J. Wainwright Ray to Frederick Douglass, March 28, 1877
(Confidential)
New York 132 W. 13th St. Mch 28.'77.
Mr. Fredk. Douglas. Washington.
Marshal of the District of Columbia.
Dear Sir,
Enclosed please find an article of mine published in the Rochester Eveg Express last week.
It was a very pleasant thing for me to write this, and I think you will remember well the circumstances named.
Please accept this as a tribute to your character for achievement, and for your present high office. In view of the contrast between your case, and that of your people then and now,–it must be said "Lo! What hath God wrought"!
I was, in the war times, in the Dept. of The Interior—which place I left to take Orders in the Episcopal Church–which thing I did in Chicago. For some 4 years past, I have been a Resident of Rochester—my throat not allowing me to do the work of a Pastor. I am now Gen. Agt for "The Churchman"—and working for it here. On a/c of my throat, I wish I were back again in Office at Washn, when I was Head of "the Civilization Divn. of Indians"—Salary of $1800. Perhaps you may have some place where I could help you. I wrote the first Nomination of LincolnLincoln, Abraham
Whig turned Republican Illinois politician Abraham Lincoln (1809-65) was sworn in as the sixteenth president of the United States on 4 March 1861. Douglass met Lincoln at the White House in 1863 and was charmed by the president's earnest political consideration of emancipation. A year later Lincoln granted Douglass's request that his son Charles be discharged from the Army because of illness. Douglass met in private with Lincoln on 19 August 1864, when they discussed stepping up efforts to recruit slaves to the Union's cause. Lincoln was elected to a second term in November 1864, and Douglass attended his inauguration festivities. James M. McPherson, Abraham Lincoln and the Second American Revolution (New York, 1990), 109, 134-35, 139; Phillip Shaw Paludan, The Presidency of Abraham Lincoln (Lawrence, Kans., 1994), 4-5, 15-16, 183, 285-87; McFeely, Frederick Douglass, 229-35.
for the Presidency–in the Aurora Beacon which I edited till I went as Ed. in Chief of The Daily Whig & Repn. Quincy Ill.
Dr. Cha. H. RayRay, Charles H.
, the Battle Axe of Chicago Tribune was my
nephew–much lamented. I was formerly a Lawyer in Ills.–and when in Office in W. I had frequent occasion to use my little knowledge of law, in the Settlement of Indian Claims &c..
Please favor me with a reply, and tell me if you remember the fact, which I have here narrated in the Rochester Express. Also say whether I can help you any way in your official work.
Very Resp'y
Your Obt. Servt.
J. Wainwright RayRay, J. Wainwright
.