Mary Carpenter to Frederick Douglass, 1864

S^t Andrews Villas

Bridport June 5^th

Dear M^r Douglass

We were delighted as I need not say to see your handwriting once more. I only wish it had been to announce your speedy arrival in England. You are too public spirited & we grieve that you s^hd have risked your property in this new Bank. I hope that your skill & wisdom will be all the benefit you desire to the concern, without involving loss to yourself. We should like of all things to have you

amongst us again,—& I dont give up the hope yet,—but is it to be always hope deferred?

I am leaving home tomorrow for a fortnight's visit to my sister Anne who lives at Hampstead, & as soon as I return I hope that my mother will venture to leave her pleasant country home, only 20 miles from here,—& stay a little with us.—I have not dared to propose it thinking the fatigue would be too much for her—but she herself has a strong wish to come & of course it will be a great pleasure me to have her here.—I hope her courage wont fail when the time comes for the move.

Miss Amé-Draz spent nearly three months in Bridport this spring—She came to work with some good friends of ours in French & Italian before their starting for a few Months' tour in Italy & Swizerland.—I caught the Italian fever, & joined my friends in their lessons. It is very pleasant to go to school

again in one's old age when one has the chance. Miss Amé Draz spent the last 3 weeks of her Bridport time with us—she fell desperately in love with Bridport, its neighbourhood & inhabitants, & I think it likely that she will come again & take Country lodgings and recruit for a time. I tell her that she wants a year's holiday from teaching,—her brain & nerves are overstrained, & a little wholesome dullness such as we can offer at Bridport w^ld be the best thing for her.

https://www.loc.gov/resource/mss11879.12003/?sp=18&st=text&r=-0.036,0.181,1.343,1.738,0 [image 28 of 165] Mr & Mrs John Robberds spent a couple of days with us about a fortnight ago. - We talked of you, & she showed us a letter she had received from. you lately. We are very glad to know that your Paper is in no need of aid. I am sure with your independent spirit you would much rather help yourself & others than be helped. You have always most kindly appreciated the little we have done for the cause to which your life has been devoted; - but for many years I am sure we are quite innocent of

having helped you in any way, - & I promise you faithfully not to ask for money from any of our friends for your Paper, which I have no doubt will do well for itself! but - if I promise this, I think you ought to promise that if circumstances do alter - & the time ever come when you would be glad of assistance - you will not keep old friends in ignorance who would feel it a privilege to show their sympathy not only by words. My dear Mother is now paying us her annual visit of a month, she generally

5 Choses this time of the year. She lives only 20 miles from Bridport with my sister Mrs Blake & her family Mr & Mrs Blake drove over with my mother a week ago & returned home the same evening. She is well for her age, 86 - enjoys reading & can walk pretty well, but of course she is very frail & requires watchful care. She was gratified at your kind words of remembrance of her. She always hears of you with much interest, & rejoices in your success. My sister Lucy with her husband (Mr. Charles Thomas who called on you on Sunday

a review by Mr Carpenter of Mr. Conway's book, "Testimonies Concerning Slavery". I wonder whether Mr. Lincoln will be reelected President - or if not whether any more thorough anti-slavery man will take his place - it is much disgraceful that the government should be as false to their engagements with their colored soldiers. We sympathize very much with you in the painful anxiety you have been living in while your sons have been with the army

and shall be very glad to hear of your sons having won their positions in spite of all obstacles. They have a tower of strength in you to back them. Your manner & character & position are something for them to be proud of & to glory in, & from seeing what you have done they should draw strength & hope for themselves & feel encouraged to battle with obstacles & to bear & live down all slights & unworthy treatments. But I hope they wont be satisfied always to fling the weight of their burdens & difficulties upon you!

the constant anxiety about them added to what you feel for the whole Country & especially for all the Colored people, must be very wearing to you. You must remember that now your paper is given up entirely more than ever for letters from you—if you are silent we are quite in the dark about you or yours, so please to write as often as you conveniently can. I am leaving home next Monday for a few weeks in Somersetshire, [amongst?] my many relations and friends there. M^r Carpenter is not going with me I am sorry to say, so he will have a solitary time of it while I am enjoying myself. He will add a note so I think I must end or he will have no room. We very often think & talk of you & wonder when we shall see you in England once more.

Believe me to remain always most sincerely yrs

Mary Carpenter