Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-27
HIS MASTERS NIECE
The Lady for Whom Mr. Douglass Secured
Government Appointment.

Inc Lady for Whom Mr. Douglass Secured
Government Appointments
Recently there has been extensively pub
iished an account Of ex-Minister Frederick
Douglass mediation to secure a government
appointment for . member Of the family in
which he was once owned as . slave. There
were some inaccuracies in the statement which
has induced a lady acquainted with the facts to
send to the STAR the following:
thinking a correct account Of the affair
might not be uninteresting to the readers Of
The STAR, as well as serving to heighten the re-
gard In which Mr.. Douglass Is held by both
races, would state that learning Of the impov-
ished circumstances Of branch Of his old mas
ster's family, that niece was in Washington
city endeavoring to obtain government employ,
Mr.. Douglass offered to use his influence in
the young lady's behalf.
Accompanied by her and the writer. cousin
of the lady, Mr.. Douglass called upon Secre-
tary husk, making known the object of his
language:
Gov. Rusk, the time has come when the
| great happiness is permitted me to be Of some
family lady in whose veins flows the best
blood Of Maryland. Allow me to introduce to
you Miss B, who seeks employment in your
Az might naturally be expected, Mr.. Rusk
tH;rumptly and kindly responded in the afirma-
i've, suggesting that the request for position
| aassa De sent in the form Of . letter to his
SIo Inc result was the following, placed on
liz. ie ~ 'ne Agricultural Department . few days
CEDAR H11, AxAoosr1A, d. c.,
Hon. J. NJ. Rusk, Secretary of Agriculture:
or: ! nave the honor to remind you, rs re-
quested, OF the case of Miss -, a member
OF the family In which was formerly slave.
Circumstances have reduced the fortune Of
that branch Of the family to which Miss
| belongs and hence she seeks through INV inter-
cession some employment by winch She NAV
assist herself and family in this their hour Of
| need. 1t is a strange reversal of human rela-
tions that brings myself, the slave, and this
lady, brought up In the lap of luxury and ease.
now to seek the humble employment ask for
her. Miss -- will, l am sure if given the
place she seeks, prove herself a useful member
of the agricultural service and grateful for the
| appointment.
| Hoping that no obstacle will be found to hei
getting the place she seeks. am, sir,
Very truly your obedient servant,
| (Signed) FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
| It is safe to say no archive Of the govern
ment holds in its recesses today stronger evi
| dence of the tenderness and magnanimity Of {
| minister's
| On taking leave Of the Secretary Mr.. Douglas
referred again to his old master ''as having
been good man in his way" and havinl
always treated him (Mr. Douglass) with kind
\ ness although, laughingly continued the ex
minister, 81 scored him roundly at the time. !"
Tes beneficiary Of Mr.. Douglass kindness
| feels quite at home in the seed department o.
the Agricultural Department. being farmer
daughter, and while conscientiously endeavor
ing to earn the salary drawn from the govern
ment. bears grateful witness to the large
heartedness of the man who owes no grudge
but, on the contrary, feels the tenderest senti
ments toward the family who once boosted
| they owned Fred. Douglass"