Westmoreland Terrace

Newcastle on Tyne

Dec 22^d 1864

My dear friend Frederick Douglass,

I have been thinking of writing to you for a good while past and now that that you have really been to Baltimore, can hardly refrain from taking up my pen, for I remember you used to say 18 years since that it was "the dearest wish of your heart to possess a cottage in Maryland,"—and who knows but that you may now become a resident in your native state—and yet more than that—one of its Senators?—In my humble opinion this would be

a joyous welcome to a life of pain and sorrow—It is very rarely I have any great ambition for my friends to possess themselves of earthly burdens but in your particular case I should like it—for whether "Senator" or Member of Congress I think there would be something very fitting and appropriate in Mary Land Leading the way in giving "honour to whom honour is due"—We have always looked upon you my dear friend, as a sort of embodiment of the wrongs—sufferings—& shall I say (?) virtues and powers of your race—& I want these

to be atoned for and rewarded in the person of at least one of slavery's—cruel slavery's former victims—

Will you smile at this little outburst of enthusiasm? I do not think I was seven years old when the first spark of it this enthusiasm was illuminated in my bosom as I stood at my father's porch in the sweet home of my childhood & listened to the sorrows of "the black man" half puzzled by his streaming tears—Such applicants were never to be turned empty away & then we would turn to Cowper's verses on Mungo Park's travels, & they would verify every thing & assure us that both [illegible] and [illegible] would bind in for ever to the

African race with all their earthly prepossessions, how intensely have I despised the prejudices against colour! - how at hand the meanness that could first crush out the light of intellect, and then, if that light did not shine, make its absence the pitiful excuse for injustice and oppression.

Thus could I run on, but I may have said enough- We hate the War - the cruel War - as intensely as ever, but God is overuling it for the freedom of your race and for that freedom we can presently thank Him & yet rejoice that our own hands are clean of the blood of the oppressors.

A great many changes have taken place in our own circle since you were amongst us—You may probably be aware how dear Eliza Wigham has lately lost her father and that M^rs. John Wigham of Edinburgh (Salisbury Road) has for some time been a widow and also our beloved cousin M^rs. Edward Richardson of this town—I was spending last evening with the two latter ladies and telling them I was thinking of writing to you—They united in wishing me to give you their kindest remembrance, Those three sisters, M^rs. J. D. Carr--M^rs. J. Wigham & M^rs. Barlow (formerly Eliza Nicholson) all reside near each other at Carlisle-- I am thankful to say our dear sister Ellen Richardson is stronger than she was—She & her brother both still reside under the old roof—My dearest husband & I have often been busy

during the last year with packing barrels of warm clothing for the poor coloured people—Some went from this town in March—some more in June and a third relay quite recently—We hope to have some more to send in Feb^y—We are rejoiced to hear how well the poor refugees are behaving—give them fair play—cultivate both their heart and intellect and they may yet become a wise and happy people and a blessing to their neighbours—You kindly gave us your portrait when you were last here—Shall I enclose a tiny one of ourselves? It was taken last spring and meets with the almost unanimous approval of our friends. I am most thankful to say my husband's health continues much stronger than formerly. As usual he is exceedingly busy with his Bible Society & other unselfish matters. He writes in affectionate remembrance—

[signature written perpendicular on first page]
We should be much pleased to hear from you & that your family are well

Ever truly and affectionately your friend

Anna H Rn