Rosine Amé-Draz to Frederick Douglass, December 15, 1863

Plymouth

16. The Crescent

Dec. 15^th. / 63

Will you send me your Carte soon!

Cannot let this season pass my dear friend without expressing my ardent wishes that the new year, which is fast approaching, may be one full of rich blessings and happiness to you and yours. I will not detain you long. You know all that I would say could I spend a few hours with you—My dear friend, I never—never forget you, nor your dear people. In the midst of perplexity and trouble, I have not forgotten to pray for the Slaves

and to follow the course of events in America—with the deepest interest—It is now impossible to doubt that the great and glorious day of the deliverance from bondage of the poor Africans is at hand—Even the Times' New York correspondent says this week—that Slavery may be considered abolished, and that the very valor of the Southerners will be the ruin of their cause!—The friends of the South, in England, are less bold in asserting that it must be victorious. Dear friend, surely you will see the fruits of your long labors, and the happiness—which

my heart has so long yearned after—for you—will soon be your portion. It is now four years ago that we were so happy at dear Wincobank. Oh, how full of care and sorrow have these years been! I little thought then that such trials were in reserve for us —! for you especially God be praised, who had so far preserved your precious life in the midst of so many dangers, and hardships. May it be long, happy and prosperous, crowned with all the blessings you have so richly earned by your devotion to the noblest of all causes

It is very trying to have again to leave all my friends in Plymouth—but it is not my doing so I must submit.

I have met two old friends of yours here—And we at once felt united. I wonder if you remember them? Sarah and Blanche Hilditch. Blanche is deaf and dumb. You were once under their roof with Garrison and Mr. George Thompson. They remember you most affectionately. Now they have lost almost all they possess and live in lodgings but they are still deeply interested in your cause and hope to live to see the last fetter broken—

I have had a most advantageous situation offered me—in Russia—in one of the first families of the land—but had I accepted it, I must have concealed my sympathy for the Poles, and worn a mask perpetually. I refused it, though it was again and again pressed upon me. This very day I received a telegram from Petersburg—urging me to accept the situation. I was glad to be able to write to Countess Orloff that I was engaged in an English family. It would not have been long before I should have been sent to prison or to Siberia—for of course I coud not have denied the cause of the oppressed. Many of my friends think me very foolish and say that they do not see why I may not feel for the oppressed without saying that I do!

I feel sure that you my dear friend would never give me such advice—and I should indeed feel most unworthy of your friendship could I ever follow it. God grant that I may never lose an opportunity of speaking openly and fearlessly for the downtrodden. Whatever may be the consequences. The time is short—

Mrs. Rawson always writes about you very affectionately She had been very kind to me—And has offered me a refuge at Wincobank. But I shall not want it now—The Carpenters have also been very kind—

My dear friend—I hope again to begin working for you when I am settled in my new home. I often feel very anxious about you—Oh that I could help you! I trust I shall be able soon to do so—M^rs. Crofts wrote to me some time ago that she had some money in hand for you which she would send When she had heard from you. I do hope she has done so—I do long to have a line from you—

Soon all our trials shall cease, but the good which God enables us to do to our suffering fellow creatures shall endure—for ever—Oh, my dear friend, I wish I could tell you what a help your own noble example of self devotion is to others has been to me. How often, when nearly sinking in my path, have I remembered your own beautiful patience and perseverance in a far—far more thorny way than mine. And I have thus been encouraged to proceed, looking up to you, with a longing desire to become more and more unselfish.

I shall never cease to bless God for having met you—dear friend for a moment—on my path—and it shall ever be. My sweetest consolation during the rest of the journey of life to implore God's choicest blessings upon you. We shall meet again at the end!—

Dear Rosetta will tell you why I did not go to the Sturges. I should have liked it very much—because they are friends of yours dear people—but you do not know what selfish arrangements they had made for me—They wished me to live alone—and offered such poor salary.