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Frederick Douglass Exhibit
Frederick Douglass (1817-1895).
Autograph letter signed, dated Rochester, New York, 17 August
1865, to Mary Todd Lincoln.
GLC 2472. The Gilder Lehrman Collection, on deposit at the Pierpont Morgan Library.
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Rochester. N.Y.
August 17. 1865. |
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Mrs. Abraham Lincoln: |
Dear Madam: Allow me to thank
you as I certainly do thank you most sincerely for
your thoughtful kindness in making me the owner
of a cane which was formerly the property and the
favorite walking staff of your late laminted husband -
the honored and venerated President of the United States.
I assure you, that this inestimable memento of his
presidency will be retained in my possession while I live -
an object of sacred interest - a token not merely of
the kind consideration in which I have reason to know
that the President was pleased to hold me personally, but
as an indication of his humane interest [in the]
welfare of my whole race. |
With every proper sentiment of
Respect and Esteem,
I am, Dear Madam, your obedient, |
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Frederick Douglass |
Exhibition on view
at the Pierpont Morgan
Library from February 1 through May 15, 1999,
organized by Ms. Leslie
Fields, Associate Curator for the Gilder Lehrman Collection. |
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