Rosine Amé-Draz to Frederick Douglass, March 16, 1863

Plymouth

16. The Crescent

March 16^th / 1863.

My dear Friend.

I fear you will be quite tired of my letters. I have written to you so often of late and I know very selfish epistles. This time I will try to be brief, my dear indulgent friend, and only just say that the money which was stolen from me has been made up to me by my pupils' grandfather who is always very kind to me.

He was told of my loss. And he quite pitied me I think and in a most kind and delicate manner gave me five pounds Some of my young friends gave me a little money for the slaves. And I shall sell two of my pictures So dear friend I have long before I expected it five pounds to send to you—I enclose a cheque which I received at the Plymouth Naval Bank to day the 16^th of March

One of the bankers asked me if it was for the celebrated Frederick Douglass—I was glad to have an opportunity of telling him of your paper—and I so hoped he would give me something for your cause. but Alas! I was disappointed. He said he had seen you some years ago—which makes me hope that you have been in Plymouth—My dear friend—I should like you to keep this little sum for your own personal use I know you must

want many things dear friend and that you deprive yourself of every comfort. Oh do take care of your health Do not wear yourself out. Your people will have need of you for long years to come. Save your strength. God preserve your most precious life. You will probably receive this on the 4^th of April. It will be three years on that day that you left England! You then thought you might return to us in three months Oh how long those three months I thought would be!