Speaker or author: Beman, Amos Gerry, 1812-1874
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
Speech regarding the principles, goals and value of the New York Committee of Vigilance in its assistance to people of color.
Description of file(s): PDF 11 page, 2,773 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873
Newspaper or publication: North Star
Speech encouraging "nominally free" African Americans to not give up hope for the abolition of slavery. He urged them to not purchase pro-slavery newspapers and to help themselves overcome the oppression of prejudice. He emphasized that there was a feeling of lethargy and complacency among them that only helped to strengthen the pro-slavery forces.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 484 word document (text and images)
Title: Christian Recorder - September 16, 1854
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Christian Recorder (1852 - 1856)
The writer provides commentary on a meeting that was called to discuss how to restore public confidence in the Christian Recorder newspaper.
Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)
Title: Colored American - April 15, 1837
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer apologizes for the crowd of protestors who gathered around and near the trial of fugitive slaves held earlier that week. He admonishes the protestors and askes them to cease such actions. But he also offers his contempt for the men who would hunt and capture those who they call "fugitives."
Description of file(s): one scanned, one columned, newspaper page
Title: Colored American - February 10, 1838
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The editor announces that the newspaper is considering establishing a reading room for the community. This space would provide a common place for learning, encourage intellectual support, and discourage idleness and vice.
Description of file(s): one scanned, one columned, newspaper page
Title: Colored American - November 10, 1838
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The Vigilance Committee makes a plea to the readers of the Colored American for their help in collecting money to pay legal fees so that they can continue their work.
Description of file(s): one scanned, one columned, newspaper page
Title: Colored American - November 17, 1838
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The editor asks his readers for donations to help pay legal feels incurred by the New York Vigilance Committee in a libel suit. If substantial funds are not raised by December, the printer's property will be confiscated.
Description of file(s): one scanned, one columned, newspaper page
Title: Colored American - October 16, 1841
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer responds to a request for the newspaper's views on topics discussed at the recent National Convention. He mentions in this response that if the newspaper continues (which he doubts) that more commentary on these topics will follow in another issue.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Speaker or author: Ruggles, David, 1810-1849
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Essex Institute, Salem Massachusetts, Anti-Slavery Pamphlets
Address given during a public meeting regarding a libel suit brought about by David Ruggles against the Colored American newspaper and its editor Samuel Cornish. When Samuel Cornish did not appear, David Ruggles was given the floor to explain the offense and a debate among various members of the Committee of Vigilance followed.
Description of file(s): PDF 10 page, 4,864 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Ruggles, David, 1810-1849
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Essex Institute, Salem, Massachusetts, Anti-Slavery Pamphlets
Response to comments given by Philip A. Bell regarding a libel suit brought against Samuel Cornish and the Colored American newspaper. David Ruggles explains the circumstances leading up to the legal action.
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 582 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Ruggles, David, 1810-1849
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Essex Institute, Salem, Massachusetts, Anti-Slavery Pamphlets
David Ruggles replies to comments made by William P. Johnson in an ongoing debate regarding the circumstances leading up to the libel suit brought against Samuel Cornish and the Colored American newspaper.
Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 2,083 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Elevator (1865 - 18??)
The writer shares a card declining an invitation given to African Americans in Placerville to march in the July 4th parade. The card was signed by "Colored Citizens," and details the reasons for this action. He emphasizes that this was unnecessary since those whose racial prejudice had motivated this step were not worthy of this much regard.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
Title: Elevator - June 9, 1865
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Elevator (1865 - 18??)
The writer tells his readers about the questionable rise to political power of a lawyer from San Francisco who moved to New York.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
Title: Elevator - September 29, 1865
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Elevator (1865 - 18??)
The writer adds his personal memories to a series the newspaper is publishing regarding the Underground Railroad.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - April 12, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer comments on a speech delivered by former president Millard Fillmore delivered in New Orleans during his tour of the southern states.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Title: Impartial Citizen - August 8, 1849
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Impartial Citizen (1849 - 1851)
The writer described the events during a day of celebration in Auburn, New York.
Description of file(s): two scanned, two columned, newspaper pages
Title: Impartial Citizen - June 12, 1850
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Impartial Citizen (1849 - 1851)
The writer explains to his readers a law currently before the Senate saying that if a free born African American is accused of being an escaped slave, he must prove his freeborn status in the state of his accuser, not the state of his birth.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
Speaker or author: Pennington, James W. C.
Newspaper or publication: Christian News
Review of a speech calling for unconditional emancipation of slaves in the U.S. in similar fashion to the way slaves were freed in Egypt. The speaker disagreed with the idea of financial compensation of the slaveholders for each freed slave.
Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 1,100 word document (text and images)
Title: Northern Star and Freemen's Advocate - December 8, 1842
Speaker or author: Myers, Stephen
Newspaper or publication: Northern Star and Freemen's Advocate (1842 - 18??)
The editor responds to his critics.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Speaker or author: Bell, Philip A.
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Essex Institute, Salem, Massachusetts, Anti-Slavery Pamphlets
Comments given on an address by David Ruggles regarding a libel suit against Samuel Cornish and the Colored American newspaper. Bell provided a statement regarding his participation in the events leading up to the suit. (Includes MP3 audio file)
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 590 word document (text and images)
Title: Provincial Freeman - June 16, 1855
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)
The writer briefly comments on the Crimean war.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
Title: Provincial Freeman - March 15, 1856
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)
The writer provides a light-hearted overview of a recent meeting he attended.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Title: Weekly Anglo-African - April 14, 1860
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
The writer compares the living conditions of the black and white populations in New York City. He also shares a comparison of the way the local press is reporting these conditions and how this reporting is racially biased. He shares with his readers the current status of the Anglo-African publications, and the daily social pressures endured by the editor and staff.
Description of file(s): two scanned, three columned, newspaper pages
Title: Weekly Anglo-African - January 7, 1860
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
John Brown's actions at Harper's Ferry have stirred a Legislative Committee in Virginia to generate an "elaborate report" that creates what the writer believes is a general antagonistic political atmosphere between the North and the South.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Title: Weekly Anglo-African - July 14, 1860
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
The writer comments on a letter published in another newspaper. He believes the intention of the author of this letter is to communicate with well-known Black Abolitionists through newspaper publication. The letter seems to him to draw a comparison between the current state of American slavery and Scottish Reformation.
Description of file(s): one scanned, three columned, newspaper page