PORT AU PRINCE, Oct. 20, 1858.

FREDERICK DOUGLASS, ESQ: MY DEAR SIR:
—Although we are personally unknown to
each other, yet your own name and life have
long been familiar to me; and life have
long been familiar to me; and I have often
sympathized with you in your justly, bold and
able defences of the African branch of the
human family. It is now in behalf of the
sons of Africa, that I address you, with the
hope of drawing your kind attention to an
important undertaking which we have just
commenced in the Capitol of the Haytian
Empire, in order to facilitate and help for-
ward the great work of education and gen-
eral civilization. Instead, however, of en-
tering into details on the subject at present,
allow me to refer you to —— Vashon,
Esq., who, I have reason to believe, is well
known to you, and to whose care an expla-
natory appeal to the friends of education in
Hayti is confided.

The object of the appeal is to aid in rais-
ing a sum of $600 in behalf of a boarding
school, which we are establishing in this
Capitol. May I beg the favor of your pat-
ronage and influence in behalf of this ap-
peal; anything your kindness may bestow,
or that your influence may procure for us,
in this undertaking, may be confided to our
esteemed friend, Mr. Vashon.

I remain, dear sir, yours truly,

M. B. BIRD.