FREDERICK DOUGLASS TO ALTA LUCIA GRAY HILLIARD WALLINGFORD

Rochester[, N.Y.] 14 March 1856.

My DEAR FRIEND.
You could not have regretted more than my Self—my inability to reach Dover for a second lecture in February. For my own Sake and for the Cause’s Sake, I would have been glad if the case had been otherwise. I had a warm, fresh word to utter there, in behalf of the slave and in behalf of universal freedom, which might have been of Service. I wanted too, to meet again, yourself and other Dear friends who have manifested an interest in my welfare and happiness—but the elements were against this and I was compelled to Submit to their decision. This winter has found me abundant in Labors—and left me much worn. I travelled during the winter about four thousand miles and have delivered nearly Seventy Speeches to large meetings of the people. I have lectured in Maine, N. Hampshere Massachusetts—R Island—Conn—Newyork—and Ohio—My extreme point in the east was Bangor—and in the west Cincinnati—During my visit to Ohio¹Frederick Douglass had several speaking engagements in Ohio in early 1856, including one in Painesville, between 21 February and 13 March. The manufacturing community of Painesville, a trade and distribution point, is located in Lake County, Ohio, approximately twenty-five miles northeast of Cleveland, near Lake Erie. Though designed in 1805, Painesville was not established as a Village until 1832. Douglass Papers, ser. 1, 3:xxiv–xxv; Seltzer, Columbia Lippincott Gazetteer of the World, 1411-12; Cohen, Columbia Gazetteer of the World, 2337.—while at Painesville—I had the good fortune to Spend an afternoon and evening with Mr^s N. P. Rogers²A native of Vermont, Mary Porter Farrand Rogers (1796-1890) was the daughter of Daniel Farrand, a justice of the Vermont State Supreme Court, and his wife, Mary Porter. Her maternal grandfather was a prominent Tory, Colonel Asa Porter of Haverhill, New Hampshire. In 1822 she married the abolitionist editor Nathaniel Peabody Rogers. Frederic P. Wells, History of Newbury, Vermont: From the Discovery of the Cods Country to Present Time (St. Johnsbury, Vt., 1902), 542–43.—and several of the Children of our gifted friend now resting from his labors—where the treachery of professed friends—and the malice of open foes—are alike harmless—I had a very pleasant interview—and was much reminded both of Sunny and Shady moments Spent with the same Children and mother—when the Father was living—and mantled us all in the bright Sun Shine—or the penSive Shades of his powerful mind and heart. I am to lecture this evening in Brockport—N York³Douglass was scheduled to speak in Brockport, New York, on 14 March 1856. Brockport, located in Monroe County, is approximately seventeen miles west of Rochester. Douglass Papers, ser. 1, 3:xxv; Thomas and Baldwin, Lippincott’s Gazetteer, 1:296. about 20, miles from home—Pardon the brevity of this note—Love to Mr Wallingford⁴Zimri Scates Wallingford. to your Sister—Mr^s Adams⁵Mary Hilliard Adams.—and to all that love this cause of human progress in your Dear family and out of it in Dover. Yours most truly and with great respect.
FREDERICK DOUGLASS—

ALS: Miscellaneous Manuscripts, NhHis.