Lot 62
Douglass, Frederick (1818-1895) Abolitionist, author, editor and orator, Douglass was an escaped slave who held various political offices including United States minister to Haiti. He was a close friend of Lincoln and wrote an autobiography. Autograph Letter Signed "Frederick Douglass," one page, 8 x 6 in., Anacostia, D.C., June 28, 1888. To "Private Dalzell." In full, "I enclose herewith a Post Office order in your favor six dolls in payment for Eleven copies of your Book. I am just home from the National Republican Convention at Chicago and have not had time to read your Autobiography. One week in this Chicago business has damaged my health more than six months work would have done at home. Truly yours…." On a sheet of blue-lined paper, penned in brown ink perpendicular to the lines. From 1877 until his death in 1895, Douglass lived in a brick house in the Anacostia area of Washington, D.C. which he named Cedar Hill. In 1988, his home at 1411 W Street, S.E., was designated the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site.
On June 19, 1888, the first day of the National Republican Convention, Douglass addressed the Convention after being introduced by General John C. Fremont, who had been the first Republican presidential nominee (1856). One of Kentucky’s 26 delegates cast his vote for Douglass, the first time a Black American received a vote for President at a major political party convention. It was done as a singular honor for Douglass; he received no votes on the remaining ballots. Benjamin Harrison was elected President on November 6, 1888, and on June 26, 1889, he appointed Frederick Douglass as "U.S. Chargé d'Affaires to Santo Domingo and Minister Resident/Consul General to Haiti, residing at Port-au-Prince, Haiti.".
Estimated Value $6,500 - 7,500.
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