Black Abolitionist Archive

Title: John Sweat Rock

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

Newspaper or publication: Liberator

Eloquent speech addressing the influence of government legislation that implied prejudicial bias regarding race.

Description of file(s): PDF 8 page, 2,175 word document (text and images)

Title: William Wells Brown

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

Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard

Anecdotal speech with numerous examples illustrating the hardships and irrationality of slavery. The speaker emphasized the prevalence of amalgamation.

Description of file(s): PDF 12 page, 3,489 word document (text and images)

Title: William Still

Speaker or author: Still, William, 1821-1902.

Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Standard

Eloquent and rational speech regarding the unique predicament the free black citizens of Pennsylvania found themselves in since they were bordered by three slaveholding states and since the passing of the Fugitive Slave Law created incentive for kidnapping. The speaker emphasized the value of what they, as free black citizens, offered to the rest of the country in terms of example; and what they could do to protect and take care of themselves in emergency situations.

Description of file(s): PDF 11 page, 3,137 word document (text and images)

Title: Martin Robison Delany

Speaker or author: Delany, Martin Robison, 1812-1885

Newspaper or publication: Patriot

The speaker expressed his idea that the colonization of Liberia had failed because the promoters of the initiative lacked organization and planning. The focus was on the number of people that could be gathered to immigrate without any thought to what they would do once they got to Liberia. He advised asking the immigrants to pay their own way, and making the project a purely secular one.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 206 word document (text and image)

Title: Alexander Crummell

Speaker or author: Crummell, Alexander, 1819-1898

Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- New York Public Library -- Schomburg Collection

Lengthy speech on the importance of the English language to civilization and the success of the newly emerging society in Liberia. The speaker praised the literary history of the English language, emphasizing the importance of education in this area.

Description of file(s): PDF 36 page, 12,785 word document (text and images)

Title: Sarah Parker Remond

Speaker or author: Remond, Sarah Parker, 1826-1887?

Newspaper or publication: Scotsman

Short speech urging women to exert their influence in the cause of temperance.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 71 word document (text and image)

Title: Theodore Gross

Speaker or author: Gross, Theodore, Rev.

Newspaper or publication: Watchman and Weslayan Advertiser

Detailed account of one man's experience with slavery.

Description of file(s): PDF 8 page, 2,255 word document (text and images)

Title: Lewis Smith

Speaker or author: Smith, Lewis, b. ca. 1824

Newspaper or publication: Watchman and Weslayan Advertiser

Brief overview of speech given before an English audience in which the speaker expressed his goal to purchase the release of his four children from slavery.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 160 word document (text and image)

Title: Henry Highland Garnet

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

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

The speaker supported the goals and motivations of the African Civilization Society. He stressed that the motivation behind the funding of immigration to Africa is to confirm friendly relations with the native people, to purchase land for immigrants, to build schools and churches, to promote lawful commerce, and to encourage the spread of Christianity.

Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 1,066 word document (text and images)

Title: John W. Simpson

Speaker or author: Simpson, John W., fl. 1860

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

Brief overview of speech delivered to commemorate the 128th anniversary of the birth of Benjamin Banneker and the seventh anniversary of the Banneker Institute.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 153 word document (text and image)

Title: John B. Smith

Speaker or author: Smith, J. B. (John B.), Rev., fl. 1852-1863

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

The speaker gave a brief overview of the Boston Convention including a "controversy" between Henry Highland Garnet and George T. Downing. He said that the convention participants had agreed that they would remain in the U.S., their birth place. He also stressed the importance of cotton in continuing the system of slavery.

Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 532 word document (text and images)

Title: Rev. Mr. Stewart

Speaker or author: Stewart, Rev. Mr.

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

Speech given in response to Henry Highland Garnet's expression of support of the African Civilization Society. The speaker also supported this effort and emphasized the potential for success that this endeavor offered.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 258 word document (text and image)

Title: William Still

Speaker or author: Still, William, 1821-1902.

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

The speaker stresses that the slave and the free people of color must help themselves to create a better condition for their lives. He emphasizes working towards moral, social, and political integrity in order to ensure success. The speaker believes that hard work, education, and morality are key to achieving the desired results for elevating the race.

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 396 word document (text and images)

Title: William Still

Speaker or author: Still, William, 1821-1902.

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

Speech emphasizing the importance of education.

Description of file(s): PDF 10 page, 2,242 word document (text and images)

Title: Davis D. Turner

Speaker or author: Turner, Davis D.

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

The speaker points out the changes occurring in the U.S. over the question of slavery. He uses the recent events surrounding the execution of John Brown and South Carolina's threat to secede after the election of Abraham Lincoln as examples.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 197 word document (text and image)

Title: Bob'n Around

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

Short, humorous account by a traveling correspondent of his adventures in Connecticut. (Includes MP3 audio file.)

Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 713 word document (text and images)

Subtitle: Mr. Jones

Title: Thomas Cordoza

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

Lively and interesting debate regarding the question "Which has sustained the most injustice at the hands of the American people, the American Indian or the Anglo-African?"

Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 1,099 word document (text and images)

Title: William J. Watkins

Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.

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

Overview of a brief speech regarding the current situation in the fight for equal suffrage.

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 267 word document (text and images)

Title: William J. Watkins

Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.

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

The speaker encourages action for African American suffrage. He suggests that clubs be formed and that lecturers travel across the country to get support for this cause.

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 382 word document (text and images)

Title: James M. Williams

Speaker or author: Williams, James M., Rev.

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

Eulogy sermon for John Brown during a gathering on the anniversary of his execution the previous year.

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 341 word document (text and images)