Washington D.C. Oct. 17. 1876

Dear Sir:

I am spending most of my time now on the Stump. I am no lawyer—and cannot stop now to give you any defense of the legality of any measure adopted by Government to enforce the 15^th Amendment. I cannot think however, that Attorney General Taft who is a man learned in the law, has made any mistake in the matter. The Constitution has been often invoked to sheild treason and I rather think it so invoked in the present instance.

Haste yours truly

Fred^k. Douglass