Title: Colored American - April 18, 1840
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer explains a form of gambling called "policy gambling" (a type of lottery) to his readers. He warns them of the risks and shame involved in this type of vice.
Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)
Title: Colored American - April 19, 1838
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer stresses the benefits of civil rights. While they live in a racially restricted society, most African Americans in New York are not taking advantage of the civil rights they do have. He also stresses the benefits of farming and owning land.
Description of file(s): one scanned, one columned, newspaper page
Title: Colored American - February 23, 1839
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer cautions his readers against the evils of gambling, especially the practice of buying lottery tickets with hard-earned pay.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Title: Colored American - June 1, 1839
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer suggests that philanthropists donate money to establish a "market garden" that will help train African American men to start their own business in the silk industry.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
Title: Colored American - May 27, 1837
Speaker or author: Sears, Robert
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
Brief anecdote designed to persuade the reader to refrain from drinking alcohol.
Description of file(s): one scanned, one columned, newspaper page
Title: Colored American - November 16, 1839
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer asks that the New York State Legislature amend the state's Consitution to eliminate the restrictions on African American voters.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Title: Colored American - October 20, 1838
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer suggests that those in favor of colonization who believe that African Americans are doomed to a state of lower-caste misery in the U.S. should take a good look at the progress being made in Canada among those who have immigrated there.
Description of file(s): one scanned, one columned, newspaper page
Title: Colored American - September 22, 1838
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer expresses the irony of a country founded on principles of freedom that continues to include the system of slavery in its southern states.
Description of file(s): one scanned, one columned, newspaper page
Title: Colored American - September 29, 1838
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The editor notes that prejudice against skin color is often the last vestige of white people who are so poor in position, economy, and intellect that they have nothing except the color of their skin to offer them value in the social world.
Description of file(s): one scanned, one columned, newspaper page
Title: Colored American - September 29, 1838
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)
The writer shares a letter he received from a former slave describing his experiences. The focus is mostly on how prejudice and intolerance have effected religious services in the southern states.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Title: Pacific Appeal - December 26, 1863
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal (1862 - 188?)
The editor emphasizes promptness for all those who plan to participate in the upcoming January 1st celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
Title: Pacific Appeal - January 30, 1864
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal (1862 - 188?)
The editor tells his readers about a letter he received from an African American man describing how he was charged with crimes he didn't commit when returning to his home state after a short trip away. The editor reminds his readers that this newspaper is not a vehicle for abuse, slander or published charges against others.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
Title: Provincial Freeman - April 15, 1854
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)
The writer shares a portion of a published opinion by John Mitchell on the idea of immigration for people of African descent currently living in Canada and the U.S.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page (portion missing)
Title: Voice of the Fugitive - April 9, 1851
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Voice of the Fugitive (1851 - 1852)
The writer warns his readers to beware of unscrupulous men who, under the guise of capturing fugitive slaves (per the Fugitive Slave Law), are kidnapping free people of African descent and selling them into slavery in the U.S. slave states.
Description of file(s): two scanned, two columned, newspaper pages
Title: Weekly Advocate - January 7, 1837
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Advocate (1837)
Letter to the editor questioning the moral motives of the newspaper. The editor's reply expresses the view that the Weekly Advocate does not encourage vice and immoral actions.
Description of file(s): two scanned, two columned, newspaper pages
Title: Weekly Anglo-African - April 27, 1861
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
The writer urges his readers to develop a strategy for dealing with the coming war as it unfolds around them. He urges the free African Americans to stand as representatives for the "voiceless" who remain in bondage in the middle of this struggle. He urges them to organize and rally together for the benefit of the slave and the entire race.
Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)
Title: Weekly Anglo-African - February 25, 1860
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
The writer provides a brief overview of the political opinions on slavery espoused by the major presidential hopefuls in the upcoming election.
Description of file(s): one scanned, three columned, newspaper page
Title: Weekly Anglo-African - January 11, 1862
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
The writer relates a rumor that a surprise attack was foiled by a traitor in the upper ranks of the Union army.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
Title: Weekly Anglo-African - January 21, 1860
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
The writer criticizes the New York Herald's reporting of possible violent slave insurrection. By exaggerating the potential for "warfare" and bloody uprising against their masters, this newspaper has succeeded in encouraging fears and continued oppression among the white population in the country. The writer offers the voice of reason to counter this extreme opinion.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
Title: Weekly Anglo-African - March 10, 1860
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
The writer offers economic advice for his readers based the tenets of Quaker and Dutch societies: be thrifty, buy land, and be diligent in holding onto what you have.
Description of file(s): one scanned, three columned, newspaper page