Rosine Amé Draz to Frederick Douglass, November 13, 1861

[Willowbank?] [to?] [all?]

Nov. 13^th /61.

I have been hoping to hear from dear Rosetta, my very dear friend, during the last few weeks. And I still expect that pleasure day after day. But I cannot delay sending you a few lines — for my thoughts are perpetually with you, and I think you will like to know that you are unceasingly remembered, through all the varied scenes of my more than ever tried and chequered life, that you are daily more fervently prayed for, more deeply, more intensely sympathised with — as your conflicts are prolonged and your sufferings increased. You are continually [?] with my prayers, borne on my heart, with all your sorrows, before my Almighty Father. I sometimes feel as if you were safer than any one on earth—for

God gives me me the sweet assurance, that my prayers for you are heard! Dear friend—I will not speak of my own personal sorrows. Only I must tell you that my beloved friends have left me. They departed for Italy on the 28th of October. Before leaving, dear M^rs Rawson gave me the enclosed note for you—and dearest Lizzie wished much to write a few lines also—but she had not strength to do so. She desired I would give you her affectionate regards—We talked much of you—during the last few weeks we were here together—I told Mrs. Rawson how I longed to go over to help you—And that D^r Cheever thought I could be very useful indeed if I would only go—[She?]

I have just received some numbers of the National Anti Slavery Standard from New York. With a powerful discourse of D^r Cheever, the subject "Emancipation by the war power. A duty and a necessity." You will no doubt have seen and read it—Also a sermon preached by him on the fast day. How can slavery withstand such champions of liberty? It must perish ere long. Ah may God give each of you—noble souls!— increased strength and power to fight it!— M^rs Cheever in her last letter to me says that the Doctor's church is crowded every Sunday. With people eager to know, and to listen, to what he had to say against the National Sin. They quite hope that something will

speedily be done—by the rulers for the deliverance of the down trodden. Dr. [Gyny?] has addressed a [illegible] for emancipation. This they had long hoped for—God heeds their efforts.

I am very busy preparing to leave [Wincosbank?]! I dread the change—though I could not remain here—in the altered circumstances of the place—I cannot live with [illegible]!—You will [illegible] it strange that it will be a greater trial to me to part with the inanimate objects around me—than with the beings, whom I have ever endeavored to attract to me! Now that I am really going I do not meet with the same perpetual opposition and coldness—I am glad of it—for it has always been my desire to part as friends.—

The dear little kitten which you petted when you were here suddenly disappeared some months ago—It was a great grief to some of us—who loved it, for your sake now I am glad not to have to part with it.

I shall write again before I leave— I have [aws?] like that of December— My dear friend, have you you my address in Cheltenham. I believe you will not forget me—and that you will pray for me— Sometimes I am nearly overcome with anxiety My position will be one of the greatest responsibility. Yet I look upon it as a great step towards the accomplishment of my longingly desire—to devote my last days to your cause.—

I have had such very kind notes for [illegible] dear Mrs. [Arpender?] lately— They both wish very much to see me—before I leave this neighborhood—has I fear I shall not be able to go over to Halifax unless it be for one day only. I have not heard from Mrs. Crofts for a very long time—Than I have written to her several times Perhaps she is absent from home—I have received the previous books—My dear friend & thank you a thousand times for them though I fear you will think me very ungrateful when I tell you that I was very much disappointed when I found that you had not written my name in one of the copies! I however chose one of the two for myself— and though there is none of your hand writing in it—if it not likely that I shall easy forget the friend who was often

you are young from place to place [illegible] to every kind of discomforts [illegible] if there is anything I could make for you myself—it would be such [illegible]in the midst of coming trials and [tacts?]—to work for you And I want to help to take care of you for the poor slaves—for you are their hope! God bless you my very dear friend—[illegible] this hurried letter—I felt as if I must write to day though I had been a time to do it [illegible] bless you and prosper your work! God save the slaves!—Remember me to every member of your dear family—I included them in my prayers for you—do not forget in yours—your own sincerely attached friend.

Rosine Amé Draz.

I will send the money at [illegible] at [illegible]I have the loss had been received—do pray for me that I may be strong and [street?] worthy of being your friend.

thinks that in my perfect circumstances it would not be possible—even if I had not engaged to go to Cheltenham for a time—because having no independence I should be obliged to find out some occupation in America—which would be difficult—with my decided preference for the dear oppressed race—

But I do not think so—for God is above all—All things are possible with him—he had given the same talents and simple tastes—I can live on very little. I am [tried?] if I could live on bread and milk—and found that I could perfectly well—Although I am obliged to conform to the usages of this country such to the [illegible] was of the Society in which I [name?] here—I could be happy in the barest cottage—and in the coarsest garb—among the dear negroes—whom

Perhaps when you have time--you will just write your own name to put under a likeness which was sent me from Glasgow instance of the imperfect impression Which I got first from the Photographer—I do not think the portrait in the book at all good—So I assure if ever wish the beautiful Glasgow photograph which is large and covers your autograph—

I have not yet been able to discover where Mr. Marin is—So i cannot thank him for having to kindly taken charge of the books—she did not write to me in sending them—I should also have liked to share kindness to Mr. Garnett, because you so warmly commended him to the kindness of your friends in England—Only I cannot find him out. I do hope I shall see them before they return to America—Dear friend I am continually think of what I could do for your own personal comfort during the coming winter when