Rochester N.Y. August 17, 1865.

Mrs. Abraham Lincoln:

Dear Madam: Allow me to thank you, as I certainly do thank you most sincerely for your thoughtful kindness in making me the owner of a cane which was formerly the property and the favorite walking staff of your late lamented husband the honored and venerated President of the United States.

I assure you, that this inestimable memento of his Excellency will be retained in my possession while I live - an object of sacred interest - a token not merely of the kind consideration in which I have reason to know that [inserted: the] President was pleased to hold me personally, but [struck: of] as an indication of [struck: the] [inserted: his] humane [illegible strikeout] interest [in the] welfare of my whole race.

With every proper sentiment of Respect and Esteem

  I am, Dear Madam, your Obedt Servt.

    Frederick Douglass.