Douglass, Frederick

Autograph letter signed ("Frederick Douglass"), 2 1/3 pages (8 x 5 in.; 203 x 127 mm), Washington, D. C., 3 December 1878 to "My dear Charles," sending condolences on the death of Charles's abolitionist sister. Brown and black linen portfolio.

A touching encomium for a fellow abolitionist. Douglass comforts his friend Charles upon the loss of his sister: "[S]he was held in high and sacred esteem by me as one of the truest and noblest women I ever knew. She was a devoted friend of the slave in the darkest hour of his cause. She was never ashamed or afraid to encounter opposition odium or loss of  reputation in the cause of justice and humanity. I have observed her modest firmness in such trials when a mere girl, when the cry of 'abolitionist' 'amalgamist' 'Negro worshipper' and other reproaches were hurled at her. She was always calm, patient, even tempered and amiable; but never wavered and never concealed her convictions. It was like her to go South now that Slavery is abolished and to do her best to life and enlighten newly emancipated people for whose freedom she worked so faithfully in youth ... she laid down her life in the sacred cause of humanity ..."