Letter from J. R. J.

Frederick Douglass:—First of all, it must be said to some friends in Oswego County, that they will please excuse me from engagements with them from September 2d, to 9th—because a special demand from one who has suffered much for the slave, requires my labors in the Western countries of the State immediately. Full explanation, fact to face, (we trust,) hereafter.

The next in order, is to say, that those friends who have received letters from me relating to donations for a HOME for a Missionary, will greatly oblige me if they will respond favorably in person or by proxy, at the Buffalo Convention, Sept. 17th, and 18th, or by letter at Syracuse, by 20th, or 25th.

The business must be completed by Oct. 1st.

Now, let us repeat the words of WASHINGTON STICKNEY:

"I should be willing to abandon all party names if we can but secure thereby more effectually the co-operation of all the real friends of the cause, without at the same time yielding some point essential to the establishment and maintenance of righteous civil government. That sacrifice we cannot afford to make, even though we might secure thereby the co-operation of the whole created universe. For even then we should be found in a despicable minority. GOD, the great Author of Civil Government, would be against us." We respond—Amen! and Amen!

During a recent tour in Cortland County, much was learned adapted to encourage

our hearts. There will soon be quite an increase of subscribers for your paper, in that section.

One day's rest at Glen Haven was truly refreshing. C. C. Foote of Michigan was there, and preached on the morning of the 1st day of the week, August 31st. There, now, the good 7th day brethren at Scott, cannot say that I have told anything out of the way.

Brother Foote gave them a talk on their Sabbath, which they listened to with great interest.

The gathering at Rochester, may be larger than ours. They will meet to see what improvement can be made in the construction and production of things. We shall meet to save men from being claimed as things.

Yours,

J. R. J.Johnson, James Rawson

Probably the frequent correspondent of Frederick Douglass’ Paper, James Rawson Johnson, an African American abolitionist from Syracuse, New York. Johnson was a supporter of the Liberty party and the religious abolitionist cause, as well as hydropathy. FDP, 26 June, 11 September, 9 October 1851, 1 January, 12, 26 February, 25 March, 8 April, 20 May, 9 July, 15 October 1852; DouglassPapers, ser. 3, 1:582-84, 587-88, 590-92, 596, 599.

Syracuse, Sept. 3, 1851.