Rosine Amé Draz to Frederick Douglass, January 12, 1864

Wincobank Hall

Jany 12^th 1864.

My dear Friend

I am here for a short time, before entering my new home in Hampshire In this dear old house—to me, so full of happy recollections. I see in imagination the beloved friends who once were here with me—and from whom I am very likely for ever separated in this world. It is sad yet sweet to think of the past—Many hours in the day I spend alone in this room, where we so often met and read together—where I first saw you dear friend

And though I fear I must have tired you of late —with many letters. I cannot resist the desire I feel of sending you a few lines of faithful affectionate remembrance—and to remind you that the very faithful heart ever remembers your tails your sorrows & disappointments and prays with increased ardour that all your troubles may be soon very soon converted into joy. How I often I long to know what you are doing—What are your hopes for your dear people, and everything that concerns you, my very dear friend! Since the Monthly has been given up, I can hear little of you. It would be a great comfort to receive now & then a paper in which your name is mentioned. Miss Wigham sends me the Principia sometimes but I have hitherto looked in vain for your name through its columns. Dear friend will you, when you can do it without inconvenience, send me any old papers you do not want!

Dear Rosetta has written to announce her marriage to me—Will you tell her with my love that I hope to write to her very soon. May God bless her and the husband of her choice. And may you find in him a dutiful and affectionate son. I am so glad they will remain with you. My dear friend—I cannot help wishing that dear Rosa had devoted her life entirely exclusively to you,but I will hope that in your new son you will find all the devotedness of heart to yourself which you deserve.

Rosetta has sent me the photograph & your dear Son Lewis. I think him very good looking. I hope he is now quite well and that you have good tidings of your other sons. God preserve them and reunite you all when Slavery shall for ever be annihilated. When will you send me the carte you promised?

What is life a of sorrows has been yours and mine too since we were together in this dear place four years ago! My My dear friend! My own heart is nearly broken

Yet there is one source of consolation to me—I have suffered for my principles, and God has enabled me through all to be remain faithful to them and to set aside worldly interest—your noble example—beloved friend has been a great help to me—God bless you for it Since I left Wincobank I have been thrown among the friends and advocates of Slavery. Almost all Aristocratic England sympathizes with the South. The working classes only are really sound with few exceptions I fear. But it little matters the cause of the Slaves is in the hands of the Allmighty Creator—there it is safe. The Poles are still struggling for independence—but I fear it will be a long-long struggle. The cruelty of the Russians is too fearful to dwell upon. They have now resorted to torture and other terrible, barbarous modes of extortion What they want to know from those suspected of favoring the insurrection

I should not have lived long in Russia.

I must not indulge longer in thus taking up your valuable moments my dear dear kind friend. May God bless preserve & comfort you. May he hasten the day when you shall be able to write. I am now happy. This is still and shall ever be my daily prayer. My love to your family Yours ever most devotedly & affectionately

R. Amé-Draz

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