Speaker or author: Scott, Edward, fl. 1857
Newspaper or publication: Christian News
Speech relating how southern slave owners use religion to encourage slaves to obey their masters. Religion was used as a means to justify cruelty for the slaveholder. The speaker related his own personal story of his life as a slave and his subsequent escape.
Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 674 word document (text and images)
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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
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Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - December 8, 1854
Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.
Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)
The writer continues his answer to the question "What have the Abolitionists done?" that he began in a previous issue. He explains that abolitionists have kept the focus on the issue of slavery by agitation, speeches, aid to fugitives, and an untiring devotion to the cause of freedom. The have suffered imprisonment, shame, and personal attacks for what they believe is right.
Description of file(s): three scanned newspaper pages (five columns)
Speaker or author: Bibb, Henry, b. 1815
Newspaper or publication: Emancipator
Speech welcoming escaping slaves who had crossed into Canada from Detroit with the help of the Underground Railroad. (Includes MP3 audio file.)
Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 325 word document (text and images)
Speaker or author: Bibb, Henry, b. 1815
Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard
Speech against the plans and goals of the American Colonization Society. The speaker suggested Canada as an alternate choice for colonization.
Description of file(s): PDF 7 page, 2,371 word document (text and images)
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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)
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Speaker or author: Loguen, Jermain Wesley
Newspaper or publication: Liberator
Overview of a brief speech in which the speaker called for action to end slavery. He told his audience the action he was taking was to become a "conductor" on the underground railroad.
Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 195 word document (text and image)
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Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)
Brief note mentioning that each day more and more fugitives are arriving in Canada via the Underground Railroad.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
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Title: Provincial Freeman - June 30, 1855
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)
The writer briefly comments on the status of the Underground Railroad. He suggests a couple of ways to improve this system.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
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Title: Provincial Freeman - May 20, 1854
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)
The writer discusses the general Canadian views on the immigration of people of African descent. Sentiment is divided into two camps: Emigrationists and Anti-Emigrationists. While these immigrants are arriving from various countries, the concern is mostly centered on those coming across the border from the U.S.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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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
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Title: Voice of the Fugitive - April 22, 1852
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Voice of the Fugitive (1851 - 1852)
The writer tells his readers that fugitive slaves are still arriving in Canada via the Underground Railroad. From their stories he has discovered that human beings are more motivated to work by positive reward than by the negative punishment of slavery.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
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Title: Voice of the Fugitive - April 8, 1852
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Voice of the Fugitive (1851 - 1852)
The writer tells his readers that an agent from the newspaper will be traveling through New England and the midwest. He suggests that anyone with "freight for the Underground Railroad," contact this agent for assistance.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
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Title: Voice of the Fugitive - April 9, 1851
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Voice of the Fugitive (1851 - 1852)
The writer recounts the experience of a fugitive slave who has just arrived in Canada.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Voice of the Fugitive - December 17, 1851
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Voice of the Fugitive (1851 - 1852)
The editor provides a brief overview of all that the newspaper has helped to accomplish over its first year of publication. Now, donations to help the poor and payment of subscription fees are desperately needed to continue this effort.
Description of file(s): two scanned newspaper pages (three columns)
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Title: Voice of the Fugitive - December 17, 1851
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Voice of the Fugitive (1851 - 1852)
The writer relates the story of a couple whose child was killed while they were escaping slavery.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Voice of the Fugitive - December 3, 1851
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Voice of the Fugitive (1851 - 1852)
The writer tells his readers of the daily numbers of escaped slaves arriving in the area.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
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Title: Voice of the Fugitive - July 1, 1852
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Voice of the Fugitive (1851 - 1852)
The writer comments on the health and vigor of fugitive slaves recently crossing into Canada.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
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Title: Voice of the Fugitive - July 1, 1852
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Voice of the Fugitive (1851 - 1852)
The writer provides a brief account of recent passengers arriving in Canada on the Underground Railroad.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Voice of the Fugitive - October 21, 1852
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Voice of the Fugitive (1851 - 1852)
The writer tells his readers that more and more men, women and children escaping slavery are crossing into Canada. He adds that the atmosphere in the entire U.S. is stirring with ideas of abolition and emancipation.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Voice of the Fugitive - October 8, 1851
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Voice of the Fugitive (1851 - 1852)
Brief announcement of the arrival in Canada of a fugitive slave using the Underground Railroad.
Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column
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Title: Weekly Anglo-African - January 14, 1860
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
The writer relates the story of a fugitive slave captured in Illinois who was rescued by a band of citizens and helped to cross the border into Canada.
Description of file(s): one scanned, two columned, newspaper page
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Title: Weekly Anglo-African - January 14, 1860
Speaker or author: editor
Newspaper or publication: Weekly Anglo-African (1859 - 1862)
The writer calls attention to the way current topics such as fugitive slaves, John Brown's raid, and what he calls the "Negro question" are handled by the major newspapers throughout the country. The reporting by what he calls the "servile press" is having a strong impact on readers' opinions of the current unsettled political atmosphere in the U. S.
Description of file(s): one scanned, three columned, newspaper page
Speaker or author: Whipper, William, 1804?-1876
Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Boston Public Library -- Anti-Slavery Collections
Eulogy for William Wilberforce "...delivered at the request of the People of Colour of the City of Philadelphia..."
Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 1,649 word document (text and images)