Black Abolitionist Archive

Title: William J. Watkins

Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.

Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Harvard University -- Widener Library -- Anti-Slavery Pamphlets

Speech given before a legislative committee to request the formation of an independent militia of black citizens. The speaker gave a detailed account of his request and logical reasoning for granting it.

Description of file(s): PDF 21 page, 8,061 word document (text and images)

Subtitle: Militia Mustering.

Title: Provincial Freeman - June 14, 1856

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)

The writer pointed out that during the ceremonies honoring the Queen's birthday black Canadian militia men were not called to duty, while white Canadian militia men were.

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

Subtitle: Volunteers.

Title: Provincial Freeman - March 22, 1856

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)

The writer tells his readers of the enthusiasm with which "able-bodied" men agreed to become part of a volunteer Canadian militia.

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

Subtitle: Colored men of the States.

Title: Provincial Freeman - April 4, 1857

Speaker or author: S[hadd], I[saac] D.

Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)

The writer discusses the current political climate in the U.S. and its effect on immigration to Canada.

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

Subtitle: Our Soldiers Not To Be Used As Slave Hounds.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - March 8, 1862

Speaker or author: editor

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

Although some representatives believed that the bill under consideration in Congress might repeal the Fugitive Slave Law, others proposed an end to the practice of Union soldiers returning runaway slaves to their masters. After much debate, the bill to prohibit Union officers from ordering the return of fugitive slaves to their masters was passed.

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

Subtitle: Let Us Drill!

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - October 5, 1861

Speaker or author: editor

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

Although the federal government has not as yet requested African American troops, the writer urges his readers to prepare to fight for their rightful place as free and acknowledged citizens of the U.S.

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

Subtitle: Edward's Ferry.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - November 2, 1861

Speaker or author: editor

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

Brief account of the battle at Edward's Ferry (Ball's Bluff). The writer blames ignorance of the territory, the number of enemy troops, and a lack of basic military skill for this disaster.

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

Subtitle: This War.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - September 28, 1861

Speaker or author: editor

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

Brief note on the historical significance of the Civil War.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: Grand Pow-Wow.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - August 20, 1859

Speaker or author: editor

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

Brief overview of the ballyhoo surrounding the visit to New York of a confederate military regiment. The writer suggests that the money spent on this event could have been better used to clean the city streets.

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

Subtitle: Doings in Virginia.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - January 7, 1860

Speaker or author: editor

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

John Brown's actions at Harper's Ferry have stirred a Legislative Committee in Virginia to generate an "elaborate report" that creates what the writer believes is a general antagonistic political atmosphere between the North and the South.

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

Subtitle: The Reserve Guard.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - August 24, 1861

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer argues for the establishment of a reserve guard composed of African American volunteers ready to fight for freedom.

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

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: Gerrit Smith's Letter.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - April 26, 1862

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer comments on a letter Gerrit Smith sent to the Postmaster General regarding the Civil War, military activities, race relations, and the end of slavery.

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

Subtitle: John Brown, The Martyr.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - December 10, 1859

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer describes the unsettled state of the country after the incident at Harper's Ferry and the execution of John Brown. He praises John Brown's life and heroic death.

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

Subtitle: Story of Another Returned Emigrant from Hayti.

Title: Weekly Anglo-African - April 5, 1862

Speaker or author: editor

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

The writer shares stories from some African Americans who have immigrated to Hayti only to find life there difficult, unhealthy, and dangerous.

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