Cappahosic Oct. 4/94

My Dear Father

A week ago to day I 
landed here in the rain, and to
day while writing, it is raining. I 
have been received very cordially by 
Mr & Mrs Weaver as well by the 
Teachers and pupils. I am pleased 
with the surroundings and with the 
earnestness of each and everyone. 
Mrs Weaver took me over the grounds 
on Monday, and through "Douglass 
Hall" on which the carpenters and 
masons are still at work. Several of 
the rooms are sufficiently completed 
for the boys to occupy and in 
which they are now domiciled, and 
they are very happy and appreciate

1731their new quarters very much. 
Yesterday Mr Weaver had several 
errands to make through the county and 
kindly invited me to accompany 
him. I gladly accepted and had a 
delightful drive of 18 miles, and 
called on Mr J. C. Walker a practicing 
lawyer at Gloucester CourtHouse. 
It was long after dark before we reached 
the school again and as it was after 
the supper hour, we had that meal by 
ourselves. This morning Mr Weaver 
handed me a letter to read from 
a Mr Holmes of Mont-Clair New 
Jersey who is particularly anxious to 
have you to speak for them on the 
21st of October on your way to Lowell. 
Mr Holmes in his letter desires 
Mr Weaver to go to Washington to 
confer with you about it, he also desires 
to entertain you should you decide 
to come, and although very 
desirous to have you accept and urging 
on Mr Weaver the advisability of 
presenting the case strongly before you 
adds "We must accomodate Mr 
Douglass' best wishes and be thankful 
for his generous aid." I presume 
you will hear from Mr Weaver concerning 
the matter. I am for 
two or three days to be occupied in 
arranging the library. Mr W. has 
had labels printed to be pasted in each 
book and numbered, and then to be 
arranged on shelves. They have 30 
boarding pupils here now mostly new 
scholars, and a goodly number of day 
pupils. I am told that they are coming 
in slowly this season as the roads 
have been bad owing to the recent 
storm. I have received a nice letter 
from each of the girls Fredericka and 
Rosa, a paper from Nathan and I am 
anxiously awaiting a line from Hattieto know if she got through all right
as the storm came from that direction
I feared she might be compelled 
to lay over somewhere. We had
a very rough passage that night and 
I retired very early. The boat did not 
make its return trip before Friday 
night.
I hope I shall see you before 
you leave for the East, and I do 
hope that you will not tax yourself
with travelling, altho' I know the 
people are not weary of listening to 
you as Mr Holmes has said "just talk
to us we do not wish him to tax himself
to write a speech." Remember me kindly to all.
Your devoted daughter RosettaCedar Hill
Anacostia, D.C. Oct. 6. 1894

To my British friends:

I assume that your interest in 
the effort, that my lately enslaved people in 
the united states are making to raise
themselves above the ignorance, & 
degradation in which the condition of 
slavery left them is still alive and that you 
welcome any favorable opportunity which 
comes to you by which you may aid 
them in those efforts. I therefore, take 
pleasure in commending to you Miss 
Hallie B. Brown, the bearer of this letter. 
She is a Lady  of character and ability & 
can explain to you the object of her mission 
and in what way you can aid in 
its accomplishment. Wilborforce 
1099my entire motive for wishing it success — 
Miss Brown and the managers of Wilberforce College are 
known to me and I have no hesitation in assuring you 
and all who give to this project of a Library that their 
donations will be wisely and honestly applied to that object.

Truly yours,
Frederick Douglass

P.S. 
My heartfelt thanks for your effective testimony against the 
lawless violence and persecution to which our people have been 
subjected.



College which she represents and in the 
interest of which she has undertaken to visit 
your country, is peculiarly a colored peoples 
institution. It came into existence more than 
forty years ago and has been instrumental 
in the education, improvement and elevation 
of hundreds of colored youths, many of whom 
are now filling useful stations as teachers 
preachers and business men. The special 
effort now being made by Miss Brown and 
the friends of Wilberforce College, is to furnish 
the institution with Library and it is for 
this object that Miss Brown, will call upon 
you for aid. You have responded to my calls for 
help to my struggling people often during the 
last forty years - and your rash benevolent exertion 
afford grounds for the faith that you will gladly 
help in this effort to aid my people. Of course 
I feel an interest in this proposed Library because it 
is to be called by my name, but no one 
who knows me will find in this circumstance

[*[Oct. 8, 1894]*]

The Hon. Frederick Douglass,
Washington D.C.
In gathering
facts for a church history, 
soon to be published, I 
was indirectly informed 
by Mr. Horace Case, of Hartford, 
Conn. that there was 
an Antislavery Convention 
held in the old meeting 
house at Manchester 
Center, Conn. about 
1842 or 1843 and that 
you were present

[*1732*]and addresses the Convention. 
No person in 
this town, where I have
yet seen can recall
this fact; therefore, I 
have taken the liberty  
to write you, trusting
you will pardon my 
trespass on your time 
and good will. 
     
If it be true that
the little Methodist
meeting house at the
center of Manchester,
Conn, was blessed  



with your presence, I 
want it, this notable
fact, to be recorded
in the History, I am 
now preparing. Mr. 
Horace Case thinks 
your are the person 
whom his father, Joseph
Case, an abolitionist, 
entertained in those
years. Be assured that 
I shall be very grateful 
for a simple no or yes
or a line as you 
may be pleased tosend to
Yours very respectfully,
S. Adelaide Burton.

So. Manchester. Conn
Oct. 8. 1894.Alexandria Va Oct. 8 ' 1894
Hon. Frederick Douglass
Washington:

My Dear Sir,
I take this
opportunity to thank you in the 
name of our people for your
visit and encouraging speech
Sept 24th, last.  Your visit has
liberalize the sentiment among the
whites. here.  Why Mr. Douglass, the
Alex. Gazette, the Chief of [Bourbons?]
seemed to be paralyzed -- for not a
word it said pro or con.  It is noted
for to speak uncomplimentary of our
great men.  The parade being the first 
here, and your visit, which the whites
doubted - and all being a success =
personally was highly commended, but
the [Burbon?] press, did not have fairness

[* 1733 *]P.S.
My wife has been sick since
the day of celebrations, but is now
convalescent, while is my first
opportunity to write. she sends 
her respect and will ever
cherish your honorable presence
R.

enough to speak out. It only said
Amen! However the Washington
Post and Star which has as large a
circulation here, as the town papers,
gave free space and your speech.
Brave words = your attending in the
Opera House. There were many of the
Ultra Bankers standing in the isles
of that House.  It did the colored
Alexandrians good to hear you refer to
the intercession of Alexandria etc =
and your respect to Gov. O'Ferall
viz: Lynch law letter to Press.
Alexandria will never forget
Sept 24th and Your inspiring visit
to the old and young.
Every thing pass off pleasantly.
Excellent order prevailed and not
arrest was made at night.
I again thank you.
Yours truly
Magnus L. RobinsonConfidential.  Please 
return.
J. H. Ross
Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Executive Department,
Boston, October 8th. 1894

Mr. James H. Ross,
2 Ashburton Place.
Dear Sir:-
The governor is in receipt of your letter of the 5th 
inst., and directs me to state that it will be impossible for him
to prepare any outline of the address which he is expected to 
deliver at the meeting of the American Missionary Association in 
Lowell Oct. 23rd to the 25th.
Yours truly,
H.A. Thomas
Private Secretary.

Mr. Douglas, in the admirable synopsis 
received Oct. 13th gives the Governor a 
good text. I suggest that the line in 
the synopsis be amplified into an 
additional page. [With] The commendation 
& criticism of Massachusetts are deserved. 
With the Governor present to express 
himself, it may help to arrest attention to 
the whole subject. I can handle it with the press 
to the advantage of all concerned. I will send some reporters 
if Mr. Douglas cares to see them, when in Boston.  Ross
[*1734*]The Manassas Industrial School,
(LOCATED AT MANASSAS, VA.)
For the Industrial Training of Colored Youth.
Washington, D. C., Oct. 11, 1894.

President:
REV. RUSH R. SHIPPEN,
1301 Riggs St., N. W.,
Washington, D. C.
Corresponding Secretary:
MRS. H. P. MONTGOMERY,
1928 Eleventh St., N. W.,
Washington, D. C.

Treasurer:
 HENRY E. BAKER,
609 F St.,N. W.,
Washington, D. C.
Recording Secretary:
MISS JANE E. THOMPSON,
610 H St., N. W.,
Washington, D. C.
 
Hon. Frederick Douglass
Anacostia, D. C.
Dear Mr. Douglass,

As you will know it
is a cherished wish of Miss Dean's and
mine to have the Miner Fund trustees
locate their plant on the grounds of the
Manassas Industrial School. I take the
liberty of sending you the opinion of two
lawyer friends of mine on the powers
of the Miner trustees to use this fund
out of the District, as the question has
been raised to me frequently. Can it
be done legally, even if the Miner
Board desire it? The charter seems, to
me, so liberal, giving Congress all power
to alter or amend it, that it is only
a question of responsibility whether or
not by coming to Manassas the spirit
and intent of Miss Miner would be
carried out. Having carefully read of the life
[*1738*]and work of Miss Miner as told in "The 
Memoir" edited by her friend, Miss Ellen
Mr. O’Connor, and for three years a witness
of, and co-worker with, the people of the
Bull Run district who desire this school,
I can safely and heartily say I know
this great work is of the kind that
Miss Miner herself would have enthusiastically 
aided, could she have lived 
to do so.

I enclose the two legal opinions I
have asked that they may be used
in your Board meeting to show I
have considered this aspect of the
case in inviting you to Manassas.
Mr. Bowen is a member of the District Bar
though not a practitioner, and Mr.
Ralston has had conspicuous success
in the U.S. Supreme Court and in the 
District Courts.

If the Miner Fund comes to Manassas
we would he pleased to have it come through
motion of Mr. Douglass in the [?ier] Board
to send it there. 
Yours most sincerely,
Jane E. ThompsonOFFICE OF BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 
FRANKLIN SCHOOL BUILDING. 
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 9, 1894.

Miss Jane E. Thompson, 
610 H street, N.W., 
Washington, D.C.
      
Dear Miss Thompson:
As I understand Miss Miner's purpose it was to give a practical 
education of head and hand to colored youths so that they in                                                                    turn might be teachers and helpers of their race. 
                
We are doing that very thing today in the public schools of                                                                      the District of Columbia.  The literary department is complete,                                                                              and parallel with that we have physical culture, cooking, sewing,     
mechanical drawing, carpentry, iron working, music and art, beginning 
with the first grade and ending with graduation from the high 
and normal schools.  The results are admirable through the work is 
but a few years old.  In a short time the system will be fully 
developed, and it will all be done at the public expense, leaving 
nothing to be supplied by private benevolence. It seems to me the 
Miner corporation can place its resources where they can do far 
more good than in Washington. 
           
I have carefully read the act incorporating the Institution 
for the Education of Colored Youth in the District of Columbia,    
                                                               
[*1736*]OFFICE OF BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 
FRANKLIN SCHOOL BUILDING. 
WASHINGTON, D.C.,   189


and do not find anything therein restricting the use of the property 
of the Institution to the District of Columbia.  There are 
but three limitations: 
     
First, the beneficiaries must be "colored youth of the nation." 
     
Second, the property must not exceed one hundred thousand 
dollars. 
     
Third, banking and commercial enterprises are prohibited. 
     
Within these limitations the Trustees can do any thing, any 
where, to give effect to the purpose of their creation.   In case 
of a doubt as to the powers of the Trustees, it would appear to 
be right and proper to resolve the doubt in favor of that course which 
will most effectively accomplish the true objects of the trust. 
     
No one could have any object in complaining, or in seeking to 
visit penalties on the Trustees for doing their best to elevate the 
colored youth of the nation wherever found. 
                                                                          
Respectfully yours, 
Paul T.  Bowen. 
Trustee, 2nd Division.J.H. RALSTON.              F.L. SIDDONS.
RALSTON & SIDDONS, 
Attorneys & Counsellors at Law,
WASHINGTON.D.C
ADAMS BUILDING. 1333 F ST.

October 10th, 1894.
Miss Jane E. Thompson
608 H. Street, N. W.
Washington, D. C.

My dear Miss Thompson:
I have examined with some care the provisions of the
act incorporating the "Institution for the Education of Colored Youth
in the District of Columbia"
As I understand, while the primary object of the incorporation was
to establish an institution in the District of the character indicated,
yet the purpose is now amply subserved by the local schools, and the
most feasible use of the funds would be to apply the income to the same
purposes at some neighboring place. Pending advantageous use in this
District, I cannot doubt the authority of the Board of Directors to
make this application of its income. The right so to do cannot be
challenged by any authority expect the United States government acting
through its legal officers. No private individual has such an interest
in the disposition of the funds as to give him a footing in Court. 
Very truly yours, 
J. H. Ralston
[*1737*]Toronto, Ont. Oct 12th 1894
Hon. Fred Douglas
Washington D.C.
U.S.
Dear Sir,
Will you write me your terms
for delivering a lecture in this City
for the purpose of relieving the Queen
Street Baptist Church from indebtedness. 
We have hall provided and full
arrangements will be made for your
accommodation and comfort.
Yours truly
G.W. Smith
Trustee and chairman of
Committee on finances
#194 Queen Street West
Toronto, Ont. Canada

[*1739*]Easton, Talbot Co., Md.
Oct. 13, 1894.
Hon. Frederick Douglass
Dear Sir:
I am very anxious 
to have you lecture for the benefit of our school. Can
you arrange to do so sometime this month, or the first 
of next month? The white people throughout this county
have the greatest respect for you and would go to hear
you when they would not put themselves to any trouble
to hear anyone else. We need the "Negro Problem" discussed 
here and it is acceded that no one can do 
so as intelligently as you.
I was appointed one of the fifteen to meet in Washington 
to decide as to the next meeting for our Association, and
thought to have seen you. I could not attend, and I am 
therefore compelled to write to you.
You cannot imagine how much good you would 
do by talking to these people. They need to hear all
that you can and will say to them.
If you can accommodate us, please let us know
your terms, etc. We will allow you to fix the time.
Hoping you will favorably consider this,
I am
Yours very truly,
Irma R. H. Miller

1740Cedar Hill: Anacostia D.C, Oct 14 1894

My dear Joe:
You misread my letter. I am due in 
Lowell Mass on the Evening of the 25th
and therefore cannot be in Boston on that 
Evening though I should like to be. I hope 
to reach Boston via Fall River line on 
Wednesday morning and go straight to 
Lowell and come back to Boston on
Thursday.  What I wrote in a former
letter was not to hurt but to help
you. I hope you know that. Hoping
to see you soon I have only to 
give you my love.
Grandpa
Douglass,

[*1100*]Ripley. Briggs
Broadway
Odenton115 Lambert Avenue, Rivebury,
Oct. 14 : 1894

Dear Mr. May,
When your son asked me for
the Sermon to take to you - I was
much gratified, and I wanted
you to hear it - but I have
since felt so badly, to let you
be troubled over so poor a
manuscript.

I generally write
my sermons all over before I
go into the pulpit - but in the
[nature?]

[*1742*]has been meeting chiefly the other side during his
educational tours in the South. 
I had a most beautiful letter from Dr. Furness about my
sermon on the "Liberty of Christianity", and there was
no wavering to his hand, no trembling, I give you
most heartfelt sympathy in your loss of Dr. Holmes.

Believe me, ever,

Most truly yours,
James De Normandie



of the case this one had to be
prepared so hurriedly, that I
could not do so.
I want very much to thank you for
Douglass' address you kindly sent
me.  I have read it with great
sympathy, & great wrath.  I do
not think our struggle is yet over!
& I am sure he must be almost
entirely right.  I had a talk
with Mr. Mayo last week - but
he thinks the average black
woman is of very low morals.
This might be admitted as one
of the sure results of generations
of slavery - but I fear Mr.
Mayo


Dear Mr Douglass

I am moved to send 
you this note, from one of 
the fairest and best Unitarian 
Ministers (Minister of
First Church, Roxbury), for 
what he says of your 
recent printed discourse.
— We must still trust
that "truth will prevail"
—The shabbiness of those
English journals who are
censuring as intermeddlers the people who
are lifting their remonstrance
is worthy of an old
Northern Doughface.

yrs S. May

Oct. 16

[*Note need not come back,*]Rochester Oct 14-94

My Dear Brother Frederick.
This is a fine crisp
cold morning, and while
the girls are taking their
last nap I will pen a lines
to you. An hour in the
morning is about the only
real quiet time I have,
the rest of the day is so
full of work and duties.
We are all settled down to
our every day life. Each day
has its own you know know,
and what with getting
ready to move and keeping
things going here I find
1741plenty of employment.
Your letter as always gave
me much pleasure. Even 
the framed writing of such
an old dear friend is
a joy. I am ever so glad
you are going to have a
cottage to go to in summer
It is the greatest relief
to get away from the 
city heat and life, and
one can always find
some shady, quiet spot
to rest at such a place,
and I most sincerely 
hope you will live to 
enjoy it many many
years, and will find
plenty of amusements

for our old man.
Please don't feel so old, 
and don't abuse yourself
by calling yourself fretful
and such names,
for it makes your sister
Sarah feel badly, for
she knows you are no such thing. I would
like to come to Washington
every so much, and if it 
were feasible would do
so, but shall have to 
defer that pleasure
to some future time.
The girls also wished to 
thank you for your kind 
invitation. When would
it be for you and Mrs.Douglass to come up and
see us this winter? We
should all enjoy it so much
Do come. I am glad Aunt
Caroline, as you call
her enjoy so Mr. Yannik's
book, for if she likes it
she must be appreciative
of the good and beautiful,
I can not remember what
book it was, was it
the Faith that makes
Faithful? I am glad
you have not forgotten
to whome the old pen
is to belong, I shall
greatly prize it.
Mrs Douglassif she can not find time 
to write me just a little 
letter, I should like
one ever so much. 
Minnie wrote me that
she found Lewis's card
under the door when she
got here from the Islands,
and she wished to say how
glad she would have been
to see him, and to give him
and you all her love. 
Zerviah is in Boston. She 
went there to attend the 
marriage of her youngest
daughter charion who is 
to be married the 18th of
this month. As far as we
can see, it is as the world goesa good match. The man is
a well-to-do grocer and fruit 
dealer, has succeeded well
in business, and has a good 
reputation. He has three
children, one a little older
than Marion one a little
younger and one twelve
years old. The youngest
is a girl the older ones 
boys, Zerviah felt pretty
badly at first, but is
looking on the bright side
now. They felt worse on
account of the children 
being so near Marions
age. Give my love to 
Mrs Douglass "Aunt Caroline,"
Miss Foy and all your children,

not forgetting to take a
goodly share for your own 
self
Sister Sarah“Sister Sarah”
to F. Douglass
Oct 14, 1894
2 of 2Bloomington Ill. Oct. 18th, 1894.
Mr. Frederick Douglass
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir,- If you
can spare enough of
your valuable time
please do me the honor
of sending me your
signature too add to
my autograph album.
Trusting you will
pardon the liberty
I have taken, and
hoping to hear from
you, I am,
Yours truly,
Edwin O. Ropp
[*1743*]Meadville Pa Oct 16 1894

My Dear Mr. Douglas
Enclosed please find a 
clipping from the 
Atlanta National,
owned and Edited by a reconstructed
rebel,  Jn. L. Conley
Mr. C. was on Lee's staff I believe 
at the surrender at Appomatox, He 
then was there surrendered also, returned
to Atlanta, established the National
and has ever since kept it
afloat under (at times) discouraging 
circumstances.
Please read his editorial enclosed.
and tell me whether it is fearless
or not.  Is there a prominent Northern
man, now running for the Presidency 
that done be as outspoken?
His weekly editorials are indeed
refreshing to such republicans as
you and I are.
With kind regards to Mrs D.
Believe me, ever your friend,
Hon F. Douglass,
B. Newton Petty 
[*1744*]Corresponding Secretaries:
REV. M. E. STRIEBY, D.D.
REV. A. F. BEARD, D.D.
REV. F. P. WOODBURY, D.D.

Treasurer:
H. W. HUBBARD.

American Missionary Association,
BIBLE HOUSE, NINTH STREET AND FOURTH AVENUE.

New York, Oct, 16 1864

Hon. Frederick Douglass.

Dear Sir:
I take pleasure in forwarding
to you herewith a copy
of the General Survey of the
work of the Am. Miss, Assoc.
for the past year.

As you have kindly consented
to deliver an address at our
approaching Annual Meeting
it may be of interest
to you to run this document
over prior to the gathering,
as it presents in a somewhat
compact form the varied
fields of our efforts
during the year.

Very sincerely yours,
M. E. Strieby.

[*1745*]10/17/94
Kind friend
Your kind reply received.
Many, many thanks. If you should
ever give me information of this my
friends I shall be more grateful than
I can express. Mary was very dear to
me and we students were on friendly
social terms with Prof.
Wasn't there more and louder
music to face [fifty] fourty years ago than
now?
Respectfully,
Jane B. Smith
Frederick Douglass
[*1746*]OFFICE OF
Freethinkers' Magazine,
P.O. DRAWER 676.
PLACE OF PUBLICATION
213 INDIANA ST.
Chicago, Oct 18- 1894.

Dear Mr Douglass, 
On the 22nd of last month Henry
Bonnell of Waterloo NY died. You will
remember his as the man, who for
some 35 years was the principle
supporter of the Junius Quaker
church meetings of the Friends of
Human Progress. Whose house was 
always a free hotel to all who there
attended.

I shall publish in the December
Freethinkers Magazine a short obituary
notice of Mr Bonnell, with his likeness 
and I shall ask yourself and 
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony
C. DB Mills, Lucy Coleman, Phebe Deau
Aaron Powell, Geo A Taylor, Parker Pillsbury, 
Giles B Stibbins and a few others
to send me each a few lines about 
Mr Bonnell and the said meeting
for insertion in the obituary notice
(over) 

[* 1747 *]I will send you the magazine containing
the notice.
Please send as soon as possible. 
Yours truly
H. L. Green.Washington D.C.
Oct. 18th 1894
Hon. Frederick Douglas,
Dear Sir,
This
morning (Sunday) sitting
in the Metropolitan
A.M.E. Church I heard Rev. Jenifer
make an announcement
that aroused within
me a deep, burning
desire to do something
toward helping to
erect that Alumni
building in the
[*1748*]grounds of Wilberforce
University, that is to
bear your honored
name. I am soprano
leader of a company
of eight singers that
have just been organized
and have given
several concerts in aid
of the Home for Aged
Colored people. Next
year congress will
make that appropriation
of one hundred thousand
dollars for this home,
which will put it almost
beyond the need of
more funds for some
times, while the Alumni

Douglas hall of Wilberforce
will have nothing only
what is gotten through
contributions, and I
have an earnest, a
burning desire in my
heart to take these
eight singers and go
out into the world
fully endorsed by
you and the faculty
of Wilberforce University
and help build that
Douglas hall, as the
Fisk singers did, Fisk
University.  While Miss
Hallie L. Brown is
lecturing in one partif the country our
company could be
singing to the hearts
of the people in another
and when you hear
these singers once I
know you will like
them. They are to sing
on the 29th of this month
in the Universalist Church
On 13th and L St. (white) I am
full of burning zeal and
enthusiasm to help build
this building, for our
race. We have so much
good talent in the race
that is wasted, and put
to no good. Let the
representative men of
Wilbeforce send this2
company out, they can
make their salaries as
the Fisk singers did, out of
the concerts and in
one or two years put
thousands of dollars
into the building fund
of Wilbeforce. What-ever
ability or talent I have
I want to use it for
my race, at all times,
in all places, on all
occasions, and with
Miss. Hallie L. Brown's
lecturing and this
company's singing there
would soon be an
enthusiasm created
all over the country.that would bring in
money to the fund
that would exceed
their greatest hopes.
I do hope to hear
from you soon,
Please do not keep me
waiting more than
a day or two and if you
would like to hear
the company sing, I
will bring them over to
your home some night
this week or next.
Any night next week but
Monday, because all of
our male voices are to
sing in the Young Men

Christian Association
concert.
Respectfully
A.L. Tilghman
806. M. St. N.W.
P.S. I do not know just what
arrangements could be made
as to finances in starting
this company on the road. The might borrow money
until their treasury is large
enough to pay [all the]
[borrowed money and pay.]
its own way, and in three
months at least, singing
every night, or five nights
in every week and having
your full an earnest
endorsement as well as
all the Bishops of the A.M.E.church, and an energetic 
advance agent ahead
nothing but the greatest
success can come from
such a movement. I am
willing to risk some money
in this movement because
I have traveled and sung
enough to know that there
is a great deal of money
made in traveling companies.
I have no cash money 
that I can lay my hands
on now and use, but I
can get a hundred dollars
on my piano, and in 
six months I know I
would get all my money
back. If we could get 
two other persons to advance
one hundred dollars each

[*A. L. Tilghman to Douglass; Oct 18, 1894, 2 of 3*]3 
for six months at a small
per. cent, this money could 
be easily secured and this 
company which is already 
thoroughly organized, could
be secured by the leaders 
in this movement, and
they can go out all over 
the world and stir up
an enthusiasm and sing
money out of the people's 
pockets for this movement. 
Our people as a whole, do 
so little for our own
educational institutions
and I do wish that this 
will prove a second Fisk
company in helping to
build Douglas Hall.
I do hope Mr. Douglas
that you will give thissuggestion your earnest
thought and support
and commend it to all
the Bishops, and leading
ministers of the A.M.E.
church, and let me hear
from you as soon as
possible. This company
might sing two prices at the
meeting to be held for
Miss. Hallie Q. Brown
if you think it plausible.
Whatever you do think
concerning the matter
please let me know as
soon as possible before
they enter into any
permanent arrangement
with any one else. I

am deeply in earnest
about this matter and
I hope that these singers
our own colored girls
and boys, at least women
and men they all are,
can go out and help
build this Alumni Hall
which is to bear your
name.
Respectfully
A.L. Tilghman
P.S.
They can sing and travel
solely for themselves. I can go
traveling now as a soprano
soloist and make at least
ten dollars a night my
reputation as a singer is
thoroughly established and
I had intended going out
as Madam Jones, and Fl[??]Batson Bergen as doing
only a have gone one step 
higher than they. I play
the violin as well as sing
and this winter I shall
travel and play as well
as sing. I began violin lessons
with your grandson, Joseph
Douglas, but he has been
traveling for some time so I
am taking now from
Bernadine Smith. I have
never played yet in public,
but I am going to combine
singing and playing this
winter and no other woman
white or colored does that. I
am hoping for great success
for our company, and I
shall do all I can and
use all my humble talent
for its success.
Respectfully
AL Tilghman
806. M. StCable Address:
"Salvation, N.Y."
Please Mark Your Reply
In reply to this letter refer to
Blood and Fire
The Salvation Army
(From the Commander's Office,)
No. 111 Reade St.,
New York City,
Oct 20th, 1894
To Colonel Eadie
or Officer at door Carnegie Hall
Admit Mr Frederick Douglass 
to a seat in one of the boxes
on Tuesday October 23rd.
Ballington Booth
1749Fort Worth Texas
Oct 22/94

Hornle Freddick Duglass
   "   Sir. It gives me pleasure to
write you upon a subject of vas
importance to me. Please give me
an out line of Hayti its form
of Goverment and the princpal
buisness of the
buisness men of that country
and also the main products
of Hayti. And if its not asking too
much of you? Please give me the
full detail of [?] its products
its form of government and the
main buisness of the
buisness men of that Country
and Oblight Why I ask you
is because our people in this
port at Texas are very anxious
to know some thing more
of Those governments
than they know.
[*1750*]And we recognize the fact that
you are the best source to get this
knowledge from.
I shall close,
hoping to hear from you
very soon
Yours for business
and friendship
A.O.George.
Address mail c/o Naples Platter Gro co]
Fort Worth. Texas.A. O. George to 
F. Douglass
Oct 22, 1894
1 of 2A.O. George to
Frederick Douglass 
October 22, 1894 
2 of 2 Macon Ga Oct 23rd 1894
Hon Mr Fred Douglass
Washington DC 
Dear Sir if you have any good
news to Publish for the Colored People
of Bibb Co Ga Please Send It to 
the Southern Sun the Colored People 
Paper every thing that is good for 
the Colored People Send [it as] I will
Send Stamps for you to use on all 
news that you have for the Southern
Sun and the Colored People of Bibb
Co would like very much to have something 
from you I Come to a close yours
Resptful Jno C. Price (Col
Editor of Southern Sun
Macun Ga

[*1751*]Will Mr. Douglass kindly favor
me with his autograph?
I have a collection of noted
names, to which it will
give me great pleasure to
add your own.

very truly
Clara T. Perkins

Gloucester, Mass
Oct. 24 1894

[*1752*]STORER COLLEGE,
N.C. BRACKETT, PRINCIPAL.

Harper's Ferry, W. Va. Oct 25 1894
Hon. Frederick Douglass
My Dear Friend:
Do you know 
the outcome of our
effort to build a
monument to the memory
of John Brown?
The great B. & O. R.R. which
was so interested,
has been terrified by
the rantings of a few
Jefferson county
fanatics, and some
unreconstructed southern
newspapers, that it
has backed out of
all its pledges.
Mr. Chambers has been
[*1753*]Storer College, 
N.C. Brackett, Principal. 
2 
Harper's Ferry, W. Va., .............................189

notified that there 
is no occasion for 
any further effort in 
that direction. 
The company has already 
constructed a foundation 
for a shaft of some 
sort. What will be 
put on it remains 
to be seen. I ventured 
to send to the R.R. 
at the suggestion of 
the most earnest 
friends of the move, 
a possible lettering 
of the proposed 
monument -- as an
effort to overcomeSTORER COLLEGE
N. C. Brackett, Principal.

3.

Harper's Ferry, W. Va.,........189

their objections to 
our efforts to glorify
John Brown

It was in response to 
this that Mr. Chambers
received his formal
notice to quit.
Now what shall 
we do?

We can do no more on
that line. Shall we 
disband and return
to donors what is left?
What shall we say?
We cannot stop without
giving a reason why.
Some of us cannot stop 
without telling why.4
STORER COLLEGE,
N. C. Brackett, Principal.

Harper's Ferry, W. Va., ............................................189

Possibly it is too late
to decide what to do
or say till after
Nov. 6th.
I am just now, greatly
interested in the
defeat of the Free Trade
Schol, in the 2nd Dis
of W. Va. I think we
shall succeed.
I am sorry to so encroach
upon your time, but
the matter cannot
be ignored entirely,
no matter how much
we have to do.
Very Sincerely,
M. KneeheldSHOBER &
CARQUEVILLE
Lithographing Co,
CANAL & JACKSON STS.

Edward Carqueville, Prest.
Charles Edwards, Vice Prest.
Wm. B. Hoswell, Secy. & Treas.

CHICAGO, Oct 30th 1894,
 
Hon Fred’k Douglass,
 
My very dear friend 
We think of you often 
& of your good wife and especially when we are talking 
of the beautiful Summer at the Worlds Fair. Capt Eldridge 
of Chicago has written a book called the Boy Captain 
on which he claims to gift the formal experience as 
Capt Lawrence the hero of the novel. We were so 
much pleased with reading it aloud that I suggested 
that he send it to you since the scene of the story 
is in Hayti & we thought you would be amused to read 
it at your leisure. Doubtless the author has stretched 
his imagination somewhat but he claims it’s a true story. 
Perhaps he has told it so many times he believes it is 
all true — Be that as it may I hope you & Mrs D will 
have time to read it & if you ever find leisure enough tell 
me what you think of it. Mrs H & Edith wish to be 
kindly remembered to you both & believe me


Your sincere friend,
Wm. B. Hoswell

[*1754*]