Mary Carpenter to Frederick Douglass, May 14, 1865

Red Lodge House

Bristol May 14, 1865 Dear Sir

Though it is very long since I have had any direct communication with you, my time being very completely engrossed by the work to which I am devoted, yet I hope that you have still retained the remembrance of me as one of those most deeply sympathizing in that great cause of humanity, the restoration of the coloured people to the rights

of which they have been so cruelly deprived. The insertion in the Inquirer of the times addressed to you on your first departure from and how so wonderfully vocified will have shewn you how deep & true is still my sympathy in your cause & with yourself as its champion.

Still I cannot forbear writing you a few lines myself of warm congratulations on the wonderful revolution which you have been permitted to witness in the position of your people. Thought I cannot give to the Northern States that credit which I would willingly do, remembering but too well their past apathy & cruel injustice in regard to your race, and though the fratricidal war, now happily terminated, could not in my opinion be justified under any circumstances, yet I am truly thankful that it has, in the hands of Providence been made the means of awakening the North, to the enormous wickedness of which they have been accomplices, and of purging themselves & their government in some degree from such complicity.

But still there is much, very much to be done. He, whose zeal has never cooled, rejoice now to have an opening for exercising it wisely, in the humble but useful task of helping to clothe the freed men. You have chalked out for yourself a most important course in endeavouring to secure for your people those equal rights, of franchise &c, which ought never

to have been withheld. I think you quite wise in peculiarly devoting yourself to this, for on it depends the permanency of your position. I hope I did not rightly understand Pres. Johnson to hint at the possible expatriation of the coloured people. With the Franchise, that could not be done. Without it, they are still aliens.

Be advised then, my dear Sir, that you have my warmest sympathy in these your efforts, and that I watch your progress earnestly.

Great efforts have been, and are still being made in Bristol to send off large quantities of clothing for the freedmen. Stimulated by D^r Gaines, what they have been doing has been for the New York Central Association. If however you are connected with any agency which wants aid & with which you communicate directly, it is probable that a part of the next quantity exported might be sent to you. I am on the Committee, & will read and endeavour to forward any views you may send me.

I have been engaged in writing a book called "Our Convicts." You have no time to enter on these questions, but may kindly accept the volume as a mark of my high esteem. I am forwarding them to Mr. Sanborn, Secy. of Board of State Charities, Boston Mass. Will you let him know how to forward

them to you when he receives them.

Hoping that your work in America may be speedily completed, and that we may see you again in England.

I remain, dear Sir, yours truly,

Mary Carpenter

Will you kindly forward the enclosed