Rosine Amé-Draz to Frederick Douglass, October 1, 1863

Plymouth

16. The Crescent

Oct. 1^st 1863

If you knew my very dear friend how anxious I was about you when your dear letter arrived to cheer me by giving me the assurance that you were still in safety in your own free Northern home. You would understand how truly grateful I felt to you for having written. My dear friend I do thank you most sincerely for having thus remembered me in the midst of your deep anxieties. Only one line from you now and then even an envelope directed

by your own hand, will be a greater consolation to me than you can possibly imagine especially now that I shall be deprived of the happiness of receiving the dear Monthly Oh, it was indeed with a heavy heart that I read and that I still often read your farewell address to us My friend—I sometimes fear that you will find it impossible in the course of time to give me tidings of yourself—of your doings—of your prospects and those of the dear people for whom I feel daily a deeper & deeper love—that perhaps—I may take sight of a friend whom I so honor, love and respect—and It is well we cannot foresee what is in store for us. How could we exist?—I wonder why dear Rosetta does not write to me. I sent her two long letters before Christmas. Perhaps she has not received them. Will you ask her to write soon. I love her truly, and feel deeply interested in her. Perhaps you will send me just a few lines. When you have received this. You cannot [illegible] how happy I [am?] to be able to send [you?] this poor little [illegible] God knows how I long to do more. Oh that I could devote my whole life to your cause my beloved friend!

I pray daily that I may soon see my way clearly marked out for me to go and work among those who have so long been despised and neglected, either in Africa or elsewhere. My difficult task here is perhaps preparing me for my future [illegible] dear friend [illegible] bless and preserve [illegible] God grant that you may soon rejoice and be unspeakably happy

Yours ever most affectionately

R. Amé-Draz

I dare not contemplate life under that aspect. It looks so void—so sunless. For many years now, one thought has in my heart pervaded all other thoughts all other feelings have lost some of their fervor under the rule of the one deep earnest longing desire to see you happy in the deliverance of your oppressed race! Oh if I can see you, or even hear of your being thus rewarded for the present harrowing sorrows of your poor crushed heart, I shall never care for one of my own sorrows! And I do hope to see that blessed day! I could not help letting up my soul in thankfulness to God

When I found my dear friend that you would not recklessly expose your precious life by going without the protection of Government in the midst of your cruel enemies. May God preserve you from their rage if you do go after all. Yet I trust he will not allow you whom he will want by and bye As an instrument in his hands for the raising of his dear people from their helpless state. He will I think not let you go South. When I thought you were there already and that you were exposed to most fearful dangers. Oh. I regretted not having asked you to give me