FREDERICK DOUGLASS TO JOHN VAN VOORHIS¹A New York Republican and political ally of Douglass, John Van Voorhis (1826–1905) practiced law in Elmira. After holding several minor offices, he was elected to Congress for two terms (1879–83). He then practiced law in Rochester, from which he was elected to a final term in Congress (1893–95). BDUSC (online).

Rochester, [N.Y.] 30 Aug[ust] 1866.

DEAR SIR:

Sensible of the unexpected honor generously conferred upon me by
the Republican Convention of this city, in appointing me one of its delegates to meet with the true Southern Unionists about to convene in Philadelphia,²One pro-Democrat Rochester newspaper reported that the city’s “Radicals” had chosen Douglass as a delegate to the Southern Loyalist Convention in Philadelphia because of his strong opposition to Andrew Johnson. The New York Tribune, however, praised his selection and recommended that the convention elect him one of its officers as “a fitting recognition of the claims of his people, not to speak of his own services.” Rochester Union and Advertiser, 25, 27 August, 1 September 1866; New York Tribune, 31 August 1866; Eric McKittrick, Andrew Johnson and Reconstruction (Chicago, 1960), 394–420. I beg to state that I cheerfully and gratefully accept the appointment, and will certainly attend that true National Convention, .

this Convention shall receive me, the event will certainly be somewhat significant of progress. they reject me, they will only identify
themselves with another Convention, which, from mean motives, turned
its back upon its friends.³The Southern Loyalist Convention, held in Philadelphia on 3–7 September, was in reality an ad hoc political extravaganza carried out by those opposed to President Johnson’s reconstruction policies. Structured around separate conventions for southern and northern delegates, the event included a constellation of private and public enclaves, formal banquets, torchlight processions, and street rallies lasting late into the night. The presence of Douglass, the only African American delegate, at the convention, polarized the media, convention goers, and the population at large. While on his way to the convention, the train he was riding in derailed, and a mob attempted to board the train and attack Douglass. Many newspapers acknowledged Douglass’s popularity and lamented that northern representatives were not officially taking part in the convention, whereas others questioned Douglass’s right to attend it at all. New York Daily Tribune, 3 September 1866; New York Herald, 3 September 1866; Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, 4 September 1866; New York Times, 5 September 1866.

Yours, very truly,

FREDERICK DOUG LASS.

PLSr: Rochester , 1 September 1866.