FREDERICK DOUGLASS TO JOSEPH COMSTOCK HATHAWAY¹Joseph Comstock Hathaway (1810-73), a Quaker farmer from Farmington, New York, was the recording secretary of the American Anti-Slavery Society in 1843. Philadelphia , 27:328 (10 January 1874).

Rochester[, N.Y.] 29 July 1856.

J. C. HATHAWAY:

MY DEAR FRIEND:

I am just leaving for New Bedford²Douglass, who regularly spoke at the annual West Indian Emancipation celebrations, attended such an event in New Bedford, Massachusetts, on 1 August 1856. , ser. 1, 3:xxv; , 1:242.—and have time only for a word in
response to your favor of yesterday. I should have been pleased with Burnes’³This Barnes is a possible reference to Samuel Barnes, the father of Aaron Barnes. Aaron Barnes (1819-48) was introduced to his wife, Anna Mott Cornell, in 1847 by Phoebe Hathaway, the sister of Joseph Comstock Hathaway. They were married in Rochester, New York, and left for southern New York shortly afterward. Adam Mott and Anne Mott, (Poughkeepsie, N.Y., 1890), 186, 369. horse—The price is higher than I wish to go—I can not allow mySelf more than two hundred dollars in horSe flesh—and from your account,—and I rely Solely upon your judgement in the matter—the beautiful dark bay mare, at two hundred dollars must answer my purpose.

I shall not reach home till about the 20th August—At that time, or there after, I will be glad to have an introduction to her Lady Ship—The cash will be forth coming at that time—

Tell Dear Ann⁴Ann is a possible reference to Anne P. Adams of Farmington, New York. Adams sometimes stayed with Joseph Comstock Hathaway’s sister, Phoebe Hathaway, and was an acquaintance of Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Adams wrote two articles for in 1853., 9, 16 September 1853; Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, , ed. Ann D. Gordon, 4 vols. (New Brunswick, N.J., 1997-2006), 1:29. that I was sorry not to have Seen her Self and my friend Miss Smith when they called at my office.

My kindest regards to your Dear household—I am Yours Truly—

FREDERICK DOUGLASS—

ALS: African-American History Collection, MiU-C.