William M. Everts to Frederick Douglass, May 20, 1891

52 WALL STREET,

NEW YORK CITY, May 20th, 1891.

Hon. Frederick Douglass, [handwritten]

DEAR SIR:

I beg leave to ask your kind attention to a matter in which I feel great interest and to which for some years at Washington I have given much attention, that is to say, the competent and adequate education of colored young men of the South for the profession of law.

The law schools in that portion of our country are not accessible to this class of our community. But in the law department of Howard University, at Washington, there is a good foundation already laid for this professional education, which may be developed and expanded with sure promise of most fruitful results. A moderate contribution to enlarge a small law building now at the service of the University and to prepare it to accommodate the increasing number of applicants for this instruction is all that is needed to have the school in readiness for the October term, when it is probable as many as a hundred students may wish to receive this instruction. But for even this moderate expenditure the University is without means, as all of its funds are strictly applicable to particular and current use.

While the legal profession will more readily appreciate the benefits to arise from benevolent contribution to this end, I beg leave also to commend it to all who take an interest in the wise instruction of the colored people of the South, as in my judgment promising very great and always increasing benefits from a very moderate charitable expediture.

Prof. Wm. H.H. Hart, who is well known to me, has been authorized by the trustees of Howard University to receive contributions or subscriptions for this object, and he is entitled to entire confidence in all he shall say or do in this matter. Contributions may be paid to him or remitted to his address, No. 420 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C.

I am, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

(Signed) WM. M. EVARTS.

(OVER.) 966