Deer Park Garrett Co. M^d.

July 13th/73

Fredrick Douglass

Honored Sir:

It is impossible for you to know how reluctant I am to write this letter, as I know that such great men must have a multitude of important matters to attend to ; this I know will not seem important to you, but oh; Mr Douglass if you could understand what it is to me, what I shall ask, would not seem for much, to your good heart. It would never have occured to me, to trouble you, had you not spoken as you did, about two months ago, in your own parlor when I called without Sara. Of course I do not expect you

I remember, how should you, from your height remember anything connected with such a poor unfortunate? so I will repeat your words I think I could repeat all the words you have ever spoken to me! I said, "Mr. Douglass, I have applied for a position in the Treasury." and you said "have you? why did you not, get my name on the paper? Richardson is a friend of mine." Then you inquired if I had passed. and I said I did not know yet, but thought so, and you said it would be easier to help me me if I had passed over sixty. I am home now as you will see by the date of this. Of course all my friends are good to myself & little one; but after having made the mistake, which I spoke to you of, I am determined to support myself & child if I have to work for it. I should be much better pleased to get nine hundred a year, & have a chance to lay up some for the education of my child, and to support me when I am an old woman. There is nothing in the world that can make me so nearly happy as this. I have thought much about writing, since I received a document about two weeks ago, informing me that I had passed 62. 36, but had not been appointed, and that my papers would stand to compete for one year, but could not get up courage, until I received a letter from aunt Sara advising me to. Of course, I don't know about such things, but I know that you can influence anyone to almost any degree, and so I should think you could influence the Secretary of the Treasury to give me a position, I will be so hard to

be a good clerk. Oh! Mr Douglass if you could! if you only could. I cannot respect you more, but, I will teach my child to worship you, and we will each day pray God to bless Fredrick Douglass while life shall last. You know I have been your friend, since I was such a little girl, tho, I have not seen much of you since I used to comb your hair & plait your whiskers. What a careless happy little child I was then! Who could have thought, that these few years would bring me so much unhappiness. I forget, that you know nothing of it. Well maybe, when I get a position & come to Washington, I can tell you about it. Our people unite with me in sending best wished to you & yours. Would you kindly write a very few words & tell what you can do for Your helpless friend

Julia Foster Sagendorf