New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-12
HE WAS NOT ASKED TO RESIGN.
WHAT FREDERICK DOUGLASS SAYS ABOUT
HIS LATE MINISTRY.
THE REPORT OF STRAINED RELATIONS WITH
THE ADMINISTRATIONS WITHOUT
FOUNDATION.

FOUNDATION.
Washington, Aug IL (specaD.-As was perhaps. to
be expected, the resignation Of Frederick Douglass
as Minister 10 Hayti has been mode the subject Oh
vast amount OF misconstructon and idle speculauoh'
and Il has been sought in quarters 10 convey to
impression that Mr. Douglass gave up his post because
OF strained relations with the State Department anu
this Administration generally. The statement mas even
been made in dispatches from Washington UNIV
Mr.. Douglass practically asked to resign' ler0
Is no foundation whatever for such theory OF MIN
lister Dougass's motive for resigning But 10 seS az
rest any further speculation on the suo!cc" W.
Douglass to-day in local interview asserts empnau
cally that unpleasant differences with the Admln'ua
ton had nothing whatever to do with his wthdra""'
al wish 10 deny he says ain the strongest Hann7r
possible the statement that my resignation was to
quested. In manner whatever has eVhcr ""o
President or the State Department ever inumateo !" io
that my resignation would be acceptable vi "0
contrary / have received only the kindest treatment
from both the head of the Administration and the
Department with which was Immediately cohnecVeu
Ny resignation was rendered purely personal
grounds The labors at Hayti had become onerous 10
me- as foresaw would be the case, and my resignation
therefore followed. At the time accepted inc WIN
stry to Hayt Informed the President that IL "ouiu
only be possible for to hold tho once lr C"o
years and that then should ask to be relieved "hen
I was here last year stated to the President that
you see there nothing sudden or forced ABOUT my
resignation at this time.
"No 1 have no complaints to make against ue
President or the Department OF State Against some
Others and especially against number OF newspapers
I consider have full cause for grievance Inc suaOe-
ments which have been made regarding my omciai "or
Ms Minister have been outrageous and al phe proper
time propose to answer the charges IL mas oeen
charged that have been derect in obtaining the con-
oeson OF the Mole st. Nicolas from the Haytian GOV
eminent. Why, the obtaining OF that station mas
been one OF my pet plans for years, and all That man
could do to get the concession from Iinya oiu durne
nv stay there man may lead horse to water but
twenty men cannot make him drink. For various
reasons was unsuccessful through no fault OF my own
in obtaining the Mole St. Nicolas for the United states
md tho affair has been made hook on when 10 hang
all manner of charges Of failure ncapacity and lack OF
interest which, as have said propose TO answer in
time.
"No, sir, do not believe that the question OF my
color either added to or detraCted from my usefulness
as Minister to Hayti have in the papers, and
have no doubt the argument has been made to tho
President that a white would be able to accom-
plish more in Hay than a black. The makers OF these
statements however. show little knowledge OF tle
Haytlan nation At Hayti il was not deemcd III
congruous that q black man should hold the piace OF
Minister at black republic. While the matter OF color
acted neither for nor against me- do believe that my
record and long labOrs for the advancement Oh ule
negro rnce wene q tremendous advantage 10 me: As
n matter OF fact more has been accomplished during
| my Ministry than for many years Previous