FREDERICK DOUGLASS TO CHARLES W. FOSTER

Rochester[, N.Y.] 24 August 1863. C. W. FOSTER: ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL WAR DEPARTMENT. ADJUTANT GENERALS, OFFICE. WASHINGTON D. C. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your official favour of the 21st instant¹Douglass accurately characterizes the content of the letter sent him by Charles W. Foster, dated 21 August 1863. General Correspondence File, reel 1, frames 842—843L, FD Papers, DLC. —written under the direction of Honorable E. M. Stanton²Edwin M. Stanton. Secretary of war in reply to a note from me, written on the 17th instant³Douglass alludes to his letter to Stanton dated 17 August 1863, published earlier in this volume. inquiring of the war Department—“upon what conditions” I was expected to enter the Service of recruiting Colored Troops in the South west under Adjutant General Thomas.⁴Adjutant General Lorenzo Thomas.

I beg most respectfully to State that since the War Department 1s pleased to understand my inquiry as referring only to remuneration and further, assures me that it is informed that I am to be paid by Major George L Stearns, I Shall Consider my self at Liberty to Correspond with that Gentleman directly, both as to the position I shall hold and the remuneration I shall receive in the recruiting service of the U. States.

I am, Sir, Respectfully Your Most Obedt. Ser.t

FRED:K DOUGLASS

ALS: Record Group 94, Records of the Adjutant General’s Office, 1762-1984, DNA.