House of Representatives U.S.,
Washington, D.C. June 3, 1892 Dear Sir
Yours received- I appreciate
your suggestion to save me
from trouble and in return, will state that your anxiety
will be removed by obtaining
another endorser. Yours
John M. [Fo Mr. Mortimore A Downes [*1178*]CEDAR HILL,
ANACOSTIA, D. C.
JUNE 4th. 1892. My dear Mr. Preston;
I have duly received your two respected letters, dated May Ist
and also the several dispatches you have prepared to be sent to
Port-au-Prince. I think those papers admirable and have found it
necessary to make but one alteration and that was to strike out the
item stating that we should require fifteen dollars a day for travelling
expenses. I think that the Government at Port-au-Prince
would look upon that item as an extravagant estimate and would
therefore [be likely to] be prejudiced against other sums specified
as essential to the success of our mission.
On the private matter referred to in your letter I have to
state that such is the state of my exchequer and the many immediate and pressing demands
made upon me for money that I am compelled to deny myself the pleasure of complying
with your request for a loan on the terms you have deemed necessary specify.
I am, sir,
Very sincerely yours,
I am sorry to have been unable owing to my Southern tour
to have been so long out of rapport with you and am glad
that you have been able [to] by your intelligent attention to
the work of our mission to see that no interest has suffered
by our separation. Here after I hope I shall be in more frequent
communication with you. [*3019*]
[*93*]The Arlington
New York
June 7th
My Dear Mr. Douglass,
We hear that
a letter of yours was
sent to Mrs Carpenters, or
was forwarded here, but has
never arrived. We sail
next Wednesday so you see
it is quite impossible
for us to pay another
visit to you. We have
been hoping we could all
through our travels, but time
and money place an impossible
barrier between us, & we can
only look forward to seeing
you very soon in England.
We quite frightened them
all at home with our
pet idea of bringing "Little
Grant" home, both MrsThomas & my eldest sister
write & tell us not to
think of such a thing
particularly as we are
not going to our little
house in the country after
all, & if we were in
lodgings for some time, he
would be such a responsibility.
Is it not sad about
Dr. Ph. Carpenter? We were
at Montreal about a week
before his death. Mrs
Carpenter wished us to
call on her & told us she
could send no good news
to England. In the midst
of all her nursing & trouble
she thought so kindly of
us, and sent a friend to show
us about, & told us she
had so wanted us to stay
there. We have found
everybody so very kind& shall be very sorry to
say goodbye to America,
though of course we are
longing to see them all
at home. We have been
to Chicago, Cleveland, Buffalo
Niagara, down the St. Lawrence
to Montreal, on to Quebec
and Montmorency and through the
White Mountains to Boston
and on by water here, since
we saw you. Tomorrow we
are going a trip up the
Hudson.

us, and sent a friend to show
us about, & told us she
had so wanted us to stay
there. We have found
everybody so very kind& shall be very sorry to
say goodbye to America,
though of course we are
longing to see them all
at home. We have been
to Chicago, Cleveland, Buffalo
Niagara, down the St. Lawrence
to Montreal, on to Quebec
and Montmorency and through the
White Mountains to Boston
and on by water here, since
we saw you. Tomorrow we
are going a trip up the
Hudson. A fortnight ago we [went]
went up Mount Washington.
The railway had not begun
for the summer, so we
climbed up. Howard walked
to the base from Fabyon
but I had a horse, which
we left there about
three & commenced our
climb, going mostly on fttrussels of the railway
but got off & toil our way
near the top & did not
get up till seven when it
was nearly dark. So the
good people at the observatory
took us in for the night
and we spent a very interesting
evening hearing the secrets
of Photography, telegrams
barometers, etc. Next morning
we started back again
in the midst of blinding
snow, which they did not
think would last far down,
but which was impenetrable
[for] for a mile & a half.ALBION W. TOURGEE,
President
Headquarters,
National Citizens' Rights Association.
740, Hennepin Ave
[Mayville, N.Y.] June 8, 1897
Hon. Fred Douglas
Dear Sir:
I should have called
to see you yesterday but am not
able to get about much because
of the old wound.
I am especially working here
in behalf of the rights of the citizens
of the United States in the various
States. It seems to us that the time
is ripe to declare that a man who
is not free everywhere, is free
nowhere. I enclose my memorial
and hope [yo] I may see
you before I leave.
Yours truly,
Albion W. Tourgeé [*1179*]The following Ode was written especially for the day of fasting and prayer on the part of the colored people (May 31st) that they may be delivered from the persecutions and injustice their race is compelled to suffer in "The land of the free and the home of the brave."
It will undoubtedly voice the sentiment of the Colored Christians of America until that day shall come when every citizen shall peacefully enjoy the same rights, exercise the same privileges and have the same opportunity as any other in every corner in the Union. Speaking of the merits of this poem, Bishop Coxe, says:
"That ode is worthy of Whittier, especially the last stanza. In a country which calls. Walt Whitman a poet, it may not be appreciated but ask dear old Whittier if he would be ashamed of it." A New "America."
O Country, 'tis for thee
Pledged to fair Liberty--
For thee we cry!
Land where the greed of gain,
Forged Slavery's galling chain,
Land of our grief and pain,
Must thou too, die? Die to the sense of wrong,
While of thy lips, the song
Of liberty?
False to thy sacred trust?
False to thy hallowed dust?
False to the true and just
Who died for thee? Shame on thy starry crown:
No black hand tore it down,
In days of strife:
But blood of bond and free,
Thy Black sons gave to thee,
And save by loyalty
A Nation's life. "These black sons have no right
For which thou needs't to fight!"
Thou now dost say:
We hurl thy recreance back
From million throats of black!
Pray God thou clear the track
For freedom's way! Shall Justice longer call
From legislative hall
To thee in vain?
Where is thy boasted power?
Thine is the waiting hour,
Rise and no longer cower;
Remove thy stain. Then shall we sing of thee,--
"Land of the noble free,
Thy name we love."
Ours too this land so bright,
Ours, Freedom's holy light;
Protect us by its might
Just God above!
Rosa Hazard Hazell
St Neots
Hunts -
10th June

 hurl thy recreance back
From million throats of black!
Pray God thou clear the track
For freedom's way! Shall Justice longer call
From legislative hall
To thee in vain?
Where is thy boasted power?
Thine is the waiting hour,
Rise and no longer cower;
Remove thy stain. Then shall we sing of thee,--
"Land of the noble free,
Thy name we love."
Ours too this land so bright,
Ours, Freedom's holy light;
Protect us by its might
Just God above!
Rosa Hazard Hazell
St Neots
Hunts -
10th June My dear Friend,
It is a
very long time
since a letter
from you had
greeted me -
I trust you are
not ill. -
I have been under
[*3168*]The care of a
first class oculist
since last
January for
a singular
afliction of the
eyes termed
"hemorhage
arteries" _ It
greatly interferes
with my
correspondence
or rather with
the length of
my letters _ but
I have still the
gratification of
reading my
friends' letters - &
there has seemed
a strange blank
of late, my dear
old friend by
none avoiding
from you _ So
do write to me as
soon as you cando so I have had
very much to distress
me since we
entered on the
year 1892 - Poor
Janes husband
ran away from
her, early this year
& went abroad
leaving her penniless.
& in a
wretched state of
health - So "Arthur"
& Mattie & I
have had a heavyburden upon us
in the L. S. D. -
line - and in
Easter week from
Jane departed
this life - only 41 -
a wasted wretched
existence - Arthur
followed her to
the grave & he &
I had to difray
expences - Poor
Mathi is greatly
distressed about
her poor sister, forMay supposes, and
alltogether we have
as yet failed to
see "the silver lining
to the cloud" though
most surely it
exists, possibly
beyond "mortal
ken" - Poor
Daisy is troubled
with the "temper" -
and at times her
violence greatly
upsets me - a fine
looking, good hearted
girl - but so very
excitable - and then she does not know
what she says -
Possibly you remember
"Wallenstein"
a young German
in business with
Arthur & staying
when we were in
Glasgow, in Arthur's
house. Well! or
rather not well! -
the trio have made
a most disastrous
mess of the "partnership"
& then
the two separated
after great losses -
I blame Arthurfor coming to London
to please Wallerston
without having some
thing tangible put
upon paper & signed
London & its suburbs
are very expensive
places to live in -
Jock, dear old
friend Frederick
you will say this
is a dreary letter
& possibly it may
seem so - "we are
all immortal 'till
our work is done" - &
some day mine will
be ended - & "the
rest" will remain for
ever. - Think of me
always as your faithful
friend J G Crofts258 Franklin St.
Buffalo, N.Y.
June 10 - 1892 Dear Helen:
Somebody sent me
a paper containing an account
of your mother's funeral at
Honeoye and a few items of her
sickness & death - of her children,
who with her, etc. I was very
thankful to be remembered,
and felt a deep sympathy
for you and all the children
that the "dear blessed, little
mother" (that you used to tell
me of, in Norfolk) had left
to mourn her loss. I am sure it must here been
a great comfort to you to have
her with your at the last.
I hope that the meeting by
her death-bed united your

 paper containing an account
of your mother's funeral at
Honeoye and a few items of her
sickness & death - of her children,
who with her, etc. I was very
thankful to be remembered,
and felt a deep sympathy
for you and all the children
that the "dear blessed, little
mother" (that you used to tell
me of, in Norfolk) had left
to mourn her loss. I am sure it must here been
a great comfort to you to have
her with your at the last.
I hope that the meeting by
her death-bed united your [* 1180 *]your hearts once more in a
fellowship with each other that
will remain unbroken
during your earthly stay.
How can it be otherwise?
She certainly desired it - and
those who loved her, unselfishly,
can but follow where she led.
I am sorry I could not have
seen her - "A mother in Israel" -
Dear as she was in her home,
her sweet influence was
evidently felt in church &
society - How Mr. Douglass natural
nobility has been exemplified
in his own household - under
very trying circumstances! I am proud to have
him honored wherever he
appears - and to know that
he is on the platform at Minneapolis, working for the right
candidate - and that his
appearance everywhere calls
for cheers gives me great delight —
But where are
you? I saw in the papers that
Mr. Douglass was in Rochester
on Decoration day - with his son,
in the Presidents company -
so I infer that he did not
go home before the convention.
What a fight they are having!
This morning's Independant
takes an article from the N.Y.
Sun, which makes Mrs. Blaine
the leader of her husband in
his erratic movements. Have
you seen it? She is as sincere
as intense - I think the death
of her children has made her
insane - I never have liked
what I have heard of her -[* L. A. Woodbury
To F. Douglass *] The article represents Harrison
& Blaine as getting along well
together. But Mrs. Blaine hates
the President and charges him
with the death of Walker!
Am I bringing coals to Newcastle?
I certainly am letting my
pen run away - & I'll stop it.
I imagine Jenny & you are
keeping the Castle in the king's
absence, n'est ce pas? What is
the use of asking questions
when I know you will not answer
them - no, not one?
I some expect to visit Haine
next month - . She don't mention
E.K. now. Dan returns to his old
position when he leaves Princeton
the last of June. Salary $1800.00June 10, 1892
2 of 2
Mrs. Taylor still lives!
and the rest are anchored
till her departure. How very
sad is her position - to hold
all those young folks, necessarily,
in exile (?) not from home,
but from surroundings that
would develop & satisfy them.
No complaints from them -
If I go there you can imagine
me for a time domiciled in
Mrs. Taylor's front chamber,
running over to [Haine's?] for
meals, water, etc & running
down to Mrs. Taylor if a thunder
shower comes up in the night!
What am I going for? Change
and to see the - dear ones I love
so much - May be you are
in the Honeoye home with [Jenny]
or, has that place been sold?
Why won't you write, say next
week & tell me where you are?[*Give much
love to your
sisters - &
take the
love & sympathy
& congratulations
of
yours, sincerely,
L.A. Woodbury.
Give my
kindest regards
to your noble
husband*]

 Mrs. Taylor if a thunder
shower comes up in the night!
What am I going for? Change
and to see the - dear ones I love
so much - May be you are
in the Honeoye home with [Jenny]
or, has that place been sold?
Why won't you write, say next
week & tell me where you are?[*Give much
love to your
sisters - &
take the
love & sympathy
& congratulations
of
yours, sincerely,
L.A. Woodbury.
Give my
kindest regards
to your noble
husband*] I always feel that I am casting
my bread upon the waters,
when I write to you - or kicking
awfully hard against nothing
because I get no response -
Please kick back! A fight is
preferable to this.
I am not swearing in those
blanks but am despairing of
doing justice to my feelings -
To change the subject.
Row & Florence called here
the other day. They were not invited
here to the receptions after my
nephew's marriage - & I told them
why - Row has never returned my
sister's calls, that she made with me -
Row begins to see that she is depriving
Florence of society & so has begun
a different course - They are all well -
Clayton & Row & baby are going to the
farm soon - Florence and Rob. stay here
I find Florence a very bright girl - more
intellectual than her mother - She needs
to be separated from Row for development -
Hotel Fredonia
Washington
June 13th 92
Mr & Mrs Douglass -
Dear Friends,
I am preparing
to leave the city in a few
days and would like to see
you before I go -- Will you not
come here and lunch with
us, or [send?] [Fred?] in the after
noon? I cannot offer you a
sumptuous repast, but we can
make it out with a "Flow of
soul" -- Wine not being admissable -
Mrs. Ora Lang home of Culpeper
-- formerly of Lynchburg --
wants to meet Mrs Douglass
[*1182*]and he'll meet you here.
Please tell me if you will
come and when - I shall
be here till Thursday P.M. -
With pleasant remembrance
of my visit in your home,
and kindest regards, I am
Yours [?]
Lessy T Meyerthe State of Louisiana
County of Terrebonne
June 14th 1892 To the Hon. Fred. Douglas
My Dear Sir and friend we write you
these few lines. As you are the hero of the poor
Colored Race thus down troden in the South by
the enmys that opreses us day & night and are
Cruelly treated by bad government. My Dear
Sir Mr Douglas we call you attention as you
is our great Statesman. And further more we
feels that it is our duty to inform your of these
Great wrong that have been heaped upon our
Poor Race in the South, the facts have never been
told how the Poor Colored People have suffered and
are suffering for the want of Protection even at their
little homes. My Dear Sir to just think we are not
Even allowed to call our Ballot nor either to own
our names As Republicans if so we are driven
from home As dogs and not to return until our
Enmys wants us to return after they have did all
they want to do, my Dear Sir what a shame
in the way we are treated. we have writen to
[*1181*]President Harison some time ago because
he can do us some good Even in his message
to Congress in regard to this out Rage that
cramp us both day & night we have no one
to represent us in Congress from Louisiana
Especially we poor colored people Please to try
and have some conversation with the President
in the name of god for we poor creatures
in the south in order that god may send him
as he sent Moses to lead children from the
terrible hand of the Enmys
you can Publish this in the paper
As we are afraid to Sign our names
from yours friends now
And for alwaysMarine Barracks
Navy Yard, Washington D.C.
June 15th, 1892

 this out Rage that
cramp us both day & night we have no one
to represent us in Congress from Louisiana
Especially we poor colored people Please to try
and have some conversation with the President
in the name of god for we poor creatures
in the south in order that god may send him
as he sent Moses to lead children from the
terrible hand of the Enmys
you can Publish this in the paper
As we are afraid to Sign our names
from yours friends now
And for alwaysMarine Barracks
Navy Yard, Washington D.C.
June 15th, 1892 Dear Mr. McKinley;
I have been disappointed
in not receiving the
money I expected to-day: but
will positively assure you
that I will take up my
paper before the end of the
current month. I send you
enclosed herewith the interim
$11.25 for this month. I sincerely
hope this will prove entirely
satisfactory: please let
me know by to-night's mail
so that I will have in the
morning. Very truly etc.,
J. Glover Filletti
W.McKinley Esq.
[* 3119 *]New York. 15 June, 1892. My dear Mr. Douglass,
I duly received your
letter of the 4th inst. and noted the contents -
I am not a little flattered that you approve
of what work I have been able to do for our Commission -
but as I have more to report, I must
await your further concurrence. In the first place I have [had] deemed it necessary
to address Mr. Wm E. Curtis the letter,
copy of which I enclose. - I am as yet without
any acknowledgement of the same! Then I have been [for] the passed fifteen days
in "pour-parlers" with different architects for
plans and specifications for the Haytien Pavillion [*1191*]2
at the Exposition. - The result of whichall was
that I found that the National Architects' Union
of Philadelphia and New York, best responded
to the ideas of our Government's design. —
To them, therefore, , I have thought it best to
entrust the care of drawing the plans and
making the specifications. — They will
undertake the entire affair — subject, of course,
to our superiors. — Should their
designs and estimates fail to obtain our
Government's approval, I have agreed, as
per copy of letter enclosed & addressed to this
association, that the Government will pay
Seventy five dollars ($75.00) for the plans
etc - furnished by these gentlemen. — I shall abstain from any description of the
building for which these plans are being prepared3 except to say that we will not be
ashamed of Haïtis quota to the World's Columbian
Exposition. These plans and all that pertain to them
will be ready on Saturday next. I shall
forward them to you - and they will speak
for themselves. - The last mail from Haïti arrived here
on Monday of this week. but brought no
communication for this Commission. - My father writes me, however, that perfect
tranquility reigns in the Republic - that
there has been a fire at Port-au-Prince,
in which only one house was destroyed.
This house was occupied by Mr Clement4/
Haentjens and belonged to my family -
He further tells me that we may soon expect
a new cabinet - but this, as you know,
does not mean anything violent -

 shall
forward them to you - and they will speak
for themselves. - The last mail from Haïti arrived here
on Monday of this week. but brought no
communication for this Commission. - My father writes me, however, that perfect
tranquility reigns in the Republic - that
there has been a fire at Port-au-Prince,
in which only one house was destroyed.
This house was occupied by Mr Clement4/
Haentjens and belonged to my family -
He further tells me that we may soon expect
a new cabinet - but this, as you know,
does not mean anything violent - I trust that the outside excitement which
made Minneapolis the focus of all attention,
has had no other effect than to see you back
contented at "Cedar Hill". - I am, my dear Mr Douglass, with
best remembrances to your wife,
Always very sincerely yours
Chas A. PrestonCopy
Exposition Universelle de Chicago -
Commission Haïtienne -
New York - 9 June, 1892.
Wm E. Curtis Esq.
In charge Latin- American Section
World's Columbian Exposition -
Washington D. C. -
Sir,
During the stay of myself and
Mr Douglass at Chicago - we presented
ourselves at the offices of the administration
of the Exposition where we were cordially
welcomed by the Chief of the Foreign Affairs
Department -- After our interview with
the Hon. Walker Fearn we proceeded
to the Exposition grounds where ample
facility was afforded us to inspect the
progress of the buildings now in course
of erection thereon. - On our return
from Jackson Park, Mr Douglass being
prevented, I endeavored to meet Mr
Davis and succeeded in paying my
respects to the Director General. - In the
course of our interview I was informed
[*3031 Enclosed with Chas Preston
to F. Douglass June 15, 1892:
Chas Preston to WM. Curtis
June 9, 1892- 1 of 2 JRA*] by the Director General that that very
morning he had signed allottments
of spaces in the various exposition
Departments from the Republic of Haïti.
Colonel Davis, however, mentioned the
fact that he was yet undecided as to
whether Haïti should be granted the site
originally assigned to The Argentine Re[plic]public
or as to the giving us of
Chile's emplacement. He called my
attention to the diagrams and maps,
pointing out the advantages of either
site for the erection of our Pavillion. -
The Director-General positively assured
me that one or the other of these sites
would be immediately accorded to the
Republic of Haïti. - -
This Commission is as yet in
possession of no official reply to the
application for space it had the
honor to make through you. - But
replying on the assurances I personally
received from the Director General, our
Government has been advised by us
that our application had been granted.
It is the earnest desire of my Government
that our Pavillion be completed
or the exterior at least, before the2
inaugural ceremonies that will
celebrate the 400th anniversary of the
discovery of America in October next.
I have the honor, therefore to request
that you kindly advise this Commission
of the decision of the Director General
as to the spaces that are finally assigned
the Republic of Haïti. -
I have the honor, Sir, to be
your very humble
and obedient servant
(signed) Charles A. PrestonCopy Exposition Universelle de Chicago -
Commission Haitienne - New York. 15 June, 1892 E. S. Child Esq.
Manager National Architects' Union -
New York City - Sir,
Referring to our various conferences
on the matter of erecting a
government building for the Republic
of Haiti on the grounds of the World's
Columbian Exposition - I have the honor
to say that the plans such as we have
discussed there appear to me to be acceptable. You are hereby authorized to make
the drawings and specifications for
such a building, subject to the approval
of my government. - On this
approval you will contract to undertake
the work - but should my government
reject your plans then the government
of Haiti will pay you for them at
the rate of seventy five dollars ($75.00/00)
net. -
[*3033*]I have the honor to be, sir,
Your very obedient servant
(Signed) Charles A Preston
Haytien Commissioner.

to say that the plans such as we have
discussed there appear to me to be acceptable. You are hereby authorized to make
the drawings and specifications for
such a building, subject to the approval
of my government. - On this
approval you will contract to undertake
the work - but should my government
reject your plans then the government
of Haiti will pay you for them at
the rate of seventy five dollars ($75.00/00)
net. -
[*3033*]I have the honor to be, sir,
Your very obedient servant
(Signed) Charles A Preston
Haytien Commissioner. [*Enclosed with
Chas. Preston to Douglass
June 15, 1892
J R H*]Republican State Executive Comm.,
Petersburg, VA., Oct. 15th, '90.
Dear Sir: - Yours of the 20th
inst, is just received, in which you
say the party or the voters in your
bailiwick are not for Langston, and
you want to know if I am for Langston.
Langston is not the nominee
of the party, nor shall I vote for him,
and for the following reasons:,
1st. That Langston is honestly
no more a Republican than the Democratic
nominee.
2nd. That Langston is a bolter
and disorganizer, and let the Democrats
use him in 1888 to defeat our
regular Republican nominee for
Congress in this district, and by
which he gave the State to Cleveland
against Harrison.
3rd. That Langston, in that case,
ran for Congress outside of the party,
openly defying both the Republican
State and National Committees,
and openly declaring that if he
could not himself be elected that
the Democratic nominee should be.
4th. That Langston threatened
the Republican nominee in the Richmond
District, Judge Waddill, that
unless he repudiated the opposition
of the State Executive Committee
(of which Judge Waddil was a member)
against him, - that unless he
(Judge Waddill) repudiated the regular
Republican nominee in this district,
-that he (Langston) would invade
the Richmond District and do
his best to elect the Democratic candidate
there too.
5th. That Langston made his
canvass on the hurtful race issue,
arraying black against white and this
in direct opposition to the efforts of
the Republicans to put down that
issue in our politics as injurious no
less to the two races than to the welfare
of the State.
For that reason I was, and am still,
opposed to Langston, and do not
know of any person whose conduct
and teachings has done, or could
do, the colored race an equal amount
of injury. Besides, he is not a bona
fide citizen of this State and has no
real share or lot in their affairs, and
he has done nothing to claim the
recognition of either the colored or
white people. He is, all told, a political
imposter, only desiring, by incendiary
appeals to race, to gratify
his insane vanity and selfish ambition.
I can imagine no greater calamity
that could possibly befall the proper
relations and interests of the Republican
party and the general welfare
than the election of Langston.
Of consequence, it seems to me,
that Republican party duty should
inspire every honest effort of the defeat
of this insiduous enemy to the
Republicans - the peace and common
weal of the District and State.
Respectfully,
Mahone.Petersburg Va. June 17th 1892. Hon Fredrick Douglas.
Washington D.C. Dear Mr Douglas: Recalling the very agreeable conversation
that we had together on the stage at the recent Minneapolis
Republican Convention, and complying with the promise
I then made to you- I hand you enclosed copy of General
Mahones letter on Langston which the General himself
had printed and distributed throughout the State of Virginia
during the Congressional Campaign of 1890.
As to myself and the part that I have taken since the end
of the war as Virginia Republican in behalf of the people
of your race, I do not deem it all necessary to advise you.
You will doubtless will remember the fact that I presided
over and introduced you to a very large audience on the 4th
of July 1867, I think, at Portsmouth Va, and since that
time, about twenty-five years ago, on account of my
position in the Republican Party I have been enabled to do
many favors for the colored people. It is, without egotism
I believe, admitted by all here familiar with the history
of Virginia politics that I have provided more colored

 Republican in behalf of the people
of your race, I do not deem it all necessary to advise you.
You will doubtless will remember the fact that I presided
over and introduced you to a very large audience on the 4th
of July 1867, I think, at Portsmouth Va, and since that
time, about twenty-five years ago, on account of my
position in the Republican Party I have been enabled to do
many favors for the colored people. It is, without egotism
I believe, admitted by all here familiar with the history
of Virginia politics that I have provided more colored [*1183*]men with positions of prominence than any other Virginia
Republican. During the campaign of 1888 in this
Congressional District I had charge of Langstons campaign
and at great sacrifice and heavy pecuniary loss I stood
by him to the end. According to his own admissions
, frequently made in public, and by numerous letters
from him to myself, had it not been by my management
and direction he would not have been elected to Congress.
He was then and afterwards profuse in his compliments
towards me, and I am free to admit that his praises
were at times, so extravagant as to embarrass me.
In his contest for a seat in Congress I was his leading
counsel and had associated with me at different times
nine other Attorneys-at-Law. The services rendered in
that contest are of record as shown by the voluminous
proceedings before the Committee on Elections of the
House of Representatives. The testimony and briefs
in this case, mainly my work, and all of it performed
under my advice and direction, consists of 1500 pages
of printed matter.
In supporting Langston I took my life in my own
hands, and no one knows the sacrifices I made for him,
and in his interests. I have never had an unkind nor
an unfriendly word with him. In 1890 he returned to the District, brought together a number of his colored
friends and had himself nominated for Congress as a
Negro, and announced his determination to make the
fight upon the race issue alone, and without regard to
the wish of any white Republican. I advised him in
a letter that he could not win in any such contest and
declined to give him my support. In this action I
was sustained by the National Republican Committee,
and by the friends of the Administration at Washington.
Since then Langston has devoted his time and his efforts
against me. He has abused and denounced me without
rhyme or reason, but I have paid no attention whatever
to him. He is unquestionably one of the most
deceitful, unreliable, and the worst man, white or colored,
I ever had dealings with. he does not appear to know
what friendship or gratitude is, and I do not think him
worthy of the respect or countenance of any honest man.
As you have stated to me General Mahone informed you
of his (Langstons) treatment of him it is unnecessary
for me to dwell further upon the subject.
You are at liberty to make such use of this letter as
you think proper.
Very truly yours
Jas. D. BradyCharles A Preston
[C]Commissioner of Haïti
to the World's Columbian Exposition
Cedar Hill, Anacostia, D.C.
June 18, 1892 My dear Sir:
I have duly received your several
communications connected with our respective
missions in our quality of Commisioners
of Haiti to the World's Columbian
Exposition. You did well to take the iniative
in securing plans and specifications
for the proposed Pavillion of Haïti to be
placed in the Exposition Grounds. This has
not been done one moment too soon and
I even now seriously fear that we cannot
secure the approval of such plans and specifications,
by the Haïtian Government, in time
to have the Pavillion ready for the opening of
the Exposition in October.
I entirely approve your letter to Mr. William
E. Curtis, and knowing that gentleman's usual
promptitude I am surprised that you have
received no reply.
I have just now returned from Minneapolis
[*1075*]2

 specifications
for the proposed Pavillion of Haïti to be
placed in the Exposition Grounds. This has
not been done one moment too soon and
I even now seriously fear that we cannot
secure the approval of such plans and specifications,
by the Haïtian Government, in time
to have the Pavillion ready for the opening of
the Exposition in October.
I entirely approve your letter to Mr. William
E. Curtis, and knowing that gentleman's usual
promptitude I am surprised that you have
received no reply.
I have just now returned from Minneapolis
[*1075*]2 and passed a day at Chicago, on
my way home. I found [that] the Exposition
Grounds a scene of activity greater than
that we observed there during our late visit. It would have been very gratifying to me
to have seen going on there something in
connection with the Republic of Haïti. Tardiness
on our part cannot fail to be noticed
to our disadvantage, but we can do nothing
in the matter until our Government shall
authorize us to accept and act upon plans
and specifications for our Pavillion. It will not
do for us to assume pecuniary obligations for
which no provision is made or authorized
by the Government of Haïti. I am now prepared to devote my whole
time and energies in the service to which
we are equally appointed by the Government
of Haïti and regret that we cannot confer together
personally on all matters pertaining to
our mission. Hoping that we shall soon hear of favorable action
on the part of the Honorable Secretary of State of Public Works of Haiti.
I am, sir, with profound esteem, Your obedient servant,
Frederick DouglassLetter to Chas. A. Preston.
June 18, 1892 Acknowledging letter and
covering Pavillion Plans. [*2 of 2*]Washington D.C.
June 18" 1892
Wm. McKinley Esq.
Dear Sir:
Please accept
the enclosed amount. I can't do better
a combination of circumstances seem
to be against me. I will try to meet
you the next time.
Messers Catlett & Polite are
standing by me.
Very respectfully
J. Albert Wilson
3084CEDAR HILL, ANACOSTIA, D.C.
JUNE 21, 1892 Honorable Benjamin Harrison,
President of the United States: SIR;
Three and a half years ago the Government of the District of
Columbia, having in its hands four thousand dollars ($4000.00) appropiated
for grading and paving Jefferson street, Anacostia, D.C.,
so performed its work in front of my property, as to destroy my
front entrance and cut me off from the street, to which I now have
only a round a bout access. I have repeatedly called the attention
of the Honorable Commissioners to the wretched condition in which
they have left my property, and they have repeatedly assured me tha
they would give it their attention, but from some cause they have done
nothing about it. That they have recognized the existence
of the damage is proven by their asking Congress for the sum of
two thousand dollars ($2000.00) to remedy it. I have thought that
a word from yourself to the Honorable Commissioners might induce
them to give speedy attention to the matter and induce them to do
something for my relief, especially as they have assured me that
they intend to do me right and justice.

 to the wretched condition in which
they have left my property, and they have repeatedly assured me tha
they would give it their attention, but from some cause they have done
nothing about it. That they have recognized the existence
of the damage is proven by their asking Congress for the sum of
two thousand dollars ($2000.00) to remedy it. I have thought that
a word from yourself to the Honorable Commissioners might induce
them to give speedy attention to the matter and induce them to do
something for my relief, especially as they have assured me that
they intend to do me right and justice. I have the honor to be
Your obedient servant,
(signed) Frederick Douglass. [* 3020 *]Cedar Hill.
Anacostia. D.C. June 21. 1892 Dear Mrs Walters: The noise of the great convention
and the constant demand upon my
time and attention [wh] would have
made any meeting with you hasty
and imperfect. I have now been
at home four days and have not
yet gotten over the strain put upon
my nerves by that great meeting.
The handshaking alone was a
tax upon my nerves. While I
could not but be highly gratified
by the kind attentions showered upon
me by the many old & new friends
I met there I was glad to leave.
[*1088*]Minneapolis for the quiet of home -
i do not stand the excitement of
the crowd as twenty five years ago.
While I regret that I did not see
more of you I am glad to have seen
you at all - and to have found you
looking so well. Time seems to have
touched you more tenderly than it
has me. I now hear myself referred
to as the "old man" and cannot resent
or deny - my grandchildren are grown up.
and one of them tells me she is 27
years old. My daughter will be fifty -
three in three days from now. So
You see that with such evidence
against me I cannot claim to be young anymore. Still there
is some work in me - and surely
there is much work to do in
the line I have pursued during
more than fifty years. I have
heard nothing from Lockport
since reaching home. I was much
shocked to hear that your sister Mary
was ill. She has been the healthy
one of your family and I hope to
hear she has regained her health.
I have seen neither of your sisters at
any time during the last eight or
nine years - Mr. Frank called
upon me once while he was goingto school in PennsylvaniaHe made a very favorable
impression for himself upon us
all. I am to spend about six months
in Chicago during the World's
Columbian Exposition. I am one
of the Commissioners of the Republic
of Haiti. If you should visit the
Exposition I should hope to see you.-
May the blessings of Heaven
attend attend you always
Yours Sincerely
Frederick Douglass
Shall be glad of a line from you
always
218 New Jersey Ave, S.E. June 24th
[*1892*]
Mrs. Frederick Douglass -
Dear Madame -
The present
address of Mrs. A. L. Mayo
is Harper's Ferry -
Please say to Mr. Douglass
that though I especially
"desired" to see him, at the
time I wrote, to have his
opinion on a certain political
& humanitarian question, I shall
always be glad to see his
once familiar face - shall
be pleased and honored,if he will call on some
Monday afternoon or evening
the only hours when I can
promise to be at home.
without a special engagement
But I do not want him to
come without he "desires" to
do so - for the sake of our
old old friendship.
You I should have called
on, with my sister, if I had
been strong enough. Washington
climate seems very unfriendly
to me - making me both
asthmatic & rheumatic all
the time - and not being
one of the 'carriage people",
I make very few calls. [* 1186*]
With regards to Mr. Douglass, I
remain, yours truly Grace Greenwood1013 T st
Washington DC June 24th 92

 I do not want him to
come without he "desires" to
do so - for the sake of our
old old friendship.
You I should have called
on, with my sister, if I had
been strong enough. Washington
climate seems very unfriendly
to me - making me both
asthmatic & rheumatic all
the time - and not being
one of the 'carriage people",
I make very few calls. [* 1186*]
With regards to Mr. Douglass, I
remain, yours truly Grace Greenwood1013 T st
Washington DC June 24th 92 Friend Douglass
I certainly do not remember ever using any
expression that could be construed as supporting prejudice against
the colored people as a race that I do not feel & am likely to express against
white people whose conditions of characters are the same and I
have twice wondered at some remarks of yours that indicated the
supposition that I had such prejudice. I do not believe that
you are freer to meet & talk socially with any & all good respectable
people than I, and I believe you like me would strive to avoid all
low vile creatures no matter what the complexion. Let me tell
you something of my history as an antislavery man. I was born &
raised on the great lake Erie Ridge Road trading from Buffalo to Cleveland
along Lake Erie. When I was 8 years old a middle aged colored man came
to my house and sought food & shelter. My grandfather an old revolutionary
soldier received & fed him. & kept him in an upper chamber till night
then taking me with him my grandfather went to what had been the first
family dwelling (log cabin) there filled in its upper story with a crop of
flax in the story, & he prepared a space & placed in it blankets & a pillow for
a siege (which lasted ten days). fixed a good hole up when I could climb
& carry food & water, & at Dusk the man was conducted to his place & told not
come Down or out except quite in the night & then to be very careful about
being seen. I was Deputed to wait on him, and all others to keep away so
as not to attract any attention & the passage up into the loft was made very
blind. That arrangement proved well planned & a perfect success.
[*Satifyers*] . circulars describing the man & offering 200.00 reward followed [*1185*]& were posted all along the highway & agents enquiring frequently
if he had been seen. Next day about noon a courier with power of atty
& all legal proof that somebody owned my man, & with larger hand
bills & $300 reward appeared. My grandfather kept the only public
house for several miles on the road and the pompous agent ordered oats
for his horse & a Dinner for himself both of which orders were being executed.
When our Agent inquired, Mr Holmes, have you seen any
thing of a runaway slave about here or passing. I was bye
& listening & wondered how any grandfather who was a presbyterian
Deacon, (& I knew he would not lie) would answer, & I trembled for my pet
in the loft on the floor, == seen a slave, what is a slave?
A Runway negro from Virginia owned by Mr Blank & described
in this circular & them $300 offered for him. = A slave owned by Mr
blank of virginia, and is he a man. I did not know one man could
own another, said my grandfather, I have not seen a slave in
all my life & if I did see one I'd help him to be free if I could.
The agent with a great oath or a lot of them says, bring out my horse
& do what you will with the Dinner. I'm D'd if I stop or eat in such
a place as this, grandfather refused pay for food or Dinner.
The agent lost track of his slave Rode to Buffalo & back cursing Deacons
& Antislavery men in general. = I made his acquaintance 20 years later
at Meadwell Pa & told him how I had wig'd him out of $300 & helpt a
man to his freedom in canada, when my grandfather heard the Captain of a lake
schooner to land him at Fort Erie. I never forgot my early training
and as I am at it I will write more whether you read it or notTo carry out my prejudices against slavery (not against color)
I have spent more than three times as much as all that I am worth
now, about 1833 I went into arrangements with a family of millers
near Youngstown, Ohio to receive fugitives on the west side of French
Creek four miles below Meadville Pa & forward them on to a station of
Friends, 6 miles south of Waterford & for two years it was a pretty well
traveled road. till over 60 Extra smart colored persons assisted to their
manhood & womanhood in the Kings Dominions. I believe they
were all grateful & became prosperous. it was the smartest & best that
got away. It required secrecy tact & I think some bravery to
to pursue that kind of engineering. The Shasplesses were quakers
they were rich & the four sons knew their business, owning large
mills & sending flour over 100 miles of country. they laid their
plans as deliberately for freeing men as they did in selling bread stuffs.

 it was a pretty well
traveled road. till over 60 Extra smart colored persons assisted to their
manhood & womanhood in the Kings Dominions. I believe they
were all grateful & became prosperous. it was the smartest & best that
got away. It required secrecy tact & I think some bravery to
to pursue that kind of engineering. The Shasplesses were quakers
they were rich & the four sons knew their business, owning large
mills & sending flour over 100 miles of country. they laid their
plans as deliberately for freeing men as they did in selling bread stuffs. They had one ask of a wagon for four or 5 horses that had
a Double bottom. well stuffed & bedded below where four or five men
could be very comfortable & none but the driver knew the way in
and out of the cabins & it was filled about with bags & barrels & was
so nicely managed that for over two years it was used & the proslavery
public never Detected or Discovered it. I think they carried over
two hundred, some to Cleveland some to Ashtabula, & some to my
home. Now one instance, about prejudice. Mrs Holmes
father & one of her brothers was in this scheme with me, & his large
barn & hay mow became the resting place for many fugitives.
till the Danger of pursuit passed bye. Once four extra inteligent
persons two men & wives were brought to us & we had to wait a week beforewe dared try move them when a schooner was to be at Erie to
receive them. We had some good friends in Meadville who had
never seen any escaping slaves & we invited 7 or 8 down (4 miles) to a Dinner
& it was got up in good old Thanksgiving style on a large table.
Our colored brothers & sisters were brought in & introduced & seats for them
& which at first they declined to take but proposed to wait till the white
had Dined. Mrs. Holmes' fathers reply was characteristic of the
stuff that crowd was made of. said he "there are seats enough
& food enough for all but if any body waited or fasted it would
be us & not you" & they did sit & were feasted & they were treated
like brothers & friends. one of the women afterward allowed
her back to be Bared & showed where over 20 lashes had been brutally
inflicted. Renewed vows of Eternal Hostility to slavery were
made & we all felt happy that something had thus been done.
I kept track of these people thus emancipated & twelve years later
visited & Dined with one of the families in Toronto Canada.
They lived in their own House & seemed very well to do. He was a carpenter
I suppose I have more time to write than you have
to read & I write badly. I am proud of my antislavery
record & I respect all colored people & in fact all people who respect themselves
or make themselves respectable & I know how to make allowances
for the condition the system of Slavery left the colored people in.
The Best way to mend all is a problem because we have an
Element of badness that we cannot yet control & I am afraid
it will outlast our lives.
Your Friend
Joseph E Holmes558 Ellis St.,
Augusta, Ga.
June 24, 92. Hon. Frederick Douglass, Dear Friend: It is indeed
a pleasure for me to write you and
I write to put a "little bug" in your
ear, and request that that "bug"
goes in no one's ear, but your
grand daughter Hattie B. In all probability there will
be a quiet wedding in 3 weeks,
and if I mistake not, your
humble friend will be one of the
principal actors. Do you disapprove of this,
after I have devoted nine years
to my people? With love to you + Miss H.B.S. I am, Very truly,

 Frederick Douglass, Dear Friend: It is indeed
a pleasure for me to write you and
I write to put a "little bug" in your
ear, and request that that "bug"
goes in no one's ear, but your
grand daughter Hattie B. In all probability there will
be a quiet wedding in 3 weeks,
and if I mistake not, your
humble friend will be one of the
principal actors. Do you disapprove of this,
after I have devoted nine years
to my people? With love to you + Miss H.B.S. I am, Very truly, Amy C. Warren. [*1184*]Coneygar Villa
Bridport June 26
Dear Mr. Douglass I hope to get a small
volume of sermons & other
papers of Mr. Carpenter's published
before very long, and
my dear friend Miss F. E.
Cooke of Birkenhead is
writing a short memoir,
which is to preface the book.
I write now to ask if you
would object to her quoting
in it part of the beautiful
letter you sent me on hearing
of the death of your old
friend? it shows such a
1187warm & true appreciation of him
that I as well as Miss Cooke
should like it to appear in
the volume; - but if you would
rather that it did not, please
to say so, & your wish will
of course be attended to.
I am now occupied in copying
the sermons which I
have selected for publication,
as the originals would often
be puzzling to the printer,
from corrections, & alterations
& sometimes illegible writing.
If the book ever comes out
I shall of course send you a copy. You will understand
I am sure that my home &
life seem changed & desolate,
tho' I have very many dear
& kind friends, sisters, nieces,
& others - but no one can fill
the sad blank - or know what
he was to me. I hope that you & Mrs. Douglass
are both well - & all those
who are nearest & dearest
you. Ever very sincerely your friend
Mary Carpenter.U. S. SENATE CHAMBER
WASHINGTON, D. C. June 26 1892 My dear Mr. Douglass August 3d at
Concord N.H. a bronze statue
of John P. Hale will be
unveiled in the State House
yard, presented by me to
the State. Col Daniel Hall
will deliver the principal
address. Will you deliver
a 20 minute or half hour
address and please everybody. Yours Truly
W E Chandler Mr Fred Douglass 1421 I Street [* 1188 *]Exposition Universelle de Chicago
COMMISSION HAITIENNE 72 West 19th Street -
New York - 29 June, 1892 My dear Sir & Colleague, I enclose, herewith,
the original of despatch No. 776, addressed
to us by the Department of Agriculture.
I also enclose its english text - and I
send for your endorsement the government's
check for three thousand dollars -
our favor.
Kindly return, by first mail - the
original letter and the check endorsed - so
that I may effectuate payment.
There are two other despatches addressed
to us - which with an English text I will [*1190 Inclosed June 29 -1892- Preston - Frederick
Douglass*] forward to you tomorrow. -
I do not think it necessary that our
Secretary be given, for the present, communication
of the despatch Enclosed. -
On the payment of our remittance I
will take train for Washington [and] to
personally confer with you. In the meantime, however, I would
suggest that you see the Hon. Mr. Curtis
on the subject of my letter to him - this
is important. I am my dear Sir and Colleague
Very Sincerely yours
Chas. A. PrestonCopy translation
Via Havana Port au Prince - 17 June - 1892. Messieurs the Commissioners,
Conformably with my letter
of this day, which announced to you an early
remittance of funds - I hasten to transmit,
under this cover, the 1st of a draft for —
Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.) three days
right - on the firm of G. Amsinck Co. of
New York — for a quarter's due of your
salaries, expenses, etc.,. Kindly acknowledge good receipt of
this remittance and receive my
hopes of a happy [success] success of
the mission which has been intrusted
to you.

 the Commissioners,
Conformably with my letter
of this day, which announced to you an early
remittance of funds - I hasten to transmit,
under this cover, the 1st of a draft for —
Three Thousand Dollars ($3,000.) three days
right - on the firm of G. Amsinck Co. of
New York — for a quarter's due of your
salaries, expenses, etc.,. Kindly acknowledge good receipt of
this remittance and receive my
hopes of a happy [success] success of
the mission which has been intrusted
to you. Accept, I beg you, Messieurs the
Commissioners, the consideration of my
very distinguished consideration —
(signed) D. Jean Joseph
[*[JEAN JOSEPH]*] To Messieurs F. Douglass
[abolitionist?] [*3032*]Inclosure June 29, 1892 - Praston -
Commissioner.U.S. Senate Chamber
Washington, D.C.
June 30 1892
My dear Mr. Douglass.
My clerk sent you my
letter. I meant to have
gone in person and to have left
the letter in case I did not
find you.
I go to Concord today
to return next week. I hope
you will be able to be
present August third. I will
see you on the subject on
my return.
Truly Yours
WE Chandler
Mr. Douglass
Cedar Hill
[*1189*]