Port au Prince, Hayti
January 23rd 1891 My dear Rose, I being this note not in
answer to any from you but in
anticipation of one from your as
I hope you will have sent one
which will arrive by the steamer
expected this afternoon. You can
not know situated at this instance
how much I prize a letter from
you. Perhaps it is because I am
getting old and a trifle childish, but
whatever may be the cause I am
more and more desirous to know
how life is going with you and
your children. You will be glad2 my health though not at the top
is still such as to permit me to
be up and on duty. I rode ten miles
yesterday on horse back, I do not
feel any the worse for the exertion.
On the contrary: I feel if anything
the better for it. Though heat is
quite oppressive I find that I may
easily take cold. I see by the New York
"Age" that Mr. Morris has written
an able article on the position
taken by Mr. Montgomery. I am
prepared to hear even greater efforts
from the pen of Morris and at
the same time to see him the
target for abuse from inferior men.
Men jealous of his force for3
Such is the fate of all men of decided
opinions and ability. I should like
to see his article in print. I have
now been here since the fifteenth
december and received but one letter
from Lewis and from Charley
and not one from Frederick. When
you write tell me of all your own
and as much as you can of the
children and grandchildren at
home and abroad. I am especially
anxious to hear from Hattie because
she is trying the world for herself. &
is in sense alone. I hope all
good things for her, as indeed I
do for you all. I see by the papers4

inions and ability. I should like
to see his article in print. I have
now been here since the fifteenth
december and received but one letter
from Lewis and from Charley
and not one from Frederick. When
you write tell me of all your own
and as much as you can of the
children and grandchildren at
home and abroad. I am especially
anxious to hear from Hattie because
she is trying the world for herself. &
is in sense alone. I hope all
good things for her, as indeed I
do for you all. I see by the papers4 that you are having an unusually
cold winter and I sometimes wish we
could have a little of your ice and
snow to brace me up against the
heat of this depressing climate! When
not engaged otherwise I am doing
a little in french. The want of a
knowledge of this language is a
perpetual drawback to the enjoymt.
of society among cultivated people here.
I am making progress but I am
yet far behind and almost dispair
of being able to talk with any degree
of facility- but I keep at it all the
same. My motto: is toil and trust.
This is needful to success in all cases. —
not less than all others.)5
I hear nothing encouraging from
Mr Weiner. I am much out of pocket
by him. Lending money to him has
been attended with my usual bad luck.
my good nature gets the better of
my judgement. Those that have can lose
and those that pocket my earnings
can laugh at my folly! But after
all I do not envy their sport for
those that rob, rob themselves of all
that makes life much and desirable.
I hope by this time you have had
the good luck to get a few dollars from
the Rochester house. I have told Lewis
to let you have all, save enough to
pay the necessary expenses of keeping
the premises in order and the
taxes and insurance paid and
this I am sure he will do.6.
If Morris and Annie are going
to make a match. I hope they
will not delay the matter. These
long delays only bring trouble.
None of my business; I know it.
but one will think. I have known
a good deal and among other things
I have known young Morris to
keep company with a lady and
thus keep all others at a distance
and when the lady was no longer
young leave her. I do not say
that any such fate awaits our
Annie. I hope otherwise. I am
writing you on the Seventh anniversary
of my own marriage. Seven years
ago to day, I gave the white and
colored people of the U. states
[Romantic? ?] Illustrations of human equality.7
and though colored people
had always talked in favor
Equality, when it came in
my care, they denounced it.
and held me up in the papers
as a traitor to my race as if
I belonged one race more than
to another or because one
race is worth or better than another.
Happily their hard words
did not kill me and I have
till this day. I see that some
who condemned me for my
marriage applaud Henry Johnson.
Consistency is a jewel. (The
Man of War Petral has just
arrived in this port and Iarranged to receive Capt. Johnson
in a few minutes. So I must
stop where I am.) Do write
me soon and write me
fully about every body and
everything of interest. Love
to all your dear ones at
home and to yourself,
Your Father
Fredk. Douglass

 better than another.
Happily their hard words
did not kill me and I have
till this day. I see that some
who condemned me for my
marriage applaud Henry Johnson.
Consistency is a jewel. (The
Man of War Petral has just
arrived in this port and Iarranged to receive Capt. Johnson
in a few minutes. So I must
stop where I am.) Do write
me soon and write me
fully about every body and
everything of interest. Love
to all your dear ones at
home and to yourself,
Your Father
Fredk. Douglass 24 Fall:
I have the pleasure to announce the
safe arrival of your letter of the 5th
and also the printed letter from
Mathew to which shall replyas soon as I can. I am sorry I
cannot by this mail.but clips from the papers any
thing that she thinks that her
father would like to see. Some
one has sent me the speech
of Mr. Langston on the force
Bill. It is Langston all over.
The death of Mr. [We is
very sad. He was quite friendly
to me. Your letter came only
to day and I can only send
you this hasty acknowledgement.
I am sure I have written
any thing but a cheerful note
but I hope to do better and to
be in better condition when
I write again. I may yet be
able to enclose one to Rosebell. Hers
was a sweet letter. Affectionately
Father.1891
Port au Prince Febry 12.
My dear Rose:
I shall be deeply anxious till I
hear more about dear Hattie.
How sorry I am that just after
getting afloat in life, this drawback
should come to her. I shall hope
for good news. Send me news
as soon as you can. We have
been very unfortunate lately
with the members of our family
I can only hope that we have
seen the worst for a long time.
I notice what you say about
my dear boy - Hebert. I deeply
[beg] sympathize with him, I have
no faith in the whip. There must
be some other and better way.
He does not lack sense I know.and there is a good heart in the
boy. Some way I am sure can
be found to coin him to his studies.
I was happier than I can
tell you, to see that handwriting
of all your dear little flockThese letters brought you all
before me and I learned to see
you all in your dear house.
How glad my old heart would
be to know that I shall certainly
see you all again - but we do not
know what a day may bring
forth. I am now 74 years old
and cannot hope for much
more of life - yet when I am
well I am cheerful and
enjoy life about as much as
when I was younger - and
for more than some othersseem to do, who are much
younger than I am. But my
health has not been good of
late. I am however [as] very
thankful that poorly as I sometimes
am I keep on my feet and
am able still to be at my
Legation. I will write a line
to the children - at another time
just now I cannot do it.
You must make my love
to them all - I shall not forget
them or my promise to write
to them. Mr Bassett is still
with me and is a great help
to me. His Daughter Lottie
is a help to us both, since
she not only writes to him[*91*]

 been good of
late. I am however [as] very
thankful that poorly as I sometimes
am I keep on my feet and
am able still to be at my
Legation. I will write a line
to the children - at another time
just now I cannot do it.
You must make my love
to them all - I shall not forget
them or my promise to write
to them. Mr Bassett is still
with me and is a great help
to me. His Daughter Lottie
is a help to us both, since
she not only writes to him[*91*] Port au Prince: Febry 20. My dearest Frederica
I am sure you will forgive
my not writing to you by the last
post from this place. My silence
was not due to forgetfulness nor
to a want of appreciation of your
affectionate letter of the 25th of Jan:
I was made very sad by the
news of Hatties illness and I am
anxious for news of her recovery.
We are looking for a mail
from New York early next
week but it seems long to wait.I am just now somewhat concerned
about the health of Mrs Douglass -
who is on the Doctors hands from
an attack of “Articulated rhematism.”
She is usually so well that it is
all the more serious when she
is taken down. This too, is a
bad country in which to be ill.
People are here to day and are
gone tomorrow. I am not standing
the climate as well this year
as last. Still I keep on my legs,
and at work with my brain
and pen as usual - toiling while
younger and stronger men are
laying on their oars - but I
feel more and more that I
shall soon have to take arest. and devote myself to a
preparation of my speeches so that
that when I shall fall like a faded
leaf from a living tree, somebody will
once in a while, study my words
and works. I had a nice letter a
few weeks ago from dear "Joe". I am
very glad that he continues to practice
on the violin and I almost ache
to hear you say that you find
time to do the same. You have
talent and have ability and to
play well on the violin is a rare
accomplishment for a young lady.
You may not be aware that
few things open a way in the
world for a young lady like
music, when well executed.Still I would not have you
neglect your educational studies.
I hope to find you quite advanced
in your studies. A colored young
lady will have enough to contend
with, in the battle of life without
having her hands tied as mine
have been by a want of education.
I am writing this so as to be
ready to send it when the chance
may come. In other words I am
practicing upon the old wisdom of taking
"time by the forelock". Love to all
at Meredian Hill. Write me soon
and write me often —


music, when well executed.Still I would not have you
neglect your educational studies.
I hope to find you quite advanced
in your studies. A colored young
lady will have enough to contend
with, in the battle of life without
having her hands tied as mine
have been by a want of education.
I am writing this so as to be
ready to send it when the chance
may come. In other words I am
practicing upon the old wisdom of taking
"time by the forelock". Love to all
at Meredian Hill. Write me soon
and write me often — Your affectionate
grandpa
DouglassPort-Au-Prince [Feb M] March 6, 1896
My dear Rose
The mail does not leave here till tomorrow, but I
am as is usual with me taking time by the forelock. The
fact is I am thinking very much about you and yours.
I am curious about Hattie and Aunt Lew and of the
trouble you are in about them both. I am trying to hope
for the best for both, but cannot but have serious fears.
Hattie was never strong and the trouble with which
Lew suffers has an old foundation of which I heard
years ago. Heaven grant that the worst may be averted
in both cases. Mrs Douglass is better, but still down with
rheumatic fever. I am not at my best as I think I told
you in my previous letter, but I am on my legs and am
able to be at the legation and do my work. I am
thought to be quite fortunate in being in this oppressive
climate do well as I am. You would be saddenedby the number of funerals seen daily in the streets of Port au
Prince. And yet there is no lack of people or of
evidence of light heartedness. The people are negroes
and you know that the genuine negro is a joyous
creature. His [fair] fare may be coarse his clothes scanty
and his bed, rags and yet he will appear contented.
I am much distressed here by the evidences I see of the
old slave system - I see it in the treatment of Donkeys
and horses and in black domestics and especially
in the treatment of black children by their half White
employers - screams of reach my ears such as the
bloody cowshin brought to my ears when I was a
slave - your heart would often bleed as mine
does were you here and could see and hear
much that is forced upon my attention. I
hate cruelty whether it is the vice of White menblack men or mulattoes. There is a plenty of all kinds of it here
I tell you. It will now be one week before I can get
a letter from you about your dear sick ones, and I have
therefore a week of anxiety before me. and should you fail to write
I may have to wait longer, for I cannot hope to hear
from any branch of my family through the goodwill
and good offices of one and another. It seems strange that
this should be so - but so it is - each writes about his
and her own, except on rare occasions. I hear
nothing of Lewis by Fred, and nothing of Frederick by Lewis.
[I meant all I implied by my reference to
to the case of Morris and our dear Annie. He should
declare his purpose of keeping company with her or leave her
course in clear in the world. and Nathan should tell
him so - Annie is no longer a child to be trifled
with. and I hope Morris is not trifling with her or
trifling with himself. The life of a young woman is aa solemn concern: One mis[tep] step and her life
is spoiled- If after keeping her company two or
three years she is not married but all at once
dropt, people draw conclusions unfavorable to her.
Now my dear Rose. Do not hurt the feelings of
either Mr Morris or dear Annie, but I charge you
as you value the future of your Daughter, to have
a decision in this matter. Depend upon it I
am right. Talk it over with Nathan. Tell him of the
serious face I put upon it. He has strong good
sense and I think he will see the matter in the
same light as I see it in. Now make my love to
to Annie, Stella Frederica Rosabelle and Herbert. I hope
to see each and all them much improved in every respect
if I live to reach home. Tell Louisa that I am very sad
about her and deeply sympathise with her. This is a miserable
and pardon it.

 Daughter, to have
a decision in this matter. Depend upon it I
am right. Talk it over with Nathan. Tell him of the
serious face I put upon it. He has strong good
sense and I think he will see the matter in the
same light as I see it in. Now make my love to
to Annie, Stella Frederica Rosabelle and Herbert. I hope
to see each and all them much improved in every respect
if I live to reach home. Tell Louisa that I am very sad
about her and deeply sympathise with her. This is a miserable
and pardon it. Your affectionate Father.love her none the less if she
does - but none the more.
Nathan tells me that he
has gone into Journalism.
I am not surprised and
should not be if had told
me that he had gone into
any other business requiring
industry mental activity &
pluck. I have no doubt
that with these qualities
there is money in the
Enterprize. But the
money part of the enterprize -
is the one that
is to ensure success,Port au Prince March 12, 1891
My dear Rose:
My heart aches to
hear from Aunt Louisa.
I got nothing by the last
Steamer - except a noble
letter from dear Hattie, a
letter I was very glad to
get since it assured me
that she was up again
and at work, Brave
girl. I admire and love
her and hope that a
happy future is before
her - I am sure she deservesit. She has struck out courageously
for herself and her struggle
shows that she is made
of the right mettle. I am
proud of her. In a letter dated
some time back I am informed
that Stella and Fredericka
have been baptised and made
members of the [Berian?] Baptist
Church. I hope they are
fully persuaded of the wisdom
of what they have done. It
is an important step and
one that should not be
taken without serious
thought. I have nothingto say against it. That is
a matter for themselves and
nobody has any right to
make or meddle with it
They were dear good girls
before they were baptised I
only hope they may be as
good in Church as they
have been out of Church -
They have kept themselves
above reproach during
their early days - I hope
for the same now. Next
I expect to hear of our
dear little Rosa - taking
to the Church. I shallhave it, though no longer
very active, I still manage
to keep on my feet -
We are now in the edge
of Spring - and I am counting
the months that I may have
to remain in this land of
perpetual summer and
perpetual alarm. I am
anxious for the repose of
Cedar hill though I do not
know that the politicians will
let me alone even should
I live to get there. I am
sure there will be those
who will wish me to run
fetch tote and carry for
them even when I amonce there and the trouble
is my inability to say no.
Of one thing I am glad
and that is, according to Nathan's
kind letter to me - the boys and
he are on good terms. This
is a great matter no family
can prosper where its members
are constantly at war with
each other. The fault in
such a case is seldom
or never wholly on one
side alone. There are
faults that come to us all
and none are perfect
and we should therefore
inculcate and practicethe utmost charity one
toward another. My
love to you all, and
always now and to the
end of the race of life.
Affectionately
your father
Fredk. DouglassMy dear Helen is still confined
to her bed with Rehumaticfever, and she does not seem
to mend. She is now in the
fourth week of her ailment
and I am a good deal concerned
about her. It has worn upon
her and she hardly looks like
her former self. So you see
I like yourself am having
my troubles - One trouble is
that we are here among
strangers. If she were on Cedar
hill with her sister and Miss
Foy less responsibility would
rest upon my shoulders,
as it is I must toil and
trust. As good luck willthat so much good ink and
paper, to say nothing of the
ideas contained in the speech and
the money spent in having it
printed - I am writing this note in
hopes of getting a chance to send
it in a few days. Why did not
you tell me that Stella and
Fredericka had joined the Church?
Perhaps there is a letter
on the way for me. now and
I will know how it all came
about. But most of all I am
anxious to know about Louisa. I
am sure she has been a great
sufferer. Will remember me
kindly to her and to all your
dear circle. I am yours
Lovingly, Your Father
Frederick DouglassPort au Prince March. 25. 1891

 chance to send
it in a few days. Why did not
you tell me that Stella and
Fredericka had joined the Church?
Perhaps there is a letter
on the way for me. now and
I will know how it all came
about. But most of all I am
anxious to know about Louisa. I
am sure she has been a great
sufferer. Will remember me
kindly to her and to all your
dear circle. I am yours
Lovingly, Your Father
Frederick DouglassPort au Prince March. 25. 1891 My dear Rose,
I am anxiously waiting
waiting to hear how Lou is getting along,
I have thought about her and dreamed
about her very much since I learned
she was ailing. My own house has
been a hospital during the last six
weeks. Mrs Douglass has been down
and on the Doctors hands during
all this time and is still down
with rehumatic fever. - and is a
great sufferer. Her condition of
course is a great distress to me.
At one time I feared the worst
for her. I am now hopeful
of her slow recovery. If I were
at home I would not be so
gloomy, but we are here amongstrangers and of course in some
degree dependent upon them.
I received by the last
Steamer a good letter from Hattie
and yet a letter that made me sad
and somewhat anxious
about her. My own health is poor
and my spirit is depressed, but
as I have said to you before, I
still keep on my taps. The sickness
of Mrs D. depressed me but the
tone of this note is too sad.
I had a letter of few days
ago from Fanny Barrier Williams
of Chicago. She writes for information
about Prudence Crandall. She
proposes to write her life. This
shows that marrying has not
destroyed her ambition. I could
but wish her success and
give her the sources of information.I have not yet seen a copy of
the Pilots - and am somewhat
impatient to see it. I have
just completed an introduction
to the life of Toussaint Louverture
which is to be translated into English
and published in the U.S. The Author
of the Book is Honorable Victor
Schoelcher a French senator - I
hope it will appear at some
time during the present year. I think
a great deal of the work and am
rather glad to be connected with it.
I have hardly yet gotten over
the disappointment caused by the
bad paging of my speech in the
Metropolitan Church last fall. It
seems to be my [lock] luck to come
to grief when I commit any
such work to Colored hands - I
will not yet dispair. The
printing of the pamphlet is
excellent - and is such a pityHe does not keep his word.
He told me he was engaged to
come down here with the
Squadron, and he has never
sent me a word in explanation
of his failure to come. As I write
I can hardly keep the perpiration
from falling on the paper. It
is very warm The Thermometre was
even 90 - and will be so again
to day and this is called winter.
I have had an excellent letter
from Hattie. I hope you will
continue to get something from
the Rochester house. I have
not had so much from it
in years - and I think it due
to honest old brother Lewis --
Lovingly yours FatherMarch 28_ [*1891*]

 never
sent me a word in explanation
of his failure to come. As I write
I can hardly keep the perpiration
from falling on the paper. It
is very warm The Thermometre was
even 90 - and will be so again
to day and this is called winter.
I have had an excellent letter
from Hattie. I hope you will
continue to get something from
the Rochester house. I have
not had so much from it
in years - and I think it due
to honest old brother Lewis --
Lovingly yours FatherMarch 28_ [*1891*] My dear Rose: Your letter and that
of Dear Fredericka came yesterday
but brought me no relief about
our dear suffering Louisa. She
is much in my mind and
I can not but have much fear
concerning her. Of course while
there is life there is hope, but
the malady with which is
afflicted does not I fear permit
permanent relief - I still hope
to see her alive if I cannot
see her well and strong.
She will see me I fear
must much changed
from my old self,
[*[Copy]*]
[*[same]*]I note what Dr Purvis says
of my staying here and of
the need there is for me at
home, but I can not drop
every thing here and come
home. Besides, what shall
I be worth to the world at my
time of life even when I get
home. Young men to the
front is the motto of Mr Garrison
and others, and the time has
come when they should do
as they say. I do not expect
much from the Pilot enterprize -
I should expect more if
Nathan had the sole ownership
No. man can serve two
Masters.Mrs Douglass though still
a sufferer and confined to
her bed as she has been during
the past six weeks is better
and I think out of danger.
The letter of Frederica was
more than welcome. Her penmanship
is bold and strong and her
thoughts drop off from the end
of her pen naturally and nearly
perfect. I am glad she continues
the Violin. It is a most desirable
accomplishment. Do not send
me a letter without some word
about and from Louisa.
I am glad you were
and the boy were able to show
Aunt Charlotte's son some
attention. I am afraid I
must lose faith in Chas. M. for my Friend Dr Hardy - You
did right in paying some
attention to the son of Aunt
Charlotte. I was intending to go
for a few days to Jamaica - and
should have been taken over on the
Philadelphia, but for the illness
of Mrs. Douglass I hope my own
health be better now that I am
no longer anxious about the
health of Mrs. D. Make best
regards to Dear Amelia and
my respects to the lady boarders.

 able to show
Aunt Charlotte's son some
attention. I am afraid I
must lose faith in Chas. M. for my Friend Dr Hardy - You
did right in paying some
attention to the son of Aunt
Charlotte. I was intending to go
for a few days to Jamaica - and
should have been taken over on the
Philadelphia, but for the illness
of Mrs. Douglass I hope my own
health be better now that I am
no longer anxious about the
health of Mrs. D. Make best
regards to Dear Amelia and
my respects to the lady boarders. Affectionately your Father Fredk. Douglass.Port au Prince March 30. 91 My dear Lewis: I am glad to feel that you have been
able to collect a little rent for Rosetta.
The Rochester property has only been a
bill of expense to me for yearsI am glad you took up against the
Order of General Ordway. It seems
that no efforts are to be spared to
humiliate the Colored people of America.
I am glad that the President
is opposed to this new insult given
our brave black boys in blue.
The cloud that overhung my
house when I last wrote is lifted
Mrs Douglass is in bed, but better
and will I hope be up in a few
days. Had good letters from Joe - andCharley. Frederick and Rossetta. I feel sad
over the sickness of poor Louisa. She
lived with me a long time and was devoted
to my welfare. I cared much for her.
She took bad counsel after my marriage
and assailed me without cause, but
I know how it all came about and
do not now feel any resentment. In
my heart I deeply pity the poor child.
I should much like to see her once
more, but I fear I shall not. My
Physician here advises me that the
Season now coming on will try
my little strength and tells me to get
away from here as soon as possible.
but I hope to be able to stay till
the last of June. This however will
depend upon whether I can get off
sooner. Say nothing of this to anybody - I am not the strong man I once was.
Holland has gotten up quite a readable
life of me. Have you seen it? What
do you think of it? He has disposed
of the Garrisonian attacks upon me
very successfully.
I shall be greatly relieved in mind
when I learn that Fredk. has
found some way to keep the
wolf from the door. He has had
a hard time. Keep a look out
on the Hillsdale property and
do not allow it to slip out of
our hands if you can help it
without too great sacrifice. You
must use your own good judgment
in the matter. I am glad of
your prospect of purchasingthe color line order of General Ordway.
I am much interested to see what our
Government will do with the assassination
business at New Orleans - Will our
Supreme Court say that the case
is one for the State of Louisiana to
deal with and one with which
Federal Government has nothing to do.
I rather think that the nation will
be held to some responsibility althothe crime was committed in a
State. But here I am talking law
and politics - but it is neither for the
Era nor the Pilot, but only for you
my daughter - I had a letter by the
last mail from Mrs Greene telling
me of her pleasant visit of herself
and Mrs Howland to you. It has
not been long since I heard from
you but I am again anxious to
hear more. My own health is only
middling - but as I have told you
before I still keep on my taps.

 that the nation will
be held to some responsibility althothe crime was committed in a
State. But here I am talking law
and politics - but it is neither for the
Era nor the Pilot, but only for you
my daughter - I had a letter by the
last mail from Mrs Greene telling
me of her pleasant visit of herself
and Mrs Howland to you. It has
not been long since I heard from
you but I am again anxious to
hear more. My own health is only
middling - but as I have told you
before I still keep on my taps. Your affectionate Father.Port au Prince. Apr. 4. 1891 - My dear Rose:
It is now but four months to day
since I left Washington and it seems much
longer. There is no steamer for the states just
now and only write to be ready so that no
mail shall escape without a line from me.
I am daily thinking of poor Lew and wondering
how she is and how you are who have the
care of her. She must be a great sufferer. I
wish I could be near to her and give her such
comfort as I know she would gladly give
me if I were on a bed of sickness and
within her reach. But I am beyond her reach
and can only send her messages of kindest &
best wishes. Mrs. Douglass is now completing her
seventh week in bed - and I cannot hope that
she will quite be herself - in less than two
weeks more. It has been a siege indeed and
I am a good deal used up by it; but such
is life - and we must take the bitter with the
sweet. I am not sure, but you are right
as to young M. He is brilliant. but has
already seen much of the world and Ihe would make Annie happy or would
himself be happy in that marriage--but
they are of age and know I hope
just what they are about. I should
desperately hate to see our dear Annie
unhappy -- Once married -- either happy
or misery. It is all over. You can't
get out except in a damaged condition
which in nine cases out of ten is worse
than staying in. We are living here in the midst tropical
heat and political excitement. I am
told that there was an article in
the New York World about Hayti about
the 23d or 24th of February. which refers also
to me. Nathan will please send me
papers of those dates if they shall contain
anything in respect of me.
I see several references to myself
in the papers at New York that are
quite unjust and unreasonable, but
I do not feel at liberty to reply
to them.This may not always be the case. I
should think now that the Colored peoples
see that I am still in Hayti, they
would stop fixing the date of my retiring.
I am quite sure they will not all the same.
I have never known one of these papers to
to urge my getting into office, but there are
few [to] that do not urge me to get out.) I suppose you have seen Holland's
life of Frederick Douglass - It is a handsome
volume, well printed. on good paper, well
bound - and I suppose some body, but not
myself, will make some money out of
it - I am however glad that it is published.
It is the best written sketch of my
life yet written by any outsider and
says things - of me that I never could
have said of myself. although they may
be true. He has done me right and justice
about my difference with the Garrisonians
and for this he is entitled to my thanks. I am glad to see that Lewis and
Charley are prominent in protestingYour letter had prepared me
for the announcement
in Charleys letter. Mrs Douglass has been down
with my old enemy rheumatic
fever and is still an invalid but
slowly improving. I still keep
up - and hope to improve
but you know I am a
man of hope and of constant
endeavor. I am not now
however even what I was
when I left home last Dec:
With love to you all
Your Father
Fredk. DouglassApril 8, 1891
My dear Rose: So the sad event
has come and our Louise who
was always dear to us all
has passed beyond the cares
and troubles of this life and
left here a vacancy that no
one else can ever fill.

 and is still an invalid but
slowly improving. I still keep
up - and hope to improve
but you know I am a
man of hope and of constant
endeavor. I am not now
however even what I was
when I left home last Dec:
With love to you all
Your Father
Fredk. DouglassApril 8, 1891
My dear Rose: So the sad event
has come and our Louise who
was always dear to us all
has passed beyond the cares
and troubles of this life and
left here a vacancy that no
one else can ever fill. She
held a place in my heart - only
second to your self and the
grand children. My love for
her was such that no shadow
could obscure. Since it was
impossible for her to live - it is
relief to my mind and heart that
she is now beyond the reach
of pain and death. Dear Dear
departed friend Farewell till we
meet if indeed souls do meetafter death. Her memory will
never cease from our family. Dear patient devoted woman
that she was. I did hope to
see her once more before
her departure. There were
somethings I would have gladly
said to her - and perhaps my
presence might have cheered
and supported her in the hour
of her affliction, but this has been
denied to us both. It is pleasant
to think that all was done that
could be done for her during
her terrible suffering. I knew
from your Mother years ago
that there was a strange
suppression that boded no
good to the health of the
dear girl - but hoped thatshe would survive and outgrow it. Poor Hattie, how she will feel
this terrible loss - and little
Rosa - how strange and sorrowful
will this event be to her dear
young heart - and indeed to
the hearts of all your family. You and Nathan who have
larger experience can look
at the event more calmly . though even to you it must
be a crushing blow. You both
have my heartfelt sympathy. I learnt of Louisa Death from your
Brother Charles who seems
sadly cast down. Poor fellow
his, has been a life of affliction. Well now in the presence
of this bereavement how we
ought as a family to drawfact and am glad Nathan
and yourself could gratify
this last wish of the dear
child. I used to think I should
have the comfort and support
of Louisa in my last sickness
I had made up my mind
to send for her if I should be
taken down at home. I knew
that in her hands I should
have a faithful friend and
nurse. Blessings on her
memory - Love to you and
all your dear ones -
Affectionately your
FatherDouglass.Port au Prince. Apr 18, 1891
My dear Rose. I have your long
and sad letter from Rochester. I
wanted to know all about the
sickness and death of Dear Louisa
and you have faithfully told me all. I thank you. Louisa was my precious
friend. I shall remember her as such
during what remains to me of life. The time is not distant when like
her I shall pass away. I have already
lived beyond the allotted space. I have
grown old rapidly during my brief
stay here. not only in looks but in
feeling, but I keep at work all
the same. I have been writing
an introduction to the Life
of Toussaint L'Ouverture of late. The Book is in French, but is to
be translated into English.I have time only for a line
or two. Your Rochester letter has
only come a few minutes ago
but I know you will be
better pleased to have a short
letter than none at all. So I
will scribble away. I am
glad that Nathan is out of the
hands of Williams. The first
Pilot has just come to hand
since Nathan's connection
with the paper. It makes
a fine appearance and I
shall give the two copies
a careful reading. Give N. my thanks for sending these. Those who predicted my
retirement in April will feelsome disappointed at my prolonged
stay here, but it will teach them
patience which is a high
vertue. I can realize the
cloud of sorrow that overhangs
your house, and covers your
children with gloom. It
seems I can never return to
Washington but to find some
chair vacant and some dear
face gone.

 just come to hand
since Nathan's connection
with the paper. It makes
a fine appearance and I
shall give the two copies
a careful reading. Give N. my thanks for sending these. Those who predicted my
retirement in April will feelsome disappointed at my prolonged
stay here, but it will teach them
patience which is a high
vertue. I can realize the
cloud of sorrow that overhangs
your house, and covers your
children with gloom. It
seems I can never return to
Washington but to find some
chair vacant and some dear
face gone. I deeply feel
with and for you all. It
is not easy to concieve of a
deeper loss or a heavier sorrow
than that brought to your home
in the death Louisa. That
she should wish her body to be
laid with Alice is a touchingthis or that, but you should
take the fever and die? When
you come in from a walk
you are warned not to take
off your hat lest you should
take cold. Life and death
are confronting each other at
every turn of the road - and yet
there are people who live
here and have for years lived
here who would not live anywhere
else. The Government knowing
that Mrs Douglass was sick
kindly gave me the use of the
Man of War Chicago to bring
her and myself home - but I
did not find it convenient toPort au Prince. April 25, 1891 My dear Rosa
I am looking for a Steamer
from the States and to the States
every hour - so I want to be
ready with a few lines if only
to say I still live and am still
able to be around and to do some
little work. I suppose you have
now returned from Rochester
and are now safely in your Meridean
hill home. I am glad to
see by the paper that 18th Street
on the hill has been purchased &
that Nathan's property will be
much encreased in value by
it, as indeed will all the property
in that vicinity - my own
included.I shall be much disappointed
if by this Steamer now overdue
I do not get a line
from you or some of your
dear Children to tell me
how you all are. I read in
the papers of the terrible
rage of la grippe and fear
from hour to hour that some
of our circle have fallen under
its deadly power. The
presence of this terrible scourge
tells me that Hayti is not the
only unhealthy region in the
world - though I must confess
that I never was in any
place where the presencewas more common than here. The
fact is desease makes short work -
A man may be well in the
morning and be dead in the
evening. Since I have been
here this time Aleck, the
husband of Sarah who works for
us was alive in the morning
and walking about our yard.
as usual. I was called in to see
him die before nine o.clk
the same night. These hot tropical
climates do their work in a hurry,
and our dead must be
buried in a hurry, to prevent
the spread of desease- Every
body here talks of the necessity
of care to keep well. You are
told that you must not eatSheet 2
accept hence I am still here.
I did not feel that I could
afford to retire under fire.
The New York papers have
said so many mean things of
me of late that I felt like staying
here - because my coming home would
please them more than they
will be pleased to have me
stay besides I could not get
to come home by that ship.
Mrs Douglass is still afflicted
but is much better thanand cheerful. I talked of sending
her home, but she will not
hear to it - She says "She
fights mit Frederick! to the
end and will stay here as
long as I stay- That is the
Free woman of her. I am
trying to appreciate such
devotion. I am not yet
decided when I shall
come home. Though the
heat here is nearly insufferable.
Love all your dear onesPort au Prince May 7. 1891.

 not get
to come home by that ship.
Mrs Douglass is still afflicted
but is much better thanand cheerful. I talked of sending
her home, but she will not
hear to it - She says "She
fights mit Frederick! to the
end and will stay here as
long as I stay- That is the
Free woman of her. I am
trying to appreciate such
devotion. I am not yet
decided when I shall
come home. Though the
heat here is nearly insufferable.
Love all your dear onesPort au Prince May 7. 1891. My dear Rose,
Yours of April 27. is very welcome. I am glad you are safely
at your home. I can well realize your sense of the great bereavement which came
to you and yours - for I share it with you. But Louisa the dear girl was a great sufferer
and could never have been a well woman - we should accept the final event which
must come sooner or [better] later us, all with resignation and as a merciful
provision in the order of nature.
I notice that you say nothing of Hallowells in your your visit to Rochester -
[I know thus]
I know that Miss Porter thinks hard of my not calling
upon her. But I have my reasons. She is one of those
who was offended at my marriage - and wherever that
sentiment prevails - [may] among the whites I know it has
a basis in the thought that I am inferior - and when it is among
the blacks - it is due [of] to a similar feeling -
I am glad you saw and dined with Mrs Blackall. She
has always been the same way - In peace and in war
in youth and in age she has been truer.
I am thinking of coming home, but do not know yet if I
can obtain a leave of absence before the tenth of July - I
am trying to arrange so as to be at home on 4th but do
not know that I shall be able to do this.
[*X*] I am sorry that Mr Morris has fallen out with Nathan
Nobody has done more for Morris than N. But this is
the lot of benifactors. In gratitude sharper than a serpents tooth
is their reward in most cases. Morris has made a mistake
and one which he will regret. The paper was more to Morris
than Morris was to the paper - Yet I am happy they have
quit company - Now look out for abuse all round.I shall be glad to know that this wound is healed - Though
I fear the worst. Morris has been too near to us all
and we all, have been too near to Morris to make
a departure in any sense a light thing. How does
our Annie take the matter? If she cares for him she
will side with him against every body else in the world
She does not write to me - but she is much in my
[*omit X*] thoughts and her happiness is a fervent desire of my heart.
The mail that brought your letter also brought one from dear Hattie
away down in Florida. The letter was more cheerful than I could
have expected from her knowing how much Louisa was to her and
how far she is from home. I am proud of her noble ambition,
her independence and her high intelligence. Her letters to me are
not only elegantly written but express her thoughts in polished language.
I think she will make her way though the road may be rough and
thorny and somewhat crooked with all.
I see that the american papers continue to make [up] ugly references
to me in connection with the negotiation for the "Mole" - let them
lay on the lash. I can afford to be silent and leave my vindication
to time and events. My position does not allow me to
write for the papers, so the papers can say what they like.
Any coward make strike a man when they know his
hands are tied. I cannot send you a long letter so I
send this Nathan.
Affectionate your father
Fredk. Douglassto wish I had.
I do not think that there is
any purpose to recall me from
Haiti but there are those who
would would be glad to make Haiti
too hot for me and thus compel
me to resign. If there is such a
wish. those who entertain it have
taken the wrong method to realize
it. Though I am better at running
than fighting - I prefer to stand behind
a stone wall when I am fired upon
[than run] to running back in the open field.
Kind regards to Morris. Love
to Rosa and all your dear
ones. Write me soon &
write me often
Yours most sincerely
Frederick Douglass[May 14, 1891]

 there are those who
would would be glad to make Haiti
too hot for me and thus compel
me to resign. If there is such a
wish. those who entertain it have
taken the wrong method to realize
it. Though I am better at running
than fighting - I prefer to stand behind
a stone wall when I am fired upon
[than run] to running back in the open field.
Kind regards to Morris. Love
to Rosa and all your dear
ones. Write me soon &
write me often
Yours most sincerely
Frederick Douglass[May 14, 1891] Private and Confidential. Dear Nathan. Thanks for the Pilot. That was
a wisely written article in the Pilot
on the Haitian question. I hope
you are not uneasy about these
vigorous assaults upon me. Depend
upon it I shall be able, if I live
to vindicate my every act here. I
have no fear of being recalled. I
am easy in every event. I do not
of course like to see myself misrepresented
but I am able to suffer and be strong.
I am much pleased with the
appearances of the Pilot and I am
glad the paper is under your control
I never thought you would be able
to get along with Mr M. and you
will even now have difficulty
in preventing him from collecting
money and appropriating it to hisown use. Of course you know
I have fully shared your sorrow
for the death of Dear Louisa. She
was as dear to me as our own
Child - and her death is one of my
greatest bereavements. I have no
friend on earth so much to me
as was your dear Sister. I know
my marriage grieved her and grieved
many others, but their resentment
was natural and I never laid it
up against though it was hard to
bear. But all this is over - and I
see dear Louisa as I see all
my children and grand children
in the bonds of sincere affection. There is no mail leaving
here at this date - and I am
writing this in advance in
order to have it ready shouldthere come an early chance to send it.
I do not see why the Pilot with
your business talents- and the
literary ability of Mr Morris
should not succeed. Your standard
is high, but there ought to be in
Washington noble spirited people
enough to keep it a float.
You do well to speak well
of the Irish. Make friends wherever
you can. Never make an
enemy if you can possibly help
it. Get the names of as many
people in your paper as you can.
Praise every good deed whether
done by friend or enemy. I have
not always been able to follow
my own advice - but I am now
old enough and wise enoughI hope my Fredericka will not
sacrifice her noble musical gift
either hand or voice - by going into the
Church or Society. When I think of
you and your dear children I want
to be at home -- but duty first every
thing else after ward. I know you
must all be feeling deeply yet the loss
of dear Louisa. I know, that
although I saw little of her of late years
I shall miss her sadly should I
live to visit you at your house
I am sending a letter this week to
dear Hattie. She writes an admirable
letter. I am about as usual as
to health - My great trouble is
sleeplessness - Capt Wall's death
surprised me. He has always been
so strong. Love to all your dear
ones -- In love, your father.Port au Prince
May 18, 1891


must all be feeling deeply yet the loss
of dear Louisa. I know, that
although I saw little of her of late years
I shall miss her sadly should I
live to visit you at your house
I am sending a letter this week to
dear Hattie. She writes an admirable
letter. I am about as usual as
to health - My great trouble is
sleeplessness - Capt Wall's death
surprised me. He has always been
so strong. Love to all your dear
ones -- In love, your father.Port au Prince
May 18, 1891 My dear Rose,
I am it seems, after
after all, not to see you at Cedar
hill on the fourth of July. I
shall probably not secure my
leave of absence in time
to get off from here. I
shall probably see you by the
fourth of August - there are so many
who are in a hurry to have me
vacate that I think is my duty
to give them space in which
to cultivate patience.Say dear Rose, when you write to
me please remember to continue
what you are writing about on the
second page and then on the third
and Fourth - Time is important and
and my eyes are growing dim.
and I cannot well bear the trouble
of looking for connections outside
the regular order. I am hoping
for a few lines from you this
week - telling me that you are all
right I think of every day and
night. Then too I do not forget
Annie, Frederica, little Herbert or
Rosa - I get letters regularly from
Joseph - He tells me of is good luck
with his bow and brush. I have
just sent him the following lines
for his encouragement.To Joe - Douglass from grandpa I think of you every day my boy -
Though time is precious you know -
But I cannot forget my lofty joy -
When under the Spell of your bow,
The violin in your hands my boy -
Is a thing of life and love,
Its strains so free from Earth's alloy
Transports my soul above,
Improve your holy gift my boy
All tempting ease dispise -
The happy hours you thus imploy
May help your race to rise.
You live not for yourself my boy
We are all included - one.
Be not thou then a merry toy
There's noble work to be done.
Let perfection be your aim Joe
High hopes are on you flung
Let no man sweeter draw the bow
On violin sweeter strung.Port au Prince, May 23 1891.

 hands my boy -
Is a thing of life and love,
Its strains so free from Earth's alloy
Transports my soul above,
Improve your holy gift my boy
All tempting ease dispise -
The happy hours you thus imploy
May help your race to rise.
You live not for yourself my boy
We are all included - one.
Be not thou then a merry toy
There's noble work to be done.
Let perfection be your aim Joe
High hopes are on you flung
Let no man sweeter draw the bow
On violin sweeter strung.Port au Prince, May 23 1891. Dear Nathan: I have read your "Pilot” of the ninth with real satisfaction
I have read carefully the article under the caption of "Our position"
It is a thoughtful and well written article - Not brilliant but solid
and earnest. I should like to know the writer. Then I am
glad of the impersonal character of your paper - and that it
allowed to speak for itself. Say as little about me in it as
possible. It would not do for it to get the reputation of being
a Douglass paper. I have no ambitions or aspirations for myself
personally. My time for a [quite] quiet life has nearly come. I
now want to see other earnest and able men pushed to the
front. I have had my day - done my work and made my
mark. Mud may be thrown on that mark by men who were
not born when my best work was done but the rains of heaven
and the hand of time will convert the mud into dust and blow
the mud away and leave the mark visible enough to all but the
willfully blind. Make your paper a terror to evil doers and
a praise to those who do well. Pitch into all who strike the
colored people as a class, and speak well of all who are at workfor our cause. Hit error wherever you find it in high or low places -
I am glad of what you say of John F. Cook and think it well
deserved he is one of the few colored men in public life -
who has not at times played the demigogue. I am
writing only for your own eye and not for the public. The
truth about the failure of getting the naval station at
St Nicholas Mole is gradually dawning and will by and
bye overtake and demolish the brood of his that have
been circulated to my disparagement. I am not coming
home just yet. As {Coutling?] used to say, too many
people would be pleased to have me come home.
Still I do not intend to stay away forever and
may come home when least expected. I am writing
you in haste - I expect that you and Morris will
yet be good friends. He young and smart - He will
be older and wiser by and bye. These young colts
are apt to kick up their heels - before they get the
bit well in their mouths. Have patience and all
will come right.
Father Douglass.
Port au Prince, 17 Decbr. 1891
Via Havana My dear Mr. Douglass,
Only a few words, to congratulate you upon
your very remarkable and interesting speech published
I believe in the "Pilot", of which I am sorry to say I
have only read the translation in the "Moniteur". Herewith
enclosed I send you a clipping from the same paper,
commenting upon the address in terms of well deserved
eulogy. I received a few days ago two numbers
of the North Am. Review, and suppose that you had
them directed to me. Many thanks. It is capital
reading, and the "Saltwater-men", subjected to
the cross fire, have come out badly punished and
quite unwilling, to all appearances, to venture
upon another encounter.
I send you a clipping regarding Mr. Thompson.
The $25.000. - mentioned therein is the bribe he
had stipulated for reducing the Haytian Republic claim
from $225.000. - to $120.000. -. He was fooled out
of the boodle and denounced in the bargain, and there
the matter ended. I like to know whether the Am.
Government is liable for the conspiracy of its representatives,
when such fraudulent actions hurt, as in
the present case, the interests of American citizens.
I shall soon write you again, upon various
subjects. Mrs. Metsger is well and unites with me
in hearty good wishes for the coming New Year,
to your good self as well as to Mrs. Douglass.
Very sincerely yours John D. MetzgerSecrétairerie d'Etat
des
Relations Extérieures.

of the boodle and denounced in the bargain, and there
the matter ended. I like to know whether the Am.
Government is liable for the conspiracy of its representatives,
when such fraudulent actions hurt, as in
the present case, the interests of American citizens.
I shall soon write you again, upon various
subjects. Mrs. Metsger is well and unites with me
in hearty good wishes for the coming New Year,
to your good self as well as to Mrs. Douglass.
Very sincerely yours John D. MetzgerSecrétairerie d'Etat
des
Relations Extérieures. Section de la
Cce. Générale
No.109. Port-au-Prince, le 11 Fevrier 1892. Monsieur, Je m'empresse de vous
annoncer que Son Excellence le Président
d'Haïti a fait choix de vous pour être
premier commissaire de la République d'Haïti
à L'Exposition Universelle de Chicago. Ce choix du Premier Magistrat de notre
République a été inspiré, et je suis heureux de vous
le dire hautement, par ce sentiment de patriotique
sympathie et d'admiration qui se manifeste dans
notre Nation pour l'homme remarquable dont la
parole austère l'a défendue tout récemment, avec une
éloquence convaincue, au sein de la Grande Amérique. Esperons,
Monsieur Frederick Douglass
Ancien Ministre Résident des Etats-Unis d'Amérique
en Haiti.Espérons, Honorable Monsieur, que vous
généreux accents en faveur d'Haïti, que vous
avez appris à connaïtre et à estimer, seront entendus
du Monde entier et contribueront puissamment
à faire apprécier à sa juste valeur ce jeune Pays
encore à la recherche de sa voie dans la civilisation.
Votre présence à l'Exposition de Chicago, dans
laquelle la République s'efforcera d'occuper une
place digne d'elle et des conseils que vous lui
avez donnés, marquera dans l'attention publique
et ajoutera à la bonne opinion qu'elle a prise
dans l'Assemblée des Nations civilisées. Vous vous serez ainsi prêté à réaliser
un de vos rêves si noblement exprimés dans votre
conférence de Novembre dernier et l'ardent désir du
Président d'Haïti et du Pays qu'il dirige si
dignement de voir notre race commune définitivement
réhabilititée dans la considération universelle par
l'initiative d'Haïti. Votre dédommagement aux fatigues de
cette mission qui vous est offerte avec une
pleinepleine confiance dans vos talents et votre attachement
à notre Pays où vous avez laissé un si honorable
souvenir, est dans la part que vous allez prendre
à sa meilleure présentation parmi les Puissances
Amies réunies à Chicago dans cette fête du
progrès et de la reconnaissance des deux
hémisphères à la mémoire de Christophe Colomb.

ération universelle par
l'initiative d'Haïti. Votre dédommagement aux fatigues de
cette mission qui vous est offerte avec une
pleinepleine confiance dans vos talents et votre attachement
à notre Pays où vous avez laissé un si honorable
souvenir, est dans la part que vous allez prendre
à sa meilleure présentation parmi les Puissances
Amies réunies à Chicago dans cette fête du
progrès et de la reconnaissance des deux
hémisphères à la mémoire de Christophe Colomb. Je vous annonce, au surplus, que Monsieur
Chs. A. Preston, ancien Secrétaire de la Légation
d'Haïti à Washington, est nommé second
Commissaire à cette Exposition. Ci-joint votre Commission en la
susdite qualité. Veuillez agréer, Monsieur, l'assurance
de ma haute considération. Le Secrétaire d'Etat des Relations Extérieurs,
C ArchinPersonal
Port au Prince, 19 March, 1892 My dear Sir & Colleague,
It has been my
very good fortune to be associated with
you in the representation of Haïti at the
"World's Columbian Exposition", and I
should, ere this, have reached your city
but for certain details more or less of a
financial nature and of interest to both
of us, & which are yet to be determined. -
I have been incessant and persistent
in my efforts to arrive at some satisfactory
settlement - and, I believe, I will
be enabled to sail by next steamer. -In the meantime an interior commission,
of seven members, has been appointed to
whose care it has been intrusted the gathering
and preparing of the exhibits it
is proposed to send to Chicago. -
Pending my departure, I have been
invited to take part "ex officio" in the
weekly meetings of this commission. -
I regret, however, that - so far, nothing of
an important nature has been decided
upon. This is not to be wondered at
when it is known that the commission is
entirely devoid of the necessary data. In
fact, it is not yet in possession of even
the regulations and other printed information
governing the Exposition - and, in2/ consequence, time and words are being
expended in vain. -
At the commission's last meeting - yesterday,
it was resolved to write to you for
a quantity of copies of the regulations and
of the diagrams setting forth the space or
spaces originally assigned to Haïti - subject
of course to revision. -
We, the Commissioners of Haïti, have not
yet been officially advised of the formation
of this commission, nor have we been
authorized to enter into official and direct
relation with it - while, however, it is true
I am in quasi official relation with the
commission still, in anticipation of anybureaucratic scruple which might deter
you from complying with the terms of the
intended communication. I suggest, if
such objection exists, that you address me
a package containing all matter of information
relating to the "World's Columbian
Exposition." - Should your package
reach here after I had sailed, I will have
left directions that it be turned over to
the Department of Foreign Relations for
the use of the Interior Commission.
In the hope that I shall shortly have
the pleasure of expressing to you verbally
the gratifying satisfaction I experience
in being called to cooperate with
so distinguished a colleague,pray believe me, my dear Sir,

 with the terms of the
intended communication. I suggest, if
such objection exists, that you address me
a package containing all matter of information
relating to the "World's Columbian
Exposition." - Should your package
reach here after I had sailed, I will have
left directions that it be turned over to
the Department of Foreign Relations for
the use of the Interior Commission.
In the hope that I shall shortly have
the pleasure of expressing to you verbally
the gratifying satisfaction I experience
in being called to cooperate with
so distinguished a colleague,pray believe me, my dear Sir, yours very sincerely,
Chas. A Preston The Honorable Frederick Douglass,
Commissioner for Haiti at The World's
Columbian Exposition — Washington
D.C.Newcastle
England
4-4-92
My dear Friend
Before this reaches
you - the sad news
will have met your eye
in the papers I sent
last week - for which
indeed you will have
been fully prepared by
my former letter
I feel sure the
intelligence would
affect you a good deal
But oh! such a
close to a well spent
life - I wish I could
describe it to you
I can compare it
to nothing so like
the setting sunsinking in the West
with the glorious tints
of the attendant clouds
No fear of the grave
no anxiety of any
kind - but peace
and joy and love
We should all be the
better for such an
exemplification of the
reality of Religion
My dear Sister
worked up to the last
so far as she could
and said she could
not spare time to
lie in bed - as there
was "work to be done
but her frail hands
could not wieldthe pen - - the work
was done
I saw her when
she appeared to be
dying - just after your
letter came - I longed
to whisper your name
into her dying ear
but the nurse thought
it better not, - (- But
I almost think I
told you this before &
my mind so shall
we such a whirl
with one thing and
another - the illness,
the death, - the
funeral and now
the breaking up
of the house - all
in such quick
succession - I feelhardly to know what
I am doing - and long
for quiet rest
You will note the
long paragraph in
the Mercule - particularly
one friend Mr Blessa
I lectured him well
for dragging our names
before the Public
in connection with
you - But he said
he wished to do justice
to Mrs K Reskuder
I told him he was
not quite correct
in some of his statements -
but the deed
was done - and has
called forth much
comment - I said "I
felt as he would"The funeral was a
deeply interesting occasion -
a large company
at the Grave
side - the birds
warbling their songs
in the trees and all
nature rejoicing in
the glorious sunshine -
just such a day
as she would have
wished -
And now for the
real that has then
been made in our
Circle - the last
link broken of my
own dear family
land - all gone but
me - a weird feeling
but this is not
the part to dwell on"Passing away" - is the
Inscription note -
and ere long we, too,
shall follow
He who has been
with us hitherto
through the journey of
life - will doubtless
be with us to the
end - and there
will it be a
family complete
in Heaven - not
one link missing -
But my dear
Frederick I must
stop - I know I
shall have more
than your sympathybe we not you too -
bereft
I cannot adtemt
much to the last
welcome letter
but it was very
welcome
Would she not have
sent once more a
message of loving
to, the "Colored
friend" - as she
nearly always
called you
Accept it here
from Heaven
Yours truly
Ellen Richardson
also to Mrs DouglassLucan, Co.

 it be a
family complete
in Heaven - not
one link missing -
But my dear
Frederick I must
stop - I know I
shall have more
than your sympathybe we not you too -
bereft
I cannot adtemt
much to the last
welcome letter
but it was very
welcome
Would she not have
sent once more a
message of loving
to, the "Colored
friend" - as she
nearly always
called you
Accept it here
from Heaven
Yours truly
Ellen Richardson
also to Mrs DouglassLucan, Co. Dublin
17 April 1892
My dear friends
I address
both of you tho' I depend
on Mrs. Douglass for answer
therefore I direct
to her - I have been
wishing to hear from or
of you for a long time, &
having written once to
Hayti & received no reply,
I thought there was
no use in writing again,
until I heard of your
being back in Washington,
of which I am very glad.I believe that F.D. can
be of more use in U.S.A. than any where else, and
I am sure you can both
be happier at Cedar Hill
than at Port-au-Prince. I ought to have written
sooner to congratulate you
on your return, but in the
multitude of correspondence
letters do get put off from
day to day ‘till one is nearly
ashamed to write -
A great many changes
have taken place in our family
since my return from America. My youngest brother,
Richard who lost his wife
[just] some months before I wentthere, married about 2 years
ago, a nice young woman
second cousin to Alfred
Webb & a great favorite of
his - She has added
very much to the happiness
of R. & his two sons
& only daughter -
My brother Abraham also
has taken to himself a
second wife, an old acquaintance -
F.D. may perhaps
remember her as "Nannie Harvey"
daughter to Hannah
Webb's sister Elizth. Harvey -
She married a husband
who proved unworthy and
after years of separation -
he died, leaving her a widowwith one daughter -
Abm's children were
very much opposed to the
marriage, all the more because
she was an old love
of A's before he ever saw
their mother - her parents
refusing him when she was 18
without telling her, thinking
her too young - She is an
amiable & elegant woman
perfectly sincere & conscientious -
takes more care & thought
for A. than the daughters
would know how to do & wd
gladly have kept the family
together but this the children
refused - A. must-give thema separate house & maintenance
& many other things
to "make up to them" for the
grievance--
Abm's health has not been
as good as formerly, so it
is a very great matter that
he has some one to consider
him -
Alfred & Lissy Webb are
now Londoners. They have
broken up their Dublin
home & stored their furniture -
They live in lodgings
in Chelsea & when
Parliament is not sitting
go travelling or comes
over to visit their friends
& relations here -Just- now they are spending
Easter holidays at Hastings -
Alfred enjoys Parliamentary
life & Lissy
also what falls to her too. I almost fear their never
settling in Ireland again
especially if they wait
for a Parliament in College
Green -
Deborah Webb with a
friend of hers Miss Harris
of Cork has been for some
months at Hanover, Germany
& I do not hear anything
of their coming home
soon - Thomas Walpole the
young man who took up Alfred'sprinting business occupies
her house - He is
brother-in-law to my bro. R. I lately spent a few days
at Killiney with Henry &
H.M. Wigham - John &
Wilhelmina Webb went to
the North just then to visit
so I did not see them.

especially if they wait
for a Parliament in College
Green -
Deborah Webb with a
friend of hers Miss Harris
of Cork has been for some
months at Hanover, Germany
& I do not hear anything
of their coming home
soon - Thomas Walpole the
young man who took up Alfred'sprinting business occupies
her house - He is
brother-in-law to my bro. R. I lately spent a few days
at Killiney with Henry &
H.M. Wigham - John &
Wilhelmina Webb went to
the North just then to visit
so I did not see them. Henry Wigham's eldest son
Leonard has gone on to China
as a missionary -
I think Mary Edmundson
& her unmarried daughters
are as usual - Jane,
my sister-in-law has
just gone to Scotland with
her eldest daughter to aa Hydro. at Portbanatyne
I live as before I went
last across the Atlantic
in my own home alone, except
for a servant -
I think I have told of most
that I can think of about
F.D.'s friends here - Henry
John Allen has moved nearer
to town - I did not mention
that Abraham & family
moved in from Foxrock soon
after Anna's death -
Has M. A. Allen been to
see you? She has been
about among the colored people
in the South, since being
in JapanWith love to both of you,
Yours sincerely,
Lydia Shackletona separate house & maintenance
& many other things
to "make up to them" for the
grievances -
Abm's health has not been
as good as formerly, so it
is a very great matter that
he has some one to consider
him -
Alfred and Lissy Webb are
now Londoners - They have
broken up their Dublin
home & stored their furniture -
They live in lodgings
in Chelsea & when
Parliament is not sitting
go travelling or come
over to visit their friends
& relations here -130 Rye Hill Newcastle
England
5 Mr 1892 My dear Friend,
Your letters always
seem to do me good - and
cheer my heart. - So do not
withhold them - altho I fear
I am imposing a burden
on you - Is not this selfish?
but you know it cannot be
for very long - and the circle
as you say is but a
narrow one of "old friends."
I do feel this myself, very
strongly - So you will see
who can go back with us to
the thrilling events of our life -
I am feeling this at present
for some of my dear Brother
and Sisters treasures have
come into my hands - of family
Documents - But now few
save myself can value
them when I am gone
so the question arises had
may not better be destroyed
but it is hard to do this - And now let me address
to the loss of your dear Mother
I little thought you were
in a like case - at the
time of my Sisters deathI have long felt interested
in her from all you have
told me about her - It is so
nice - that you were so much
attached to Miss Douglass' Mother
and to be the strength of her old
age - you will miss her greatly
but it is beautiful thought
that her "presence" remains
with you - it is more than
a "thought" - it is a realization
very precious - I have
the same sense with regard to
dear Anna - her spirit and
influence are abiding with us
still and must do so.
Please present my loving
sympathy to her dear daughter
What a consolation that they
have ministered to her so kindly
to the very end
and now my dear
friend - I am troubled with
the prospect of a 2000 mile
journey - in your enfeebled
state of health - and at your
age 71 - why be so lavish
of the little remaining strength
and to go amongst lesser
men but it is not of these
I fear - there is a God
who has shut the [?] Wrath
once - and I do not think
they will molest you much
not because you are not
worth killing - but because
you are too good graces
for them - and I think they

 the very end
and now my dear
friend - I am troubled with
the prospect of a 2000 mile
journey - in your enfeebled
state of health - and at your
age 71 - why be so lavish
of the little remaining strength
and to go amongst lesser
men but it is not of these
I fear - there is a God
who has shut the [?] Wrath
once - and I do not think
they will molest you much
not because you are not
worth killing - but because
you are too good graces
for them - and I think they will know it. What a
World outcry there would be -
No, No - depend upon it they
are too wise for that - but
those other dangers of cold
and exposures in so many
ways I do dread - I remember
Mr Wells Brown told
me they once put him into very
damp sheets - He threw them
out of the window!! I think he
had to pay for them - but he
wanted to teach them a lesson
I wonder when you set off
how anxious Mrs D- must be
I hope you will write to
me - if only a few lines
last - I imagine the least
how long will it take you
I must not omit
to tell you my cousin
Mrs Roberts sister was
here a few days ago
She had read your letter
and was requesting me to
give her love to you - if I
wrote - but added with
much feeling - but "I think
F D has forgotten us.
I have had a deep interest
in him and gave I believe
£ 20 for his ransom - I love
him - and have long
loved him - but I think
he has forgotten us -
I assured her this was by nomeans the case - that
you had sent kind messages
to them, and I was quite
sure you did not forget
them - but that your circle
of friends was so extended
you could not name all
your friends. So I told her
I would tell you - and
beg for a letter direct to
them - so here is there
address - "Clifton Road West
Newcastle Tyne
England'
It is quite probable you
never knew your friends
who subscribed to the Ransom
It was all done so quietly
without your sanction
even - That I feel perhaps
you never had the list
and to confirm this belief
you did not know - which
affected it - for years afterwards
My reason for this - was
that I was afraid you
would not allow yourself
to be purchased - and I was
determined you should.
I did not dare to tell
my Sister Anna for some
time - for I believed she sympathised
in this feeling and
I was afraid she might question it.But I do not know that
I ever felt any thing so
powerfully in my life
as that you must go back
a free man - and for this
I worked secretly for Some
time - Then I came to
a standstill - what was
to be done? I knew not
how to deal with this
auld - or in what way to
get a legal [pre?] effected
Here it was my Sister
came fully to help me
through - and to write
me the scheme - she
had correspondence with
Amerca on the free cotton
question - and she knew
a Gentleman - she thought
would make the attempt.
Judge of my relief!
and all this was done
and the captive set free
I do not like to allude
to all this now - But it
is to explain to you and
if need be to apologise
to my friends - for letting
you remain in ignorance
of your benefacters
I do not know thatI have any list in my
house - now - but I do
shred papers lately that
I had, - in the case of Wm
Wells Brown of a sensitive
nature
I had such a strong
impression that you
hated the very idea of
being bought - that I really
worked under a kind of
bondage, - and so long
as the money was in cause
of being done - I thought the
less said - about it the
better - I knew the
Garrison Party affected
it in preamble - and in
as much as you were
so identified with them
I was afraid - they would
influence you - against it

red papers lately that
I had, - in the case of Wm
Wells Brown of a sensitive
nature
I had such a strong
impression that you
hated the very idea of
being bought - that I really
worked under a kind of
bondage, - and so long
as the money was in cause
of being done - I thought the
less said - about it the
better - I knew the
Garrison Party affected
it in preamble - and in
as much as you were
so identified with them
I was afraid - they would
influence you - against it Now I think you will
understand the case - as
it was - and I must
confess when my dear Cousin
reminded me how liberally
she helped my project
and that I had never
even told you - I felt some
compassion - so nowdear Frederick -- let me
at this late date confess
to you both - the truth
so far as I I know it --
If you will write a letter
to her - not by way of
thanks - but of friendship
I am sure it would
gratify her very much -
and relieve me also
of a debt I seem to owe
you both. She has helped me
with her purse in many
of my projects, for she unable
to do much more
than I could - and thus
we worked together
I well remember how
astonished you were, in
my dining room when I
told you how the ransom
had been effected. You
leaned back in the dining
chair - and exclaimed
"WellI never knew
this!!! - I never knew
this before"!! I did not
know that you were in
ignorance of it because
in the end the thing
was [?] a good deal
but not in my telling
that even to yourself weIt was no great thing to do
for a suffering fellow mortal
but the great thing has
been - in the results - as
it regards the quarter
of slavery - itself - and of
the suffering Negroes - to
this very day - You
have surely been called
up to be their advocate
as few others - who had
not suffered in the flesh
as you did - could have
been - you may be very
thankful that such a
mission has been given
you altho it has not
been an easy one - by
any means - and well
you have fulfilled it
by Divine help - for
without that you could
not have done it
May you still be kept
in peace and safety
and in the end have the
blessed words addressed to you
Well done good & faithful
servant - Enter thou into
the joy of thy Lord
With kind love to Mrs
Douglass I am very truly
Your affect friend
Ellen Richardson
2 sheets - for me - please [?]Port-Au-Prince Haïti
November 25th 1892
Dear Mr & Mrs Douglass
I am sorry to learn
that you were alarmed by the
statements of the different newspapers
concerning Haïti. Thank God we are all very well
there is nothing of the kind on
hand at present, or we certainly
would know of it. Last month three foreigners
were expulsed from the Cape
for trying to raise a rebellion
in the North but as that
was quenched so suddenly
& surely no one else has had
the courage to make another
trial. We have read some of the accounts
in the U.S. newspapers and were
quite astonished, they seemto be better informed of the
state of affairs in our country
than we are ourselves. I am sorry to say that there
was no letter enclosed in ours
for Cecile Liautand as you
made mention no doubt you
forgot it. Madame Heraux was here the
day before yesterday looking
as bright and well as ever. She was very happy to know
that you remembered her
and send her best regards. The Bishop also begs to be
remembered to you, he and
his daughter have been spending
a few days with us, and
last evening we all attended
the wedding of the Baptist
pastor here, Mr Lucius Hyppolite
to Mademoiselle AmelièBayard, it was a grande affair. The church was so small it
could not hold all the people. The ladies were seated and the
men crowded the aisle and
the outside of the building.

as bright and well as ever. She was very happy to know
that you remembered her
and send her best regards. The Bishop also begs to be
remembered to you, he and
his daughter have been spending
a few days with us, and
last evening we all attended
the wedding of the Baptist
pastor here, Mr Lucius Hyppolite
to Mademoiselle AmelièBayard, it was a grande affair. The church was so small it
could not hold all the people. The ladies were seated and the
men crowded the aisle and
the outside of the building. We arrived rather late but
they always make room for
one more (very much like the street
car conductors in the states. Mr Battiste made the remark
where we came home that he
did not know that there were
so many carriages in P.au-P. We have just learned the sad
news of the death of the
Violinist Mr Figueraroa in Cuba. Mr B, will give you the particulars
if there are any I have
not heard as yet,
I am happy to say that the goodwork still goes on and I think
makes more progress than any
where else, considering the small
amount of time its pastor
can give to it. We are expecting
to visit as usual during the
Xmas holidays, Mr. Battiste
thinks it rather doubtful as
Mr. Durham is not here and
we can't say when he will
return. My health is still good
I am improving daily. I am very sorry our party was
defeated in this election, but
the seed is sown perhaps
it will bring forth fruit
in time for the next. Love from all
Yours truly
Alice A Battiste.NEW YORK ASSOCIATED PRESS
9, RUE DE BASSANO,
PARIS. Dec. 21, 1892. Dear Mr. Douglass:
Reading the
announcement of the fourth
edition of your "Life & Times,"
it has occurred to me that
perhaps your publisher would
like to have a notice of it
appear in a circular-literary
letter which is published
here under my supervision &
which appears simultaneously
in six or seven Anglo-American
dailies & weeklies here on theContinent. This is an excellent
medium for making known to
English & American residents in
Europe, new publications. If
your publisher likes the idea, he
has simply to address the book to
me in care of Brentano, Union
Square, New York, who will forward
it to me here without any cost to
the publisher. And I will see
that he gets copies of the
papers containing the notice. I have still your excellent
introduction for Schoelcher's
book. But I have not yet found
a publisher for him. I have
an excellent English publisher who is ready to take up the
publication if I can find an
American publisher who
will take half of the edition.
Wouldn't your Boston publisher
do this? You know the book
is in one volume, very interesting,
authoritative, with an introduction
by you & a biographical sketch
of Schoelcher by me. This latter
is very curious. These passing
years are the centenary of
Toussaint's great deeds; so this
would be the very time to issue
the book. Dear old Schoelcher
desires it so much. But if it is to
appear before he dies, we must
make haste.And are you ever
coming to Paris again? We
often recall your pleasant
sojourn here. Tilton is well and
working on his new book of
poems. Mrs. Stanton joins
me in best regards to you and
Mrs. Douglass.
With all the compliments of
the season to both you and
Mrs. Douglass from us both,
Believe me,
Very truly yours,
Theodore Stanton.