Black Abolitionist Archive

Subtitle: American Colonization Society.

Title: Aliened American - April 9, 1853

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Aliened American (1853 - 1877)

The writer points out a discrepancy in the number of immigrants reportedly colonized in Liberia and the amount of money the American Colonization Society say they have invested in each person participating in this project.

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

Subtitle: Literary Retrenchment.

Title: Colored American - December 2, 1837

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer encourages his readers to seek a “classical” education, which emphasizes literature, languages and science. Currently schools are adjusting their curriculum to omit subjects that are deemed unnecessary to employment. The concentration is changing to offer more of an emphasis on mechanics than on intellectual pursuits.

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

Subtitle: Phoenixonian Society.

Title: Colored American - July 13, 1839

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer offers a description and critique of the recent anniversary celebration of the New York chapter of the Phoenixonian Literary Society.

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

Subtitle: Moral Reform Society.

Title: Colored American - July 29, 1837

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer urges his readers to join the Moral Reform Society. He believes that the best way to gain social acceptance is for African Americans to present a moral, industrious, and intelligent manner to the general public.

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

Subtitle: Like Society, Like Advocates.

Title: Colored American - June 2, 1838

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The editor responds to a comment made about his move to the country from the city of New York that was delivered before a meeting of the anti-slavery society. He notes that some of the information given about his motivations is incorrect.

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

Subtitle: Sixth Anniversary of the American Anti-Slavery Society.

Title: Colored American - May 11, 1839

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer announces an upcoming convention to be held on the anniversary of the American Anti-Slavery Society. He briefly mentions the challenges that lay ahead for this organization.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: Colonization Society.

Title: Colored American - May 13, 1837

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

Overview of a celebration held on the anniversary of the Colonization Society. Several ministers spoke and admitted to silent compliance with the system of slavery in their sermons. The idea was to encourage African Americans to agree with colonization based on the notion that because of the Church's "admittedly evil pact with Satan" in promoting slavery, there was no chance for freed people of color to advance out of their current social situation in the U.S. The only hope expressed by these ministers was for African Americans to agree with the tenets of the Colonization Society and move to Africa.

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

Subtitle: Pittsburgh Temperance Society.

Title: Colored American - May 20, 1837

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer expresses his view that a commitment to temperance and punctual attendance at meetings devoted to this cause promotes the idea that African Americans are industrious, pious and moral people. He believes that presenting a moral and industrious image helps to counter the stereotyping that prejudice promotes.

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

Subtitle: American Colonization Society.

Title: Colored American - May 27, 1837

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

Despite its good intentions, the writer believes that the American Colonization movement is a politically motivated ploy to remove people of color from the U.S., and thus solve the moral problem of slavery.

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

Subtitle: Anniversary of the American Anti-Slavery Society.

Title: Colored American - May 6, 1837

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer announces the anniversary celebration of the American Anti-Slavery Society. This organization holds an important place in a country whose government and Churches are swayed by prejudice, a system based on slaveholding, and continued corruption.

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

Subtitle: Philomanthean Society.

Title: Colored American - November 4, 1837

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer reports on his experience while attending the anniversary of the Philomethian Society. The Philomethian Society members are young, talented African American youth interested in education and making positive contributions to society.

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

Subtitle: The Colonization Society.

Title: Colored American - October 2, 1841

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer warns his readers not to be taken in by the promises of Colonization. He emphasizes the missionary work of George S. Brown who, when he could not convert the native Africans to Christianity, killed them en mass and then bragged about doing so. Now this same missionary is attempting to persuade free African Americans to immigrate to Liberia.

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

Subtitle: Literary Societies.

Title: Colored American - October 5, 1839

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer encouraged his readers to participate in establishing a literary society suggested by the recent Anti-Slavery Convention. This type of society would benefit African Americans by providing them with a place for lectures, meetings, reading, self-educational opportunities, and community. It would also offer a positive alternative to those who now frequent the drinking, gambling and prostitution establishments.

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

Subtitle: Union Literary Association.

Title: Frederick Douglass' Paper - February 2, 1855

Speaker or author: Watkins, William J.

Newspaper or publication: Frederick Douglass' Paper (1851 - 18??)

The writer reviews a debate presented by the Union Literary Association.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: Our Assumed Literary Apathy.

Title: Pacific Appeal - October 10, 1863

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Pacific Appeal (1862 - 188?)

The writer comments on William Wells Brown's reply to criticism of his book, The Black Man, His Antecedents, Genius, and Achievements. Mr. Brown's belief is that African Americans don't appreciate the literary work of other African Americans.

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

Subtitle: Dumas Literary Society.

Title: Provincial Freeman - April 12, 1856

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)

The writer gives a brief overview of an unruly meeting he attended of the Dumas Literary Society.

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

Subtitle: African Civilization Society of Canada.

Title: Provincial Freeman - January 29, 1859

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)

The writer tells his readers that the question of "African civilization" is divided among two groups in Canada. One argues that civilizing Africa will put an end to the slave trade once and for all; the other is totally against anything that even sounds like immigration (or Colonization).

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

Subtitle: American Sunday School Union and American Tract Society.

Title: Provincial Freeman - July 4, 1857

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)

The writer offers a brief critique of educational and religious societies in Canada and the U.S. Most he concludes are hypocritical.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: The Discourse by the Rev. Dr. Helmuth of the Colonial Church and School Society.

Title: Provincial Freeman - June 18, 1859

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)

The writer gives a brief overview of an address given by a representative of the Church of England who traveled to Chatham to speak on "benevolent and philanthropic religious societies."

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

Subtitle: The Refugees' Home Society and Mrs. M. E. Bibb.

Title: Provincial Freeman - June 23, 1855

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Provincial Freeman (1853 - 1859)

The writer briefly comments on the attempts of Mrs. Bibb to retrieve land in the possession of The Refugees' Home Society that she says belonged to her late husband.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column