Rosine Amé Draz to Frederick Douglass, July 18, 1865

Wincobank Hall

July 18^th / 65

My very dear Friend,

Will you allow me to Spend a few moments with you at this dear old home where I always feel nearer to my absent friend and beloved brother?—If, when this note reaches you—you are occupied with the affairs of your dear people, put it aside—I would not rob them of a moment of your time—But, here, most particularly my thoughts are with you—

Every thing around reminds me of you—of the happy happy days I spent under this dear roof—Nearly six years have passed away since this long period of time but not however effaced from my heart the recollection of those days—And with lively gratitude to my God. I look back upon

God be with you and protect you from all harm do write to me—just a few words soon.

the time. When in his love and pity He gave me a friend whose affection and sympathy have been a source of blessings to my heart ever since—Yes, dear friend, it is owing to your example—to your counsels—to your affectionate encouragement to be Strong to hold on my way—to fight the good fight to the end— that I am still up and doing—I will adopt your own motto with God's help—"Work and Trust"—But you must not forbid my working still for you and for your people—They still want help—and will need it for some years to come. How could it be otherwise emerging as they do from such a gulph as Slavery—

I know that they are still oppressed, and that their enemies are still strong but, God be praised, it cannot now last long. Their chains are broken. All will soon be right with them—I bless God continuously for having permitted you, beloved friend, to see the day of partial deliverance you will live to see the still more blessed one of entire emancipation—I understand you when you say that you cannot yet rejoice, and I clearly see with you that until the colored people get the franchise they cannot be said to be free. I have read some of Wendell Philips speeches on the subject which have delighted me—May God bless his earnest words, and yours, dear friend, and may we soon see that they

are not uttered in vain

Since the North has been victorious, it has many more friends in England of course—And even proslavery Sheffield now professes to take an interest in the freed people!—Dearest M^rs Rawson and I, often think and talk of you. She will, I hope add a few lines to this letter before I date it—It is indeed an unspeakable comfort to me to be for a few weeks near my noble, precious, faithful friend, but I dread leaving her again—Perhaps this is the last time I shall sojourn under this roof—She looks very, very feeble and much altered. The loss of her beloved Mother so soon after that of her child