ROSETTA DOUGLASS SPRAGUE TO FREDERICK DOUGLASS

Rochester[, N.Y.] 18 Feb[ruary] 1869.

MY DEAR FATHER

Your letters have filled me with sadness although I certainly appreciate
the advice contained in them and feel sure that Nathan¹Nathan Sprague. does also. There
is no place that if left entirely to my desires and all parties be thoroughly
satisfied as on the hill. I know full well that it is for you to choose who you

shall have around you and I could stand all the grumbling and faultfinding
that might arise by our remaining here but Nathan is different knowing
that it has been said that he cannot just unthank you and he took exception to what you said in your letter that it was “all mouth and no hands,”
that you included him with the rest as being a burden, and he gave me as
a reason for moving that he could not make it pay the first year as he had
to make something the first year to be successful the second that he was
starting it <without> money to back him and he did not feel like incurring
another debt and on a years trial and that he thought it better for him to
seek some employment as soon as he could and try and save money than
to make a beginning by borrowing money and that he thought you and the
rest would respect him more and he would feel better himself. I could only
say do as you think best. I do not think Nathan was angry or offended but
desired to take a step that would prevent him from becoming further indebted to you so far as money is concerned for he knows as well as myself
the many demands for money from you by all of the family.²After failing in his efforts to establish a successful business in Omaha, Nebraska, Nathan Sprague returned to Rochester in October 1868 and rejoined his wife and children, who were living with her parents. Unable to find steady employment, Sprague remained with his family under Douglass’s roof for several months, all the while borrowing money from both his father-in-law and at least two of his brothers-in-law, Charles and Frederick Jr. At the time this letter was written, Sprague had recently moved his family into a home on Pearl Street. The move was likely precipitated by Douglass’s complaints, echoed by his son Charles, about Sprague’s inability to support his family and his continued dependence on Douglass for substantial financial assistance. Blight, Prophet of Freedom, 500–503; Fought, Women, 210–11. I would not
have you think for a moment that your advice to us is not appreciated[.] I
not only appreciate as I have always done but covet advice from you, but
with all the advice you <give> and after my great desire for it I fail to give
<sufficient> evidence that I am profiting by it I cannot feel entirely happy
as I am certain you must misapprehend me. The sewing machine has worried me to think I have not been able to use it more advantageously, but
when you write as if sorry you gave it to me I cannot but wonder why you
fail to see the many reasons for my not having made [illegible] profit by it.
I am not certain that we can move before you get home, for many reasons
I am sorry Nathan made such a hasty decision and yet again I knew if he
failed in this undertaking and become entirely discouraged he in his dispondency would be as unpleasant as he was on coming home last summer.
I know nothing pleases him better than to be successful in what he undertakes and please all hands and no one more than yourself. It is not ingratitude father. I shall look after the correspondence just the same and better
as I shall be compelled to keep Louisa³Helen Louise “Louisa” Sprague. from School if she ever learns to
read and write she can do so at home. I can do nothing with two babies.⁴Nathan and Rosetta Douglass Sprague were the parents of three children by this date: Annie Rosine (age four), Harriet Bailey (age two), and Alice Louise, who turned four months old on 14 February. Bernier and Taylor, If I Survive, xlix; Fought, Women, 310.
I have sufficient energy but lack strength. I only hope you are not angry
with Nathan and myself for what may seem a back <lack> of regard for
your desires. I cannot see how we could remain here without in a measure
depending upon you as Nathan failed to find employment in the winter to
enable us to live in the summer also. Nathan owes Fred.⁵Frederick Douglass, Jr. nearly $50, that
he promised him this spring and for which he is constantly reminding him

as he will need all that is coming to him against he is married. He could
do no more than he had <done> da coming home as late in the season as
he did that is, make enough to keep us comfortably this winter so far as
fuel and food was concerned.

Nathan has found employment as Gardener for Mumford⁶George Huntington Mumford (1805–71) was a wealthy retired lawyer who owned an estate in Rochester’s Twelfth Ward, located not far from Douglass’s farm. Mumford, whose household at this time included his wife and three of his children, employed a number of servants, one of whom was Nathan Sprague’s younger brother Alfred. In 1870, Alfred Sprague (c. 1850–1916) resided in the Mumford home as a live-in servant, and Lewis Sprague, another of Nathan’s siblings and a coachman, lived next door to the Mumfords with his wife and six children. 1860 U.S. Census, New York, Monroe County, 429; 1870 U.S. Census, New York, Monroe County, 14–15; Find a Grave (online). for $50. a
month beginning now the middle of this month for the season ending in
November making in that time $475—more he thinks than he could do
here as it would be clear gain and no debt further than he has already
hanging over him. What do you think of it. He says he knows he could
make gardening pay here but he would need to have money in hand. I
wrote you a line this morning for Peoria⁷Douglass spoke at Rouse Hall in Peoria, Illinois, on 22 February 1869. The event was part of the Mercantile Library Association Course. Douglass Papers, ser. 1, 4: xxvi. in which I told you that John
Jones sent $249 that he had collected from Mr Fogg.⁸Samuel C. Fogg. I hold it as also the
money for John until you say what is to be done with it whether I shall
hand it to mother.

I hope your fur cape has proved sufficient covering for you. I have
often wondered if you have suffered with the cold as we are doing here.
We have had Spring weather until the past <days>

Mother⁹Anna Murray Douglass. sends love—

Your Affectionate Daughter—

R. D. SPRAGUE.

ALS: General Correspondence File, reel 2, frames 426R–29L, FD Papers, DLC.