Black Abolitionist Archive

Title: William J. Watkins

Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.

Newspaper or publication: Anti-Slavery Advocate

Speech denouncing the doctrine of "Compensated Emancipation."

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 533 word document (text and images)

Title: William Wells Brown

Speaker or author: Brown, William Wells, 1814?-1884

Newspaper or publication: Anti-Slavery Bugle

The speaker asked for all present to agree that the government had become a conspiracy against freedom. He read an excerpt from a southern newspaper demonstrating the fear of emancipated slaves that the southern states held, and that they used to continue slavery there. He expressed that recent government legislation was compelling those who were fighting for emancipation to take a more radical approach.

Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 1,438 word document (text and images)

Title: Charles Lenox Remond

Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873

Newspaper or publication: Anti-Slavery Bugle

Brief speech in which the speaker noted the low attendance of the meeting. The speaker said he hoped this would not dampen the determination of the committee to work towards breaking the hold the institution of slavery held on the country.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 143 word document (text and image)

Title: Charles Lenox Remond

Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873

Newspaper or publication: Anti-Slavery Bugle

The speaker's topic was "Prejudice against Color." He emphasized that he had not experienced prejudice during his travels in Europe, but had encountered it only in the U.S. He believed prejudice to be "unnatural" and that a human being should be recognized for his character and moral worth instead of the color of his skin.

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 334 word document (text and images)

Title: William J. Watkins

Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.

Newspaper or publication: Anti-Slavery Bugle

The speaker emphasized that he was not in favor of dissolving the union. He was in favor of ending slavery at all costs, however, including revolution.

Description of file(s): PDF 6 page, 1,575 word document (text and images)

Title: John Andrew Jackson

Speaker or author: Jackson, John Andrew

Newspaper or publication: Christian News

Anecdotal speech regarding one man's experience with slavery. The speaker was presenting his story and the story of one other slave in hopes of raising enough money to purchase his father's and sister's freedom.

Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 1,024 word document (text and images)

Title: Edward Scott

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)

Title: William Wells Brown

Speaker or author: Brown, William Wells, 1814?-1884

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

Speech regarding the military history of black war heroes relating stories of their heroism. The speaker also addressed the court case that led to the emancipation of England and the British West Indies.

Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 1,157 word document (text and images)

Title: William Wells Brown

Speaker or author: Brown, William Wells, 1814?-1884

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

Brief speech in which the speaker expressed his appreciation for being able to speak freely at the convention. The speaker emphasized his belief that slaves should be able to obtain their freedom even if it took a revolution to do so.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 205 word document (text and image)

Title: William C. Nell

Speaker or author: Nell, William C. (William Cooper), 1816-1874.

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

Speech given during the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society. The speaker emphasized the great work and efforts the society has realized over the years.

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 489 word document (text and images)

Title: Charles Lenox Remond

Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

Speech delivered denouncing the legal decision made by Judge Taney. The speaker encouraged his audience to adopt the motto, "No Union with Slaveholders." He said he would rather see the union divided than to give up the fight for freedom and the cause of human liberty.

Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 960 word document (text and images)

Title: Charles Lenox Remond

Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

Speech denouncing the Fugitive Slave Law; and lamenting the loss of motivation in those who had formed anti-slavery societies and had for so long fought untiringly for freedom.

Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 1,026 word document (text and images)

Title: Charles Lenox Remond

Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

Speech regarding the lack of civil rights in the U.S. court system.

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 483 word document (text and images)

Title: Charles Lenox Remond

Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

Speech delivered during a July 4th celebration emphasizing the irony of celebrating freedom in a country condoning slavery. The speaker denounced the recent court decision handed down by Judge Taney in the Dred Scott case.

Description of file(s): PDF 6 page, 1,728 word document (text and images)

Title: John S. Rock

Speaker or author: Rock, John S. (John Sweat), 1825-1866

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

Speech given during the 23rd anniversary of the emancipation of the British West Indies. The speaker gave a brief overview of the current condition of the West Indies, and the work that still lies ahead for the population there.

Description of file(s): PDF 4 page, 914 word document (text and images)

Title: William Craft

Speaker or author: Craft, William

Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard

Overview of anecdotal speech regarding one man's escape from slavery.

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 470 word document (text and images)

Title: Frances Ellen Watkins [Harper]

Speaker or author: Harper, Frances Ellen Watkins, 1825-1911.

Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard

Speech denouncing the continuation of the system of slavery in the U.S.

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 666 word document (text and images)

Title: Robert Purvis

Speaker or author: Purvis, Robert, 1810-1898

Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard

Speech denouncing the Fugitive Slave Law, emphasizing the lack of representation and civil rights of African Americans in the structure of U. S. government.

Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 1,537 word document (text and images)

Title: Robert Purvis

Speaker or author: Purvis, Robert, 1810-1898

Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard

Speech denouncing the actions of Paul Brown, Jr., United States Commissioner, in his handling of the case of a fugitive slave. This speech followed a resolution issued by the meeting that said, "Resolved, That every man who directly or indirectly aids in the execution of the Fugitive Slave bill merits the contempt of humanity, is a traitor to God and his country, and becomes an object to be despised by everything thinking being."

Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 680 word document (text and images)

Title: Charles Lenox Remond

Speaker or author: Remond, Charles Lenox, 1810-1873

Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard

The speaker believed that northern support of southern slavery was keeping the institution of slavery alive. He believed slavery would continue as long as it was supported by the Union.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 183 word document (text and image)