Frederick Douglass — Haiti Correspondence & Speeches
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JOHN S. DURHAM,
LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,
PORT AU PRINCE,
HAITI. July 1, 1892 Dear Mr. Douglass: I knew that you would be pleased
to join in the little testimonial
to Doctor. I have not thought
of any particular form, but
I wrote to Mr Bassett as our
Dean by seniority of service and
by years of friendly intercourse
with Doctor suggesting that he
correspond with the others. What
ever you decide upon will be
agreeable to me.
Doctor will doubtless go to Paris and
return in the fall. I am, my dear Mr Douglass,
Very cordially Yours,
John S. Durham
[3142] Honorable Fredk. Douglass,
Cedar Hill
Anacostia, D.C.OFFICE OF
L. A. SCRUGGS, M.D.,
No. 21 EAST WORTH STREET.
TELEPHONE No. 21.
OFFICE HOURS:
8 to 9 A.M., 2 TO 3 P. M., 6 to 7 P. M. Raleigh, N. C., July 17, 1892.
DEAR [Miss Moten]
This letter is to inform you that we desire an accurate account
of your life and accomplishments to form a part of a book which
is now being prepared for publication, under the title, WOMEN OF
DISTINCTION.
The object is to encourage and stimulate, as far as possible,
the general development of true and noble womanhood throughout
the rank and file of the race, and to foster the higher education
of woman, so that she may have an equal chance in her
avocations in life to faithfully discharge the duties which God has
imposed upon her. Upon such a development of her greatly
depends the future prosperity of the race.
Will you, therefore, kindly contribute to this effort by sending
to this office within 30 days, if possible, a reliable sketch of your
life, including your education, occupation, success, honors, degree
of distinction, wealth and whatever else you think would make a
sketch interesting?
Would be glad also to place a portrait of yourself in the book.
I think I can (under contract for quite a number of cuts) have you
a cut made very reasonably, provided you have not one already.
This will secure uniformity of size as well as a low price.
I have arranged to have fine cuts made at a cost of $5.00,
which I will see to being sent to you when through with. If you
wish one, send your order and money at once.
Yours for the race,
L.A. Scruggs.
[3161]116 Congdon St. Providence R.I. July 3.
My dear friend Frederick I was glad to hear from
you, and to know you were not
wholly used up - I think the Country
is to be congratulated, and with
the candidates which both parties
have endorsed we cannot drift
very far astray. I am very sorry
Pres. Harrison could sign the
Chinese Bill particularly when he
advocates the Free Bill. It shows
to me a time serving inconsistent nature, So I
shall vote for Mr Cleveland I am sure there are no such issues
in the contest which for the terms
before have made as such a bye-word
and reproach, & I do rejoice
thereat.
you, and to know you were not
wholly used up - I think the Country
is to be congratulated, and with
the candidates which both parties
have endorsed we cannot drift
very far astray. I am very sorry
Pres. Harrison could sign the
Chinese Bill particularly when he
advocates the Free Bill. It shows
to me a time serving inconsistent nature, So I
shall vote for Mr Cleveland I am sure there are no such issues
in the contest which for the terms
before have made as such a bye-word
and reproach, & I do rejoice
thereat. Now I wonder when you are
to take your N.E. vacation? Just
now I am at the above place,
Miss Hoswell has gone to Chicago, [*1198*]I am making a headquarters here.
Keeping old maids hall - If you will
come and Nellie, I can make you
both comfortable, and shall enjoy
seeing you hugely.
I should like to send for Rose's
baby I fear I could not give her
pleasure enough to pay her for
coming, and do not know exactly
how long I may be here, Miss
N. will be back by middle of
August, & then I shall [wish to]
turn to "pastures new" if not sooner
I have not yet made my
wedding call on Miss O Connor
Calder. You come and we
will go.
I write only this hasty word
now, having no time for more.
I Martha [?Walds] GreeneExposition Universelle de Chicago
Commission Haitienne
New York 6 July, 1892.
My dear Sir & ColleagueHaving effected
payment of the draft for $3000 sent to
us by the Government for one quarter's
salary and expenses - and informally
with our conversation of Saturday last, having
handed Mr Harrisee one hundred & fifty
dollars - I enclose in this letter, Messrs
[Lyncha's?] check for twelve hundred and
fifty dollars to your order.
Our various dispatches to the Government
were safely forwarded by today's steamer.
The Hon. Frederick Douglass
Anacostia
D.C. [*1199*]I caught a heavy cold on the night train
from Washington, but I am at work, beavering
on some of our documents.- I sincerely trust you may announce
better news of your son's condition. I am, my dear Sir & colleague, Yours very sincerely,
Chas. A. Preston118 B'd Haussmann
Paris July 10 1892 My Dear Mr Douglass:
Doubtless you have
wondered and wondered
what has become of me.
I think my last letter
to you from America
was dated at Montreal
Canada some two or
three years ago. I wrote
you several letters from
Paris and one from
London since you have
been in Hayti but not
[*1200*]hearing direct from you, I
judge you did not receive
them, I would like ever
so much to have a
line from you to know
how your health is as
well as that of your
amiable wife. I have
had, and am having still
a hard struggle for life
having been stripped
of my fortune, but of
that I will not speak.
Write me and give
me some news of yourself.
I am anxious to hear
from you, and have
often thought of you, I
do not recall how
it is, but I have loved
you as a father and have
always thought of you as
such. I suppose you will
say it is a whim of an
orphan. You will not
say, however, that it
is a foolish whim
Now I shall hope to
hear from you at
your earliest convenience.
With best wishes for
your health and that
of Mrs. Douglass.
that I will not speak.
Write me and give
me some news of yourself.
I am anxious to hear
from you, and have
often thought of you, I
do not recall how
it is, but I have loved
you as a father and have
always thought of you as
such. I suppose you will
say it is a whim of an
orphan. You will not
say, however, that it
is a foolish whim
Now I shall hope to
hear from you at
your earliest convenience.
With best wishes for
your health and that
of Mrs. Douglass. I am yours ever,
J. A. ArneauxWORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION,
LATIN AMERICAN DEPARTMENT,
WILLIAM E. CURTIS, (IN CHARGE,)
2 LAFAYETTE SQUARE,
WASHINGTON, D.C. July 11, 1892.
Sir:
I have the honor, to call your attention to the last line of
the form of application for space already sent you, as follows:
"State whether applicant manufactures or is the producer of the
articles described."
The attention of the Executive has been called to the statement
that wholesale and retail dealers of articles have made applications
to foreign commissions for space at the Exposition and
that space, in some instances, has been allotted by those commissions
to the applicants. It is therefore necessary to call your
attention to the fact that no articles can be admitted to the Exposition
unless exhibited by the manufacturer or producer of such
articles or by the duly authorized agent of such manufacturers or
producer. In no case will dealers be permitted to occupy space,
and any allotment which has been made by a foreign commission to
such dealers is invalid, unless the dealer is duly authorized by
the manufacturer or producer. There is no exception to this rule.
It has been enforced in the cases of all American applications for
space and it is necessary to enforce it as well abroad.
All exhibits must conform to the Classification of the Exposition
and no agent will be permitted to make a collective exhibit
for manufacturers in any Departmental Building, if such collective
exhibit includes articles belonging to another Department. All
awards will be made to the manufacturer and not to the agent exhibiting.
Trusting that your Commission will conform to this ruling, I
have the honor to be,
Your obedient servant
William E. Curtis
[1197]The State of New Hampshire
Executive Department.
Nashua N.H.
[Concord.] July 11 1892
July 11, 1892 Hon. Fredrick Douglass
My Dear Sir,
The State of
New Hampshire invites you to be present
at Concord August 3rd. at the unveiling
of a statue of John P.
Hale presented to the state by Senator
Chandler. Col [Do?] Hall
will make the principal address
Hon. G.A. Grow of Penn and Gov.
Boulwell of Mass have been asked
to be present and make short addresses
and we earnestly hope
you will favor us with your
presence and a like address.
Please register at the Eagle Hotel.
John W. Hutchison will be there
Yours
Geo. A. Randall
for Com. of the
Council.M. L. Keplinger
Public Administrator.
W. H. Steward
Notary Public State of Illinois.
Macoupin County.
Room No 1 Court House. Carlinville. Ill. July 13, 1892 KEPLINGER & STEWARD
LAW, ABSTRACT & LOAN OFFICE. Hon. Fred Douglass
Washington D.C. Dear Sir, Rev G. N. Williams of the Col
M. E. Ch. here and others of his people are or have
arranged for a grand Barbocue and gathering
at our Fair Grounds for July 26th, and they are
making all effort to make a great success of
the enterprise. They want you, and our
people all want you. The Subscription of
white people (business & professional men of our
city) now amounts to seventy dollars, for your
charges, and I assure you it is a reliable
list, of which I believe every dollar will be
paid if you are here and speak, Mr. Williams
suggests that you talk on the Problem of
the Race, so as not to make it too much
political, as this is a democratic
region & a Campaign year.
[*1204*]M. L. Keplinger
Public Administrator.
of
the enterprise. They want you, and our
people all want you. The Subscription of
white people (business & professional men of our
city) now amounts to seventy dollars, for your
charges, and I assure you it is a reliable
list, of which I believe every dollar will be
paid if you are here and speak, Mr. Williams
suggests that you talk on the Problem of
the Race, so as not to make it too much
political, as this is a democratic
region & a Campaign year.
[*1204*]M. L. Keplinger
Public Administrator. W. H. Steward
Notary Public State of Illinois.
MACOUPIN COUNTY.
Room No 1 Court House. Carlinville. Ill. July 13, 1892 KEPLINGER & STEWARD
LAW, ABSTRACT & LOAN OFFICE. We send you one of the 2000 bills which
will be extensively circulated in Alton
St. Louis, Jerseyville, Jacksonville,
Springfield, Litchfield, all of which points
can reach here easily by rail, & which
Dist. embraces the heavy portion of
the Colored population of Ill. The Comm. will add to the sum subscribed
for your charges and will see that
you are paid without fail.
Now on behalf of both Colored and white people
we urge your acceptance, and wish
you would write or telegraph to Rev. G.W. Williams
that you will be here. Most Respy
M. L Keplinger We are just 40 miles S. of Springfield
& 30 miles N. of Alton on C & A. R. R.[House of Representatives U.S.
Washington, D.C.]
Danville, Ills
July 15, 1889 Hon. Frederick Douglas
Dear Sir,
Mr. Troy Porter, a colored citizen
of Paris Ills, writes me a letter which I
enclose to you and which explains itself.
They desire to celebrate on Sept 22nd the
anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.
There is quite a settlement of
colored people at Paris and there will
doubtless be considerable delegations
from various points in Eastern Illinois
and Western Indiana. Paris is on the
I. & St. L. R. R. twentyfive miles north
west of Terre Haute Ind. I would
be very glad indeed if you can see
your way clear to accept their invitation.
If this is not possible will
you have the kindness to answer
[*1202*]House of Representatives U. S.,
Washington, D. C., 188 Mr. Porter and advise me
The colored people in this
part of the state are making
very considerable progress; Mr.
Porter is a prosperous business
man, of character & intelligence
Very truly -
J.S. Cannon.OFFICE OF
TROY PORTER
Plumber, Gas and Steam Fitter
SECOND HAND ENGINES AND BOILERS BOUGHT AND SOLD. LOW PRICES. BEST GOODS.
DEALER IN
FIRE CLAY CHIMNEY TOPS, FIRE BRICK,
WIRE FLOWER STANDS, DRAIN TILE,
CHANDELIERS AND ORNAMENTS,
GILT AND BRONZE, GAS AND STEAM
FITTINGS, PUMPS, LEAD PIPE, SHEET
AND BAR LEAD, STREET WASHERS,
HYDRANTS, FOUNTAINS, RUBBER AND
LEATHER BELTING, HOSE PACKING, &c.
No. 75 N. MAIN ST. Paris, Ill., July 15th, 1892 Hon. J.G Cannon,
Danville Ill,
Dear Sir;- Your esteemed favor of the 12th inst at hand
and the contents of the same read with a great deal of pleasure,and
appreciate your very highly for the interest which you have thus far
manifested in complying with the favor which I asked you in assisting
me to secure the two speakers as mentioned in my letter. In reply will
say,I would be pleased to have you writento the Hon Fredrick Douglass
also,and although we do not think that we wlll be favored with the
presence of both of those able speakers, yet a letter from you will have
much influence,and there will not be any harm in endeavoring to secure
the services of both. We do not like to ask too much, but you stated that
if you could serve me farther if I desired you to, and so we would like
very much indeed to have you deliver a speech for us on that day, for
we know that your presence with us will enliven the occassion,
Thanking you for your kindness,and trusting that we shall be favored
by your presence,
we wlll be favored with the
presence of both of those able speakers, yet a letter from you will have
much influence,and there will not be any harm in endeavoring to secure
the services of both. We do not like to ask too much, but you stated that
if you could serve me farther if I desired you to, and so we would like
very much indeed to have you deliver a speech for us on that day, for
we know that your presence with us will enliven the occassion,
Thanking you for your kindness,and trusting that we shall be favored
by your presence, Yours Very Truly,
Troy Porter, Secy Samuel Williams,}
Ashley Phillips, }
John Bell, } Committee.
Henry Artis, }
Charles Russell. }
[1202A]
The A. M. E. Church Review PUBLISHED QUARTERLY AT 631 PINE STREET. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE $1.60 PER YEAR IN ADVANCE. SINGLE COPY 40 CENTS. Circulation 3000, and extends to
all parts of the United States, to
Europe, Asia, and Africa, to Canada,
Nova Scotia, Bermuda, St.
Thomas, British Guiana, Hayti,
San Domingo and St. Croix.
Rev L. J. Coppin, Editor and Manager
Address all Communications to Box 1032. Philadelphia, July 15th, 1892
Hon. Frederick Douglass:
My dear sir:
Your favor is at hand, and I
assure you that I highly
appreciate the fact that in
the midst of abundant labors
you favorably consider our
request to contribute to the
October Number of the Review.
Of course my purpose is to make
yours the initial article, though
there will be in the same issue
a number of well known writers.
And so we are expecting to
make this one of the very
ablest that we have sent
out.
With kindest regard, I am,
my dear sir most truly yours,
L. J. Coppin
[*1206*]
DEWOLFE, FISKE & CO.,
PUBLISHERS AND BOOKSELLERS.
381 AND 365 WASHINGTON STREET.
THE ARCHWAY BOOKSTORE. Boston, July 15th, 1892.
Hon. Frederick Douglass,
Anacostia,
Washington, D.C., Dear Sir;--
In looking through the copy of your life which you returned
to us, we notice that you have taken out a number of the
full page illustrations. Did you wish us to omit them in
printing the book? We do not see very well how it can be done,
as they were numbered in with the pages, and to omit them would
give the appearance of an omission of two pages in each case.
As there is nothing that we can substitute for the two missing
pages we think it will be necessary for us to put these cuts in.
Please let us hear from you at once.
Yours Respectfully,
(Dictated.) DeWolfe Fiske & Co
[1207]UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER,
ROCHESTER. N.Y. July 15, 1892. Hon Fredrick Douglass,
Dear Sir, ~
Dare I, a
stranger, trespass upon a brief moment
of your valuable time? During a
few days just past I have been extremely
delighted and deeply touched by the perusal
of your book entitled, "Life and
Times of Fredk. Douglass." I am one
of the younger generation, but have
a right to be interested in the stirring
and pathetic scenes described in your
work, since my father bled for
the Stars & Stripes in the Civil War,
and because I am through and through
a patriot.
I have seen and heard you in our
fair city, whose history has been as
closely entwined with your life. As
[1205]UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER,
ROCHESTER, N.Y.
the perusal
of your book entitled, "Life and
Times of Fredk. Douglass." I am one
of the younger generation, but have
a right to be interested in the stirring
and pathetic scenes described in your
work, since my father bled for
the Stars & Stripes in the Civil War,
and because I am through and through
a patriot.
I have seen and heard you in our
fair city, whose history has been as
closely entwined with your life. As
[1205]UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER,
ROCHESTER, N.Y. a lover of "fair play", as a sayer
of "Amen!" to all that is right and
good; as a believer in the essential
nobility of human kind "made in the
image of God", I admire you, as
one must admire all those
whose lives have been given to
the elevation of humanity or any race
thereof.
I desire a slight favor of you sir,
if you are willing to grant it. I am
puzzled as to the true pronunciation
of the name of your former master,
Capt. Thomas Auld. The dipthong
au is capable of different pronunciations,
hence my perplexity.
Hoping you may be able to
grant the favor asked, I am
Very Respectfully Yours,
Kendrick P SheddWORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION.
LATIN AMERICAN DEPARTMENT
WILLIAM E. CURTIS (IN CHARGE)
2 LAFAYETTE SQUARE.
WASHINGTON, D.C. July 18, 1892. Confidential. To the Honorable Frederick Douglass,
Anacostia,
District of Columbia. Dear Mr. Douglass:-- Referring to an official letter concerning
the alleged anchor of Columbus I would say that Mr. Ober might have
obtained that precious relic but for the extortionate demands of
some of the officials on the north coast who recognized its
historical interest and thought they saw an opportunity to enrich
themselves. The anchor has been lying unnoticed on the estate
called "Bellevue" for many many years, and Mr. Ober believed that
he would be able to get it without any trouble or expense, but
when it became known that the anchor was desired for the Exposition
and that the United States government had sent a Commissioner
there on purpose to get it every man in the neighborhood, citizens
and officials, began to show the most intense patriotism and
interest, and the demands for money upon Ober amounted to thousands [*1203*]of dollars, which they insisted he must pay before the relic
was taken away. Finally he obtained an official order from
General Alexis to take possession of the relic, but the ex-Minister
of the Interior, whose name he does not give, immediately
seized the anchor, concealed it on his own premises, and informed
Mr. Ober that it had been decided to send it as a part of the
Haitian exhibit to Chicago. These facts I communicate to you
confidentially in order that you may be fully posted as to what
has occurred. But, perhaps it would be well before taking any
official action to await Mr. Ober's return. I am expecting him
very soon. Very sincerely yours,
William E. CurtisWORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION.
LATIN AMERICAN DEPARTMENT
WILLIAM E. CURTIS (IN CHARGE)
1 LAFAYETTE SQUARE.
WASHINGTON,D.C July 18, 1892, To the Honorable Frederick Douglass,
Anacostia,
District of Columbia, Dear Sir:--As I have before you, Mr. Ober obtained
for me from a plantation near Cape Haitien an ancient anchor,
which is said to have been one of those that Columbus carried
upon the caravel Santa Maria, which went to wreck near that point.
There is in the same locality on a plantation called "Bellevue"
an exact duplicate of this anchor which we desire also to obtain.
Mr. Ober has spent several weeks in trying to secure it and after
repeated promises and delays and evasions he was finally informed
by General Nord Alexis, Aid-de-Camp, and Extraordinary Delegate
to the Departments of the North and Northwest, that this anchor
was the property of the government and would be sent as a part
of the Haitian exhibit to the World's Fair.
that Columbus carried
upon the caravel Santa Maria, which went to wreck near that point.
There is in the same locality on a plantation called "Bellevue"
an exact duplicate of this anchor which we desire also to obtain.
Mr. Ober has spent several weeks in trying to secure it and after
repeated promises and delays and evasions he was finally informed
by General Nord Alexis, Aid-de-Camp, and Extraordinary Delegate
to the Departments of the North and Northwest, that this anchor
was the property of the government and would be sent as a part
of the Haitian exhibit to the World's Fair. [1208]Mr. Ober writes me from Puerto Plata to say that you can secure
that anchor more easily than any other man, and I hope that you
will do so.
Very truly yours,
William E. CurtisExposition Universelle de Chicago -
Commission Haitienne -
22 State Street, New York City
22 July 1892. My dear Mr Douglass,
Since receiving
your very kind letter, our Government has
again cabled to us under date of the 19th inst,
as follows: "Wooden pavillion funds on the way
(signed) Jn - Joseph."- I am, therefore, strongly
in hope that we may soon "break ground" at
Jackson Park.-
I have rented this office for the Commission's
[1209]use at the rate of fifty-dollars a month
until May 1st of next year-- and I have
furnished it modestly but nicely.- I have
also ordered some letter heads and envelopes -
and I am having made a duplicate
of our met seal for your use in
Washington.-- The envelopes I sent
you by mail are only a make-shift until
the real ones are ready- and I ordered
but a very few. [seal]
EXPOSITION UNIVERSELLE DE CHICAGO,
COMMISSION HAITIENE. I trust that our mail from Haiti, due
here Tuesday next, will prove satisfactory. --
I enclose copy of a communication from
Mr Curtis & the reply thereto. -- It may be necessary for one of us to visit
Chicago shortly, in order to persuade the General
Administration to afford to us a little
more width of ground for our Pavillion. The
building, as the plans now stand, has a
frontage of 124 feet and a depth of 80 feet -
while the site accorded us has but 100 feet
front- by 180 ft depth. -- Still our architects
may find a way out of the difficulty by
slightly altering the ground plan. --
I am, my dear Mr Douglass,
very sincerely yours,
Chas. A. PrestonGLEN EYRE, THE MAJOR DOMO Denver, July 24/92
My dear Douglass:
Your late
article in the July No.
of the "North American
Review" has been read
to me, and I think it is just
the kind of talk
that will favorably linger
in the minds of the fair
minded people of the North
and of the South. It
rebukes with Majesty and
Counsels with mildness.
I wish you had untrammeld
Scope and freedom to lecture
to the influential white people
of the South-- unterrified by
the lawless and the Murderous.
But I must guard Against
[1210]imposing upon the left eye
which has just served me so well.
As ever and always,
H. O. Wagoner.Weekly Leader -- Established
Jan. 12, 1888
$1.00 per year in Advance.
Magnus L Robinson
Managing Editor and Business Manager
Zion's Leader
Adopted Official Organ of the Baltimore and Philadelphia Conference of the A.M.E. Zion
Church - Circulates principally in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and the
District of Columbia - Branch offices at Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Md. Philadelphia, Pa. and
Harrisburg, Pa.
eye
which has just served me so well.
As ever and always,
H. O. Wagoner.Weekly Leader -- Established
Jan. 12, 1888
$1.00 per year in Advance.
Magnus L Robinson
Managing Editor and Business Manager
Zion's Leader
Adopted Official Organ of the Baltimore and Philadelphia Conference of the A.M.E. Zion
Church - Circulates principally in Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and the
District of Columbia - Branch offices at Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Md. Philadelphia, Pa. and
Harrisburg, Pa. Alexandria, Va. July 26 1892.
Hon. Frederick Douglass
Anacostia D.C
Dear Sir,
I deeply
sympathize with you in the
death of your son Frederick
Douglass Jr. He was a dear friend
of mine, which I date my individual
[relationship] friendship with him from the time
I established the National Leader in
1888. I will ever cherish the memory
of Frederick Douglass Jr. He is gone down
to his grave with a clean and honorable
name. May he rest in peace. I pray
God to give you strength to endure your
[?] affliction. [?] etc.
Magnus L. Robinson
Sickness keeps me from attending his funeral.
[*1211*]U. S. SENATE CHAMBER
WASHINGTON, D.C. July 27 1892 My dear Mr. Douglass The bereavement you
were expecting and dreading has
come to you. However prepared
it will be grievous to be borne,
the loss of a son. But you have
faith in a hereafter which is
a better and more joyous life
than this, where there is no more
death and no more parting. It may be that when next Monday
comes you will feel like
going away from the place of
your sorrow to cooler regions where
you may rest. If so take
the colonial express which leaves [1213]the 6th street depot at 7.50 a.m.
and go to Boston where you will
arrive at 9.30. The next day
go to Eagle Hotel Concord
N.H.
You can do this and be
present at our ceremonial, even
if you do not leave Washington
until Tuesday morning.
Sincerely yours
W. E. Chandler Hon. Frederick Douglass1340 I St. N. W.
Washington, July 27th. 1892 Hon. Fredrick Douglass
Anacostia. Dear Sir:
Having heard of the
sad affliction that has brought
mourning upon you and
your family by the untimely
loss of your son, I hasten
to add my condolences and
expressions of sincere sympathy,
to those of your friends
and admirers. Very truly yours,
Alfred Harrisse
[1212]Howard University,
Rev. J. E. RANKIN, D.D., LL.D., President.
J.B. JOHNSON, Secretary and Treasurer. Normal Department,
GEORGE WM. COOK, Principal. Washington D.C. July 28, 1892
My dear Mr. DouglassI offer my sympathy
and services to you in
your affliction in the
loss of your son Frederick.
If I can be of any aid
to you, command me.
At such a time as this
I am lost for expression
and with you to remember
me as feeling your
bereavement with you.
Your friend,
Geo. Wm. Cook
{*1214}R. S. SMITH,
ATTORNEY AT LAW.
No. 715 2d Street, N. W.,
, Principal. Washington D.C. July 28, 1892
My dear Mr. DouglassI offer my sympathy
and services to you in
your affliction in the
loss of your son Frederick.
If I can be of any aid
to you, command me.
At such a time as this
I am lost for expression
and with you to remember
me as feeling your
bereavement with you.
Your friend,
Geo. Wm. Cook
{*1214}R. S. SMITH,
ATTORNEY AT LAW.
No. 715 2d Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. July 28, 1892 The
Hon. Frederick Douglass,
My dear Sir:
Permit me as
one of many million people throughout
the civilized world who sympathize with
you, to give expression to my heartfelt
sympathy in this hour of your bereavement.
I had the honor of the
friendship of your son, and have
held converse with him hours at the
time, and I always found him deeply
interested in those questions looking
to the best interests of the race with
which he was identified. For this reason
I often remarked to him that he was in
every way "a chip off the old block."
As you are a philosopher in the true
sense, I need only add that your son
whom I revered for his name and for his
noble traits of character has entered upon his
reward.
I am, my dear Sir,
Very Truly Yours,
R. S. Smith.
[1216]955 N 6th st
Phila July 28th 1892
Hon Frederick Douglass,
My Dear friend,
Although we both
have passed the line of three score
and ten, yourself a few years my
senior, I am confident that we
both are as sensitively alive to our
social relations as we have ever been.
And although the domain of our
social activities (on account of the burden
of years) may have become more circumscribed
or limited I think you will
join me in the thought that they are consequently
increased in their vitality and their
intensity.
I am able and so most sincerely
sympathize with you in your sad bereavement
in the demise of your Son --
[1215]Frederick, having experienced a Similar
affliction. Please accept assurances of my
most tender condolence. And believe me
Yours truly
J C WearePort au Prince Haiti
July 30th 1892 Dear Mr. & Mrs. Douglass
Madame Germain
desired me to inform you of
the death of Marie. I have
no doubt that you remember
Marie Germain she has been
dead since May. I knew
not of the death of Marie
until sometime after, the
young lady that Mdme.
Germain sent to me was
taken sick and it was
not until her recovery that
she remembered to send.
Marie's death was very
[1217]sad, she fretted and worried
about her fat it is said until
she went out of her mind.
You remember how her size
use to worry her, at last she
refused to eat altogether.
Marie always wanted to
die before her mother poor
soul and she had her
desire.
The little who came to see you
from my house is quite
ill so much so that the
Dr. despairs of her she caught
a severe cold and it settled
on her lungs. She is very
patient and good through
it she neither frets nor
complains. Mr. Battiste
has not been very well these last two or three
months I suppose it must
be the close confinement
of the office having to be
there all the time during
Mr. Durhams prolonged
absence.
Madame Albert is living in
town now and young Mrs.
Alfred Holly also. I have only
seen Mrs. Tait once during
sick some days ago, but is
a little better.
Sidonia Keil is very well
her sister Louise has been
away for nearly two months
I hear that she is quite welland is expected to return
soon.
I must close now I think
after having given you news
of a few of your friends who
always remember and
ask after you.
Madame Germain says she
has written to you and has
never received an answer.
My husband sends his best
regards to you
I am
Yours truly
Alice A. BattisteIf you use rasin.ai data or findings in your research, please cite us:
Chicago
"Frederick Douglass Papers: General Correspondence, 1841-1912; 1892, July." Frederick Douglass — Haiti Correspondence & Speeches. Rasin.ai. https://rasin.ai/document/douglass-haiti_mss1187900105.
BibTeX
@misc{rasin:doc:douglass-haiti_mss1187900105, title = {Frederick Douglass Papers: General Correspondence, 1841-1912; 1892, July}, year = {2026}, howpublished = {Rasin.ai, via Frederick Douglass — Haiti Correspondence & Speeches}, url = {https://rasin.ai/document/douglass-haiti_mss1187900105}, note = {Accessed 2026-03-24} }