Cedar Hill: Anacostia D.C. Jan: 4. 1895. Dear Doctor Rankin: Thanks for your good letter of this 2d. inst. with its good wishes and its statement of your relations with Howard University. I have given little attention to the intimations against you by Mr. Lawson. I happen to know how easily such easily such material is manufactured and the greediness of the market for which it is furnished. But I am troubled just now with the fear that the suggestion of my name for the Presidency of Howard University may have led you to think me in some way connected with these ungenerous, and ungrateful and half disguised attacks upon you. Depend upon it, my dear sir, that I am in no way in sympathy with these at??ks upon you or with the motives that inspires them. There are no inducements in the world strong enough to lead me to accept such a post if it were offered me. I have been a long time in the world and a long time acquainted with myself and I know just what I am fit for - and I know that for whatever else I am fit, I know I am not fit for the Presidency of Howard University and that I have no ambition in that direction. Any mention of me in private or in public in connection with that office or in reflection upon you are wholly unauthorized. I sympathize with you in feeling annoyed somewhat by the nature of the criticisms to which you are subjected. Sneers and insinuations are not easily replied to and I have yet to learn of any definite charge made against you. It is said that you do not recognize the black students when you meet them in the streets - and that you always have some white person to fill every vacancy that occurs — [*23*] [*3061*]955 N 6th st Phila Jan 6th 1895 Hon Frederick Douglass. My Dear friend. I had promised myself the pleasure of joining Mrs Mears in her recent visit to your city. But the results of a severe fall down a flight of stairs made it of doubtful propriety that I should take such a risk in the severe weather prevailing at the time I therefore concluded to pospone the enjoyment until a later date Mrs Mears seems overshaddowed with regrets on account of missing the pleasure of meeting [*1779*]meeting you. She lays the blame at my door — Saying She would have remained over until Saturday had I not have written her to return on Date - as a matter bussiness With many wishes for your continued health and happiness I am truly yours J C WeareEaston, Md., January 10th, 1895. In reply to your letter just received. My dear Mrs. Miller: If I had any money of my own, I would cheerfully lend you the amount that you ask ; but I cannot settle all of my own little bills which are now coming in after the close of the year. With reference to the school funds, the board passed an order not to advance any more money on the salaries of teachers for this school term. Yours, most respectfully, Alexander Chaplain [1798]Inclosure 1895 - Feb. 16 Dawson to Douglass[*Jan -10 1895*] Rev. Wallace Radcliffe D.D. Pastor of the New York Am. Pres. Ch. Washington, D.C. Dear Sir, Prof. Trumell of Harvard University has very thoughtfully and kindly put into my hands a copy of your sermon, "The Stars that fell" preached in your own church Dec. 29, No reference to Mr. Douglass made by you in that sermon, X is my apology for intruding upon your time by this note. X & my desire to thank you for that expression. It is not always that public speakers even having a high appreciation of Mr. Douglass' worth, make that nice discrimination that marks your analysis of his power as a moral force [in the life of] - so true an estimate, his "high-minded action"; - his being a "witness against a nation". O, could the world but know it, but it cannot, it cannot, in an eternity begin to reach up to the level of apprehension of the divine beauty of his [*393*]soul, his utter abnegation of self, his perfect consecration to [principle] God's eternal truth. And when the great presence swept down and hid him from mortal vision, it found him as a little child but bearing the seal of the redeemed. "Witness against a nation!" Powerful words and so true. I remember in one of our great political campaigns during which Mr. Douglass was on the stump for weeks together, how he grieved over what he considered the dereliction of the Republican leaders in making the material interests of our country the one point at issue, and how his was like the voice crying in the wilderness, Make straight your paths! He said that while the material interests of the country were important, it was of far higher importance to maintain those principles which were the foundation of our government, and as for himself he would uphold the banner of righteousness. As far as I remember he was the only prominent speaker in that campaign who took that ground.[But there was one point in your remarks that] The one especial point in your remarks however, was to me your [est] recognition of Mr. Douglass' place in history. The cruel limitations of his life are all passed now, and the shining angel of Truth, by whose side I believe he was born, and by whose side he unflinchingly walked through life, will take care of his child. Especially endowed, if ever any being was, his place in the future is absolutely assured, and the way to that place is a continually ascending path, You may believe, Dr. Radcliffe, that I write out of a full heart, but I had no idea I was going to say all this. With deep gratitude for your moral & intellectual courage & for your world embracing sympathy, I am, most truly & gratefully yours Helen Douglass. Jan 10, 1895.Jany 14. 95 My dear Friend Can you read what this black pencil says ? If so I can talk with you - I am glad to hear from Miss Nahar, but as she does not speak of getting a note from me, I fear you have not, as I enclosed hers in yours. We all quite getting into brimming order in our housekeeping, and both of us are enjoying the Home very much. We have called in, all the stray firniture and pictures we ever had, except the many Will and Gertrude have, & Will himself has come to overlook past differences, (as have I), and let bygones be byegones - By the way [*1780*]his father was buried one week ago - The succession of the generations brings him & Gertie on the track which reaches on into the "Invisible" - So we go - Are you thinking to cross the Ocean with Joe ? and When? and what do you think of Ednorah's chances for success in getting on to the Stage? I am growing very fond of her, and hope oh so much, that no evil will come to her! How is Helen without sweet Evelyn? Is Miss Foy hard at work with her medical studies? and do you see Ina now a days? If so give. her my love and say I shall write to her soon as I can write with a pen - I can't bear to use a pencil in writing to you - and I can't understand, why I can't as well command my pen. I am not going to try your eyes any longer now. With all kinds of good wishes, I am always yours A. N. GreeneTHE GLOUCESTER AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL, Cappahosic, Gloucester Co., Va., W. B. Weaver, Principal. H. W. Hubbard, Treasurer. J. W. Booth, Sub. Treasurer. Mrs. W. B. Weaver, Assistant Principal. Cappahosic, Va., Jan 16, 1895. Dear Grand-pa: Your kind letter was received during the holidays. I was on my way to Mathews county in the interest of the school, a drive of twenty five or thirty miles. We reached there but the very cold weather compelled us to cancel some of our engagements and return home. Received a good letter from Ma to night also one from Hattie. So Joseph is really going to Berlin, I am very glad that he is able to go. I wish very much that I could see him before his departure and to attend the concert. Mr. Weaver is very anxious for me to take the agency of your book. What do you think about it and how shall I proceed? I would not mind making a little [*1782*]more money than I get, so if you think it will pay me I will try my luck as a book agent. We are still hard at work down here trying to make the little we have go as far as it can, as contributions this term are small and far between. I am glad that you got out home to take dinner with ma, it gave her a great deal of pleasure to have you. Miss Steele asks me to remember her to you. I hope you keep well. Your fond grand-daughter, Estelle.You may publish this letter with names attached. - ST. GEORGE ST. P O Drawer 4 ST. AUGUSTINE, E. FLA., 16th January 1895 Frederick Douglas Esq. Sir. I venture to appeal to you in behalf of the coloured people of St. Augustine, for advice and, the use of your Pen in their behalf. - A gentleman of St Augustine, Mr. Buckingham Smith, left all his real estate here for the Coloured people of St. Augustine, his late slaves to have the first benefits of same. His house sold for $15,000, and, as his executor did not think this sum sufficient, this second gentleman, Dr. Oliver Bronson, bought a peice of land, built a spacious house on it, and gave an additional sum of $3,000. to the "Smith" fund to support it. The house was opened as a Home for indigent and infirm coloured [*1781*]People of sexes, and my husband was successor to Dr Bronson as the President of the so called "Buckingham Smith Benevolent Association"; he laboured in its interests with much success, and for many years the Home was filled with poor, coloured people; but in time these old people died off, one after another, until only one or two were left; and as the Widow had managed, to invest the funds, so that there was $1800 income yearly, it was thought expedient to fill up the House, with young girls, in an Industrial School. This work also prospered greatly, and all was harmony and our school doing a blessed work. - But rich men came to St Augustine; Built large Hotels; The Ponce de Leon was in the vicinity of one Coloured Home; The Alcazar, just opposite, and a covetous Eye was thrown on the property of theST GEORGE ST. ST. AUGUSTINE, E. FLA., 189 Coloured peoples; It was a veritable "Naboth's Vineyard" for Mr. Henry M. Flagler, and efforts were at once made to get possession of it; An Asphalt Pavement was laid between the Alcazar Hotel and the Coloured Home, and a year after a bill was presented Mr. Wilson for $517, and 315 days interest, for half the cost of that improvement; intimations given, that no money was needed only a Mortgage on the Home Lot! Mr. Wilson refused to pay it until the other abuttors on the street should be called on to pay also; But during his absence the secretary of the B.S.B.A. gave a note to Mr. Flagler for the amount; This Mr. Wilson refused to pay; was out voted put it on Record, that the note was contrary to the Bye Laws and illegal, andresigned from the board of Trustees as President; this happened in 1890. Mr. Wilson still advised the new President in his Financial affairs; but his advice was not heeded, as the object of the trustees was and still is, to wreck the institution, To force a Sheriff's sale, and to let Mr Flagler come into quiet possession of this much coveted land! The house has been rented for a Boarding House. $3000 hired from the Bank, and the coloured people are to be cheated out of this property. I have induced them to employ a lawyer from Jacksonville, and I will guarantee his fee for the coloured people; but Mr Douglas the coloured people are poor timid, and dare not act against wealthy [such] able corporations, nor have they many friends; they must in this case, fight their own battle. I am 76 years of age, and in variable health,I know not where to find justice for them! I appeal to your judgement I have ever been friendly to the coloured race, having lived many years at Cape Haytian in the Island of Hayti, where my husband had a prominent commercial house under the name of Wilson, Laroche & Co. We are well known to the present President of Hayti, as for years he was interested in the purchase of coffee for the house of Wilson, Laroche & Co. Mr Wilson was also Consul for the United States and their recognition of Hayti was effected by him. You will find his record in the State Department. Be so kind as to write for us to influence public opinion in the favor of the coloured people. Begging you to excuse me for addressing you. I remain Very Respectfully Frances L. WilsonANCOSTIA JAN 19 D.C. WASHINGTON D.C. JAN.18 PM POSTAL ONE CENT. [*ok*] United States America THIS SIDE IS FOR THE ADDRESS ONLY. Hon. Frederick Douglass Anacostia, D.C. [*1784*]A meeting of the corporations of the Q.E.C.Y. will be held at 1411 F St, Monday, January 21, 1895, 7 p.m. per order, E.J. Brigham, Secretary.ROBERT REYBURN, M.D., Office: 714-13th Street WASHINGTON, D.C. Jan. 18. 1895 Hon. ferederick Douglas. Dear Sir I earnestly hope you did not suffer from the inclement weather last Saturday. We have given notice that you will be with me & expect to have a full attendance [*1783*]on Monday night Yours respectfully Robert Reyburn M.D. "No Taxation Without Representation." Washinton, D. C., Jan 18th 1895 Hon: Fredrick Douglass You are hereby requested to attend a meeting of The Citizens' District Suffrage Petition Association, to be held at Greens Hall. 1721. Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. on Monday January 21, 1895 at 8 p.m. Meeting of Executive Committee same date & place at 7.30 p.m. Very respectfully, ROBERT REYBURN, M.D. PRESIDENT, 2129 F STREET, N.W. JAMES H. SMITH, Secretary, 494 Louisiana Avenue, N.W. [*1783-A*]Danville Va Jan 22 - 1895 Hon Frederick Douglass Dear Sir - I am as you see down in a city whose streets once ran red with with the blood of black men whose only offense was that they were too thick and must be weeded out. Fortunately they did not die without protest. They carried one of the most prominent white physicians with them as a witness in a court that is no respecter of persons There is pending here a case of most flagrant injustice A very wealthy tobacco manufacturer by the name of Payne enticed a little colored girl only ten years of age into his office and committed a rape upon her He abused her terribly as was testified to by three white physicians here. He was arrested - but no mob swarmed around the jail - no officers of the law were overpowered and deprived of their prisoner - on a preliminary trial the case was sent to the grand jury - The[y] testimony was so direct positive and strong that they indicted him for rape - now mark what follows. between the indictment and trial the girl, her mother and sister were gotten rid of - how no one knows - Where they are no one knows - The man who as I said is wealthy after the disposal of the witnesses who could have given testimony to convict [to] applied to the judge for bail - and the judge be it said to his everlasting credit sternly refused all tenders of bail - next his powerful friends applied to the Governor who told me of the affair while I was in [*1785*]Richmond - He refused to interfere - He said there is no doubt of the man's guilt - Bail having been refused the prisoner now languishes in jail. The case will come up for trial the first Monday in February and the result can readily be imagined - When the case is called for trial there will be no witnesses to appear for the prosecution - the defendents attorney will immediately move to dismiss the case and the prosecuting attorney unable to prove the indictment or produce a single important witness the judge will have no other recourse but to dismiss the case - and so will end - not in acquittal nor in human ashes one of many similar cases wherein the poor hopless colored girl is outraged and wronged - torn wide open and rendered an invalid of the saddest and most pitiable kind for the rest of her life while the "rape fiend goes back to his flourishing business - opens his ledger and poses as a Southern gentleman whom the governor of the State told me had in his veins some of the bluest of Virginia blue blood. Imagine what would happen if the victim were a little white girl ten years of age the criminal a big burly negro -- all the witnesses mysteriously dissapeared and the case dismissed after the prisoner had spent less than three months in jail! All South Eastern Virginia would rise in arms to make a bonfire with that negro as its human core. And yet this occurred within less than three hundred miles from the nations capitol where we have gigantic effigies of liberty with her broken fetter and justice with her blinded eyes and ever poised scales I wonder what this little girl with her torn and lacerated womb, so badly ripped that her vagina and rectum are almost but one channel, would think if she should chance to come across an old copy of our Constitution and read therein the 15 amendment with its pleges and guarantees.While in Richmond I visited the penitentiary. It is crowded with colored boys — men and women. There are 250 convicts 21 and under, 11 at 10 yrs of age — more boys that none but a southern state would think of sending to a penitentiary. 1[2] at 11 yrs - 2[4] at 12 years, 5 at 13, 11 at 14, 18 at 15, the average age for the 1300 odd convicts being 25 yrs, three fourths of them are colored. There is one convict to every 5000 whites in the state there were 6 to 5000 of colored in 1870 and 1880 7 1/2 to 5000 in 1880 — and now there are 9 1/2 to 5000 or almost twice as many as in 1880. When it is remembered that there are over a thousand colored men in penitentiary — that the average sentence is four years — that the average is twenty-five, [and in ??] and that all who enter there are disfranchised forever it will be seen that this penitentiary is a valuable adjunct to the board of education supervisors in reducing the colored vote and yet there are many bright cheering and hopeful things to be seen and heard. The night is dark but there are plenty of stars as well. The schools are crowded — the people are everywhere buying homes. In Richmond Petersburg Norfolk Old Point and here everybody who is any body owns his own home. I make this statement advisedly and after painstaking investigation A prominent virginian in a long letter to the Richmond Dispatch which I had copied on the type writer bitterly complains that the negros own 1/19 of all the land in 52 counties, The Governor assured me he "would prevent lynching or mob violence if it took every soldier Virginia had." Tonight I went into a great auction store where some enterprising Jew from New York was trying to dispose of a lot of cheap dry goods to a mixed crowd of blacks and whites — both were a tough looking set — regular horny handed sons of toil from my [??ck] and beyond —the men were coarse rough savage and yet among them there seemed tothat coarse and hearty good nature that bespoke friendliness, I stood there for a half hour - saw negroes joke with white men, borrow their tobacco and cut up didoes with the ease and sang froid of freemen to the manner born - the memory of the risk and massacre seemed to have been forgotten. The man who is charging me a dollar a day for my accommodation has his house insured for 2500, and has about 25 rooms I shall either stay to the trial or return to it as I want to get a Kodak picture of the scion of one of the first families of Virginia brutal enough to have split a little colored girl open and fortunate to live in a state which while it would burn a black to a handful of human cinders for such a crime -- allows an F.F.V. to go unrequittted but free to roam wherever he pleases. This is Virginia that sends a little colored boy ten years of age to the penitentiary to mingle with the hardened criminals while it turns a white rape fiend loose to reenter polite society whose boast is its chivalry and respect for women. Well I must stop as I have a number of letters to write to various papers - With sincere wishes for your continued good health I am yours respectfully Charles S. Morris Salisbury N. C. c/o Livingstone CollegeThe Chicago Tribune, EDITORIAL ROOMS. Chicago. Jan. 28, 1895 Frederick A. Douglass, Esq. Dear Sir: For the purpose of encouraging the study of American history, and with a view to obtaining opinions both interesting and historically valuable, the following question has been propounded by the Tribune to a number of men and women, at home and abroad, whose opinions would be entitled to great respect: "What has been the Greatest Event in the History of the United States?" (meaning thereby since 1775) A moments consideration will convince you that this question can hardly be considered a familiar one to the reading public. The Tribune will publish a symposium of these opinions. Recognizing the value of your views a communication is hereby solicited to form part of this proposed symposium. Address, Sunday Editor, THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE. [*1787*]Danville Va January 31-95 Hon Frederick Douglass My Dear Sir - I have just returned from an all night drive up in the White Oak Mountains about twenty miles beyond Danville and as I know you are profoundly interested in the object of my trip and know also you will look with a lenient eye on the errors that my tired brain and body may allow to slip into this note 'I will a round unvarnished tale deliver" of my journey and its outcome. I heard while waiting here for the trial of Penn. of several mysterious murders of colored men up in the mountains - The charge was usually rape or attempts to shoot white men - I determined to go up and find out the truth. A plucky young school teacher here - Garland - to whom I confided my purpose volunteered to take me to a negro who would drive me where I wanted to go. [Rena] Garland teaches four miles in the country. I hired a horse and buggy through Garland - got another man to go to the stables and get it for me - drove by Garlands school and together we started - We drove out to where he formerly taught - then I met a black hero - a man who if he had been with John Brown at Harpers Ferry would have died with the old man with the stoic fortitude of Shields Green - After feeding the horse & getting supper leaving Garland there because it might have cost him his school to have gone further at eight oclock we started on one of the wildest ruggedest and most thrillingly eventful rides it has ever been my pleasure to take - I say pleasure because it was a positive pleasure - I was with seemed I was in a good race - my conscience was clear [my feet were to have] [*1786*][*C. Morris to Douglass, 1 of 3*] and I felt at last as if I was doing a little of the service I had always desired to perform and always felt more or less impelled to - well after a drive that was full of ups and downs - particularly "ups" we reached the summit of the mountain the snow lay three inches on the ground and all was silent save the ceaseless crunch of the carriage wheels as they cut into the unbroken snow - the night was clear windless and cold the wet moon seemed to hold in her upturned horns the promise of future rains - we drove for about five miles over one of the roughest mountain roads anywhere in the country and finally brought up to the loud barking of a pack of hounds in the yard of this black heros father-in-law We got out - went in and warmed before the blazing old log fire - The old man got up saddled his "nag" and off we started again for another five mile journey down to the place of a white man by the name of Mitchell and thereby hangs a tale This man Mitchell has a daughter about 15 years of age - Her name is Cora - He also had on his place a little Negro boy named George Toller about 16 - they were children together and grew up together - Sometimes George would leave Mitchells and go to some of the farms to work for wages - Mitchell kept on after him until he came back These children were very much with each other there being no other young ones on the place [One night] George slept on a pallet in the big room with old man Mitchell and his wife - the girl slept in a little room just off from the big room One night in the early part of Jany 92 - the old woman woke up and looking down on the pallet missed George - she woke the old man - he got up and in looking around went into the girls room and there lay George and the girl sound [to] asleep in each others arms - The old man naturally was mad and after making it a little warm for the boy went off after a constable to arrest him The constable came and placed the boy under arrest. In the meantime the[*Morris to Douglass, Jan 31, 1895, 2 of 3*] 3. old woman had sent off to a neighboring farm where her two sons lived and told them what happened - They hurried down and arriving when the [sheriff] constable was just about to take the boy away - took him away from the constable on pretense of carrying him to jail themselves - The next day George's lifeless body was swaying in the mountain breezes - and a brief report was sent down to the Danville Register stating that a negro was lynched by unknown parties for attempting to rape a young white lady - You ask if the brothers were not brought to trial - yes I suppose you might call it such for lack of a better name - They were taken in from democratic Sheriff elected by white people before poorer democratic magistrate who had previously been both bribed and bullied and asked if they knew who lynched George Toller - of course they did not - of course the case was dismissed and has never come before a higher tribunal The [boy] lawyer who defended them is the present Democratic congressman from this district - the colored people met and resolved ---- not to trade with Mitchell any more - he kept a grist mill - Nothing more has been done - the boy was murdered by white men - taken down and [bured] buried two days after by negros - and although many white as well as colored men knew from current reports that the boy had been intimate with the girl for some time - nothing was ever done - The girl asked her mother what became of George and when told he had been killed burst into tears. After verifying this report by three different witnesses I got in the buggy again at one oclock and drove another five miles across the country to investigate the case of Sam Grably who was shot down unarmed and unwarned by a white man by the name of Bill Thompson - Thompson had been intimate with the colored mans oldest daughter Her father gave her a beating about it and told her what he would do if heard of it again - this got to Thompsons ears - He got his shot gun and went down to Grablys place who rented from him - and calling him out as if to talk to him4 shot and killed him - nothing has ever been done with him. He is still at large and boasts that [he will kill any] he killed the nigger because he gave him some impudence and that he will kill any other nigger who gets out of his place - I ought to say he was arrested and set up the plea of "self-defense" - and was acquitted. The people of the South have a radically different meaning for rape than that given in the dictionary. In their minds, a rape is any intercourse a negro may have with a white woman no matter whether it is voluntary or forced. They do not regard the forced intercourse of white men with colored women - a sadly prevalent thing I am beginning to learn - as rape. that they call simply "taking it" Another case I heard of last night but did not have time or opportunity to investigate it was that of a Negro called Nep Hostum who was shot by a white man by the name of Jim Himes - Himes came [in]to a negro cabin on his place and bursting open the door said to Nep, who stood in the middle of the room holding his little baby in his arms, "Nep did not I tell you not to come on my place again? "No Sir you did' not Mr Himes" replied Nep - "Yes I did now damn you I am going to kill you" and with that he fired - the [f] bullet shot off two fingers of the babys hand and killed its father - the man ran a few steps and fell dead. Himes subsequently went to the dead man and forcing open the fingers fast stiffening in death he put an old hoe in his grasp and proved to the satisfaction of the magistrate that he killed Nep Hostum in "self-defense" He was acquitted and the voice of another unavenged negroe's blood cries out from that bleak mountain side "Oh Lord how long", This same Jim Himes was the cause of the running off of a colored man by the name of Mathers Woody - Woody was [by] buying a piece of ground from a White man named Allen - He had it nearly paid for5 [*Morris to Douglass, Jan 31,1895, 3 of 3*] and was growing on it a fine crop of tobacco nearly ready to cut. Himes got his wife to say Woody insulted her - Himes got a crowd together and chased Woody all over the mountains he was finally enabled to escape by the aid of a white doctor who thought a great deal of him He ran off and went west leaving his family and his crop. As soon as he was able he sent for his family - Himes took his crop as damages while Allen reentered and took possession of the land. On my way out to this place I passed the house of a white woman now the second wife of a farmer - On her account a negro was lynched over in another part of the county -- He was taken to Chatham and tried and now to be hanged and was beaten to death on the scaffold - It is said he had been intimate with her but I have not been able to verify that as yet I am going over to Chatham the county seat tomorrow (Saturday) to see if that was the case - I also drove by the house of of a negro who was killed but as it was two o'clock and the case was not [?] and the woman was liable to be talkative so as to involve the property and lives of the two poor men who were my guides and who held my life in their hands and would have defended it with their own I did not think it wise to rouse her up, At three oclock in the morning tired cold and sleepy we brought up at the humble but hospitable home of the old man who joined us and there we put up our horse - went to bed and slept until seven - As I had to drive Mr Garland back to his school and as we were then ten miles from it, {We] we got up - put the horse in the buggy and drove over to where I had left him [-] the night previous The wretched mountain road was full of slush and snow - now it was frozen stiff and we had a long worrisome trudge of it - We reached the home of my guide at nine oclock where Garland got in and we started off for school where we arrived at half past ten leaving Garland there I drove on into town and here I am right side up with me a sleepier - sadder wiser man. Sincerely yours Charles S. Morris (over)Feb 11-95 Since writing the foregoing letter I have made a trip to Raleigh NC and Durham. In N.C. I think our people are doing fairly well there have been few lynchings in the last three years -- there being one law now on the statue books against it and another pending still more stringent. A colored man was arrested the other day in Durham for insulting a white woman - It was noised about that he was to be lynched, about fifty colored men gathered around the jail and refused to leave it, although assured that the man was in no danger - The ringleader a man by the name of Faulkner was arrested and placed under $25 bond but subsequently released - The colored people of Durham prevented a lynching in a similar manner in 1886 by gathering several hundred strong to prevent a colored man who in a fight had severely whipped a white man, from being lynched I think it safe to say there will be no lynching in Durham and fair to presume that there would be many fewer all over the South if other colored men were to take the same stand. I am here in Danville again having arrived here from Durham where I went to see if there was going to be a lynching I am attending the trial of Tom Penn of whose crime I wrote you. I will perhaps have an article in the Independent in reference to it next week. It is a nasty case, three medical experts testified that the girls vagina was torn an inch and a half laterally and two inches deep by the forcible entrance of the mans organ and that the child bled profusely and was at the point of death. They have an all white jury and the colored people seem to think Penn will go scot free. Tis ever thus. Yours Sincerely -- Charles S Morris.The Quarries Newcastle upon Tyne. Feb. 2, 1895 Dear Sir My cousin Ellen Richardson of 130 Rye Hill wishes me to write to you, to say that she has been very ill, & is not likely for some time to be able to write herself. It was a sharp attack of internal cold, & neither her doctor, nor her friends thought she could recover. But now, [*1794*]we hope to keep her a little longer. When I saw her yesterday, in bed, she talked with her old eager, intense, interest of her friends. She thought it was long since she had heard of you & will be very glad if she may have a letter. It was a pleasure to me to be commissioned to write for her, since I have a vivid recollection of meeting you at my Grandfather, John Wigham's in Edinburgh, where I as a schoolgirl, lived with him. Eliza Nicholson Barlow was Niece to an inmate of the hospitable house & shared in the extreme interest of your visit. Did you hear of her death early last year? She wasC. Richardson to F. Douglass, 1882 greatly beloved by her children & friends & it is another loss to the world to have her gone. It will be a great interest to our circle, If in replying to my cousin, you can tell something of the progress of the Freedmen. We have lived to see the end of many injustices & wrongs - but new ones continually arise! Continually arise!May there be too a succession of brave fighters, inspired to battle against wrong! Believe me with great respect & regard Yours truly Caroline RichardsonCedar Hill: Anacostia: Febry 6th 1895. Dear sir: I sincerely regret to be compelled to decline to promise to deliver an address on the occasion to which you invite on the 21st Febry - I have more work on my hands than I know how to accomplish and cannot well take any more or give promise of any more. I thank you for your invitation all the same. Very truly yours Frederick DouglassI am now sir Very truly [Frederick Doug]. In last Evening's Star I notice [the an] the announcement [of the] To the Editor of the Evening [of] Star Something more should be said of Theodore Dwight Weld who died at Hyde Park Mass: at the age of ninety one, a few days ago - as announced in the Evening Star of yesterday Mr Weld was one of the Lane Seminary Students, who sixty years ago withdrew from that institution when it then attempted to suppress the discussion of slavery - He was a leader in that distinguished exodus -and became thereafter a recognized, [and] as the most eloquent advocate among them all and in the whole field of Antislavery efforts. Powerful [as a speak] and persuasive as a speaker - he was almost equally powerful as a writer. He was the author of two [important] volumes on the subject of slavery of unsurpassed eloquence and conclusive argument. The one entitled "Slavery as it is, on the Testimony of a thousand witnesses - is a picture of Slavery, the most effective of any of the many abolition productions of early antislavery times. [*2816*]2. [As it] Any one of the coming generations, who may desire to know what was the real character of American slavery in all its repulsive features and as it existed forty years ago - need look no further than this Book by Theodore D Weld. In it there is no [charge] statement made, that is not overwhelmingly fortified by incontestable facts and unquestionable authority. The antislavery cause was indebted to him also for the most painstaking and ilaborate Bible arguments against slavery so masterly and convincing were these productions that they became at once the moral armory - for the 70 antislavery lectures sent forth by the American antislavery Society - sixty years ago to awaken and convert the nation to antislavery thoughts and feeling. Those remarkable young among whom was the late Henry B - Stanton, readily accepted Mr. Weld as their teacher. He had the peculiar power of putting into mens hearts and minds the celestial fire of his own glowing inspiration. He had all the earnestness of a whole souled Evangelist chastened by superior learning and higher intelligence than is usual in that class. When he spoke men were bound to hear - and to hear him if candid, they seldom failed to be convinced.To him the Slave was not a negro, not an Indian, a black nor a white, but a man. He saw in him a brother a child of God and a fellow traveller to Eternity one possessing a birth right to liberty as sound [and] solemn and commanding as that of any son of the Eternal Father of Mankind. Around the idea of man in the mind of Theodore D. Weld shone all the attributes of God- For the humblest not less than highest was the care of the Almighty Father - and as an earnest Christian man Theodore D. Weld was the friend and brother of all men who were wronged and oppressed of whatever race or color and the good that he did will live after him. Frederick Douglass "United to aid" Society for the Recognition of the Brotherhood of Man. 47, New Broad Street, London Feb 11th 1895 E.C. GENERAL COUNCIL: AXON, W.E.A BISHOP, Miss. F. K. CLOTHIER, Mrs. A. H. DARBY, Dr. W. Evans FORD, Miss ISABELLA O. GLAISTER, J. W. IMPEY, Miss IMPEY, Miss C. JOSEPH, Rev. H. M. MAYOR, Professor METFORD, Miss MUTHU, CHOWRY, M.D. NEWMAN, Prof. F. W. NAOROJI, D., M.P. OLDFIELD, JOSIAH, M.A. PRIESTMAN, Miss MARY ROBINSON, Miss ELLEN SMITH, Mrs. J. CHRISTY TAYLDER, Rev. T. W. P THOMPSON, Mrs. A. H. TREGELLES. E. S. WEBB, ALFRED, M.P. WIGHAM, Miss ELIZA WILSON, Mrs. C. E. WILSON, HENRY J., M.P. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: BISHOP, Miss F. K. CLOTHIER, Mrs. A. H. DARBY, Dr. W. EVANS IMPEY, Miss IMPEY, Miss C. JOSEPH, REV. JAMES C. STREET, REV. JAMES C. THOMPSON, Mrs. A. H. TREGELLES, Mr. E. S. TREASURER: Mr. E. S. TREGELLES. SECRETARIES: Dr. W.EVANS DARBY, and Miss F.K. BISHOP. Dear friend Mr Douglass I have often thought I would drop you a few lines since I came to England. I often hear your name mentioned in this country. I was some two weeks ago at New Castle on Tyne. I stayed at Mr David Richardson's house where you were entertained when you were last in England. When I put your picture on in my illustrated lecture it was received with a great ovation, and after the [*1788*]lecture I learned that it was then your freedom was purchased. I met many warm friends to the cause I represent. So far I have enjoyed my trip this side very much. I am not yet decided how long I shall be over here, not many weeks however I am sure that when I return I shall be better prepared to do a work among the white people, which I hope very much to do. I hope your health keeps good and that the extreme cold has not been too much for you. I have often thought of the very pleasant visit I had with you at Detroit. I was told here by Mrs W S Clark a daughter of the late John Bright to say that both she and family [*1788*]send their kindest regards. Please remember me to Mrs Douglass. I am yours truly. G.F. Richings P.S. Dr. Darby asks me to send his kind regards, and also remind you that he met you in Chicago at Alfred Love's Peace Meeting. You may remember a gentleman followed you to the door, and asked as an Englishman to shake your hand. I am glad to tell you that Dr. Darby is one of the head men in my movement. R.To secure prompt and correct attention, all business communications should be addressed to the firm. We cannot be responsible for loss of Books sent by Mail, or sent out for enclosure. DEWOLFE, FISKE & CO. PUBLISHERS AND BOOKSELLERS, 361 and 365 Washington St. The Archway Bookstore. Boston, February 12, 1895 Hon Fredk Douglass Dear Sir The lowest price we have made on your book is $1.25 and that only when 50 copies or more are ordered. When the new edition was published if you may remember you had 100 copies of the book at $1.00 if you desire any more we will be pleased to supply them to you at the same rate. Respectfully yours, DeWolfe, Fiske & Co. [*1795*]COPY. Boston, February 12, 1895. Hon Fredk Douglass, Dear Sir, The lowest price we have made on your book is $1,25 and that only when 50 copies or more are ordered. When the new edition was published you may remember you had 100 copies of the book at $1,00. If you desire any more we will be pleased to supply them to you at the same rate. Respectfully yours De Wolfe Fiske & Co. [*1789*]COPY. Boston, February 12,Wilberforce University Rev. S.T. Mitchell, A.M., Pres. Rev. J.P. Maxwell, Sec'y. PRESIDENT'S OFFICE Wilberforce, O., Feb'y 12th, 1895 Hon Fred. Douglass, Dear Sir: The Faculty of Wilberforce University most cordially invite you to deliver the Annual Address before the Literary Societies on Tuesday June the eighteenth at seven p.m. Your long years of service in behalf of the race variety Wilberforce is aiming to benefit, your eminence as an orator cause us to feel that your coming would not only be a source of helpfulness to the students, but as well an honor to Wilberforce and its Faculty. Hoping to receive a favorable answer and that many years of prosperity and continued success may yet be yours. Very truly Elizabeth S. Jackson Sec'y Faculty. Wilberforce O. [1791]Rochester Feb 12, 95 My Dear Friend, I have just written to my absent children and now will spend a little time with you. Last year at this time I was in Washington at your birthday merry making and shall be there on the fourteenth of Feb in spirit at least, and I hope you will have a very happy day and will live to celebrate many many returns of the day. How much I wish I were going to be with you. If I [1790]were a bird I would fly to Cedar Hill but as I am only a woman I shall have to content myself to stay at home and think of you. You say John Ball committed suicide and he can not be blamed for trying to get onto a warmer climate. Now it has been and is now pretty cold here but I do not want to get into that kind of a warm climate, do you? I most heartily wish I could have heard you and Joe play together. I know it sounded fine and it is beautiful that you could play together and it was a sight I should have enjoyed immensely. Yes there are subscription papers out as you say for Susan. She spends every thing she can get for the cause she has so bravely advocated, and her friends are trying to get an annuity so she will be able to live comfortably when she gets beyond work. We were all so glad to see Lewis only he did not stay long enough. Our girls liked him so much and were so glad to have an opertunity to make his acquaintance. I hope he got safely home. I contribute a very little to the birthday feast and hope it will arivein good time and condition Give my love to Mrs. Douglass and tell her I remember the pleasant time we had last year getting things ready for the birthday and wish I could help her this time. She must take the will for the deed. Wishing once more you may have a very happy day I will bid you good bye Sincerely your friend and Sister Sarah. P.S. Remember me with love to all the children and Miss Foy.Wednesday Night 2 A.M. Feb 13/95 My Dear Mr. Douglass - I have just come from the court room where Tom Penn the wealthy white tobacco manufacturer was tried for rape on a little negro girl eleven years old - The testimony was direct and damning four doctors testified that he had torn the childs vagina in two directions and almost killed her - yet he was acquitted by a white jury after deliberating fourteen minutes and one of the first men to shake his hand and congratulate him was the prosecuting attorney - [The court room was po] and I regret with shame to say that among the four who did congratulate him was one negro - The court room was crowded with an equal proportion of both races. He was acquitted about midnight slowly silently sullenly the court room was emptied - the negroes slunk off to their homes - I followed the carriage that contained Penn to his home - anxious to see if some negro would be plucky enough to even holler at him as he went along- not one single voice was raised to injure not one single word was uttered to reproach him [If] He is the most notorious libertine in Danville - he has seduced several of the best colored girls in town - He was caught in bed with the wife of Rev Barksdale with whom you stopped - He finally outraged this eleven year old little girl - He was turned scot free and yet he could ride home at midnight in absolute safety after having been acquitted of a crime he was known to have committed - If the case had been reversed - no jail in Virginia would have been strong enough to have protected a negro from the infuriated mob that would have laid siege to it - camping around about it until their victim was placed in their clutches - No wonder we have a vague sense of justice No wonder the spirit is crushed out of a man [*1792*]It does indeed seem as if the South has resurrected that infamous maxim of Judge Torey trampled under the feet of a million federal soldiers "a negro has no rights a white man is bound to respect" and breathed into its nostrils the breath of a new life I leave here tomorrow going to Salisbury - Concord, Charlotte and finally to Atlanta from whence I shall go through Georgia and spend some time in the back districts and on the plantations - I am making a complete record of the many cases of negros being lynched for simple intimacy with white women - If I live to return I shall place you in possession of facts that will prove to you that the daughters of the South have some of the same affinity for the negro that caused their brothers to leave their own women and raise a million bastards - pointing them in defiance to holy writ that implies that the Ethiopian cannot change his skin brown yellow and so white they cannot tell him from themselves. The cases of intimacy between white women and colored men are far more numerous than I had supposed - and the severe punishment is increasing it in this way - It is so intimidating the negro that he will not dare to ask a white woman but it also tends to embolden her because she knows he is afraid to ask her and because she knows he dare not tell and because she knows if she gets caught she can always get clear by turning mob evidence - But is is late and I must go to bed. Goodnight Sincerely Charles S Morris Senate Chamber Washington Feb'y 16, 1895 Hon. Fred'k Douglass Dear sir: Kindly permit me to introduce my friend, Mr. Lyman Smith of Chicago, who will explain the object of his call . I bespeak for him your kind consideration. Very respectfully yours N.E. Dawson [1797]604 RAND-McNALLY BLDG. TEL. NO. 2224 MAIN. 220 MD AVENUE, N. E. WASHINGTON. N. E. DAWSON, ATTORNEY AT LAW, CONSULTING ACCOUNTANT and AUDITOR, SOMETIME CONFIDENTIAL SECRETARY TO DIRECTOR-GENERAL DAVIS, OF THE WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION, ASSOCIATE JUSTICE MILLER, OF THE SUPREME COURT, U.S. A., GENERAL GRANT, AND OTHER MEN OF AFFAIRS.[inclosed in 1890, Jan. 10 Chaplain to Miller] impossible!Cedar Hill Anacostia D.C. Febry 19th 1895 Frank P. Hacker Prest: Henry A. Haigh Secty Gentlemen: I give you thanks for your cordial invitation. It would give me very great pleasure to be present on the occasion of the 10th Anniversary Banquet of the Michigan Club. I am sure it will be like Michigan, patriotic and hopeful for the future of the Republic, firm and steadfast in the purpose. in the maintenance of Law and Order and the protection of all citizens in their natural & Constitutional Rights [1093]Storer College. Harper's Ferry, W. Va., 2-19-1895 Hon F. Douglass:- Washington D.C. My dear Sir.- You know well our institution here and its object, that it is free and unsectional to the colored people. The church in connection with the school is very poor and without a church building but they are struggling to erect one, and have hit upon the [1796]Storer College 2 Harper's Ferry, W. Va., 189 plan of a course of lectures by which to benefit them financially and morally. Would you aid their struggling interest by giving them a lecture for expenses and entertainment? I wait an early reply Yours for their cause E. W. Porter Pastor. Box 101I tender you [my] warm thank [W. Porter to F. Douglass 2-19-1895 2 of 2]Hillsdale D.C. Feb'y 20th, 1895 Hon. Frederick Douglass Sr. Kind sir. By reason Ill health since 1888 which rendered me unable to perform my duties - My wife was accepted in my stead. From then to this month she has faithfully attended the same. At the same time I have been detained in and about my Home. Now by reason unknown to me she is dismissed. And I have been detained in my room by sickness for the last 2 weeks. I have 5 children and the sum of seven dollars (7) to pay monthly in the Equitable Building Association - By reason of which I have been unable to re-build since my House was burned down in /88. "I am poor and needy yet the Lord thinketh upon me." I am without fuel which is much needed this hard weather. And if you can do me any good in whatever way you may - it will be greatly accepted. Very respectfully L. Harrod P.S. Often read 32nd ch. Isaiah 2nd V. of your 1862 July with or of Mr. John Elliott. [1793]