FREDERICK DOUGLASS TO GEORGE T. DOWNING

Rochester[, N.Y.] 26 Apr[il] 1869.

DEAR DOWNING:

Let there be no misunderstanding between us. I have neither sought nor
desired the Haytian Mission:¹Since March, newspapers had speculated that Grant would appoint some leading African American minister plenipotentiary to Haiti. Douglass was foremost among the potential candidates for the position, but in early April it was reported in the press that he would not accept that post “upon the two-fold ground that he cannot afford to take it, and prefers to dwell in the land of his birth.” NASS, 27 March 1869; Rochester Union and Advertiser, 7 April 1869. I have neither wanted you nor Mr. Bassett²Ebenezer Don Carlos Bassett.
to urge my claims to the position. I am glad that Mr. Bassett has proved
the successful candidate, but would have been equally glad in case of his
failure, to have seen you successful in obtaining the position. Don’t confound my dissatisfaction with what does not belong to it. Let me make you
at least understand me. The thing of which I complain stands wholly apart
from any supposed desire of mine to fill the position in question. To what
then do I object? I answer: to the unauthorized announcement through
the newspapers of the country “that Frederick Douglass has written to his
friends at Washington, declining to accept the Haytian Mission, stating
that he could not afford to accept it, and that he had made up his mind to
live and die in his native land” etc. now, why do I object to this statement?
I will tell you in detail: 1. Because it was unauthorized. 2. Because it not
only places me in a false position, but in a very ridiculous one. I am not
so foolish as to publicly decline any office which has not been publicly
and officially tendered me. 3. Because it makes me liable to the charge
of being incapable of acting in such matters under higher motives than
those which grow out of a love of money, and at the same time gives the
public an exaggerated idea of the money value of my vocation. 4. Because
it represents me as under the control of a sort of sentimental delirium of
patriotism; as absurdly and weakly refusing to leave the country for any
purpose however high, on any service however important, or for any time
however limited. 5. Because its natural effect was, not only to prevent my
receiving a call to the Haytian Mission, but to prevent the offer of any

other mission abroad, which the Government might have been disposed to
have tendered me, for it represents me as despising and rejecting the offers
of Government in advance. 6. Because nobody had right or authority from
me to make any such statement of my views and wishes, as those which
for several days were sent over the wires and through the newspapers
concerning this subject.

Though I am not unmindful of the claims of modesty, I have quite
<grit> enough to answer “yes” or “no” when I am asked to take office,
without the help of my friends. Besides I think you have overlooked a
distinction which you might have seen upon a moments reflection. There
is a wide difference between desiring and seeking office on the one hand,
and that even temper and disposition of mind on the other, which might
lead a man to accept a post of honor, when he has been adjudged worthy
to fill it, by those who are supposed to be capable of forming an intelligent
judgment. It is some satisfaction to know that one is deemed worthy of an
office, though he does not get or accept it when offered.

I acquit you of conscious intentional injustice. You meant to help Bassett, not to hinder me. I do you also the justice to believe that in telling Mr.
Sumner³Charles Sumner. that I would not take the office, you thought you were correctly
representing me. Besides I am bound to believe your disavowal of any
agency in sending the telegrams about my refusing the Haytian Mission.

Yours truly

FREDK DOUG LASS

ALS: Miscellaneous Manuscripts, NN.