, would be to buy his homestead for libarey -- calling it "Stevens Libarey," for the 1012for the colored people of the D.C. and thus perpetuate his name, as he was a true patriot, & unfaling frien of your people. Who having purchased a burrial lot in a cymetary in Lancaster Co. Pa. and having learned that "negroes" were denied the right of burrial there, canceled his purchase, saying "He would not be burried where negroes were denied the right of burrial." &c. Surly when the Confederates have purchased the houses of their late President, and vice President, of the Confederate States, for a baret, & place of rendavose for the Rebels & in which to store away Relics, flag's &c. also to perpetuate their names to all coming posterety; why indeed should not our colored friends do honer to their friend and benefactor? in perpetuating his name through all coming time? by securing his property for so benevolent, & laudable a purpose. The property is located on the Squair adjoining the Capital. No. 27 B. St. D.C. fronting the capital grounds S.E. B. St. neare the new libray, being built east of capital. The lot has a fruntage of 43 ft. by 96 to an alley The house as 10 or 12 rooms and the first, & second, parlers being 1 of ft. Square. Also a large brick stable on an alley. The propety, situate where it is, will be worth 30,000.$ in less than ten years. I would pay 100.$ towards buying it, rather than it should fall into the hands of any other party. I am informed the party having it for sale are Haight & Co. Real-Estate men No 12.10 F. St. N.W. D.C. I think Hon. Bruce, & Linch, of the 2nd Accd, Treasury, would join you, in so laudable an object. Please excuse writing &c. as I am in my 80th years, & not so nimble, as in years gon by. I would also respectfully refer your Hon. to Senator Quay of my old home, Beaver. Also Revd Doct. Correy of the Metropolaton M.E. Church, D.C. as to who I am. Respectfully S.B. Wilson N 809. I Sr.N.W. overP.S. If prefer, it would make a splinded Hotell, by ading two or three stories, and calling it "Thad Stevens Temperance Hotell." Then our Colored friends would have a place to go, without being snubed or insulted, as now, and Congressmen could Room and board conveniant to the Capital &c S.B.W.New Haven, Conn., Sept. 18, 1891. My dear Douglass: Fearing that possibly you might miss seeing to-day's N.J. Herald, I hasten to send you a clipping from it which contains an important statement from President Hyppolite on our several matters of interest to us all. It bears on its face the mark of being genuine,- that is, you and I know the views stated to be those of the President in the main. I send you also herewith a clipping from our leading city journal, covering a recent "interview" with me, in which I speak of you and Durham. You will of course know how to make due allowance for the usual errors of reporters and type setters. For [*820*]instance, I did not say that I had "business interests" down in Haiti. Alas! I have none anywhere. We all feel desirous of knowing from time to time about your health, Tim's paper lately said that at Bill Matthews' dinner you were at your best and as lively as a school boy. That looks as if you are all right again, and we are all glad of it. I wrote to Lewis more than a month ago. But I have never heard from him since. Is he sick or away from home? The Chya-Gherardi-Reed combination is King! Tom Platt was with them. All hail the rising Sun! Yours very cordially, E.L. ProsettRusk, Sept. 18, 1891 Mr. Frederick Douglass, -- Dear Sir,- I write in behalf of Jane Pierce to say that about two years ago at the request of Nathan Sprague and under the pretense to invest in Real Estate she let him have five hundred dollars and upon the receipt of same sent her his personal note payable on-demand with interest semi-annually. He has paid a little over six months interest on it and to her repeated requests for the unpaid interest have paid no attention. She has at last demanded the payment of financial and interest and to that he has remained silent. Now what I wish to ask is this. Is there any way she can get her money? [*2097*]You know as well as I that what little she had she has worked a life time and worked hard to get and to have a person pretend to her that he is making money so fast and can assure her much larger income if she would allow him to invest it for her and when she does confide in him he does not do as he agreed she thinks it to say the least dishonorable, and in behalf of her I ask you in there is any way that you can assist her to get it. Hoping this may find you will as it leaves me and to hear from you soon in regard to the matter. I remain Yours Truly James HallockJOHN S. DURHAM, [UNITED STATES CONSUL SAN DOMINGO, WEST INDIES.] LEGATION THE UNITED STATES PORT AU PRINCE, HAITI. September 23d 1891. private To Honorable Fred'k. Douglass, Washington, D.C. My dear Sir: I do thank you most cordially for your pleasant letter of congratulations which reached me this morning. I was delighted and honored beyond expression and I do hope that my life here will be such as to merit a continuance of your personal interest. If I can leave here, honored by the people of every grade as you have done, I shall smile at the fire from the rear which seems to be the reward of faithful service here. Your commendation of Mr. Battiste is sufficient guarantee for his retention. Again thanking you for your kind words, and [*1013*]wishing you many years of useful and honored activity. I have the honor to remain Yours Sincerely Whm S. DurhamPort-au-Prince, Haiti September 24, 1891. Honourable Frederick Douglass, Cedar Hill Anacostia, D.C. Dear Sir: Your favor of the 10th instant was received with much pleasure. All attention will be given to the letter of the Fifth Auditor, I will write to Mr. Meiot by the mail of Saturday next to obtain a receipt in due form and as soon as I receive it I will transmit it to you. As no receipt was received from Mr. Rouzier, the treasury draft will have to be made payable to him. Please inform me when your resignation was accepted, so that I may know from what date to make out Dr. Terres' account for Salary. I suppose that your account will be made out at Washington. Many thanks for your hearty recommendation of me to Mr. Durham, he communicated to me the part of his letter to you wherein he writes: that your recommendation is a sufficient guarantee for my retention, Again thanking you I beg to say that if in any manner I can be of service to you here, you have but to indicate it to me. Our old friend Capt. Reed arrived here on Sunday last, he is going to have an interview with Minister Stewart about the Clyde's S. S. Contract, but I have [*1014*]no fear but that he will find Mr. Stewart equal to the emergency. In political circles, every thing is quiet here, the Chamber of Representatives alone seems disposed to raise opposition to the Government, upto the present they have not done a single thing for the benefit of the country although there remains but 5 or 6 day for the closing of the Session, the Budget is not yet voted, all their time has been used in useless speeches, however after much discussion they have decided to appoint a committee of 5 to investigate the alleged deficiencies in the accounts of the administration of Messrs Firmin and Leochaud. The exiles at Kingston are occupied in quarreling among themselves, their funds are low and therefore we have respite from them. When Mr. Durham arrived we feared that he had come to be a tool for Messrs Clyde Gherardi & Co, but on better acquaintance, that fear is dissipated, I do not think he will be anybody's tool, but will act justly and uprightly, moreover he came here having a very high opinion of our mutual friend Dr. Lerres, and now seems to rely on him for such advice as he may need for putting himself on good terms with the Authorities here; if he keeps to that, I do not think that we shall have any cause to complain of him; for you know Doctor's sentiments and feelings towards the Haitiens. He has not yet presented his credentials, I suppose he will do so next week. Mrs Battiste begs to be remembered to you and Mrs. Douglass, and sends her best wishes to you and her. Mrs. Heraux, as well as the Bishop's family do the same. With best wishes to you and Mrs. Douglass I remain yours truly A. BattisteBaltimore, Sept. 29th 1891 Dear Sir, I received your kind letter of the 16th inst. and have delayed answering it on account of not being able to get the necessary information that you requested of me. I have hunted up a number of the old residents of Fells Point, and they differ somewhat as to dates, Wm. Jones an old ship builder, and a partner of John A. Robb also later on, of the firm of Jones & Ashcroft, says that Beacham built the Frigate in 1825, Peter Gerahty whom you no douby will remember says that the Frigate was launched in 1826. I think possibly that you will be able to get at the dates better [*1016*]by my giving you the exact date and place of my birth, I was born in the house adjoining Dorgan & Bailey's Ship yard on Philpot St. on 27th Dec. 1828 and Peter Gerahty says that Father and Harrison carried on, upon the City Block from 1830 to 1834, I remember when we moved from Philpot to Fell st. and Father went into Walter Price's yard, and I think that was about 1834. There are but few of the old residents of Fells Point left, They have nearly all passed away, and I myself am now about the same age my Father was at his death, I am in my 63rd year, and find that I am not near as active as I was a few years back, yet I enjoy very good health, and am ready to take a hand in anything appertaining to my duties as an Officer yet. I would be pleased to spend a day in Washington this fall but fear that I will not be able to do so, for I will be compelled to go to New Orleans, sometime in November, to be there at the settlement of my Sister Ann Lizzie's Estate, and that will take all the time that I can get from the Police Board. If I learn anything further concerning those dates, or anything else that will interest you I will communicate to you at once. With kind regards of myself and family, I remain yours very sincerely Benj'n F. AuldBridport Sept 27 - 1891 My dear Mr. Douglass We are very glad to get your letter, which contained satisfactory tidings - You may have seen a paragraph respecting you which I sent to the Inquirer, a copy of which I sent you. / It also contained a biographical article of mine on Dr & Mrs. Allen, whom I visited in 1850., their son, Dr. J.H Allen, is my especial New England friend, and correspondent. He called his youngest son after me - "Russell Carpenter Allen") I have ben reading to-day, for the second time, your very able and interesting article. Thank you for lending us the newspaper - In this little town, no one (I believe) takes in the North American Review, The article [*1015*]seems to us altogether worthy of you - which is saying a good deal, I wonder how your calumniators like the polished sarcasms! I am not in a position to form an opinion; but it seems to me not unnatural that the Pres't of Hayte did not feel inclined to give a naval station to the U.S. Is it a request that would be made to any of the great powers, without offering a quid pro quo? - Would the U.S. ask England to give them a station in Jamaica e.g.? However poor little Hayti can hardly be regarded as a rival power! I think I saw, in some paper, that the U.S. is in treaty for the purchase of the Isle of St Thomas, which I fancy belongs to Denmark. I was glad to notice that your successor is also a gentleman of "colour," and that the vacancy which his promotion causes is filled by one of his own race. I was grieved to see in the [Nlob?] so many proof of the continuance of the disgraceful treatment of the negroes, at hotels, &c, &c. However, yours is I believe the winning side! and every now and then I send of the sympathy and help afforded to schools like Tuskegee. - where your young people are trained to become valuable members of society. I should have liked much to have been present when you face the Address, you were looking forward - to, at Baltimore. Times are changed indeed! We are glad to hear that Mrs. Douglass is better again, and that her venerable mother retains her cheerful spirit. We often regret that we could not have the pleasure of seeing Mrs. Douglass. I wonder whether you remember the Rev'd G. Armstrong at Bristol. He and Mr. Easton are ardent Abolitionists. Hisson is now in America, and at his request I gave him a note of introduction to you. (see P.S.) I hope to send you a Bridport News, containing the Report of a Mutiny to protest against Venection. My wife has taken up the crusade against it with the same zeal which she showed in opposing slavery and the C.D. Acts. She got up the Mutiny, I do not attend public meetings [in the] at night. - I only come in the day, - as my hearing is not what it was. Mr. Blake, who took part in it, is her nephew. The same paper contains a letter of mine, on the Licensing Question.- I was one of them who asked to address the Magistrates of the Borough on the subject -- we had a memorial signed by half the householders of the Tour, - but they declined to hear us. - So I have been writing a series of 3 letters on the subjects. We look forward with much interest to your second article, which we hope you will send us. With kindest remembrances faithfully and affectionately yours, R. L. Carpenter P.S. I send the memorial & cuttings from the B. News by boat-portE. H. WILSON. A. V. KAISER. J. B. M. HIRONS. PIG AND BAR IRON, NEW AND OLD RAILS. SCRAP MUCK BARS. RAILROAD SUPPLIES. E. H. WILSON & CO,, No. 222 SOUTH THIRD STREET. Philadelphia Sept. 29th, 1891., Hon. Frederick Douglass, Washington, D.C., Dear Sir:- We are the owners of the U.S. single turret monitor "Saugus" this monitor can be put into service within 30 days; can you inform us who would be the proper parties with whom to communicate in Hayti in reference to the sale of this vessel? We have all of the details, drawings, etc., which we could furnish, if required. If you could give us this information, it would greatly oblige, Yours truly, E. H. Wilson & Co [* 1017 *]