21 September 1781

Bailey, Francis, 1744-1817

Broadside

Title: Postscript to the Freeman's Journal, Sept. 21.

This document is a copy of the Postscript to the Freeman's Journal from 21 September 1781. It contains letter from a free black man named Cato, "a poor negro," complaining of a newly proposed act that would have sent free blacks back into slavery. Also includes a continued recount of the proceedings of the assembly, a letter to the printer about the anniversary of the Battle of Bemis Heights, 19 September 1777, and a few other news items.

GLC05818

27 August 1884

Douglass, Frederick, 1818-1895

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Amy Post

Douglass writes to Post, a New York abolitionist and suffragist. Had been to Post's home in Rochester, and regretted her absence. Relates that he and Helen, his wife (they married in January 1884) had for their honeymoon traveled through Chicago, Montreal, Maine, Massachusetts, and New York, among other locations without "a single repulse or insult in all the journey." Expresses annoyance with the letters and questions regarding his wife's age, their difference in race (Pitts was white), how their friends and family feel, and other topics pertaining to the marriage. Notes that they are…

GLC05819

1899

Du Bois, William Edward Burghardt, 1868-1963

Book

Title: The Philadelphia Negro: A Social Study

Du Bois's detailed study uses history and sociology to consider the social experience of African Americans in the Seventh Ward of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Offers a comprehensive examination of black life, including migration, religion, crime, family, health, and education. Contains a preface by Du Bois and an introduction by Samuel McCune Lindsay, Professor of Sociology at University of Pennsylvania. Includes a map of the Seventh Ward following the introduction which indicates the distribution of African American inhabitants and their social condition. Contains a map facing page 60…

GLC05823

1853

Northup, Solomon, 1808-?

Book

Title: Twelve years a slave: narrative of Solomon Northup, a citizen of New York, kidnapped in Washington City in 1841, and rescued in 1853, from a cotton plantation near the red river, in Louisiana.

Published in Auburn by Derby and Miller; Buffalo, New York by Derby, Orton and Mulligan; and Cincinnati, Ohio by Henry W. Derby. Woodcut illustrations. Northup dedicates the book to Harriet Beecher Stowe.

GLC05840

9 April 1879

Edmunds, George F., 1828-1919

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Alexander C. Twining

Discusses a question on Constitutional law and appropriations for the army. Refers to Rutherford B. Hayes' refusal to sign appropriation bills. Written on Senate Chamber stationery.

GLC05855

1853/01/15

Blodget, Lorin, fl. 1853

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ebenezer Meriam re: earthquakes & unusual weather changes (Smithsonian)

Written on stationery of the Smithsonian Institution.

GLC05856

1819/01/28

Various

Print

Title: The British surrendering their Arms to Gen: Washington...at York Town

Large black and white engraving. Title: "The British surrendering their Arms to Gen: Washington after their defeat at York Town in Virginia October 1781." Copper engraving by Tanner, Vallance, Kearny & Co. and William Allen after a drawing by John Francis Renault. Renault is supposed to have been a participant at Yorktown, although the scene is highly allegorical.

GLC05861

1842/03/31

J., & G.S. Gideon (firm), fl. 1825-1858

Broadside

Title: Valedictory of Henry Clay, in the Senate of the United States

Clay announces his retirement and introduces his successor, John J. Crittenden. Briefly, Clay compares the senate to other legislative bodies. States that in November, 1840, he began planning to retire but remained because of President Harrison's death. He appeals to history to judge his work, and God to witness his disinterested motives. Alludes to his attackers and supporters and answers the charge that he has acted like a dictator. Describes his ardent temper and offers an apology to any senator who still feels resentment from "offensive" language used in debate. In conclusion, Clay…

GLC05863

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

1811/02/27

Breckinridge, James, 1763-1833

Printed letter

Title: [Circular letter on congressional proceedings preceding the War of 1812]

Discusses the recent proceedings of Congress, specifically the non-intercourse and importation laws and the problematic European trade situation that led to War of 1812.

GLC05892

1855

Douglass, Frederick, 1818-1895

Book

Title: My bondage and my freedom. Part I : Life as a slave. Part II : Life as a freeman. By Frederick Douglass with an introduction. By James McCune Smith.

Published by Miller, Orton & Mulligan. Includes an engraving of a young Douglass by J. C. Buttre from a daguerreotype. Signed on front free yellow endpaper by Maggie R. Marriott 1 June 1861.

GLC05820

1864

American Anti-Slavery Society

Book

Title: Proceedings of the American Anti-Slavery Society, at its third decade, held in the City of Philadelphia, Dec. 3d and 4th, 1863.

Contain an appendix and a catalogue of anti-slavery publications in America from 1750-1863. Includes writings and/or speeches by William Lloyd Garrison (Anti-slavery Society President), Henry Ward Beecher, Stephen S. Foster, Abby Kelley Foster, Susan B. Anthony, Oliver Johnson, Lucy Stone, Frederick Douglass, and John Greenleaf Whittier, among others. Bound in yellow paper cover.

GLC05821

March 1948

Coles, Howard Wilson, 1903-1996

Magazine

Title: Frederick Douglass monthly. [Vol. 1, no.1 (March 1948)]

Published by Voice Publishing Co. Contains reprint of Douglass's "Men of Color, to Arms" from the 2 March 1863 printing: "This is our golden opportunity. Let us accept it and forever wipe out the dark reproaches unsparingly hurled against us by our enemies." Also includes a printing of a radio speech by Mrs. Howard W. Coles on Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony (originally delivered 3 November 1947). Includes an article on Abraham Lincoln, and a quiz on African American history. Stamped "Sample." On first page, contains a print of a photograph of Douglass.

GLC05822

1964

King, Martin Luther Jr., 1929-1968

Book signed

Title: [Why we can't wait, inscribed to Libby Holman Reynolds Shanker]

Published by Harper and Row. Inscription to Shanker, a singer and activist, states "To my Friend ... In appreciation for your genuine goodwill, your great humanitarian concern and your unswerving devotion to the cause of freedom and justice." Contains a sticker on the inner front cover containing the words "Ex Libris Libby Holman Reynolds" and the printed image of a house. Illustrated with photographs. Text advocates using nonviolent protest to obtain civil rights, and explains why he believes 1963 has been a time ripe for change in America. Considers many of the social, political and…

GLC05824

1866-1867

Header Record

Title: National anti-slavery standard. [Vol. 26, no. 35 (January 6, 1866)- v. 28, no. 34 (December 28, 1867)] [with gaps]

Volume 26 is missing issue numbers 43 and 47. Volume 27 is missing issue numbers 8,13,and 35. Volume 28 is missing issue number 28. The January 5, 1866, Vol. 27, no. 35 most likely contains misprint in either the date or the Volume and issue number. The issues contain information on the 14th Amendment & impeachment of [Andrew] Johnson, speeches of Sumner, women's suffrage, and advertisements for colored soldiers to collect bounties.

GLC05825

1839

American Anti-Slavery Society

Pamphlet

Title: The American anti-slavery almanac, for 1839.

With original yellow wrappers and illustrations for almost every month. Illustrations depict the horrors of slavery. Contains ink stains. Published for the Anti-Slavery Society by S. W. Benedict.

GLC05826

1788

Pennsylvania, General Assembly.

Pamphlet

Title: The constitution of the Pennsylvania Society, for promoting the abolition of slavery, and the relief of free Negroes, unlawfully held in bondage...

(title continues)... begun in the year 1774, and enlarged on the twenty-third of April, 1787 : to which are added, the acts of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, for the gradual abolition of slavery. Benjamin Franklin serves as President of the Society.

GLC05827

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

1832

Faulkner, Charles James, 1847-1929

Pamphlet

Title: The speech of Charles Jas. Faulkner (of Berkeley) in the House of Delegates of Virginia, on the policy of the state with respect to her slave population: Delivered January 20, 1832.

Printed by Thomas W. White. Faulkner states, "... the evils of slavery stand confessed before us. The only question with a Virginia statesman, should be-- is there any remedy and what shall that remedy be?... although I am decidedly in favor of some scheme of manumission that will ultimately relieve my country from the catastrophe which threatens it, let no gentleman suppose, from what has fallen from me, that I am in favor of any rash, violent, or hasty legislation." Bound with string.

GLC05829

1832

Garrison, William Lloyd, 1805-1879

Book

Title: Thoughts on African Colonization

Early critique of the Colonization Society. Published by Garrison & Knapp.

GLC05830

1853

Hale, Sarah J.B., 1788-1879

Book

Title: Liberia; or Mr. Peyton's experiments.

304 pages of text followed by twelve pages of advertisements. Published by Harper & Brothers. Contains sticker from Bryant Circulatory Library Association of Roslyn, New York.

GLC05831

1857

Header Record

Title: Collection of documents related to stopping the African slave trade [Decimalized .01-.05]

Five documents regarding efforts of British and American Naval ships off the African coast and around the mouth of the Congo River to end the illegal African slave trade.

GLC05832

1796

Foster, Theodore, 1752-1828

Pamphlet

Title: Minutes of the proceedings of the third convention of delegates from the abolition societies established in different parts of the United States, assembled at Philadelphia...

(title continues)... on the first day of January, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-six, and continued, by adjournments, until the seventh day of the same month, inclusive. Printed by Zachariah Poulson, Jr. Cites the names of delegates from the abolitionist societies of Providence, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Wilmington, Maryland, and Virginia. Theodore Foster is listed as president of the convention, and Thomas Pim Cope as secretary. Some pages are separated from binding.

GLC05833

20 February 1812

Colden, Cadwallader David, 1769-1834

Printed document signed

Title: [Joseph Curtis's membership certificate for the New York society for promoting the Manumission of Slaves]

This document is a large printed certificate for Joseph Curtis, with seal, confirming that he is a member of the New York Society for Promoting the Manumission of Slaves. It it signed by Cadwallader Colden as President and William Van Hook as Secretary of the Society. Engraved and written by Peter Maverick. Accompanied by a paper seal.

GLC05834

1953

Owens, William A., 1905-?

Book

Title: Slave Mutiny: the Revolt on the Schooner Amistad

Published by John Day Company. First edition. Comprises a dramatic retelling of the Amistad narrative, based on factual events of the mutiny and trial.

GLC05835