0702.690909.FD to Charles Sumner

Rochester. Sept 9^th 1869

Hon Chas. Sumner.

My dear Sir: I am obliged by your note of the 7^th but I did not mean by sending you my speech, thus to task you. I know how completely and well your time is employed. I am sorry I have not the copies of my speech for which you ask.

So Senator Fessenden is gone. I thought of you when I read the announcement. He was never just to you and sometimes, I fear, intentionally offensive; but now that his chair is vacant and his voice silent in the Senate, you must remember with satisfaction your forbearance towards him and your freedom from bitter retort when his words and [bearing?] seemed to invite other treatment.

Truly your friend

Frederick Douglass