Archive Research Center

Speaker or author: Smith, J. B. (John B.), Rev., fl. 1852-1863

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

Short anecdotal speech regarding one man's experience with slavery.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 149 word document (text and image)

Speaker or author: Smith, James McCune, 1813-1865

Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Boston Public Library -- Anti-Slavery Pamphlets

Speech given on the basic idea that slavery is irrational, immoral, and in opposition to the core beliefs of the founding fathers. Emphasis is placed on the destiny and potential future of the Negro race in the U.S.

Description of file(s): PDF 17 page, 6,176 word document (text and images)

Speaker or author: Smith, James McCune, 1813-1865

Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard

The speaker, a physician at the Coloured Orphan Asylum, gave a presentation of a young African Bushman named Henry who had been recently placed in the orphanage. Mr. Smith gave an overview of Henry's history, the Bushmen tribe he belonged to, and called attention to Henry's mental and physical capacities.

Description of file(s): PDF 6 page, 1,821 word document (text and images)

Speaker or author: Smith, James McCune, 1813-1865

Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard

Overview of speech offered in protest of the Fugitive Slave Bill that was contributing to the kidnapping of nominally free black citizens of New York. Emphasis was placed on the recent experience in this regard of James Hamlet, who escaped after being kidnapped to be sold into slavery. (Speech 10898(a) is a duplicate of this speech.)

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 365 word document (text and images)

Speaker or author: Smith, James McCune, 1813-1865

Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Congregational Library -- Boston, Massachusetts -- Anti-Slavery Pamphlets

A lecture on the history of the Haytian Revolutions with a "character sketch" of Toussaint L'Ouverture given to benefit the Colored Orphan Asylum. The lecture outlines the class structure in Hayti and the timeline leading up to the revolutions from 1791 through 1803. (Speeches 06086, 06136, 06196, 06220, 06242, 06269, and 06309 are duplicates of this speech.)

Description of file(s): PDF 26 page, 9,292 word document (text and images)

Speaker or author: Smith, James McCune, 1813-1865

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

Farewell address given by James McCune Smith before an assembly at the university in Glasgow after receiving his degree and before returning to the U.S.

Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 655 word document (text and images)

Speaker or author: Smith, James McCune, 1813-1865

Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Fifth Annual Report of the Executive Committee of the American Anti-Slavery Society, pp. 24-30

Speech in response to a resolution put forward for the American Anti-Slavery Society to support similar societies in Britain and France in their efforts to abolish slavery.

Description of file(s): PDF 7 page, 3,443 word document (text and images)

Speaker or author: Smith, James McCune, 1813-1865

Newspaper or publication: Emancipator

Speech emphasizing the importance of education in the social advancement of the people of color.

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 342 word document (text and images)

Speaker or author: Smith, James McCune, 1813-1865

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

Brief congratulations to the Emancipation Society of Glasgow for their recent contribution to suppression of the slave trade.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 256 word document (images and text)

Speaker or author: Smith, James McCune, 1813-1865

Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard

Brief speech denouncing the plans and goals of the American Colonization Society.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 328 word document (text and image)

Speaker or author: Smith, James McCune, 1813-1865

Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)

Speech denouncing the words and political actions of Charles O'Conor in his opposition of emancipation. The speaker noted that O'Conor had said that "...slavery is 'ordained by nature' and is 'an institution created by nature itself,' which 'carries with it duties for the black man and duties for the white, which duties cannot be performed except by the preservation and perpetuation of the system;' ..."

Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 782 word document (text and images)

Speaker or author: Smith, James McCune, 1813-1865

Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Mitchell Library -- Glasgow, Scotland

Speech given when seconding a motion put forward by the Glasgow Emancipation Society to continue "peaceful agitation and moral interference" until slavery is completely abolished.

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 828 word document (text and images)

Speaker or author: Smith, James McCune, 1813-1865

Newspaper or publication: Anti-Slavery Bugle

Speech encouraging the National Council of the Colored People to continue work on the promises they established in their previous meeting. These promises included the elevation of the race through education, political advances, and civil rights in every state.

Description of file(s): PDF 6 page, 1,520 word document (text and images)

Speaker or author: Smith, James McCune, 1813-1865

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

Response to welcome home address given to James McCune Smith on his return from Scotland where he earned his degree at the university in Glasgow. The benefits of education were emphasized.

Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 1,150 word document (text and images)

Speaker or author: Smith, James McCune, 1813-1865

Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper

The speaker emphasized the benefits of an education and mechanical training for former slaves and the nominally free. He gave examples of individuals who had overcome prejudice and were working in industry based on training, initiative, and skilled talent.

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 536 word document (text and images)

Speaker or author: Smith, J. B. (John B.), Rev., fl. 1852-1863

Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)

The speaker gave a brief overview of the Boston Convention including a "controversy" between Henry Highland Garnet and George T. Downing. He said that the convention participants had agreed that they would remain in the U.S., their birth place. He also stressed the importance of cotton in continuing the system of slavery.

Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 532 word document (text and images)

Speaker or author: Smith, J. B. (John B.), Rev., fl. 1852-1863

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

Brief speech in which the speaker advocted the African Civilization Project. He emphasized consideration of this endeavor to gain the "...respect of their enemies."

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 195 word document (text and image)

Speaker or author: Smith, J. B. (John B.), Rev., fl. 1852-1863

Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)

Commentary on a speech given to encourage African Americans to immigrate to Africa or Hayti. The commentator believes the speaker made deliberate exaggerations in order to make money off the plight of the slaves.

Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 566 word document (text and images)

Speaker or author: Smith, J. B. (John B.), Rev., fl. 1852-1863

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

The speaker emphasized the desire for equal rights for the newly freed slaves. While he admitted to being surprised by the Emancipation Proclamation, he believed it was God's Will and that justice had finally prevailed. He denounced those who agreed with the Crittenden Compromise, and emphasized that the war was not caused by the abolitionists.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 319 word document (text and image)

Speaker or author: Lewis, John N.

Newspaper or publication: Emancipator

Speech regarding the irony of missionary work in Africa by men who are slaves in the U.S. and not allowed to read the Bible. Emphasis is placed on the question of civil rights in the U.S.

Description of file(s): PDF 6 page, 1,278 word document (text and images)

Speaker or author: Lewis, John W., Eld.

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

Brief comments on the upcoming presidential election, voting, and the influence of the Church in continuing slavery. The speaker expressed his amazement that any government would pass a law like the Fugitive Slave Law.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 198 word document (text and image)

Speaker or author: Clarke, Lewis Garrard, 1812-1897

Newspaper or publication: Signal of Liberty

Narrative about one man's experience as a slave in Kentucky.

Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 1,511 word document (text and images)

Speaker or author: Hayden, Lewis, 1815-1889

Newspaper or publication: Boston Athenaeum -- Pamphlet Collection

Lengthy speech regarding the status of freed African Americans within the order of Freemasonry. The speaker stressed concern over growing racial prejudice within the order. He was also concerned that President Andrew Johnson was not doing anything to combat the increasing racial prejudice within the U.S. The speaker paid special attention to the wording of the Freemason doctrine regarding membership. He also gave a brief history of the order, including its goals, moral obligations and social commitment. This speech contains valuable information regarding the influence of Freemasonry in the founding of the U. S.

Description of file(s): PDF 56 page, 17,480 word document (text and images)

Speaker or author: Hayden, Lewis, 1815-1889

Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper

Debate between Mr. Hayden and Mr. Githell, a slaveholder, over the morality of slavery. The speaker said it was immoral to hold human beings as property. Mr. Githell's point was that while he was against slavery, each of his slaves represented a monetary investment that he wanted to be compensated for. Mr. Githell believed God would end slavery, but that this couldn't happen yet because the slave offered economic prosperity to the slaveholder.

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 433 word document (text and images)

Speaker or author: Smith, Lewis, b. ca. 1824

Newspaper or publication: Watchman and Weslayan Advertiser

Brief overview of speech given before an English audience in which the speaker expressed his goal to purchase the release of his four children from slavery.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 160 word document (text and image)