Letter from Frederick Douglass, Washington, to J.D. Husbands, 1881 January 17 : autograph manuscript signed.

Thanking Husbands for his letter and the letter he sent on his behalf to General Garfield; saying that he is glad to find that he has not been forgotten in Rochester, "where I spent more than a quarter of a century of my life and labors"; saying that it is due to Husbands and others to state that "I have no part or lot in the effort now being made to secure a place for me in the Cabinet of the President Elect"; referring to Garfield's knowledge of and judgment regarding "the public men of his time and country," in terms of appointing individuals to the Cabinet; saying that he would not presume to give Garfield advice on this matter unless asked by the general himself; laying out the five errors he believes Black Americans may fall into in the current moment: "First, they may, but this is not likely, ask too little, and thereby attract contempt: They may ask too much and thereby cause [disquiet?]: They may ask too soon or too late -- and may put their petition on the wrong ground and thus ask in the wrong way and thereby defeat themselves"; writing further, "I would not throw cold water on the laudable ambition of my race to obtain some recognition in the Government. They ought to have it and will get it. All that they have a right to ask of General Garfield is, that they shall not be discriminated against on account of race or color in his selection of the men to fill the offices under him. No man should claim an appointment because he is colored -- and no man should be refused an office because he is colored. With equal qualification their [sic] should be an equal chance of preferment."