The Liberator Files

Popular Feelings at Burns’ arrest

hseldon — Tue, 15 May 2012 00:45:59 +0000

The Popular Feeling Upon the receipt of the intelligence that Burns was delevered up by Commissioner Loring to be sent back into slavery, the bells of the churches were tolled in Pepperell, Worcester, North Danvers, Manchester, Haverhill, Acton. Stores were draped in mourning , flags draped with black and raised half-mast high. (Liberator, June 9, 1854, pg 3)

Arrest and trial of Anthony Burns

hseldon — Tue, 15 May 2012 00:43:08 +0000

ANOTHER SIMS CASE IN BOSTON — SLAVE HUNTING DEFENDED AT THE POINT OF THE BAYONET — CIVIL LIBERTY PROSTRATE BEFORE MILITARY DESPOTISM — MASSACHUSETTS IN CHAINS, AND HER SUBJUGATION ABSOLUTE — THE DAYS OF 1776 RETURNED. ”Since the Revolution of 1776, Boston has never witnessed such a popular excitement — the Commonwealth has never been so convulsed, through all the ramifications of society — as during the past week — and ‘the end is not yet’. Our limits leave us no room for comments — no room to record a tithe of what has transpired, to record which, in detail, would occupy a hundred column s. The facts must speak for themselves. Then three columns of the “facts” including the warrant issued by U.S. Commissioner Edward G. Loring, the arrest of Anthony Burns, apprehended at the corner of Brattle and Court streets. Burns conveyed to the Court House, where he passed the night in the keeping of the Marshal…. the trial, and postponement…A Faneuil Hall meeting, crowded beyond the capacity of the building, scenes at the Court House where Burns was held, “a large body of negroes” storming the Court House, and attempting a rescue, the shooting of James Batchelder, “one of the hired assassins”, and the doubts about how this happened….” (Liberator, June 2, 1854, pg 2)

William Wells Brown’s freedom

hseldon — Tue, 15 May 2012 00:36:55 +0000

WILLIAM WELLS BROWN ”The friends of Mr. Brown in England have kindly contributed the amount necessary to secure his ransom from bondage, so that he can return to his native land without being subjected to the terrible liability of being seized as a fugitive, and scourged to death on a Southern plantation. In a letter to Mr. Nell, he intimates that he may arrive in Boston in June or July. In whatever period he may come, he will find many to give him a most friendly greeting. Our cause never needed his presence and his labors so much as in the present crisis….”
(Liberator, May 26, 1854,pg 2)

A wish from Alexander Dumas

hseldon — Wed, 09 May 2012 00:08:50 +0000

Alexander Dumas, the French novelist, has written a letter to a friend in New York, in which he says, “Find for me on the borders of the St. Lawrence, the Hudson, the Delaware, or the Ohio, a corner where, surrounded by my chosen friends, I may spend my last days, and die in tranquility under the sun of liberty.”
(Liberator, January 6, 1854, pg 4)

Garrison, on controversy regarding Constitution

hseldon — Wed, 09 May 2012 00:06:17 +0000

SECOND ANNUAL MEETING OF THE GARRISON ASSOCIATION Circumstances beyond control preventing an address from being delivered on the anniversary of Mr. Garrison’s birthday, December 10th, a large audience assembled in Belknap Street Church, on Monday evening, December 19th, 1853. Mr. William C. Nell introduced the speakers. Garrison spoke in defense of his view of the Constitution . “In regard to the American Constitution, he would not attempt, at that late hour, to discuss its provisions. Believing that the American people could not have mistaken, for more than sixty years, the design of that instrument, respecting slavery; that the legislative and judicial action of the country could not have been ignorantly concurrent on the subject; that the Constitution did give governmental strength and protection to the system; he could not conscientiously or consistently give it his support. He would never voluntarily enter the American Union, until the slaves, redeemed and disenthralled, could accompany him. If others, like his esteemed friend Gerrit Smith, could satisfy their understanding, that the Constitution is, and was designed to be, an Anti-Slavery instrument, and acted consistently with their declarations, he not only would have no controversy with them, but be foremost to give them all due credit. But such a construction was virtually a dissolution of the Union. (Liberator, January 6, 1854, pg 1)

Twentieth Anniversary, American Anti-Slavery Society

hseldon — Fri, 04 May 2012 01:05:15 +0000

SECOND DECADE ANNIVERSARY of the Formation of the American Anti-Slavery Society ! “It is almost twenty years since the American Anti-Slavery Society was organized by a Convention held for that purpose in the city of Philadelphia. How eventful is the history of the Society and of our country during this period! … Happy would it have been for our country, and O, how happy for those who now pine in bondage! if the voice thus lifted up in the name of Justice and Liberty had been heeded and obeyed. But, alas!, the American People, like Pharaoh of old, hardened their hearts, refusing to obey the mandate of Jehovah…. But notwithstanding these developments of national profligacy , we are far from being discouraged. Indeed, we see in these developments a sure sign of progress, and a pledge of final success. We have compelled Slavery to exhibit itself in its true character before mankind … we must go forward, regardless of every obstacle, and undismayed by every danger that may beset our path….we hereby invite the members and friends to assemble in Sansom Street Hall, Philadelphia, on Saturday, Sunday and Monday, December 3d, 4th and 5th, to celebrate the Twentieth anniversary of its Formation….” (Liberator, October 28, 1853, pg 2)

Ladies raise money for Leonard Grimes’ Twelfth Baptist Church

hseldon — Fri, 04 May 2012 01:00:26 +0000

“The Twelfth Baptist Church of this city, of which Rev. L. A. Grimes is Pastor, have with the liberal aid of many of our
citizens in this city and vicinity, together with the untiring perseverance of the Society, raised and paid towards their meeeting-house nearly six thousand dollars. They have not been able to finish their house, and have worshipped nearly two years in their vestry. The cost of finishing the house will be about fifteen hundred dollars….. The Ladies of this Society are preparing to hold a Fair, to assist in finishing said church. … Said church is located on Southac street. …. Donations may be sent to the house of L.A. Grimes, the Pastor, No. 18 Grove Street. In behalf of the Sewing Society, ” Signed by Octavia J. Grimes, President, Charlotte Knowles, Secretary, Martha Thursten, Treasurer. Boston, Oc. 10, 1853. (Liberator, October 21, 1853, pg 3)

William J. Watkins to Douglas’s Paper

hseldon — Fri, 04 May 2012 00:55:34 +0000

“William J. Watkins, recently of this city, has become assistant editor of Frederick Douglas’s Paper. He makes his first editorial appearance in the last number. Mr. W. is a young man of much talent and promise. We wish him the best success. —M ”

(Liberator, October 14, 1853, pg 3)

Invitation to a Woman’s Rights Convention

hseldon — Tue, 01 May 2012 18:17:58 +0000

TO THE FRIENDS OF WOMAN’S RIGHTS ”Our movment has been received with unexpected favor. The necessity of some change in the condition of those women dependent for their support, on their own exertions, has been universally acknowledged. Even the more radical claims to equal rights, and to a change in the law of marriage, which shall give the wife equal control with the husband over their joint property, has met with far more encouragement than any one could have expected. —We cannot overlook the great benefit, likely to result from large conventions — Where can we better hold these than in New York, the commercial capital of the country, whose press is listened to by the Nation? –We invite, therefore, all well-wishers to the enfranchisement and elevation of women, to assemble in Convention in New York city, on Tuesday and Wednesday, the 6th and 7th of September next, at the Broadway Tabernacle.” Signed by 37 people, men and women. (Liberator, August 12, 1853, pg 3)

Biography of Isaac T. Hopper, by L.Maria Child

hseldon — Tue, 01 May 2012 18:13:19 +0000

The Man of a Thousand Years, — ISAAC T. HOPPER — A True Life — by Lydia Maria Child This thrilling work is the biography of one of the most remarkable men the world has ever seen. His deeds of philanthropy and mercy, covering a period of nearly fourscore years, endeared him not only to the thousands who were the immediate participants of his beneficence, but to all who knew him….. The article includes quotations from the New York Sun Times, the New York Observer, and the New York Tribune.

(Liberator, August 5, 1853, pg 3)