Frederick Douglass to Gerrit Smith, October 18, 1863

Rochester Oct. 18^th 1863.

My dear Sir: Among those to whom the rebellion has brought want as well as deep sorrow, is a wisdom and five young children for whom there is an effort now being made to pay off a mortgage of nine hundred dollars on their house and lot. The husband and father was Lieut. Col: Duncan M^r Vicar, a Scotchman—and a true friend of the Slave—who came here from Canada on the breaking out of the war. He was killed near Fredsburgh this spring—leaving his family in house on which he had paid five hundred dollars—The amt the widow receives from Government is about $300 per annum—If she gets her house paid for is is thought she can very well support and bring up her young children—I know you will sympathize with the effort making in her behalf, and if not prevented by more pressing claims, send a little to help it on.

I had the honor of two distinguished visitors within a few days. Yourself last week

and General [Busterd?] this. What brought the Irish former slaveholding Attorney but now a General in the Royal Army, to see me—I know not unless because of the altered sentiment of the country on the subject of slavery. He is what you would call a bright man—and it is hard to think that such an one could have lent even his professional aid to slavehunters.

I am soon to speak in Cooper Institute under the auspices of the women's Royal League. Lewis is mending slowly.

Very truly your Grateful friend

Fred'k Douglass