Nov 29 69

Fred^k Douglass Esq, Rutland, Vt. and [illegible] Merriam

Dear Mr Douglas—

We telegraphed you to day, on receipt of your note from Rochester, that we had always made engagements for you on the 4th 5^th & 6th of January. We have no doubt that we can fill up the open date, before—so that it is too late to follow your direction. Please notify us whether your can arrange to give us up to the [illegible]

Republicans in the course & give the Democrats no chance.

If, however, I had known of your arrangements I sh^d have taken the responsibility of incurring the suspicision; but I thought you w^d not care about it & certainly I did not think you w^d care to appear agt the [illegible] news I c^d find—Collens(?) or Conven.(?) Perhaps I have erred in withdrawing the debate under any circumstance; but Mr [Teague's?] Sec'y thought it best if I cd give no valid reason for writing on it.

Very truly Yours

James Redpath