W.H. CROSBY. WALTER BURTON, CHAS. E. BEAR. 
National Hotel Largest Hotel in Washington,.
350 ROOMS
ALL MODERN IMPROVEMENTS.
AMERICAN
$2.50 to $4.00 
PER DAY
EUROPEAN
Rooms: $1.00
and Upwards. 

CROSBY, BURTON & CO.
PROPRIETORS.
Washington, D.C. May 1st, 1893

Hon. Frederick Douglass: 
Dear Sir:
I was much
disappointed not to find you 
at home when I called this
morning to present the
enclosed letter from Gene
Mahone. The object of my
visit was to ask your 
practical interest in 
a work that I have undertaken
in the interest
of the worthy efforts of
the colored people of
Lexington Ky & vicinity. 
I want to raise $15000 
13952

for the endowment of
the "Colored Orphans Home 
Board" of Lexington, Ky; 
a charter for which is
granted exclusively to
the women. The object
of this Board is to establish
an asylum for orphans 
and old women in 
the city of Lexington. 
To that end, a suitable
building, occupying
a beautifully shaded 
lot of 4 acres has been
bought, and payment
for it either made or
secured. Personally
I accepted a commission
from the president of 
the Board 10 days ago to 
undertake the work of 
carrying to success thisW.H. Crosby. Walter Burton, Chas. E. Bear. 
National Hotel Largest Hotel in Washington,
350 Rooms
All Modern Improvements. 
American
$2.50 to $4.00 
per day
European
Rooms: $1.00
and Upwards. 

Crosby, Burton & Co
Proprietors. 
Washington, D.C. _189_

most worthy enterprise
and my first efforts were
in the direction of testing
the white sentiment of 
Lex, and of obtaining
all the practical (preliminary)
support I could from
that direction. In this 
work I was most gratefully
surprised to find that
more than nine tenths
of the large number 
to whom I applied, either
contributed of their
means, or expressed
most kindly interest.4

and I approached none
but the most substantial
class of our business,
professional, and political 
men. And it may
interest you to know that
although the majority
of our wealthier citizens
are republicans in faith,
a far larger proportion
of democrats gave me 
help and Godspeed,
than of republicans.
Personally I am of neither
party. This work was
done chiefly for the purpose
of getting round the
project a coterie of
friends for its future
support. Now I want 
to raise among the 
descendants of the oldWH CROSBY WALTER BURTON CHAS E. BEAR,
National Hotel Largest Hotel in Washington
350 Rooms
All Modern Improvements
American $2.50 to $4.00 per day
European Rooms: $1.00
and Upwards
CROSBY, BURTON & CO. 
PROPRIETORS
Washington D.C. 189

abolition party and other
persons of common sense,
practical humanity, the
endowment fund already
mentioned. It will not
do to say that our people
should do that. For it
will be admitted that
nobody was ever really
benefitted by inherited
slavery; and there people 
who are now so freely
cooperating with me in.
This work, nine tenths 
of them never owned
a slave, and have received6
nothing from the institution
but an onus.
and again in our town
of 30,000 people there 
are about 12000 colored
people, nearly 1/3 of whom
in the winter months
are fed[d] and fueled
from soup houses and
coal yards most bountifully
supplied without
intermission by the
private and public 
charities of the city. 
The support of the needy 
colored people of our
town is a heavy and
unending tax; and no 
people even met an 
obligation more nobly
or kindly. Our colored
school system is mostW.H. Crosby. Walter Burton Chas E. Bear. 
National Hotel 
Largest Hotel in Washington, 
350 rooms
All modern improvements.
American
$2.50 to $4.00 
per day
european
rooms: $1.00 
and upwards
Crosby, Burton & Co
Proprietors. 
Washington, D.C. _ 189_ 

excellent and equitable; 
and the races there live
in peace and harmony. 
My own relation to the 
matter may interest you. 
I am a Virginian by nativity,
the son of Geo Fitzhugh 
of Va, who in your younger
days (in the fifties) was
perhaps the most prominent 
pro slavery writer
in the south, being the
author of "Sociology
for the South, or The
Failure of Free Society"; 
"Cannibals All" &c8

I was captain of Engineers
in the Confederate Army, 
was some time in Gen'l
Lee's staff corps; and
served terms in three
of the northern prisons. 
While in Camp Chase I
was pecuniarily aided
by Hon. Gerritt Smith, 
whose wife was a Miss
Fitzhugh. So you can readily
see that I am at least
a fair representative 
of southern sentiment. 
But I never owned a slave
and when a boy, made
up my mind never to 
own one; and my whole 
life has been tinged with
an affection for the
black people of the south
and such efforts as I couldW.H. Crosby. Walter Burton Chas E. Bear. 
National Hotel 
Largest Hotel in Washington, 
350 rooms
All modern improvements.
American
$2.50 to $4.00 
per day
european
rooms: $1.00 
and upwards
Crosby, Burton & Co
Proprietors. 
Washington, D.C. _ 189_ 

judiciously make in their
behalf have always been
openly and fearlessly
made. I am capable now
of making this work a
nucleus of much good
to them, and I want you
to help me by both [by] 
commendations and 
contributions. The enclosed
copies of letters will throw 
some additional light on
the subject. Your con-
-tributions, and any that
you may influence for
me may be made by check 

10

to me, or Mrs. E.B. Jackson, 
president of Colored Orphan's 
House Board direct; or
may, if you prefer, be 
sent to me through Gen'l 
Mahone, Chamberlain; 
Hotel Washington, D.C.:
or what would do me
more good, through
professor N. S. Shalev
of Harvard university,
Cambridge, Mass. My
purpose is to be in
Barton in a few days
where I will stay some weeks,
if need be, in this effort,
and while there will spend
a short time as guest
of Professor Shalev,
Your name and contribution
will be of infinite
use to me, and I do hope
11
W.H. Crosby. Walter Burton Chas E. Bear. 
National Hotel 
Largest Hotel in Washington, 
350 rooms
All modern improvements.
American
$2.50 to $4.00 
per day
european
rooms: $1.00 
and upwards
Crosby, Burton & Co
Proprietors. 
Washington, D.C. _ 189_ 

that you will send me
both. But beyond that
I beg that you will favor
me with any practical
suggestions of probable
value to me. You will
readily understand 
that I am not on a canvass
for sentiment now; it
takes money to feed 
the orphans and widows. 
Please do me the kindness 
to write to me, care of
Professor N.S. Shalev, 
Cambridge, Mass. 
Another way in which12

to make contributions 
is by check to the Second 
National Bank of Lexington, 
Ky, for the "Colored Orphan 
Home Board."
I have written you at great 
length but I am sure that 
you will concede that the nature
and importance of the
subject justifies it. 

Very truly & respect'y, 
R. H. Fitzhugh

*5*Hotel Chamberlin
McPherson Square
Washington, D.C.

1. May 1893

Dear Mr Douglass

I beg by this
note to introduce to you
my wise long friend Capt.
Ro. H. Fitzhugh now of
Kentucky.

He wishes to
confer with you about
a mission which he has
in hand concerning the
wellfare of the Colored
race and I know you will
bear with.

Yr truly
Malone

Hon FW Douglass
Anacosta

[*1396*]EXPOSITION UNIVERSELLE DE CHICAGO
COMMISSION HAÏTIENNE

Chicago May 5th 1893

My dear Mr. Douglass,
My cold, which I had
fondly hoped had taken a turn 
for the better, received a decided
setback from the dampness in which
I had to travel to & from last
nights reception. The result is that
I have not been able to leave
my room today. I have been
feeding on quinine & chlorate of 
potash & it is from my bed at 
this moment that I am dictating,
unable to sit up & write myself.
I trust that by tomorrow the 
Gods will have mercy on me.
In the meanwhile it daily becomes
more and more important that
we should get into shape at
Jackson Park. The sparse funds
which our Government has but

[*1397*]partially remitted to us for this
purpose are more than exhausted.
In this most annoying dilemma
there is only one way open to us,
so as to realize what President
Hippolyte personally expects from
us as well as do the Haytian
public. To write & to wait wait would
be fatal, inasmuch that we
might be six or eight weeks
waiting with hands crossed for
the arrival of funds. The prestige,
which Haïti has thus far earned
at the World Fair, would crumble
into a fiasco & and our country and
people pointed at with the
finger of justified ridicule.
In conformity therefore with
our conversation of yesterday on
the matter, I send you herewith 
a letter authorizing The
International Manufacturers
Exposition Agency to defray the
absolutely necessary expenses
for our installation & opening.

Our friend Mr. William E. Curtis
most highly recommends Mr Blum,
President of this Company. Mr.
Blum last fall represented the
United States Government as
Commissioner General to the Barcelona
Exposition, & a great many
of our Colleagues here have entrusted
to his Company the
full charge and management of
their exhibits. I therefore trust
that you will agree with me
that the loophole which he offers
us from our embarrassing position
is a fortunate one & that its
prompt acceptance is our only
possible salvation under the
circumstances. I have already
signed the letter to Mr Blaine
myself, all it needs is your 
signature as well and then in
less than a months' time, Haiti's
pavilion will be opened to the 
world. 
Fearing that I may not be
able to bring our letter to you
tomorrow morning early enough - 
for Mr. Blum leaves for New York
tomorrow - I entrust its delivery
& that of the present to our
friend Mr. Stromberg, who tonight
has very kindly acted as my
Secretary.
With kindest regards to 
Mrs Douglass & yourself, I am,
my dear Sir & Colleague,
ever devotedly Yours
Chas. A. Preston1907 Goode Av., St. Louis, Mo
May 7th 1893. 

Hon Frederick Douglass, 
Washington City, 
My Dear Sir: -

I am afraid that
I did not show a due appreciation of your very
kind proffer of aid in my effort to secure the 
office for which I have applied to Mr Cleveland. 

The truth is, I am slow to grasp a situation. 
More than once that tide which leads to fortune
has swelled under my feet and I have failed
to float to success upon its crest.

I beg you to consider this a misfortune, not a
fault. 

The truth is, I have filed the last letter which
you were kind enough to send to me, and during
my visit to Washington, received an intimation
from Secretary Thurber that it would help my 
cause much. 

I hesitated to ask you, the foremost man of 

[*1398*]my race, to dance attendance in the anteroom
of any official, however high, even though
I should profit by that attendance, yet, if you 
should see the President and should say a commendatory 
word in my behalf, I would feel
assured of success. 

Mrs. Clark joins me in expressions of high regard 
for you and yours. 

I am Sir, sincerely your friend and
admirer - 
Peter H. ClarkLewis H. Douglass
Real Estate Broker
934 F. Street, N.W.,
(Room 11.)

Washington, D.C. May 10 1893

Dear Father: Yours of May 8 at hand.
There can be objection to signing the certificates
sent by Thomas. If you would prefer
it you can them to me and I will see
that they correspond with stubs on Secretarys
books. I do not think Thomas can give a
bond satisfactory to the board. The matter
will be determined Monday the 15th of
May. Hart is making every preparation
for work. He has been unable to [secure]
secure a bond yet.

I am sorry to hear of any reappearance
of the Grip. I have notice your attendance
upon banquets.

It would not be good business policy just yet
to close down on Vodery though I am satisfied
that he is incompetent. We are all pretty
well. Joe says he will write to you soon
All send love,
Yours son
Lewis

[*1399*]Dictated.
Jacksonville, Ill.
May 11,1893.

My dear Friend and Brother,
Many thanks for 
your kind and characteristic 
letter of date above, May 6th 
Since writing my former 
letter to you, I have heard 
read from the Boston "Citizen" 
of last month many stringent
proofs that the Jesuits
were the murderers of our
old mutual friend, Abraham 
Lincoln, whom we so much 
loved to talk about in the 
old times of our first meeting, 
and were also the bottom
causes of our last war, 
and again at their secret machinations 
and plottings 
in reference to the World's

[*1400*]2.

Fair, in order to get a stronger
hold upon our policies
and public schools; in spite
of all that our cowardly politicians
and presses and
sleepy churches and sects
have done or are likely
to do in our defense, the
fighting men of the West have
been startled to their feet by the
hundreds of thousands as if
by another firing on Fort Sumter,
and that they are still
rapidly combining in
their secret "A.P.A." or "American
Protective Associations" 
of armed men, and ready at
the drop of a hat without distinction
of party or sect to 
stand up shoulder to shoulder to
shoulder as before in defense
of the great Republic. I do not
know precisely what they are
at. But I know these fellowspretty well, and I know
that when they start into motion
I know they are after
something that lies outside
of and underneath
all possible platforms, pulpits,
presses, and creeds, sects
and churches; something that
lies close to the constitution
of the Republic and the proclaimed
constitution of the 
kingdom of the heavens on
which along our constitution
is based. 
I happen to have a paper
from my note-books
on our Republic, just passing
thro the press, which I 
fancied somewhat fitted 
the occasion and the times. 
It has been repeatedly subjected4.

-jected as the criticisms of 
our most learned theologians
and the entire truthfulness
of its alleged Bible facts
have never been questioned 
by any party or sect and I
think cannot be but the outlined
history of the origin of our
government and its assumed
capacity for defending the
interests of all the white races
is still unquestioned, while
what it still fails to protect
the millions of the colored
race for born on its own soil
is unfortunately known to
all mankind.  I hold that
this is simply because of our
apostasy from out own declared
principles, and that we neither teach the true proclaimed
principles of the
Christ word in our churches,
nor the true constitutionallaw of the Republic in our
schools outside of our technical
law schools. Am I right?
You have had a vastly wider
experience with men of your
own class and color and all
other political classes, than 
I have. I therefore appeal to
you. Is not this complete 
and entire fatherhood of God
and brotherhood of man [unmixed?]
with all apostate theological
dogmas, and acknowledged
and defended by all just
human laws as our fathers
declared it ought to be, tho
perhaps we have never fully
done it, the "sine qua non" to
all best well being on earth
or in any possible heaven
yet is be? I herewith mailyou the pamphlet. 
I am glad that you are 
still acting for Hayti, and by
your energetic work living
down all the slanders
of the past, as you ever have
been, since I first met you.
The wants of all the poor people
of the nation are still very
great and very urgent, but
those of the colored people
of the South seem to me
almost terrific but by no means
hopeless. For slow as their
advance is from slavery to
freedom, it is, in fact, 
more rapid than our own
was out of the same conditions.
For it took whole
centuries for our forefathers
to make even a
discernible progress, and
several centuries to make
as marked a progress asthe colored people have 
made in twenty-five years,
not all in a line to be
sure. People do not go
up the hill in that way.
Their burdens are too heavy
and depressing; their multitudes
fall and are lost;
but their leaders press on
and on, and at last succeed.
Letters and papers from
some of their schools in the
South show a grant advance
and a great encouragement. 
I am somewhat
surprised that it is
found so difficult to keep
young boys steadily at 
work at anything in school
or out of school. But I don't
know that I ought to be.In one point of view, it is
the most natural thing
in the world; but in no
point of view is it the most
hope-ful. Can you not
run down from Chicago
and see me? If I
cannot see you, I can
still hear you. If not, I
shall be glad to hear from
you whenever you find
leisure to write.
Yours truly,
J. B. Turner.Pension Office, 
Washington, D.C.
May 15th, 93
Dear Father:
I have waited until now before 
writing to you that I might tell you something
of my new venture. I send with 
this mail a photo-lithograph of the 
subdivision of the parcel of land purchased 
before your departure. I have 
had the place surveyed and sub-divided
into lots 50 ft x 150. There are some 
few lots bordering on "Black Walnut Creek"
that contain more or less square feet
of ground. In order to please everybody, 
I have named the streets or avenues
after prominent colored men so far as
there were streets enough to go around.
I do this as a matter of policy and 
not altogether from taste. I have 
named the place as you will see "Highland
Beach", because the land at that 
point is higher than on either side of

2098me on the Beach.  I have made, and 
am now making some improvements
on the place by clearing out the underbrush
and laying out the streets.  I have, 
I think, fair prospects of getting rid of
a number of lots this season.  I have 
no doubt of the success of the venture.
I am quite sure nothing will be lost at 
any rate, and that a handsome profit will
be realized on the investment.
Joes' letter from you speaks of your
cough.  I think that with that cough you ought
to remain in-doors and out of range of
that strong lake breeze, until the season
is a little more advanced.  It seems to
me that there ought not to be any occasion
for you to expose yourself.  If you ever in
tend to relax your efforts, it seems to me 
that now is fully the time.  You have served
both race and country beyond all 
reasonable requirements, and I for one
think you ought to look a little to your own
comfort and health. When you are at homeyou are surrounded with more comforts
and can command more attention than
among strangers. I am quite satisfied
that Mrs. Douglass can do and 
would do all that is required in an emergency 
of sickness, but should you get
down, her strength might fail her, and 
hired assistance, no matter what the 
price paid, is seldom satisfactory in 
cases of sickness. But I am writing 
as though you were threatened with serious
illness. I hope you are not, but when 
you write of a cough and la grippe, it 
makes me shudder. The effects of that 
malady has thrown stronger and younger men
than you. "Cedar Hill" is looking as 
pretty as a picture. We are all pretty 
well. Joe has been doing good work this 
spring. I may get a few days in 
Chicago later in the season though I 
am not sure as to how the cat may hop
[*2098*]in this Bureau. The Democrats are very
hungry.  At any rate they cant keep me 
from working.  I can work, and there 
is plenty of it to do at something.
If they 'bounce' me it will not be from 
any fault of mine, and I will hustle
with the crowd outside.  I'll not remain
idle.
All join with me in love and 
kindest remembrances to Mrs. D.
Aff. Your Son,
Chas. R. DouglassChicago Ill. May 15 '93 

To the Honorable Fredrick Douglass and Wife:

Please find enclosed two complimentary 
tickets and programs. We do 
hope that your health will 
permit yourself and lady to 
attend our concert this 
evening . A cab will call for you 
at seven fifteen P.M. 

I have the hon. to be 
Your Very Humble 
Servant. 

Thos. P. Morgan 
3419 Armour Ave.

Per M.

[* 1401 *]The Violet Agents Supply Co.
Geo. Washington, Mgr.
1471 State St., Chicago, Ill.
City May 15th. 1893.
Hon. Frederick Douglass.
No. 377-42nd St
City.
Dear Sir:
This will introduce to you [Miss]
M. E. Thompson, our special 
manager.
You may deliver to her the
Proff of your Lecture.
Please accept our thanks for
your kind offer to try and dispose
of a few copies, when the first issue
is published.
We have just had an interview
with a Committee of Gentlemen 
who seem much worked up over
the fact that We will. what is turmed
by them, make such a display of Haiti
[*1402*]The Violet Agents Supply Co.
Geo. Washington, Mgr.
1471 State St., Chicago, Ill.
2
to the World, and it is they said
an honor that no other country,
will get; and added that it
was a made up thing.
They asked why did we secure
the Lecture for publication; to this
question you may know what our
reply was.
Very Truly
Geo. Washington
Mgr.
Wm B. Donaldson, Pres't.
R. Sherrard, Vice Pres't.
Alfred Day, Sec'y.
The Steubenville Pottery Co.
Manufacturers of White Granite
and Fine Decorated Ware.
Steubenville, O.  May 19th, 1893.

Mr. John R. Lynch,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir,-
We think it advisable to write those who so highly recommend
Mess. Hyman Bros. of your city, as to their treatment of this Company.
We took a note for account $38.60 due May 1st; on April 21st they sent
in a mail order which we filled, and we learn that these goods arrived
at Washington on April 28th. About that time we received a printed
circular from them dated April 27th, asking that settlement be made
at Ten cents on the Dollar.
We asked that goods invoiced April 21st, arriving after date of
circular, be returned; yet they refuse to protect us but take the
goods into stocN and sell them. Cost of replevy would not justify our
expense to go to Washington to identify, as few goods would be on
hands, thus showing very clearly the advantage they took of credit on
good recommendations. From a statement we received from our attorney,
they claimed to have received many other goods at the same time, and
treated all alike.

Yours very respectfully,
The Steubenville Pottery Co.,
W. B. Donaldson
Pres't
[*1403*]G P. Engelhard, Prest
E P. Kastler, Secy.
J.W. Brooks Jr. Vice Prest
The 
Graphic Company
Chicago, U.S.A 
Dearborn & Harrison STS
The Graphic Weekly 
The Exposition Graphic, Quarterly

May 20 1893

Dear Sir:--
We take pleasure in sending to your
address a copy of "The Graphic," Chicago's popular
illustrated weekly, and the "Exposition Graphic," a
quarterly issued in the English, German, French and
Spanish languages. We desire, in connection with a
complete illustrated sketch of your country as represented
at the Exposition, to present also the portraits
of its various representatives.
To this end, will you kindly favor us by first
mail with your latest photograph. Thanking you in
advance for the courtesy, we are,
Very respectfully,
The Graphic,
G.P. Engelhard
Editor.

Hon. Fred'k Douglass 
Hayti W's F! Commission
[*1404*]All letters to be addressed 
to the secretary.
Royal Commission Chicago Exhibition 1893
Victoria House,
Columbian Exhibition.
Chicago 
May 22 1893

Dear Sir;-
I have pleasure in sending you enclosed, a few
tickets for admission to this Building, in case you may
like to give them to anybody who you think might care to
pay a visit. A further supply is at your service
whenever you desire it.
Yours faithfully,
Henry Trueman Wood
Secretary.
[*1405*]Kimbell Av.
Avondale
Cook Co. Ills

P.O. Box 49     May 23rd 1893.

To-
My old and esteemed friend
Frederick Douglass:

It is now
nine years since I met you at
the Sherman House with Mrs
Sarah Loomis. Our short and
pleasant interview was ended
then with a promise that whenever
you came again to Chicago that
you and Mrs. Douglass would
give me a visit at Avondale

In order to remind you and return it please, I
will enclose my letter from you
bearing on this point. And by
the way let me state this letter
has travelled to Eng and back
been read by dozens of your
[*1406*]friends and ours, its value to
me is priceless, for it contains
our early association in that far
off cottage in Yorkshire England
When I was a little girl and had
learned only that which belongs to
childhood for I was about eight
years old when you came to deliver
your first lecture in Huddersfield
I see in fancy my father under
difficulties to gain an entrance to the 
Hall he had engaged for the lecture
The gas was shut off, and he with 
you Mr. Douglass on one arm and 
Joseph Barkers, aged father (near 90 years old) on
the other arm, at last gained the 
opened doors.  You will remember that
1848 and/49 were the Chartists
times, every one was suspected then
of aiding the party.  I remember 
when brother Erasmus came with 
you from the Station I ran

away and with difficulty was got
so as to be presented as Mothers youngest
child.  When I used to do something
needed correction, I was often told a 
black boogy man would come and 
carry me off so that my mother felt
greatly annoyed when I showed
such fear of coming in the parlor 
I shall never forget how easily that
fear was forgotten on my mother introducing
me to you.  You looked 
at me, put your hand on my 
head and said "Henrietta I
know you are a good little girl"
It awoke a new spark of fire 
for I was never praised before
and I saw before me a gentleman
and not a 'boogy man'! to fear.
I wanted to show I could do some
kind act to you and in the evening
during the lecture at the Hall
Father put 6 volumes of yourlife and escape from bondage 
for me to sell saying, if I sold
them I should have one volume
to keep for my reward I think
I sold ten volumes.  They were
published by Joseph Barker
of Leeds Yorkshire.  I kept my
book untill 1857 and some
one stole it and never have
I seen one like it since.
The remembrance of all the 
above notes prompts me to 
solicit you and your wife to
a trial visit.  I have been
searching for days to find out
your abiding home and failed
correctly to get it untill yesterday.
And now a line from you will
give me pleasure to say when,
where, and at what time you can 
recieve a call from me on yourself
and wife (whom I have not met)
our homes were not far apart Salem Ohio
Do you Remember Benjamin Brown & wife
old anti slavery stand byes.  They had an under
ground daughter she married John Deming
My brokers daughter is married to her son
at Salem Ohio.  The Demings have an exhibit
in Manufacturing Hall.  My husband has been
ill and have not yet got to the Fair.  Saw
you through my glass on Dedication day in
October.  Awaiting your early answer with best
wishes. Truly yours Mrs. Henrietta Harris
RamsdenP.S.  When you visited my dear departed
Parents so long ago, I remember you partook
of some cooked Rhubarb and was then
extremely fold of it.  Mr. Douglass if you
will both come out, I cultivate some
English Rhubarb Pie Plant in my garden
and will not say I can make it as good
as that dear mother could, but I assure
you will find it palatable in its place
and I have some excellent wine
I have made from it also, so that
my frugality does not allow its
waste.  There are many friends of 
the Colored Nationality about here
and if you could manage to spend
a Sat. night and Sunday or a Sunday
and evening, many would like to hear
you either evening or Sunday.
Think over this and when I call
we can talk on the subject.
Truly yours
Mrs. Henrietta HarrisDepartment of Agriculture.
W.I. Buchanan, Chief
World's Columbian Commission 
Office of the Director General of the Exposition
Chicago Ill. U.S.A May 24, 1893.
No. 18,253
Subject: Lectures.
Honorable Frederick Douglass,
Commissioner,
Haytian Pavilion, 
Jackson Park.
Dear Sir;-
I have the honor to advise you of the completion of plans 
for a series of practical talks, limited to thirty minutes each, 
by practical men upon practical topics, connected with the subjects 
of Forestry, Agriculture and Live Stock, the lectures, or talks,
to begin about June 20th with Forestry and continue daily through-out
the Exposition. They will be given in the Assembly Hall,
erected for this purpose, in connection with the Agricultural
Building.
It is earnest desire of the Department to have these talks
international in scope, and far reaching in good results to all
interested in the great industries to be covered.
Will you do me the honor, and assist me greatly, by sending
me the names of such members of your Commission, or prominent men
1407-2-

from your country, who will visit the Exposition, who could be 
asked to give impetus and value to our work by giving short talks, 
sending me at the same time the subjects they would be most 
familiar with. I particularly wish now to complete the program 
for the Forestry Talks, and as one of the subdivisions will be 
talks on the woods of the world, I would be especially pleased if 
you would consider that subject first, leaving the subjects of 
Agriculture and Live Stock to be taken up hereafter. The topics 
so far agreed upon embrace

Tree Planting,
The Science of Forestry,
Woods of North America,
Woods of South America,
Woods of Europe,
The Woods of Africa,
The Woods of Asia,
The Woods of Australasia,
Effect of Forest on Climate,
Culture and Care of Seedlings,
Government Legislation and Control of Forests,
Effect of Grazing Woodlands,
Insects Injurious and Beneficial to Forest Trees,
Shade and Shade Trees,
Effects of Careless Lumbering,
Care of Woodlands.

Awaiting an early, and, I trust, favorable reply, I have the 
honor to be,

Yours very truly,

Chief, Department of Agriculture.WORLD'S COLUMBIAN COMMISSION.
OFFICE OF THE
Director-General of the Exposition.
Administration Building.
Jackson Park.

Chicago, Ill. U.S.A. May 30, 1893.

Honorable Frederick Douglass and
Honorable Charles A. Presten,
Haitian Commissioners,
World's Columbian Exposition.

Gentlemen:
I have the honor to state, in reply to your communication
of May 13, that I have requested the Director of Works to
give immediate attention to your complaint of the occupancy of
part of your space by a booth belonging to one of the concessions.
Yours very respectfully,
Geo. R. Davis
Director-General
[*1408*]Wm B DONALDSON, PREST.
R. SHERRARD. Vice PRES'T.      ALFRED DAY, SECY.
THE
STEUBENVILLE POTTERY CO.
MANUFACTURERS OF
White Granite
and Fine Decorated Ware.
STEUBENVILLE, O. May 31st, 1893.

Mess. Hyman Bros.,
#732 Seventh St., N. W.,
Washington, D. C.

Gents,-
We have just written Mr. John R. Lynch, and enclosed your original
order of April 5th and also your letter of May 2nd and expense
bill of freight, and also tracer from Railroad company showing that
goods were delivered May 1st.  We have also sent your printed circular
of April 27th, showing very clearly that you took the goods away from
the depot, fully knowing your financial situation, as you were then
trying to settle @ 10%. Hence, you wrognfully took our goods without
our consent, to settle upon a 10% basis.
Credit for these goods was given upon your past dealings, as
when we shipped your goods on April 21st, we presumed your note due
May 1st would be paid when due, as we had no word of your embarrassment.
Your circular of the 27th indicated your condition, hence we
judged that you would not disturb goods that arrived after sending out
such circular, as you wished to settle @ 10% for such goods as you had
received prior to April 27th. We have written Mr. Lynch that you
should remit us at once, $64.84 for this lot of goods.
Yours truly
Alfred Day Sec'y
[*1409*]
[180]Booker T. Washington, Principal    Warren Logan, Treasurer
Hallie Q. Brown, Lady Principal.

Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute,
(Incorporated.)
For Training Colored Young Men and Women,
Tuskegee, Ala June 1, 1893.

Homewood Cottage
Wilberforce, O-.

Hon. Frederick Douglass,
Dear Friend -:
I write this to say 
that I am expecting 
you to be my guest
during your stay at
Wilberforce.  My dear
Mother joins me in 
this request and 
hopes to see both you
[*1410*]Booker T. Washington, Principal           Warren Logan, Treasurer
Hallie Q. Brown, Lady Principal
Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute,
(Incorporated)
For Training Colored Young Men and Women,
Tuskegee, Ala,..............189
and Mrs. Douglass here
at that time.  Bishop
Payne has just called
to see me, and he is 
pleased to know that 
you will visit Wilber-
force.  If you take
the 9 pm train, via
the Pan Handle R.R., you
will reach Xenia at
9-40 next morning and 
if you apprise me of 
the day I shall meet 
you at depot.
Commencement day is to be 15" inst. and we 
hope to have you from
12" or 13" till 16" of June.
Remember me most kindly
to Mrs. Douglass.  I trust
she may find it convenient
to accompany
you.
Hoping to hear 
from you at your
earliest convenience
signifying when I 
may look for you -
I am yours
Most Kindly,
Hallie Q. Brown

[*Brown to Douglass
June 1, 1893
2 of 2*]Chicago, June 4, 1893
1021 Washington Boul

Dear uncle Fred,
On last Tuesday
evening I called on and saw
our friend Mrs. Martha Greene.
She looked very natural indeed
although quite a number of years
has passed since we met.
I want her to dine with us
next Sunday - but am not
[*1411*]sure at present that she can
come.  She said she would
write and let me know, &
that she might see you in
the mean time.
I wish very much that you
and your wife could come
next Sunday to dinner also.
If you have a previous engagement,
can you come
some other Sunday soon?
I called to see you at the 
Hawaiian Pavillion last Tuesday
but the man said you had gone
home early that day.
If I have time I will call
next Thursday between 2 & 3 P.M.

I beg your pardon for the 
last letter I wrote, asking
you to buy some pictures or 
to lend me some money for
a year.  Since my husband
has a position as U.S. Customs inspector
& has a better salary
than he rec'd before I find 
that I shall be able to pay
the indebtedness to the club
by the time I give up the
book in Oct for I will not
accept the position for another
year.
With much love
Eva Webster RussellIndependence, Mo.
June 6th, 1893
To Whom It May Concern:-
This will introduce the bearer,
Miss Gussie Johnson, who has recently
completed the course of study for
the Common Schools of this city.
We take great pleasure in recommending
her to any Board of Education
in need of a primary teacher who will
prove apt in teaching by example as
well as by precept.  I've known her
since early childhood and can testify
to her high character and reputation
as a worthy, christian young lady of 
steady habits and progressive dispsition.
 J.H. Jenkins, Prin. Young School
[*1414*]Avondale, June 9th 1893
Mr. Frederick Douglass
Dear Friend -
Thank you for your very kind reply and
I shall try to see you e er long at 
your headquarters the Haytien Pav.
How I searched all afternoon at
the Pavillion and through the Whole
Womans Building for you on the
day named to unveil the Bust of 
Mrs. Harriet Beacher Stowe.  I was 
so disappointed as were many
others who expected to see you there
as an old friend "if not posing as 
Uncle Tom".  However, Mrs. Isabella
Beecher Hooker took me to 
her right hand seat and from
my hands accepted the flowers
I offered and placed them on
the shoulder of that beautiful 
[*1412*]and noble woman Harriett
Beecher Stowe.  There seemed 
to be a magnet around me
and when I told her that
Harriett Martineau of Historian
fame was a cousin of ours
I made another link added
to olden times.  Yesterday I called
at the Palmer House to see Mrs. 
Hooker was told at the office 
she was in her room 231
failing to see her I returned home
I had taken some flowers (my 
own cultivation) and felt sorry
I did not meet her.
I am busy this week preparing
for the arrival of my 
only sister, who comes to the
Columbian Exhibit next Tuesday
from Salem Ohio. Her husband 
sleeps beside our dear departed
Father and Mother in Salem

Cemetary, close to that dear
good man Marius R
Robinson formerly Editor
of the Anti Slavery Bugle.
I promise you the
opportunity of meeting and 
recalling many incidents
of pleasure dear to memory
My husbands health has
been failing and consequently
I have not had much spare
time to call my own.
How does the Sunday
closing affect you? I am so 
Sorry for the working classes
who cannot afford to lose a 
days wages to go often or take
their families.  With kindest
regards to you and yours
Believe me yours
Sincerely
Mrs. Henrietta Harris.[*Rec. June 12-93.*]

The World's Congress at Chicago
The Women's Branch of the Auxiliary
1893.
We, Old Workers in the Anti-Slavery Cause, being deeply grieved by the
Prejudice against the negro race still prevailing in the United States of America
and the cruelties perpetuated on Colored people in the Southern States,
where Law is inoperative for them, desire to impress on you the gathered
representatives of the civilized World, the importance of seizing your present
great opportunity of reiterating the grand Truth that "God hath made of 
one blood all the nations of the Earth to dwell on all the face of the Earth" - and
to press upon the people of America the imperative duty of maintaining, confirming
and completing the work of Emancipation in the spirit of the Declaration 
of Independence: "All are created equal and are endowed withto press upon the people of America the imperative duty of maintaining, confirming
and completing the work of Emancipation in the spirit of the noble Declaration
of Independence: "All are created equal and are endowed with certain
inalienable privileges among which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness"

Elizabeth Pease Nichol from 1830 worked for Colonial and
 American abolition
 Huntley Lodge Edinburgh now blind signature -
  authorized

Priscilla Bright McLaren
 Newington House, Edinburgh

Jane Melville Aberdeen
75 Bon Accord Street
Secretary of Ladies Anti Slavery Society

Jane Miller
9 Suffolk Road - Edinburgh

Mary Burton Member Emancipation Committee since 1849
Liberton Bank Edinburgh

Eliza Wigham, worker in 1832, Sec. Edinburgh
 Ladies' Emancipation Sec'y since 1840
 5 Gray Street EdinburghP.O. Box 6
Harpers Ferry W. Va.
June 13 1893.
Dear Grandpa
I have been here
just two weeks, having come 
this far with Mr Morris on his 
way to Louisville and the West,
and not being able to continue 
the journey with him we thought 
it advisable for me to remain 
here where I hope to be greatly 
benefited by the pure mountain
air. 
I enjoyed very much our
southern tour especially our stay
at Old Point Comfort. I gained
twelve pounds in the three weeks 
that I was there. 
One never knows the many
[*1413*]difficulties that surrounds a concert
company until they have
had some experience in the business.
The work must be carried
on night and day with the same
zeal and energy. whether you
meet with success or not and frequently 
the out-look is very discouraging.
We returned to New
York the first week in May and
I had expected to remain there
until Mr Morris was settled in
his plans for the future; but he
could not remain and I being
among entire strangers and
alone made me feel as though
I could not stay - and although
my being here incurs an extra
expense to him yet he is better
satisfied to have me with some
one I know and who would

care for me if I am ill.
I expect to be with him
in Chicago if he sees his prospects
are bright enough, but matters at
present are very uncertain for him
financially as it is a very
difficult thing to deal with one
inferior to your self in business
ability and who has little or no
idea what it takes or what is
necessary to make success of any
thing. I shall be very glad
when some thing else will present
itself so that he can give this
business up it is to uncertain.
I wish you could be here to
enjoy the fresh milk, eggs, butter,
vegetables, and fruit that are here
in abundance. I know you cannot
be satisfied with Chicago this
time of the year of all others. 
I can appreciate what I imagineyou must feel by any experience in
New York—There was not a blade
of grass to break the monotony of
bricks and mortar unless I was
carried out to the park, an oasis
in that desert of civilization.
One never knows how desolate and
dreary are large cities until you have
to live in them after always having
had some country or suburban
life.
I have been indulged by
Charlie in every way he could to
make me contented and happy —
Nothing is to unreasonable if I 
desire it an aside from the
fact that we are temporarily separated
I have been very contented
and happy.
My traveling with him only
increases his expenses and I am willing to make them as light as
possible. Our great desire is to 
have a home but unless things
will change more in his favor
it will be some time before he
can succeed in purchasing one.
He is tireless in his efforts to 
succeed and if he does not, it
will not be because the effort
has not been repeatedly made.
When ever and opportunity presents
itself.
You will very likely see
him in a few days, he is not 
certain but hopes to have some 
engagements in Chicago during 
this month.
My kindest regards to Mrs
Douglass - and many hopesthat you may continue to have
good health -
I remain as ever - 
Yours loving granddaughter
AnnieRepublican Executive Committee,
Muscogee County
Columbus, Ga., June 20 1893

Hon Fred Douglass,

Dear Sir:
Your letter of the 17th inst
in answer to mine of the 12th came
duly to hand.  A careful perusal of
your letter suggests the inference that
you misunderstood the nature of the
help I desire.  I do not wish you to
help me in a pecuniary sense, but to
try to get me a position with some
gentleman or firm where I can work
after school hours to defray, in part,
my expenses.

I am anxious to take a course
in pharmacy, but having a family to
support, find it impossible to do so,
unless I am successful in getting some
thing to do.

I have tried to get in some drug
store here, going so far as to agree
[*1415*]to work eighteen months gratis, provided 
I was taught pharmacy sufficiently
well to warrant my license,
but have failed to secure a place by
reason of my color.

Cant you do something for me
in the way asked?  If you can, your
kindness will certainly be appreciated;
furthermore as soon as I am on "my
feet" I will remember you in a substantial
way.

I am capacitated for most
any kind of work, whether clerical
or manual; & am willing to do any
thing, if not too menial.

Please answer immediately,

Respectfully
W. S. Cantey

P.S. Should reference be needed, can
give you some of the best in the state,
both white & colored72 West 19th Street,
New York - 20 June, 1893

The Hon. Frederick Douglass -
Haytien Commissioner
Washington D.C.

My dear Sir,
From letter of the 18th instant
reached me this morning - and its contents
have had my best attention.
I believe that we shall still have time
after the Government's acceptance of the plans
and specifications which we send by this
mail, in which to have our Pavillion completed
on the exterior by the middle of October.
We should I think be in a position to
[*1416*][*Preston to Douglass, 1 0f 2*]

start work four weeks hence.
I accompany this letter with a draft of despatch
to the Department of Agriculture, and
another to His Excellency. I also send by registered
mail three drawings, showing two
exterior views and one ground plan for
our proposed Pavillion. I am not yet
in possession of the 4th drawing showing 
a perspective of the interior - I am having
three full sets made - one for the Department
of Agriculture, another for His Excellency
and the third for ourselves. This last one,
however, will not be ready until to-day week,
but the second set will he furnished me tomorrow.
In consideration of the Architects
making three full sets of the drawings, I have
agreed to add $25. to the $75. to which they
will be entitled in the event of our Government
rejecting these plans. -2 

the official communication came for us
by Saturday's steamer - but in a cable of
the 17th inst. my father mentions the fact
that the Government that very day remitted
us funds via Navasa.  We may hope, 
therefore, to have news by the Atlas steamer
due here tomorrow week. -- 
I also enclose with this a form of
contrast and the specifications. 
I trust Mr. Harrisse will have ample
time in which to do the work necessary. -- 
Aside from the preparation of the accompanying
documents and running after
our architects we have been having a really hot
day - and I must beg you to [ve] overlook 
the evident haste of my letter.  On the arrival
of the mail next week I will come on to
Washington to confer with you.  -- 

I am, my dear Sir,
very sincerely yours
Chas. A PrestonCappahosic Va.
June 20th 93.

Mr & Mrs Sprague,
Dear Friends

It has been
my intention to write and tell
you how much we appreciated
your daughter, Miss Estella's help
in this work during the past
term, for a long time. One
reason I have neglected doing
so, was because I expected
to see you Mrs Sprague
at our Jubilee exercises.

You have a dear, christian
daughter and an unselfish
one I am glad to say. She has
helped us in every way
she could in just the 
kindest, pleasantist way.

Not many young ladies

[* 1414 *]occupying your daughter's
position would have been 
willing to go into the country
and labor as she has done. 
She must have inherited
from her parents a goodly
degree of pluck and push, 
just what is needed in 
this work.  One must be
thoroughly interested to do
much good here, or elsewhere. 
I must say we had a
thoroughly interested band
last term.  One I fear of our
number is called to another
field of labor - We hope and 
trust to have Miss Estelle with
us next term.  She has
begun a good work in 
the Master's vineyard please
encourage her to stay, & 
finish it.  I know the
salary is small, but 

we are all in the same
boat - much has to be done
for little.  Then too we are
laboring to uplift our own. 
While people have long been 
laboring for us & even given
up their lives.  The time has
come when we must make
some sacrifices.  So I think that
we should thank the Lord 
that we are able to do something
"In His Name". 
My husband & I would
be pleased to have you visit the
school at most any time. 
Please accept our kindest regards, 
and remember us to the young ladies
and John.  I hope John is a good
boy.  Please be a mother to him 
Mrs. Sprague, tell him what is
right, I am sure he will heed
you. 
Yours truly
Anna B. Weaver. 

Mr Thomas Witherell Palmer
Begs to acknowledge the kind invitation of
Messieur Frederick Douglass
and
Chas. A. Preston

Commissioners of the Republic of Haiti
To the opening of the Haitian Pavilion
3 o'clock, Saturday, June 24, 1893, and to 
say that it will give him much pleasure 
to be present, should official duties permit.

Chicago, June 23, 1893.
[1419]Office of the Collector of Customs
Port of Beaufort, S. C., 
June 23.  1893

Hon. Frederick Douglass, 
Jackson Park
Chicago, Ill. 
My dear Friend: 
Your favor of the
20th. instant, in reply
to mine of the 13th. is 
received 
I send you today
by Express two
canes carved by the
man of whom I wrote. 
He brought here on 
[*1418*]2 
Office of the Collector of Customs
Port of Beaufort, S. C., 
_______________,189 

Decoration Day about
fifty canes to sell and
among them th eones
I send you and one
which I keep with my
own portrait carved by
him
The man is entirely
without instruction in 
his art -- self culture
as you will perceive in 
examining his work, but
genuine all through his 


3.  

Office of the Collector of Customs
Port of Beaufort, S. C., 
____________________, 189 

art can be plainly
seen. 
He was born in 
North Carolina, but
is now living at Jacksonboro, 
S. C., from which 
place he writes me.  His
name is Reede DeVane. 
He can bring wood
along with to carve before
the faces of all 
South Carolina has
become so rediculous 

4. 

Office of the Collector of Customs
Port of Beaufort, S. C., 
____________________, 189 

in lynching Negroes
for what the they call
the "usual crime"
that I do not take interest
enough to know 
her commissions are
I wish you to see
to the matter and try
make some arrangements
for him if you think 
it advisable. 
He sells the cane he
calls the Grant cane for 


5 

Office of the Collector of Customs
Port of Beaufort, S. C., 
____________________, 189 

$12 and $15 for the Lincoln
cane. 
Should he not be
able to get to Chicago I
do not think any one
would be more worthy
to use it, the Lincoln cane than yourself. 
I am still hold on 
to office, but expect to
be decapitated every
day, although my term
will not expire before
January 1894. The Democratic 

6 

Office of the Collector of Customs
Port of Beaufort, S. C., 
____________________, 189 

wolves are very hungry for
office and they must be
filled.  I shall try and
visit the Colombia Exposition 
in August and shall certainly
call upon the representative
of the Haitian Republic. 
Yours very truly, 
Robert Smalls- 

CHEYENNE
JUN
26
1893
OKLA

Cheyenne Oklahoma June 26" 1893,

Hon Frederick Douglass,
Washington D.C.
My Dear Sir,
In some newspaper last week I noticed
and read with much interest your comment on Ex US Senator
J J Ingalls, who, though possessed of a species of brilliancy,
yet long since to my mind, has proven himself incompetent for the
duties of leadership and utterly unreliable for principle and integrity,
and I trust will never again be elected to any position by the Republicans,
nor receive the vote of one Colored man. Surely he deserves
the excoriation of all good men.
Mr Douglass, can you send to my address
where my family reside a copy of your first book?  I do
not now remember, the title, I read it during 1858.  I think it was
your Autobiography. My native home was Green Co, Ohio
close by Xenia, Ohio I heard you deliver an address one evening late
in 1858, 3 years later the war came on, I went through it,
and saw our great armies triumphantly march through
Washington DC. 1865, I was then and there with it.

My father was one of the first anti-slavery men
of Greene County Ohio, 21, members.  He was its originator,
[*1420*]He died. April 18, 1841, before I could quite remember him.
My uncle Rev Uriah Heath my mothers 1/2 brother was for
3 years. Soliciting agent for Wilberforce Sept 1859 to Sept 1861.
- After I came from the service, I read Law for a time, was prosperous
until 1883 & 1884, 2 unfortunate partnerships, and
an unfortunate RR. enterprise destroyed all I had accumulated.
So I came west very poor, and am so yet, I accepted
the Postmastership of this new Co town, supposing it would and
the County also improve like towns & Counties in the other portions
of this territory, but not so, the people of Texas, Arkansas,
Mo, Ga, and other ex slave states, brought their old passion prejudices,
indolence murder and assassination dispositions with -
them and the town has made but little progress, and the Co.
likewise, I was promised the Registers or Receivers position the
first new Land office but our Nat defeat last November destroyed
that.  I on the 30th of March sent in my resignation, and on
the 17th inst a successor was appointed, and I trust within one week
to be on my way to Winfield Kansas where my invalid wife
and our two children reside. - Now for a small favor, will you
send me your Autobiography to
Winfield
Cowley County - Kansas.
Accept my thanks for your Comment on J J Ingalls
died My wishes for a long life to you,
Most Resply Yours   L L Bell