My dear Friend,

I am just home from my somewhat protracted visit to my boys at Washington and find your kind invitation of me to meet Mrs Hizer and Hazen at your house awaiting me. I am very sorry that my absence from home deprived me the pleasure of accepting your invitation. I would have been quite happy to have seen and conversed with a lady from whose intelligence I entertain so high respect as do for Mrs Hizer and for Mrs Hazen also

Yours truly always

Frederick Douglass

Rochester Monday Morning