Black Abolitionist Archive

Subtitle: An Apology.

Title: Colored American - October 9, 1841

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored Amercian (1877 - 1842)

Brief note from the editor apologizing for a lack of editorial variety in the upcoming issues. He explains that the newspaper must concentrate on their financial debt. Donations would be most welcomed at this point.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: The Letter of "W."

Title: Colored American - October 16, 1841

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored Amerian (1837 - 1842)

The editor responds to a letter accusing the attendees at a recent convention of changing their views and convictions.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: Our Paper -- Its Condition and Prospects -- Crisis. Three Hundred Dollars Must be Had.

Title: Colored American - October 9, 1841

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842

The editor explains the current status of the newspaper's debt. He asks those who owe for their subscriptions to pay them now, and those who can afford to help financially to do so now.

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

Title: Augustus William Hanson

Speaker or author: Augustus William Hanson

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

Rambling speech regarding the inherent rights of human beings in a free society regardless of race.

Description of file(s): PDF 13 page, 3,785 word document (text and images)

Title: Amos G. Beman

Speaker or author: Beman, Amos Gerry, 1812-1874

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

Speech regarding the principles, goals and value of the New York Committee of Vigilance in its assistance to people of color.

Description of file(s): PDF 11 page, 2,773 word document (text and images)

Title: Frisby Cooper

Speaker or author: Cooper, Frisby

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

Speech given by 11 year old Frisby Cooper, president of the Juvenile Total Abstinence Association on the August 1st anniversary celebration of the emancipation of the British West Indies. Emphasis is placed on the evils of alcohol and its negative effect on the moral advancement of people of color.

Description of file(s): PDF 3 page, 619 word document (text and images)

Subtitle: The Editor's Difficulties.

Title: Colored American - December 16, 1837

Speaker or author: Cornish, Samuel E.

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The editor asks his readers to help compensate him for his work at the newspaper. He asks that each subscriber send at least $5 each to help supplement his salary. He explains that as it is now, his salary is nowhere near what other editors are paid.

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

Subtitle: A Vestage of Pro-Slavery.

Title: Colored American - October 5, 1839

Speaker or author: Cornish, Samuel E. (Samuel Eli), 1795?-1858

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer comments on an exchange between Samuel Cornish and Philip Bell regarding a statement published in the Friend of Man newspaper. The Friend of Man's brief statement was from a representative of the New York Anti-Slavery Society saying they would not support the Colored American newspaper until it changed its political point of view.

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

Subtitle: The Signs of the Times No. 4. Continued from our last.

Title: Colored American - September 7, 1839

Speaker or author: Cornish, Samuel E. (Samuel Eli), 1795?-1858

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer continues his commentary on a proposed resolution which states that African Americans will deny their vote to any candidate who does not support the immediate abolition of slavery.

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

Subtitle: To Our Friends and Brethren Beloved:

Title: Colored American - May 6, 1837

Speaker or author: Cornish, Samuel E. (Samuel Eli), 1795?-1858

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer offers a humble request for aid and financial support from friends among the people in Pennsylvania.

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

Subtitle: The Domestic Slave Trade.

Title: Colored American - November 25, 1837

Speaker or author: Cornish, Samuel E. (Samuel Eli), 1795?-1858

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

The writer relates a story of a black British sailor who is arrested in Washington, DC on suspicion that he is a fugitive slave. The law required that a white man step forward to validate his claim that he is a free man or the sailor would be sold into slavery to pay the expense of his arrest.

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

Title: William L. Douglass

Speaker or author: Douglass, William L.

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

Speech given on the anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the British West Indies in August, 1833, with emphasis placed on how the U.S. should follow Britain in abolishing slavery.

Description of file(s): PDF 8 page, 2,295 word document (text and images)

Subtitle: Ohio State Convention in Support of Independent Nominations.

Title: Colored American - September 19, 1840

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

A brief overview of a politically focused convention held in Ohio. One of the topics covered was the link between slavery and politics.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column

Subtitle: National Reform Convention, &c.

Title: Colored American - August 15, 1840

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

A brief overview of a recent national convention, emphasizing the impact of opposition from colonizationists in attendance. Included is a short article by David Ruggles expressing his opinion of the proceedings.

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

Subtitle: First of August.

Title: Colored American - August 15, 1840

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

A brief overview of celebrations held to commemorate the August 1st anniversary of emancipation in the British West Indies.

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

Subtitle: A Chapter on Locks.

Title: Colored American - March 2, 1839

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

A humorous look at a noticeable lack of locks on the doors of African American houses. The writer compares the types of door fastening mechanisms and door knobs to the lives of those who live within the houses.

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

Subtitle: Second Chapter on Locks.

Title: Colored American - March 16, 1839

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

A tongue-in-cheek commentary on people who talk too much.

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

Subtitle: Abolition Dying Away.

Title: Colored American - May 8, 1841

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

Although anti-slavery organizations may not agree on the details of how slavery should be abolished, the writer assures his readers that this movement towards freedom is alive and well. The principles of the abolition movement remain strongly supported despite rumors to the contrary.

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

Subtitle: Going from Home.

Title: Colored American - November 11, 1837

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

Although the Colored American newspaper is now out of debt, the editor will be traveling to Philadelphia to speak on its behalf and encourage further investment in order to sustain it. Donations are always appreciated and put to good use.

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

Subtitle: The Elections.

Title: Colored American - November 7, 1840

Speaker or author: editor

Newspaper or publication: Colored American (1837 - 1842)

Although the voting is still in progress in New York, the editor provides the current status of the presidential election results across the country showing Martin Van Buren in the lead.

Description of file(s): one scanned newspaper column