Frederick Douglass to Rutherford B. Hayes, September 20, 1879
Washington, D.C., Sept. 20 1879.
To His Excellency, R. B. Hayes, Washington.
It have been announced that a vacancy is soon to occur in the Board of Commissioners of the District of Columbia, the undersigned, colored citizens of Washington, beg leave to respectfully name in connection with this vacancy, the Honorable Sayles J. Bowen.
Mr. Bowen's native executive ability and long experience in connection with District affairs,
render him in our judgment peculiarly well qualified for the position of Commissioner;
and we believe that his appointment to that office would meet with the almost unanimous approval of his fellow-citizens, regardless of politics, race, or social condition.
Very respectfully,
John Mercer Langston.
Fredk. Douglass—
O. I. B. Wall, Att'y at law.
Chas. N. Oley Prin. of Pub. Schools
J. E. Patterson Atty
[C Blimni?] M.D.
L H Carson
Wm. H. A. Wormley
Milton M. Holland