Frederick Douglasss to Miss Schofield, June 16, 1870
Rochester, June 16, 1870.
My dear Friend Miss Schofield,
I wish it were now, but since this cannot be I must hope for August. You know, I trust, that my last winter's visit, was made pleasant to me by your own contributions. I received more than I gave—and as it is more blessed to give than to receive you were the happier of the two. I am just now involved in a controversy with certain Ambassadors of Christ as to whether the Abolition of Slavery was brought about by divine or human agency. I am on the human side of the question as usual. As Nathaniel P. Rogers used to say: I was opposed to Slavery not because the Slave was made in the image of God—but because he was made in the reality of a man.
I am too poor a penman to make [mouths?] of your hand writing—but you must not feel [boxes?] if I tell you that your last note brought the persperation to my forehead and that I fear, I did not make it all out. Are you one of those who think bad penmanship a mark of Genius? If so I beg you to abandon that heresy.
I am not giving myself much trouble about men nor angels just now—I am gardening and mean to have a few potatoes this winter.
There are several things I should like to say to you were you here, but I must wait. I am glad you were so kind as to give me your exact address. Is Mr Halleck still in Whitesboro? Where are you going in July? Is it none of my business? Well, just as you think, I submit. Only don't let it be on a wedding tour! But if anything so bad as that is to happen, I wish you would go to Niagara, and take Rochester in your way. I am too busy just now to write long letters to ladies, or to gentleman either for that matter.
It is an open question with me whether letters after all are a benefit. I am sure that, while I am conscious of much pleasure in a few letters I have received—take the whole together and I must pronounce them bores and some of them intolerable bores—as this may prove to you. When you write dear Friend, for so I esteem you, keep out of the blue sky—and write plain. Yours very truly,
Fredk Douglass