(POLITICS.) Archive of letters to a Virginia newspaper editor from Charles Douglass, John Mercer Langston, and more. 14 signed letters addressed by various parties to editor Magnus Robinson of Alexandria, VA, plus two related items; moderate wear. Various places, 1889-1905 and undated
Magnus Lewis Robinson (1852–1918), whose grandmother had been enslaved at Mount Vernon, went on to study law at Howard University, was a reporter for several newspapers, and then in 1888 launched his own Republican Party political newspaper, the Weekly Leader of Alexandria, Virginia. From 1900 to 1910 he edited the Industrial Advocate newspaper in Alexandria, remaining active in Republican politics. Highlights of this correspondence grouping include:
Charles R. Douglass, son of Frederick Douglass, wrote from Washington on 16 August 1892 to decline an invitation: "You letter . . . came at a time when my mind and body was occupied in attendance upon my bro. Fred., since deceased. Shortly after his funeral I obtained a leave of absence of ten days and have just returned to the city. . . . I am connected officially with the G.A.R. encampment to be held here." He writes on the letterhead of the Capital City Guard Corps militia unit he commanded.
John Mercer Langston wrote on 11 September 1897, after he had served as minister to Haiti and in the United States Congress. He was just two months from his death: "If I am well enough on the evening of the 22nd to come over to your city to attend your meeting, I shall be glad to do so. . . . Mrs. Langston, since you & Mrs. Robinson have treated her several times so well at your gatherings . . . will have to accompany me."
A 1905 form letter signed by David Murray relates to the Theodore Roosevelt presidential inauguration, appointing Robinson as a chairman "for the accommodation of such Colored visitors" from Alexandria who wished to attend the inauguration.
Howard University president Jeremiah E. Rankin discusses plans to visit Robinson and John Mercer Langston, 29 December 1890.
Howard medical instructor Charles Burleigh Purvis accepts a speaking invitation, 16 March 1895: "I see you advertise me as one of the great men of the race. I am constrained to ask you to advertise me only as Dr. Purvis. . . . I belong to the human race & can represent many. I am not going to speak upon noted abolitionists as a colored man. I shall speak simply as a man. It is much like speaking of the Hon. Fred. Douglass as a great Negro."
William H. Jennings of Dumfries, Virginia replies about a proposed agricultural fair, 14 September 1892: "My citizens are anxious to exhibit their stock and genius. The colored people as a rule has not sufficient means to carry out the desire."
Three letters are from South Africa, from newspaper editor F.S.Z. Peregrino of the South African Spectator and his assistant, 1903-1905.
One letter circa 1897 is addressed to President William McKinley by two Black Washington politicians, W.C. Payne and Samuel Young, recommending Robinson for appointment as Collector of the Port of Alexandria.
Also included is a small printed handbill for a meeting of the S.M. Cullom Lyceum at Shiloh Baptist Church, naming Robinson as president and as speaker on the subject of "Our Women and Girls," 10 May 1891.
