Black Abolitionist Archive

Title: Alexander Crummell

Speaker or author: Crummell, Alexander, 1819-1898

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

-- Copyright Permission Granted September 2007 -- Handwritten sermon on spiritual improvement for the people of color with a strong emphasis on Christian moral ethics.

Description of file(s): PDF 10 page, 3,138 word document (text and images)

Title: Alexander Crummell

Speaker or author: Crummell, Alexander, 1819-1898

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

-- Copyright Permission Granted September 2007 -- Handwritten speech regarding the importance of education for the advancement of the free people of color. The speaker noted that the speech is offered "As a Testimonial of respect for Talent, Worth, and Nobleness of Character." Includes original editing and omissions.

Description of file(s): PDF 50 page, 13,486 word document (text and images)

Title: Alexander Crummell

Speaker or author: Crummell, Alexander, 1819-1898

Newspaper or publication: AD Draft -- New York Public Library -- Schomburg Collection

-- Copyright Permission Granted September 2007 -- Handwritten notes for speech regarding the speaker's idea that the colonization of Africa is part of God's plan. The speaker emphasized the potential for a quality life there doing God's work.

Description of file(s): PDF 8 page, 1,412 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)

Title: Alexander Crummell

Speaker or author: Crummell, Alexander, 1819-1898

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

Handwritten eulogy given after the death of Thomas Sipkins Sidney with a detailed account of Sidney's life and accomplishments.

Description of file(s): PDF 34 page, 9,475 word document (text and images)

Title: Lewis Hayden

Speaker or author: Hayden, Lewis, 1815-1889

Newspaper or publication: Boston Athenaeum -- Pamphlet Collection

Lengthy speech regarding the status of freed African Americans within the order of Freemasonry. The speaker stressed concern over growing racial prejudice within the order. He was also concerned that President Andrew Johnson was not doing anything to combat the increasing racial prejudice within the U.S. The speaker paid special attention to the wording of the Freemason doctrine regarding membership. He also gave a brief history of the order, including its goals, moral obligations and social commitment. This speech contains valuable information regarding the influence of Freemasonry in the founding of the U. S.

Description of file(s): PDF 56 page, 17,480 word document (text and images)

Title: J. W. C. Pennington

Speaker or author: Pennington, James W. C.

Newspaper or publication: Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford -- Anti-Slavery Pamphlets

A farewell sermon delivered before the Fifth Congregational Church of Hartford, Connecticut, as the speaker left to devote a two year leave of absence to classical study. The speaker also requested the time so that he could deal with his fugitive status. The sermon itself addressed Paul's journey through Macedonia and seemed a metaphor for the speaker's upcoming absence.

Description of file(s): PDF 22 page, 6,197 word document (text and images)

Title: Henry Highland Garnet

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

Newspaper or publication: Morgan State University Library -- Pamphlet Collection

Speech given before the House of Representatives denouncing slavery as an inhumane system in a country founded on freedom. The speaker related his own experiences with slavery and the injustices he had witnessed growing up as a slave. Now that slavery had ended, he asked that the government approach the recovery of the Union with an eye towards racial harmony.

Description of file(s): PDF 20 page, 5,472 word document (text and images)

Title: Charles Lenox Remond

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

Newspaper or publication: National Anti-Slavery Society

Speech against the plans of the American Colonization Society. The speaker expressed his belief that colonization was inspired by the institution of American slavery as a way of solving the issue of slavery without allowing freed slaves to become members of American society.

Description of file(s): PDF 11 page, 3,577 word document (text and images)

Title: Alexander Crummell

Speaker or author: Crummell, Alexander, 1819-1898

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

Speech emphasizing the benefits of colonization in Africa. The speaker listed each benefit and positive feature of Africa in a very rational and pragmatic way emphasizing trade, economics, education and Christian missionary work that have improved the colonized areas.

Description of file(s): PDF 25 page, 6,423 word document (text and images)

Title: Alexander Crummell

Speaker or author: Crummell, Alexander, 1819-1898

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

The speaker stressed the history, benefit, and continued need of missionary work in Africa. He emphasized the work of Jewish, Baptist, Episcopalian, Catholic, Evangelical, Presbyterian and Protestant missionaries.

Description of file(s): PDF 19 page, 5,354 word document (text and images)

Title: William Howard Day

Speaker or author: Day, William Howard, d. 1900

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

Overview of a speech given at the unveiling of monument to Abraham Lincoln who had died in April of that year. The speaker emphasized Lincoln's great achievements but tempered this with a reminder of the legacy the system of slavery had left. He urged continued efforts for social improvements and civil rights as the country recovered from the Civil War.

Description of file(s): PDF 12 page, 3,929 word document (text and images)

Title: William H. Johnson

Speaker or author: Johnson, William Henry, 1833-1918.

Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Albany Institute of History and Art

The speaker traced the history of freedom in the U.S. during a July 4th celebration in Philadelphia. He emphasized the irony of continued slavery in a country founded on freedom and liberty for all.

Description of file(s): PDF 15 page, 5,184 word document (text and images)

Title: J. W. C. Pennington

Speaker or author: Pennington, James W. C.

Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- American Baptist Historical Society -- Pamphlet Collection

Sermon given during a meeting of the New York Central College Association stressing the law of God as greater government for human beings than the law of man.

Description of file(s): PDF 11 page, 3,428 word document (text and images)

Title: Samuel H. Davis

Speaker or author: Davis, Samuel H.

Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Bell, Ed. Minutes and Proceedings of the National Negro Conventions

Excerpt of lengthy speech delivered before the National Convention of Colored Citizens held at Buffalo, New York. The speech addresses issues of slavery, abolition, and the plight of free African Americans. The speaker said he wished not to focus on grievances but rather on how all Americans of every race can live together better. Emphasis is placed on the moral and political condition of African Americans at that time.

Description of file(s): PDF 5 page, 2,338 word document (text and images)

Title: William Wells Brown

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

Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Bibliotheque Nationale -- Paris, France

Speech presented in France before a French audience. The original speech is published in French and translated for an English speaking audience (both versions are shown). The speech is a brief thank you to the French government for abolishing slavery in France and the French colonies. (Includes MP3 audio file.)

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 141 word document (text and image)

Title: William Wells Brown

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

Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Bibliotheque Nationale -- Paris, France

Speech denouncing the Fugitive Slave Bill stressing the cruelties of its use. The speaker emphasized that the cruelty of slavery was both physical and emotional as human bodies and human families were broken apart in similar fashion. (Includes MP3 audio file.)

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 732 word document (text and images)

Title: William Craft

Speaker or author: Craft, William

Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Bibliotheque Nationale -- Paris, France

Speech describing the speaker and his wife's escape from slavery. The horrors and injustices of slavery are emphasized.

Description of file(s): PDF 7 page, 2,779 word document (text and images)

Title: J. W. C. Pennington

Speaker or author: Pennington, James W. C.

Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Bibliotheque Nationale -- Paris, France

Speech presented in Paris, France before a French speaking audience. The original speech is published in French and translated for an English speaking audience (only the English version is available here). The speaker emphasized that he believed the continued injustice and oppression of slavery would contribute to war in the U.S.

Description of file(s): PDF 2 page, 506 word document (text and image)

Title: William Howard Day

Speaker or author: Day, William Howard, d. 1900

Newspaper or publication: Presscopy -- Birmingham, England -- Public Libraryq

The speaker presented an overview of the goals of the African Aid Society to help fugitive slaves who had escaped to Canada immigrate to Africa. He blamed the over-reliance on the economic value of cotton for continued slavery in the U.S.

Description of file(s): PDF 1 page, 374 word document (text and image)