1855

Drayton, Daniel, 1802-?

Book

Title: Personal memoir of Daniel Drayton, for four years and fours months a prisoner (for charity's sake) in Washington jail...

(title continues)... Including a narrative of the voyage and capture of the Schooner Pearl. Published by Bela Marsh. Includes a frontispiece printed portrait of Drayton. Of his attempt to assist a mass slave escape, Drayton writes, "The opportunity occurring, I did not hesitate to improve it; nor have I ever yet seen occasion to regret having done so."

GLC05873

1840

Hopper, Isaac T., 1771-1852

Pamphlet

Title: Exposition of the proceedings of John P. Darg, Henry W. Merritt, and others, in relation to the robbery of Darg, the elopement of his alleged slave...

(title continues)... , and the trial of Barney Corse, who was unjustly charged as an accessary.

GLC05828

1856

Thompson, John, 1812-?

Book

Title: The life of John Thompson, a fugitive slave; containing his history of 25 years in bondage, and his providential escape. [incomplete]

First edition. Incomplete copy lacking pages 99-106 in chapter 15. In the introduction, Thompson writes: "I am aware that now, when public opinion makes it no martyrdom to denounce slavery, there are multitudes of men that grow bold, and wield a powerful weapon against this great evil; and even school boys daringly denounce a system, the enormity of which they cannot appreciate, surely I thought it may be permitted to one who has worn the galling yoke of bondage, to say something of its pains, and something of that freedom which, if he should succeed in accurately defining…

GLC05841

1872

Still, William, 1821-1902

Book

Title: The underground railroad. A record of facts, authentic narratives, letters, &c., narrating the hardships, hair-breadth escapes and death struggles...

(title continues)... of the slaves in their efforts for freedom, as related by themselves and others, or witnessed by the author; together with sketches of some of the largest stockholders and most liberal aiders and advisers of the road. Printed by Porter & Coates. Contains a frontispiece printed portrait of Still, and woodcut illustrations throughout text. An exhaustive volume containing narratives, testimonies, and biographies.

GLC05843

1883

Still, William, 1821-1902

Book

Title: Still's underground rail road records. Revised edition. With a life of the author. Narrating the hardships, hairbreadth escapes and death struggles of the slaves in their efforts for freedom.

Contains woodcut illustrations. Published by Still. Includes a printed portrait of Still opposite title page. An exhaustive volume containing narratives, testimonies, and biographies.

GLC05844

1856

Object

Title: [Campaign ribbon on silk: "Old buck is coming"]

Faded pink silk ribbon with black ink images and text. Begins with an image of a buck (male dear), and the statement "Old Buck is Coming," referring to 1856 presidential candidate James Buchanan. Below the buck, the ribbon depicts blacks with knapsacks and a bear, apparently fleeing westward, with the exclamation "Fremont! Free Niggers! Off for the Rocky Mountains" (Buchanan's opponent, Senator John C. Fremont, argued that the government should prevent the spread of slavery into the new western territories). The next image on the ribbon portrays a pistol, and the exclamation "'National…

GLC05877

1837

Chase, Salmon P. (Salmon Portland), 1808-1873

Pamphlet

Title: Speech of Salmon P. Chase, in the case of the colored woman Matilda

Speech given before an Ohio court, arguing for the freedom of a slave named Matilda. Argues that Matilda should be free now that she is in Ohio, and argues that the Fugitive Slave Act is unconstitutional. Matilda had been brought before the court by a writ of habeas corpus. She had been working as a servant for Chase's client, when it was discovered she was an escaped slave.

GLC05114

1850

Tappan, Lewis, 1788-1873

Pamphlet

Title: The fugitive slave bill: its history and unconstitutionality

Gives various arguments why the Fugitive Slave bill should be declared unconstitutional. Also tells the story of James Hamlet, a mulatto arrested under the law despite protests that he was not a slave. Eventually Hamlet was returned to freedom. Full title reads: "The Fugitive Slave Bill: its history and unconstitutionality; with an account of the seizure and enslavement of James Hamlet, and his subsequent restoration to liberty." Printed by William Harned. First edition. With handwritten…

GLC05118

21 March 1802

Clay, Henry, 1777-1852

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Jacob Burdett

Written by Clay as a lawyer in Lexington, Kentucky, before he began his political career to Burdett as an attorney in Cincinnati, Ohio. References a previous letter by Burdett respecting Jim, a runaway slave whose status was in question. Says an answer was not necessary because he had already forwarded "a Copy of those papers on which Jim's right to his freedom is founded. He derives his title from an Indian ancestor who was in the early part of the last Century reduced to Slavery in Virginia, contrary to the laws of that State." The only difficulty of his claim arises from the uncertainty of…

GLC07098

1847

Seward, William Henry, 1801-1872

Pamphlet

Title: In the Supreme Court of the United States [fugitive slaves]

Continued: "John Van Zandt, Ad Sectum Wharton Jones. Argument for the defendant." Unsuccessful defense by Seward and Salmon P. Chase of Ohio farmer Van Zandt, sued by slave owner for unwittingly picking up 9 fugitive slaves.

GLC07036

1797

Book

Title: To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States...

Printed Quaker petition, containing letters and what is apparently the first printing of the first petition brought before Congress by free Blacks (p. 7) appealing for intervention against the Fugitive Slave Act, which is called "a Flagrant proof of how far human beings, merely on account of color and complexion, are through prevailing predjudices excluded from common justice and...humanity."

GLC07442

1858

Giddings, Joshua Reed, 1795-1864

Book

Title: Exiles of Florida: or, the crimes committed by our Government ...

The "Maroons," who fled from South Carolina and other Slave States, seeking protection under Spanish Law.

GLC07443

4 September 1859

Thompson, Dauphin Adolphus, 1838-1859

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother and sister

Discusses preparations for the raid on Harper's Ferry. Never mentions a raid, or any specific plans, but states "we have not got ready to begin operations yet." Also does not reveal his location, saying he is writing from "parts unknown." Discusses a religious meeting of the anti-slavery "winebenarians" (Winbrennians). Worries that "we have to be very careful how we act in everything we have one colored man in our company who has been seen by a woman but she thinks he is a fugitive slave and that we are trying to help him onto his freedom," and thinks she will not report them. Also in…

GLC06471

1743-1759

Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790

Header Record

Title: Pennsylvania gazette. [Nos. 735-1567] [Incomplete] [Decimalized]

Collection of unbound newspapers. Edited with frequent pseudonymous contributions by Benjamin Franklin. Subjects include colonial and Indian affairs, European and Parliamentary news, commercial notices, and acts of Assemblies. Small folios with deckle edges.

GLC06670

30 August 1861

Confederate States of America. Congress

Printed document

Title: An Act to perpetuate testimony in cases of slaves abducted or harbored by the enemy, and of other property seized, wasted, or destroyed by them. No. 270.

Appears to be a circular. Possibly created in Richmond, Virginia. Gives orders for the procedure slave owners may follow when their slaves are abducted or harbored. Notes that the Confederate States are not liable to make compensation for Confederate citizens' property that is lost or destroyed.

GLC06607

1879

Pettit, Eber, fl. 1879

Book

Title: Sketches in the history of the Underground Railroad...

Title continued: "Comprising many thrilling incidents of the escape of fugitives from slavery and the perils to those who aided them." First edition, with mounted albumen photograph frontispiece of Pettit. Original publishers brown cloth. Pettit was one of the chief conductors of the Underground Railroad. Not in Blockson Collection. Schomburg 326.973F-P, Work p.338.

GLC06839

1869

Tubman, Harriet, 1822-1913

Book

Title: Scenes in the life of Harriet Tubman / by Sarah H. Bradford

First edition printed by Moses. The story of Tubman, an escaped slave who became a "conductor" on the Underground Railroad. She made more than nineteen trips into the south, rescuing 300 people. During the Civil War, she served as a nurse and spy. Royalties from this book paid off the mortgage on her home when she married Nelson Davis, an African American Civil War veteran. Exlibris stamp of the Phillis Wheatley Library. Blockson Collection 3950, Schomburg 326.93-B. Including engraving of Tubman.

GLC06840

February 12, 1861

Lincoln, Arch., fl. 1861

Broadside

Title: $100.00 reward!

Runaway slave broadside with stock wood cut of a runaway. For a slave named Lewis, "aged about 31 years, heavy set, about 5 feet 5 or 6 inches high, inclined to be bow legged, dark complexion, and will weigh 175 or 180 pounds..." Dated from Liberty, Missouri. Lincoln states, "I will give for the apprehension of said boy...$25 if taken in Clay county, Mo., $50 if taken out of Clay and in the State, and $100 if taken out of the State."

GLC05525

10 May 1878

Garrison, William Lloyd, 1805-1879

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Greenleaf Whittier

Garrison replies to a letter from Whittier, the Quaker poet and abolitionist. Discusses the deaths of other abolitionists. Whittier had informed Garrison of the death of Captain Jonathan Walker, a fellow abolitionist. Laments Walker's death, describing him as "a kind-hearted, honest, unsophisticated man, who, for attempting to aid certain slaves to escape from their taskmasters, bore with martyr-like fortitude and serenity the penalty burnt into his living flesh by the decree of a court acting in accordance with the provisions of the Slave Code." Notes that the "SS" which was burnt on…

GLC05748

circa 5 October 1850

Friends of Freedom (Boston, Mass.)

Broadside

Title: Declaration of sentiments of the colored citizens of Boston, on the fugitive slave bill!!!

African American citizens of Boston respond to the Fugitive Slave Law. Published by the "Friends of Freedom." Signed in print by Lewis Hayden as President of the Friends of Freedom and William C. Nell as Secretary. Also includes another text block at the bottom titled "Address to the Clergy of Massachusetts." Printed at No. 86 Hanover Street, Boston.

GLC05345

4 October 1857

Douglass, Frederick, 1818-1895

Letter

Title: to Hugh Auld

Douglass writes to his former master after twenty years, admitting that he has often wanted to hold correspondence with Auld. Inquires after the Auld children, who are dear to Douglass: "...I feel nothing but kindness for you all- I love you, but hate Slavery." Asks Auld what year he came to live with the Auld family (the same year a frigate was built by Mr. Beacham). Inquires as to the date of his birth. Mentions seeing Amanda (daughter of Thomas and Lucretia Auld) and that he would like to see other members of the Auld family. Writes, "I could have lived with you during life in freedom…

GLC07484.06

1856

Williamson, Passmore, 1822-?

Book

Title: Case of Passmore Williamson. Report of the proceedings on the writ of Habeas Corpus, issued by the Hon. John K. Kane, judge of the district court of the United States...

(title continues)... for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, in the case of the United States of America Ex. Rel. John H. Wheeler vs. Passmore Williamson, including the several opinions delivered; and the arguments of counsel, reported by Arthur Cannon, Esq., phonographer. Published by Uriah Hunt & Son.

GLC08853

1855

Williamson, Passmore, 1822-?

Pamphlet

Title: Narrative of facts in the case of Passmore Williamson

Relates the story of Passmore Williamson, an abolitionist who was imprisoned for helping a slave named Jane escape her master while in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Because Jane was already in the North, Williamson informed her she was free and enabled her to slip away from her master. He spent three months in jail for his actions, and his case became a highly publicized one. Pamphlet is side-stitched, published by the Philadelphia Anti-Slavery Society in response to debates about the Fugitive Slave Law.

GLC08854

1842

Prigg, Edward, fl. 1842

Book

Title: Report of the case of Edward Prigg against the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Argued and adjudged in the Supreme Court of the United States, at January term, 1842. In which it was decided that all the laws of the several states relative to fugitive slaves are unconstitutional and void...

(title continues)... and that Congress have the exclusive power of legislation on the subject of fugitive slaves escaping into other states. Reported by Richard Peters, reporter of the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States. Stereotyped by L. Johnson. Contains a George Peabody College for Teachers Library sticker on inner front cover. Signed on front flyleaf by Congressman Richard Wigginton Thompson of Indiana.

GLC08856

1836-1861

Header Record

Title: Collection of abolitionist newspapers [Decimalized .01-.59]

A collection of early anti-slavery and abolitionist newspapers, including issues of The Emancipator, the National Anti-Slavery Standard, and the Liberator. Some of the papers are edited by William Lloyd Garrison; others by Edmund Quincy & James Russell Lowell - all three important names in the abolitionist movement. Newspapers are dated from 1836-1850, a range that captures the beginnings and the development of the abolitionist movement in the U.S. They deal with important topics such as the treatment of slavery in the Southern press; remarks by Congressmen, Senators, and Presidents on…

GLC08875