Cheltenham
43 Lansdown Crescent
Jany 22^d /67

I know not when I shall be able to conclude this note my very dear friend but having yesterday only entered my new home—it is to you that I desire to address the very first expressions of affectionate remembrance from a place where I shall feel less a stranger—when I have thus consecrated it that every precious blessing may rest upon you shall be my daily prayer as long as it shall please God to keep me under this roof.

March 3^d I began this letter long ago as you will see by its date. My dear friend Although I have not found one quiet hour to write to you since Not one has passed that I have not been with you in Spirit—

I have written to dearest Rosa during the few moments I have been able to snatch from my almost unceasing occupations, and have told her something of my present circumstances mine is a very, very arduous task, and I often feel as if it would be quite impossible to pursue it steadily very long . But when I feel discouraged I try to remember what you, my noble friend, are doing have patiently have steadfastly have uncomplainingly you are laboring with one great and noble end in view and under difficulties and threats far, far greater than my own—and I also remember that you—who have drank nearly to the dregs the cup of sorrow—are trying to be content under all

as you once so truly said to me—But dear friend we are hastening very rapidly towards that blessed eternity of Liberty and rest—In that glorious world we shall soon meet, and then and there for ever keep the glorious Jubilee for which our weary souls are longing. I have also some comforts here as well as trials dear friend and I know you will like to hear of them. I believe that I possess the affections of those by whom I am surrounded. My friend who so kindly offered to share her home with me is very good to me. She is beginning to take an interest in the things in which she sees that I take pleasure

I am grateful to her for telling all her friends how deeply I am sympathizing with the poor slaves. And for circulating your book and the Monthly among her acquaintances. She has already given me several things for the Bazaar. And by her means, I have been introduced to many persons who work for the colored & colonial schools in Canada and who are friends of the oppressed, though I do not find much real enthusiasm among them. There is a want of warm love for the poor enslaved race. Yet I am thankful to know anybody who is not quite indifferent to them.

Last evening I went to one of their working meetings It was for the fugitive Slaves. We worked so you may imagine my dear friend, how happy I was. all the more so that I had no hope ever to go to such a meeting in this place only a few days ago. A clergyman of the Church of England read to us some good papers on Slavery, but I fear he is not a whole hearted man in the Cause, for he said to me that he believed the Bible did sanction Slavery! Oh! I am so weary and really disgusted with this old sinful exculpation of the wicked system!

I asked him if he would allow me to lead him D^r Cheever's book on the subject he said he would read it though he did no expect to be convinced—however he shall have it—I mean to lend their glorious work to every body I know—I hate to hear the Bible brought forward as it is and continually quoted when the subject of slavery is mentioned as I dare not say to all for fear of injuring our cause as I would say to you my dear friend—Let the Bible for ever perish—if it does sanction slavery—let it allow

as possible be annihilation for in that hate—it must be the devil’s book—and not God’s book—Oh that I were free to say all I feel to every body. I will I am not much better off here in regard to bigotry on religious matters than I was at Wincobank being among but Church of England people. You cannot think how narrow minded they are. I often writhe under it all yet I prefer this kind of bigotry to the former, for these people, at all wants leave you a chance of salvation if you will only become a true son or daughter of the Church—It is very trying to have to go to those unending services several times on Sundays.

and even during the week—! but I have that time for quiet, private prayer and thought. I can be in Spirit with my precious absent friends and I now go more willingly to church. One of my greatest comforts here is that I am hitherto entirely free to teach and to influence my girls as I think right and best no one interferes with me in this and these dear children being all attached to me it will make everything I hope comparatively easy My dear friend I do try to teach them to pray for you and to work for you Every one of them from the eldest, a young lady in her eighteenth year to a lisping child of five are now working for the Anti Slavery Bazaar. They all seem to take real pleasure in it. "What shall I do for your poor slaves I am often asked—The little one walks exaltingly about the room holding up her work and singing 'I am working for the poor slaves' then she comes to ask me all about the little colored children and about Mr. Douglass when he was a little boy. My dear friend when you write next, will you just send an encouraging word to these dear children I promised them I would tell you that they

were working for you and told them how pleased you would be to hear it. God be praised that in this way—even in this poor way I can do something for you—until it shall please God to use me among colored children just as I am being used here teaching guiding and loving them. I do most heartily thank you for allowing me to write to you often my very dear friend It is my greatest joy now to write to you and to work for you You will not think it a want of respect for you if I send you such scrawls as these I have so little time

What joy will it be for me when you shall write to me that you are happy. Dear friend Oh may you be happy, perfectly happy and satisfied. at least for a few years on earth! May you see all the desires of your heart fulfilled and your long labors crowned with success. Then I shall be happy and satisfied.

I have had several letters from our beloved friend M^rs Rawson They are still in Naples Poor Lizzie is much weaker so pray for her—Dear M^rs Rawson always says that she hopes I write to you and that I try to comfort you—I love her the more for saying this—

Oh that I might indeed comfort you! In her last note she says "When you write to F. Douglass, will you remember us both very kindly to him, and thank him for his frequent remembrances of us." I hope D^r Cheever has been in Rochester. I am so happy to see he had such an immense audience in Washington God bless his words there and every where I have read and reread your beautiful speech on the War Oh, that I could sometimes be among your auditors dear dear friend. I am writing to the dear Cheevers and sending them my picture which I promised them It is the same I have sent to dear Rosetta I wish I could have looked upon you all in it with all the affection which fills my heart for you It is so sad and gloomy.

It is indeed trying to the utmost to see this War so prolonged without accomplishing the effect so ardently desired by our hearts but it will do so. Let us wait and pray a little longer. The glorious day of deliverance is approaching by some unknown by way. It will suddenly appear to our view. Let us be patient and pray without ceasing The last Sunday I speak in Sheffield. I saw

M^r Carpenter for a few moments only—he had been preaching there and he hardly called to see me at my friend's. I was so disappointed not to see his wife. I fancy I should like her better than Mr. C. I told him how much I should like to work in Canada among the colored people. He said I should find it extremely trying. This I did not at all like. Dear friend I dare not write any more. This is again a long epistle, forgive me once more Farewell, my very dear friend. Oh, I wish I could find some words to express in this brief space all I feel and wish for you! but it is impossible. I cannot bear to say farewell to you even in this way always fearing it may be the last time. God bless you my very dear friend. God take special care of you Forever your much devotedly Rosine Ame Draz

and that you bid me be of good cheer. All this brings now and then such strength to my Spirit that I feel able and willing to do and to suffer all things. And I praise God who gives me such an example and such a friend to encourage and counsel me. Dear Rosetta has probably told you how much I dislike this town on account of its unsociable exclusive spirit. Although I individually have not suffered from it, as yet. My heart is continually wounded by all I see. It is astonishing to hear how complacently some people speak of their liberal spirit and even blame the Americans for their sinful prejudices who would think

themselves disgraced in the eyes of society were they to receive at their table a person whose birth was not quite as aristocratic as their own. However good and highly educated that person might be! I will not dwell on this subject my dear friend for fear of grieving you whose heart is already so burdened with the sight of oppression and injustice! What can we do? Where are we to seek for freedom from all this. Where is true Liberty to be found, and the rest, and happiness which accompany it? Nowhere this side of the grave.

Forgive the bad paper. I will get some better for the next letter My love to Rosetta & all your dear circle—Take care of your health—& your very precious life— God bless you—

We have just heard of the victory at Fort Donelson. God grant it may lead to the deliverance of the slaves. This is all I care for—