Black Abolitionist Archive

Title: Robert Purvis

Speaker or author: Purvis, Robert, 1810-1898

Newspaper or publication: Abolitionist

Speech given against the idea of the colonization of Africa by freed people of color.

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 374 word document (images and text)

Title: Mary Ann Shadd Cary

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

Newspaper or publication: AD -- Ontario Archives -- Toronto, Canada -- Mary Shadd Cary Papers

Copyright Permission granted by the Archives of Ontario (August 2007). -- Sermon regarding the role of women in slavery and society in general.

Description of file(s): PDF 9 page, 1,327 word document (text and images)

Subtitle: Robert Campbell

Title: Martin Robison Delany

Speaker or author: Campbell, Robert, of the Niger Valley Exploring Party

Newspaper or publication: AD Draft -- Royal Geological Society Archives, London, England

-- Copyright Permission Pending -- Handwritten speech detailing the findings of a geographical expedition made by two explorers: Martin Delany and Robert Campbell. The text details the land mass, the villages, the people, the climate, and the general discoveries made of Western Africa. (This transcription includes the original editing marks made by the writers.)

Description of file(s): PDF 8 page, 1,610 word document (text and images)

Subtitle: Political Power and Strength the Legitimate Fruit of a Thorough Knowledge of Ourselves.

Title: Anglo-African - September 3, 1865

Speaker or author: Hamilton, Robert

Newspaper or publication: Anglo-African (1863 - 1865)

Letter to the editor stressing the importance of education to African Americans. Elevation involves political advancement, influence and power, and this is not possible for those without education.

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

Title: Robert Purvis

Speaker or author: Purvis, Robert, 1810-1898

Newspaper or publication: Anti-Slavery Advocate

The speaker expressed his doubts that the present government would ever abolish slavery since they refused to allow African Americans to become soldiers. He also pointed out that the Dred Scott decision demonstrated the government's true position on the idea of emancipation.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 269 word document (text and image)

Title: Robert Campbell

Speaker or author: Campbell, Robert

Newspaper or publication: Anti-Slavery Reporter

The speaker suggested that the best way to end slavery was to cultivate cotton in Africa. He believed that if European countries could purchase cotton from Africa and refuse to buy from slaveholding countries. This would eliminate the main reason for slavery in the U.S.

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 314 word document (text and images)

Title: Henry Highland Garnet

Speaker or author: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882

Newspaper or publication: Anti-Slavery Reporter

Brief speech denouncing the Fugitive Slave Bill. The speaker also encouraged his audience to buy "free-labor" goods instead of those produced by slave labor.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 436 word document (image and text)

Title: Henry Highland Garnet

Speaker or author: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882

Newspaper or publication: Anti-Slavery Reporter

Speech denouncing the Fugitive Slave Law, and focusing on the efforts of the Church in the continuation of the system of slavery.

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 882 word document (text and images)

Title: Henry Highland Garnet

Speaker or author: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882

Newspaper or publication: Anti-Slavery Reporter

Speech before a British audience condemning slavery in the U.S. The speaker pointed out the irony of the American stance on freedom when it continued to enslave millions of people. He also praised the work of British abolitionists.

Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 1,445 word document (text and images)

Title: Henry Highland Garnet

Speaker or author: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882.

Newspaper or publication: Anti-Slavery Reporter

Speech calling for an end to slavery and asking that America join this fight for the emancipation of all slaves. He says: "The children of Africa, scattered as they were all over the world, unnationed, appealed to America for redress -- that America whose sails whiten every sea, and whose diplomatic parchment is lying in every court..."

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 312 word document (text and image)

Title: Henry Highland Garnet

Speaker or author: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882

Newspaper or publication: Belfast Newsletter

Speech denouncing the Fugitive Slave Law and emphasizing its cruelty and potential to contribute to continued prejudice. The speaker emphasized that the Irish who were immigrating to the U.S. by the hundreds could offer tremendous aid in abolishing slavery.

Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 1,217 word document (text and images)

Title: Mary Ann Shadd [Cary]

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

Newspaper or publication: British Banner

Brief speech regarding fugitive slaves who had escaped to Canada and were now prospering there. The speaker called for action to promote the freedom to settle in Canada by all those who desired to do so regardless of race.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 200 word document (text and image)

Title: Henry Highland Garnet

Speaker or author: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882

Newspaper or publication: British Friend

Speaker expressed his appreciation for all the kindness he and his fellow travelers had received in England and Germany.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 195 word document (text and image)

Title: Henry Highland Garnet

Speaker or author: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882

Newspaper or publication: Christian News

Baned from the church pulpit, the speaker gave his impassioned address to the gathered crowd from the steps of the church in front of the bolted door. He recounted stories of the abuse and injustices that slaves continued to endure, and emphasized how their lives were lived in terms of property.

Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 1,017 word document (text and images)

Title: Henry Highland Garnet

Speaker or author: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882

Newspaper or publication: Christian News

Speech before a British audience condemning the Fugitive Slave Law and slavery in the U.S. The speaker pointed out the irony of the American stance on freedom when it continued to enslave millions of people.

Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 1,131 word document (text and images)

Title: Henry Highland Garnet

Speaker or author: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882

Newspaper or publication: Christian Recorder (1852 - 1856)

Brief overview of speech given to eulogize Abraham Lincoln and collect money to benefit the church.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 274 word document (text and image)

Title: Henry Highland Garnet

Speaker or author: Garnet, Henry Highland, 1815-1882.

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

Speech praising the assistance, compassion and "charity" women offer in helping to abolish slavery and aiding those in need.

Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 1,516 word document (text and images)

Subtitle: A True Picture.

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

Subtitle: A Lesson for Young Men.

Title: Colored American - August 4, 1838

Speaker or author: Sears, Robert

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer comments on a report regarding the trial of a young man accused of embezzlement. He cautions the young men among his readers to focus on character and ethics in their working lives.

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

Subtitle: The Church Must Awake!

Title: Colored American - December 2, 1837

Speaker or author: Sears, Robert

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer hopes that the recent murder of a newspaper owner in Illinois will cause the Church to change its position and begin to preach against slavery. By its silence (and even its own slave ownership in some cases), the Church conveyes a message of acceptance of slavery to its congregations. The writer emphasizes the power of the Church to sway public opinion and he hopes this event will stir ministers to action that will put an end to slavery and prejudice.

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