Rosine Amé-Draz to Frederick Douglass, January 1, 1863

Wythe Kent

January 1^st 1863

May God's most precious blessings rest upon you—this day—and for ever. My dear dear friend. I have been imploring his fatherly care and protection for years. And this my first letter in the New Year just begun I address to you. My most valued friend. Oh that it could convey to you all the ardent wishes I form at this moment for if our happiness is the future My last prayer in the old year was for you - and your people. And so was my first this morning my hope and faith in God's justice are unshaken notwithstanding the sad news which have just reached England of the terrible defeat at Fredericksburg

This success of the cruel oppressors of your people will no doubt work together for the good of the enslaved. And in this last awful reverse of the North I can but see another plague upon the guilty nation which still refuses to let God's people go—How long will the oppressors harden their hearts under these heavy judgements of the Almighty. We know not but they will sooner or later be constrained to have under the chastening hand of the Righteous One. Let us not despair—let us continue to look above for help—From there alone can we derive hope for the slave Hope in the righteous judge we know can never prove vain—can never be disappointed. I do not know what would become of me had I not this firm confidence in God. My heart is daily grieved in witnessing the indifference and selfishness of most of those I meet with every where in this country

I came to Wythe from Cheltenham to spend a few weeks with a sister of my friend in Plymouth, until I could conveniently be received in my future home—Her husband is in the army and I see many officers and people of different rank & opinions in this [house?] all without exception

Sympathetic with the South and they say that I am the first person they have yet met who does not wish them success! Of course they wish for the abolition of slavery they say How they can reconcile this wish with their desire for the success of the cruel Slave holding Confederacy is inconceivable.

I cannot tell you how unhappy I feel among these people—I have not yet met one person here who earnestly takes up the cause of the slave. Intense selfishness reigns every where—But ... their cause is in a higher and all powerful One this is my consolation

I do appreciate this high privilege. I endeavor to become more worthy of you friendship. I try to follow your example—to be true to my principles and convictions—yet gentle patient forgiving. I am proud to be suffering something for your cause—my cause. It is the third time that I have been thus unkindly treated for expressing my desire to see the slaves speedily emancipated. What does England mean. It is past understanding I am not surprised that America is exasperated Most of the leading papers have what I must call pro-slavery articles.

I continually ask people when I hear them pity the Southerners and express their wishes that they may 'whip the Yankees' if they then approve of Slavery. Many can hardly be brought to say a decided no—The hatred of the North seems So intense that it blinds people to the evils of slavery. But we need not fear. God is stronger than all—England's sympathy is not needed by Him He can—and will set his people free. I feel sure you will soon be happy. The conflict will cease and then you will rest

I must send you this at once—and I will write again when I am settled in Plymouth I want you to know how continuously I bear you on my heart at this time—Though I have been going from place to place - seeing new faces & new scenes My thoughts are always with you—And with the poor despised ones in the South—who have now apparently so few friends in this country—I long to have tidings of you. May God strengthen you both in heart and mind for the conflict is my unceasing prayer—