Letter, Frederick Douglass to Lewis H. Latimer, September 16, 1894
Himself a fugitive from slavery, Douglass played a major role in the movement that gained freedom for George W. Latimer, Lewis's father, in Boston in 1842, as he mentions in this reply. Douglass thanks Lewis for his letter, adding that "It makes me proud of you."
Latimer Family Papers (1870-1996 ) [QPL Full Collection]
Sep 18, 1891
Cedar Hill, Anacostia, D.C. Sept. 18, 1891 Dear Mr. Latimer, I give you thanks for your excellent letter. It made me proud of you. I was glad to hear of your mother and family. I saw your father for a moment in Boston last Spring. He seemed in good health then, and I am surprised to learn of his condition now. It is fifty-two years since I first saw your father and mother in Boston. You can hardly imagine the excitement the attempt to recapture them caused in Boston. It was a new experience for the Abolitionists, and they improved it to the full extent of which it was capable. I sincerely thank dear Mrs. Matthews for bringing me to your attention. I shall be very glad to see you if you should ever visit Washington. I am overwhelmed with correspondence here—pardon this brief letter—kind regards to your mother. Very truly yours, Frederick Douglass
Aisha Abdul Rahman
English
Lewis Latimer House
FlushingQueens
New York, USA
North America
United States