The Liberator Files

December 24, 1831  

lists 52  TEXTS ON SLAVERY  — A series of quotes denouncing slavery

December 10, 1831

From the National Journal  FREE MASONRY AMONG THE BLACKS
Addressed, “Dear Sir”,and signed only “A.B.”

“If there was to be devised a scheme for organizing and preparing the Southern blacks for insurrection, none that I can conceive of is so admirably calculated for the purpose as free Masonry introduced among free Negroes.  They of all others are most forward in promoting the spirit of revolt among slaves. ……….. recommend the call of a convention of masons for doing away the lodge throughout the Union…….It is necessary and proper that the white should take the lead in that matter, for so long as lodges of white masons are tolerated, who can gainsay the right of free blacks to hold lodges also. Let the white men abolish the order among themselves, and the laws can and will be made for abolishing it among the blacks…….”

October 22, 1831

Minutes and Proceedings  of the First Annual Convention of the People of Color,
Philadelphia,  June, 1831 

October 1, 1831

A large article headed as A VOICE FROM ENGLAND!   It is about the American Colonization Society … Liberia

Contains a description of the ACS and its settlement in Liberia, then offers a critique of the ACS…” it powerfully tends to veil the existing and outrageous atrocity of Negro Slavery; and it corroborates against the people of color, whether enslaved or free, one of the most base, groundless and cruel prejudices that has ever disgraced the powerful, or afflicted the weak.”   The article then includes statistics, and a graph designed to show the errors of ACS claims regarding its contribution to the elimination of slavery.

Sept 10, 1831

Here are extensive quotes from Editors , commenting on the Turner rebellion.
Comments based on the N.Y. Journal of Commerce, gain the rebuke of G; quoting and embellishing words from that paper:  “Look at the humanity, the justice, the principles of these editors!  ‘Much as we abhor slavery’  …. Conscious as we are, of its being contrary to the rights of man, and condemned by every precept of the bible….yet ‘there is not a man of us who would not run to the relief of southern tyrants, and violate every principle of rectitude, because they have white skins, and slaughter the slaves, because they have black skins. A fine exhibition of morality!  It combines everything odious  in cruelty, robbery and murder.”

August 27, 1831  

By a Colored Lady from Middletown, July 29, 1831

 “……I am induced to write a few words of encouragement to us as a people….”

August 20, 1831

Includes LINES, composed by unnamed female for The Liberator …. Here are some of the “lines” from this poem:

         How can you eat, how can you drink,
         How wear your finery and ne’er think,
         Of those poor souls, in bondage held,
         Whose painful labor is compelled?

         Gird up your loins, be firm, be strong,
         Support the right; condemn the wrong,
         So shall the Lord your ways approve,
         And save you by redeeming love.

August  13, 1831

An item from the N. E. Baptist Register,  titled Religion Among the Poor:  here is an affirmation of the fidelity of poor people to the religion of Jesus Christ.  “The rights of men and plainly and irresistibly established in the gospel…..But he came to destroy that inequality among mankind which enabled the rich and great to treat the poor as inferior beings……” 

June 18,  1831 

A Short Address to Females of Color, comes from Anna Elizabeth,  dated June 11, from Philadelphia:  writer calls for the 4th of July to be set apart as a day of “humiliation and prayer”   “Oh, sisters, let us pray …..”Let us pray that the Lord would hasten the time when glorious freedom will be given to every race ….fear not man ….the Lord reigns….”

May 28, 1831 

- records a May 6th meeting of the General Colored Association.  Names mentioned as in attendance include:  Dalton,  Nell, Barbadoes,  Easton, Pitts, Snowden.