FREDERICK DOUGLASS Letter concerning his rival Richard Green

Sale 2562 - Lot 201

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"I SHALL USE YOUR LETTER IN THE CAUSE OF HUMAN BROTHERHOOD" FREDERICK DOUGLASS. Letter concerning his rival Richard Greener. Autograph Letter Signed "Fred'k Douglass" to Martin I. Townsend. One page, 8 x 5 inches, plus integral blank with docketing on verso; folds, 2 small paper clip stains, mount remnants on docket page. Washington, DC, 23 December 1882

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This letter relates to the longstanding dispute between Douglass and Richard T. Greener (1844-1922), the first Black graduate of Harvard and an opponent of close alliances with the Republican Party. Douglass was writing to Martin I. Townsend (1810-1903), a New York district attorney and former Republican congressman. In full:

"I am very much obliged. The letter to Prof. Greener contains an important lesson. I take my share of it. Nothing could be more to the point. The hit is palpable. May it never be mine or yours or his to need another such reminder. I shall use your letter in the cause of human brotherhood whenever and wherever I find opportunity. I shall not soon forget the pleasure of your company and conversation."