GEORGE T. DOWNING TO FREDERICK DOUGLASS

Washington[, D.C.] 28 April 1869.

DEAR DOUGLASS,

“Let there be no misunderstanding between us.” I have never sought or desired the Mission to Hayti or any position whatever under the Government;

had I have sought any such, I have no doubt but that you would have been
glad to have had me succeed.

I am (in no way responsible for any) announcement “through the
newspapers of the country that Frederick Douglass” had or would decline
to accept the Haytian Mission so that the six reasons stated in your letter to me (be they more or less good) for objecting to the newspaper announcements, have no point as effecting me.

My conversation with Senator Sumner¹Charles Sumner. was [illegible], unequivocal,
was grounded entirely by honest convictions, I asserted my belief, a belief founded on reasons which I deemed satisfactory. I did not pretend to
speak authoratively.

I do not know what you wrote to “The Independent”;²Downing refers to an editorial printed in the 22 April 1869 edition of the New York Independent. The article intended to explain why Douglass did not receive the ministerial position to Haiti, claiming that “the only excuse which the Government can render for not offering him the post was the public announcement made apparently by authority of Mr. Douglass himself, that he would not accept the offer if made.” Downing might have thought that the editorial was unjust when it presented the claim that Ebenezer Bassett’s friends in Washington, D.C., purposely deceived Grant into believing that Douglass would not accept the offer of the ambassadorship. New York Independent, 22 April 1869. but I do know
that the editorial was unjust and open to severe criticism, open to the
charge of falsifying.

Truly your friend,

GEO T DOWNING

ALS: General Correspondence File, reel 2, frames 474–75, FD Papers, DLC.