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Subtitle: The Nat Turner Insurrection.

Title: Anglo-African Magazine - December, 1859

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Anglo-African Magazine (1859 - 1860)

Detailed confession of Nat Turner as he was being held in prison shortly after capture. The editor compares Nat Turner's actions with those of John Brown's. Included is a list of African Americans (both slaves and free) who were charged in the conspiracy.

Description of file(s): seven scanned magazine pages (23 columns)

Subtitle: Assassination of President Lincoln.

Title: Black Republican - April 22, 1865

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Black Republican (1865)

The writer responds to the death of Abraham Lincoln. He tells his readers that the same expression of social cruelty that subjected the country to slavery has taken the life of a great man.

Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page

Title: Charles Lenox Remond

Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

Brief speech in which the speaker expressed his dismay that African Americans were not welcomed into the army to fight for their own freedom. He noted that they had fought in 1776, but now were not permitted to bear arms.

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 361 word document (text and images)

Subtitle: The Difference.

Title: Elevator - August 4, 1865

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Elevator (1865 - 18??)

The writer points out the irony of pardoning Jefferson Davis for his part in the Civil War (a war that cost the lives of thousands) but hanging John Brown for his small rebellion.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: A Brief Review.

Title: Elevator - July 28, 1865

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Elevator (1865 - 18??)

The writer expresses the concerns of all African Americans that the country may return to slavery. He notes that each day newspapers report problems and issues resulting from the freeing of the slaves. His fears are not that the southern states may reinstate slavery but that this time the northern states may initiate the system to solve racial issues.

Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)

Subtitle: Will Justice be Done?

Title: Elevator - June 2, 1865

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Elevator (1865 - 18??)

The writer asks whether justice will prevail in the punishment of those who took part in the rebellion that led to the Civil War. He tells his readers that the newspaper is currently awaiting the results of the war crimes trials.

Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)

Title: Jabez Pitt Campbell

Speaker or author: Campbell, Jabez Pitt (1854-1858)

Newspaper or publication: Christian Recorder (1852 - 1856)

Overview of speech tracing the causes of the Civil War and the continuing opportunity for error, injustice, and restricted freedom. The speaker emphasized the role of political action in encouraging the events that led to the Civil War.

Description of file(s): PDF 9 page, 2,254 word document (text and images)

Title: John Mercer Langston

Speaker or author: Langston, John Mercer, 1829-1897.

Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Boston Athenaeum -- Pamphlet Collection

Brief overview of a speech made at the National Convention of Colored Men held in Syracuse, New York. The speaker emphasized that all races were made slaves if the system of oligarchy were allowed to continue.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 197 word document (text and image)

Title: John Sella Martin

Speaker or author: Martin, J. Sella (John Sella), b. 1832

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

Speech delivered before an English audience requesting that the British government refuse aid and assistance to the Confederacy.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 289 word document (text and image)

Title: John Sweat Rock

Speaker or author: Rock, John S. (John Sweat), 1825-1866

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

The speaker emphasized the economic impact of emancipation on a country that had become rich on the backs of its slaves. He spoke about the continued war and the battle that lay ahead for those who were now free. He encouraged patriotism among newly freed slaves and stressed that they were now fighting for their own country and their own freedom. He also addressed the issues of prejudice and fears of amalgamation.

Description of file(s): PDF 14 page, 4,083 word document (text and images)

Subtitle: The Cause.

Title: Lunar Visitor - February, 1862

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Lunar Visitor (1862 - 18??)

The writer comments on the causes of the Civil War. He notes that slavery is the primary cause with Southern rebellion as the secondary cause of the war.

Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)

Subtitle: Bird's Eye View of the Downfall of Slavery.

Title: Pacific Appeal - November 8, 1862

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal (1862 - 188?)

The writer comments on the effect the question of slavery is having on current politics. This one issue dominates the current political focus and divides the country.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: Vallandigham's Exile Endorsed by the People of Ohio.

Title: Pacific Appeal - October 17, 1863

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal (1862 - 188?)

The writer provides a brief commentary on the recent election in Ohio and the defeat of Clement Vallandigham.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: In a Strait.

Title: Provincial Freeman - March 15, 1856

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)

The writer wonders aloud what would happen if the United States went to war with Great Britain. He compares the possible outcome of this with a similar situation that occurred in 1837.

Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)

Subtitle: Insurrections, Underground Railroad, Republican Victory, Fugitive Slave Case.

Title: Provincial Freeman - November, 1857

Speaker or author: Cary, Mary Ann Shadd, 1823-1893

Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)

[Copyright Permission granted August 2007.] The writer provides current news of insurrection activities in the southern states. While slaves are escaping in droves and heading to Canada, the tension and violent atmosphere is offering fertile ground for rumors of civil war. She also provides an update on the current political standing in the U.S.

Description of file(s): seven scanned, handwritten pages

Subtitle: Close Up! Steady!

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - April 20, 1861

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer urges his readers to fight for freedom now that the time for rebellion is near. He assures them that a final end to slavery is soon to be realized.

Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page

Subtitle: The Lesson of Pittsburgh Landing.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - April 26, 1862

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer briefly comments on General Halleck's order to "drive out" fugitive slaves who try to enter "within federal lines," or seek shelter with Union troops.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: Secession.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - December 22, 1860

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer comments on the current political focus on secession, and the growing tension between the northern and southern states.

Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page

Subtitle: Why the South Arms.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - February 16, 1861

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer comments on the increase in weaponry that is accumulating in the southern states.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: An "Occupation Gone."

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - January 11, 1862

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer discusses the social changes taking place in the U.S. with the Civil War. He believes that this marks this end of "Negro hatred" and prejudice in the U.S.

Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page

Subtitle: Learning to Think.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - March 23, 1861

Speaker or author: editor

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

Brief commentary on the unsettled state of the country as it approaches war. Free African Americans are volunteering to fight; and slaves are becoming increasingly sensitive to what is happening around them.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: When Peace Comes!

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - March 29, 1862

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer presents several possible reasons for the continuation of slavery even though emancipation is being discussed in Congress.

Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)

Subtitle: The Rights of Human Nature.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - November 16, 1861

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer comments on a portion of a speech delivered by Abraham Lincoln to the Swedish Minister. This speech addresses the U.S.'s commitment to "maintain the rights of human nature, and the man of capacity for self-government." The writer wonders how this ties in with the current social status of African Americans, both free and enslaved.

Description of file(s): two scanned, two columned, newspaper pages

Title: William Craft

Speaker or author: Craft, William

Newspaper or publication: Patriot

Overview of speech regarding the speaker's views of what was influencing the continued fighting in the Civil War. He also presented details to his audience about his efforts to get the King of Dahomey (in Africa) to abandon the slave trade.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 297 word document (text and image)

Title: William Wells Brown

Speaker or author: Brown, William Wells, 1814?-1884

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

The speaker expresses his concern that the promises made by Abraham Lincoln and the freeing of the slaves would not be realized. He urges the abolitionists to continue fighting for freedom and suffrage. (Includes MP3 audio file.)

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 580 word document (text and images)

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