Speaker or author: Green, Alfred M..
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Foner and Walker, Eds. -- Proceedings of the Black State Conventions 1840-1865, (1979) Vol. 1, pp. 139-166
Eloquent, rational, and meaningful speech delivered before the Convention of the Colored People of Pennsylvania expressing a legal argument for civil rights. The speaker asked that African Americans be given their civil rights, be allowed to vote, hold jobs equal to those of the white population, and be given the opportunity to prove themselves worthy citizens of the U.S.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 480 word document (text and image)
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
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
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
Title: Colored American - March 11, 1837
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The editor explains a petition that was sent to the New York state government requesting an end to limited civil rights for free African Americans. The petition included a request for trial by jury, a repeal of the law authorizing slavery, and a restoration of voting rights. He notes that before 1821, free black men were allowed to vote and that this freedom has now been taken from them without just cause.
Description of file(s): one scanned, one columned, newspaper page
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
Title: Colored American - May 1, 1841
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer comments on an upcoming meeting to determine what to do to help the Amistad captives while they remain in this country.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
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
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
Title: Colored American - October 20, 1838
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer announces to his readers that the editor and some newspaper staff members are involved in a libel suit. He believes this is based on prejudice and an attempt to stop the newspaper from continuing to publish.
Description of file(s): one scanned, one columned, newspaper page
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Elevator (1865 - 18??)
The writer tells his readers a bit about the lawyer who is defending Jefferson Davis during his trial. He believes both Davis and his lawyer to be traitors.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
Speaker or author: Langston, John Mercer, 1829-1897.
Newspaper or publication: Elevator
Impassioned speech in which the speaker emphasized that along with freedom, African Americans were entitled to all the privileges of citizenship including suffrage, legal, social and political rights. Denying a citizen these rights on the basis of color was illogical, irrational, and uncivilized.
Description of file(s): PDF 10 page, 2,101 word document (text and images)
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
Title: Pacific Appeal - June 7, 1862
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal (1862 - 188?)
The writer expresses his views on manifesting positive change in the condition of the lives of African Americans through organization, petitioning, and union of purpose.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal (1862 - 188?)
The editor responds to a suggestion that a convention be organized regarding gathering petitions for government actions. He suggests an alternative to this.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
Title: Pacific Appeal - November 21, 1863
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal (1862 - 188?)
The writer provides commentary on a legal suit brought against the Omnibus Railroad Company by an African American woman who was refused to a seat because of her race. She won the case; and the writer encourages others to take this type of action in similar situations.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper column
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
Title: Provincial Freeman - October 20, 1855
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)
The writer gives a critique of a meeting he attended of the Fobbers association. The association's inability to collect a debt for the Dawn Institute was addressed.
Description of file(s): two scanned, two columned, newspaper pages
Speaker or author: Detter, Thomas, b. ca. 1826
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Harvard University, Cambridge -- Rare Books and Manuscripts
The speaker stressed the injustice of a prejudicial court system that refuses the testimony of black citizens in cases involving white citizens.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 432 word document (text and image)
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
Title: Voice of the Fugitive - September 23, 1852
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Voice of the Fugitive (1851 - 1852)
The writer shares a passage from the written laws on slave behavior published in Kentucky and shared with Maryland and Virginia. The punishments for crimes committed by slaves in these states range from branding, whipping, removing of one hand, beheading, along with severed head and body parts displayed in public.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
Title: Weekly Anglo-African - May 19, 1860
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
Detailed account of a libel case brought about by Ellen Wells against William Still. Mr. Still was found guilty, fined $100 and sentenced to ten days in jail (a term later commuted to four days).
Description of file(s): three scanned newspaper pages (five columns)
(page1).jpg.jpg "View item details")
Title: Weekly Anglo-African - September 17, 1859
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
An appeal for help written by four men accused of aiding a fugitive slave is published by the newspaper. The writer comments on this situation and asks his readers to respond as their hearts direct.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Speaker or author: Craft, William
Newspaper or publication: Huddersfield Examiner
Speech given before an English audience detailing the injustices of the system of slavery in the U.S. The speaker stressed the lack of legal representation or recourse available to slaves, emphasizing that the government was not interested in their welfare.
Description of file(s): PDF 6 page, 2,031 word document (text and images)