Charles R. Douglass to Frederick Douglass, December 20, 1863

Boston, Dec. 20th 1868—

Dear Father

I have applied for a furloug to come home Christmas and I have been promised one to start Wednesday but the trouble is that I am unable to get means to come with here, as I am not paid off yet and may not be before next month. If you get this letter by Monday night I will be able to get an answer by Wednesday. I have a case before the court tomorrow morning I suppose that Fred^k. made you acquainted with the nature of the case but since Fred^k. has left I have had my defendant be arrested and put under $500 bonds so that now he is safe in jail the reason that this was done Mr. Stepheson and Mr Sewell a lawyer whom I suppose you know understood that the man had offered me one hundred dollars to settle which was true he had but I refused under any consideration because I saw that I had friends to stand by me and to have

settled it for a little money would turn them against me and they told me that if I needed the money very bad that they would give me twice the sum sooner than see me settle it but I have never had any idea of settling it. I have got some Friends here yet

My love to all the family

Your Aff Son

Cha^s R. Douglass