Historic Newspapers: Search Results

Robert Smalls leads fellow slaves to freedom... The USS Planter...

NEW YORK WEEKLY TRIBUNE, May 24, 1862 

* General David Hunter order
* Emancipation of slaves
* Abraham Lincoln rebuffs
* Robert Smalls - born in slavery
* Leads fellow slaves to freedom

Page 2 begins with: "Gen. Hunter Overruled".  This concerns the controversial situation where Hunter pronounced slaves free in Florida, Georgia & South Carolina, previous to Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation
President Lincoln did not rescind Hunter's order because he was against emancipating the…

NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, July 27, 1822  

* Denmark Vesey slave rebellion... free black man in Charleston, SC
* The 1820  state-by-state slave population and projection for 1830
* Steamboat Robert Fulton, 1st built for ocean travel

The most historic item is found on the back page: a report of the Denmark Vesey slave revolt, noting that eight slaves were executed in Charleston.
The report has a small heading: "South Carolina", followed by updated particulars regarding the slave revolt. See…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 30, 1852  Page 3 has over a full column taken up with: "Decision of a Fugitive Slave Case In The United States Supreme Court" which concerning the case of the fugitive slave Richard Eells in the state of Illinois. A rather notable case.
Also on page 3 is: "Capture Of A Slaver" which is about the schooner Advance, our of New Orleans: "...She was captured on the 20th November at Port Praya on suspicion of being concerned in the slave…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, June 9, 1860

* Slavery - slaves

Page 9 has over half a column titled: "The Latest Slave Capture" which is a fascinating article on the liberation of some 450 slaves from the ship. A few bits include: "...the increasing odor placed beyond all doubt the fact that the bark had under her hatches a cargo of negroes. And now we began to hear a sort of suppressed moaning which soon swelled into the unmistakable murmur of many human voices...with a tremendous shout the hatches…

NEW YORK HERALD, June 4, 1860 

* Famous slaver "Wildfire" capture
* African slave trade print fame

Page 4 has a column headed: "Activity In The Slave Trade" "Additional Particulars of the Capture of the Bark Showing French Colors" "Condition of the Africans at Key West".
There are 4 reports here, taking almost an entire column, with subheads: "The Captured Africans--The Necessity of Doing Something--Their Deplorable Condition--Fears of an Epidemic" "Slave Trade--Increase of the Colony…

THE CHARLESTON COURIER, South Carolina, Dec. 30, 1847  In 14 years this city would be the hotbed for secession from the Union, not surprising given it was the largest American point of disembarkation for the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

THE CHARLESTON COURIER, South Carolina, Aug. 12, 1847  In 14 years this city would be the hotbed for secession from the Union, not surprising given it was the largest American point of disembarkation for the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

NEW YORK HERALD, Nov. 17, 1859  

* John Brown's armed insurrection
* Harpers Ferry WV West Virginia

Page 2 begins with: "The Harper's Ferry Outbreak" & further down the column: "Capt. John Brown's Early History--Almost A D.D." which mentions he almost died years earlier.
Page 4 has: "The Case of the Fugitive Slave Columbus Jones" as well as: "Th Slave Ship Emily, the latter taking nearly a full column to report on the court case..
Eight pages, archivally strengthened at the spine with…

THE CHARLESTON COURIER, South Carolina, Dec. 31, 1847  In 14 years this city would be the hotbed for secession from the Union, not surprising given it was the largest American point of disembarkation for the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

THE CHARLESTON COURIER, South Carolina, Aug. 11, 1847  In 14 years this city would be the hotbed for secession from the Union, not surprising given it was the largest American point of disembarkation for the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

NEW YORK TIMES, June 25, 1859  The top of the front page has: "The African Negroes--The Secretary of the Treasury Defending the President--The Returned Africans of the 'Echo' " which was a slave ship. This report takes over a full column.
Also on the ftpg: "Arrest of Notorious Burglars" & "A Fugitive Slave Case in Washington" concerning Agnes Robinson.
Eight pages, nice condition.

THE CHARLESTON COURIER, South Carolina, Aug. 3, 1847  In 14 years this city would be the hotbed for secession from the Union, not surprising given it was the largest American point of disembarkation for the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Dec. 25, 1858  Page 3 has over half a column of detailed reporting headed: "The Slaves of the Echo", an infamous slave ship. It mentions in part: "...71 of the 271 in the ship took on board died...the negroes appeared generally a stupid and listless set of heathens...Most of them would lie from day to day like cattle upon the deck...They seemed bt bi nears destructive in their propensities..." and so much more. There are an additional 2 letters…

THE CHARLESTON COURIER, South Carolina, July 30, 1847  In 14 years this city would be the hotbed for secession from the Union, not surprising given it was the largest American point of disembarkation for the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

THE CHARLESTON COURIER, South Carolina, Aug. 10, 1847

* Rare antebellum publication

 In 14 years this city would be the hotbed for secession from the Union, not surprising given it was the largest American point of disembarkation for the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

THE CHARLESTON COURIER, South Carolina, July 31, 1847  In 14 years this city would be the hotbed for secession from the Union, not surprising given it was the largest American point of disembarkation for the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Nov. 15, 1852  

* Lemmon v. New York
* Slaves - freedom lawsuit
* Virginia slave owners 
* Pre-American Civil War

Nearly half of page 2 is taken up with much detail on the: "Judgement In The New York Slave Case".

THE LONDON CHRONICLE, England, June 12, 1788  

* Slavery on the Island of Jamaica 
* Revisions to current slave laws 
* Still legal but with certain exceptions
* Early movement towards eventual abolition 

Page 6 has a historically significant report from Jamaica beginning: "Our slave laws have been revised & consolidated & several regulations made in favour of the negroes...".
Among them are: "Every possessor of a slave is prohibited for turning him away when incapacitated by…

NILES'S NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, June 11, 1842 
The back page has an article headed: "The Creole Case", which concerns a slave ship upon which the slaves mutinied, a rather infamous event in American history.
The Creole case was the result of an American slave revolt in November, 1841 on board the Creole, a ship involved in the United States slave trade. As 128 slaves gained freedom after the rebels ordered the ship sailed to Nassau, it has been termed the most successful slave revolt…

NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, Jan. 22, 1820 

* African slave trade - slaves
* United States Navy inquiry
* John C. Calhoun

Inside has nearly two pages taken up- with: "The Slave Question" as it relates to the on-going discussion of the situation with Missouri joining the Union.
Also within: "Civilization of the Indians" which includes two letters signed in type by J. C. Calhoun as Secretary of War. Additionally, in the Supplement there are nearly 3 pages headed: "Illegal…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Nov. 12, 1852  The top of the front page has: "Another route to The Pacific". But the primary article is at the top of page 3: "A Slave Case At New York."
This is the famous New York vs. Lemmon slave case, about which much can be found on the internet. Ultimately the decision mandated the release of eight slaves brought into New York by their Virginia slave owners, Jonathan and Juliet Lemmon, who were in transit while relocating to Texas. New…

HARPER'S WEEKLY, New York, January 15, 1859  The front page features a rather large print of: "The Yacht 'Wanderer'" along with a related article.
Its infamy is in that it was the last documented ship to bring a cargo of slaves from Africa to the United States, which it did on November 28, 1858. Part of the article notes: "...after detaining the Wanderer for a week or so, let her go. The next heard of her was early in December last when she suddenly loomed up on the coast of Georgia and was…

NEW YORK TIMES, June 19, 1859  

* Slaver - slave ship Orion
* African Slave Trade Patrol

The front page has two-thirds of a column headed: "The Suspected Slaver - Description of the Belssel--Manifest of her Cargo...". The text notes in part: "The bark Orion...which arrived in this port...from the coast of Africa...been seized...upon suspicion of intention to engage in the slave trade..." with much more.
Eight pages, a bit irregular at the spine from disbinding, nice condition.

…

NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, Jan. 22, 1820  Inside has nearly two pages taken up- with: "The Slave Question" as it relates to the on-going discussion of the situation with Missouri joining the Union.
Also within: "Civilization of the Indians" which includes two letters signed in type by J. C. Calhoun as Secretary of War. Additionally, in the Supplement there are nearly 3 pages headed: "Illegal Introduction of Slaves" being a letter from the Secretary of the Navy to the Speaker of the…

NEW YORK DAILY TIMES, July 27, 1853 

* Fugitive Slave Case
* Bill Fisher

The front page has: "The Fugitive Slave Case--The Health of the City, etc." being the slave case of Bill Fisher. This report takes three-quarters of a column and includes: "...as soon as the marshal drove off with the slave, a number of them followed the carriage. The friends of the slave will follow him, probably, to Maryland...The Marshal was determined, when he drove off, that the slave should not again be taken…

THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, England, Apr. 6, 1861 

* Great slave auction illustration
* Pre Civil War South - rare

Most of a page is taken up with a print: "The Dandy Slave: A Scene in Baltimore, Md." and "Slaves For Sale: A Scene in New Orleans", both showing slaves dressed in formal attire. A related article: "The Dandy Slave" begins: "Whenever a negro can afford it, he dresses well, sometimes quietly and in good taste..." This is followed by an article: "Slaves For Sale", which…

NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, Jan. 22, 1820  Inside has nearly two pages taken up- with: "The Slave Question" as it relates to the on-going discussion of the situation with Missouri joining the Union.
Also within: "Civilization of the Indians" which includes two letters signed in type by J. C. Calhoun as Secretary of War. Additionally, in the Supplement there are nearly 3 pages headed: "Illegal Introduction of Slaves" being a letter from the Secretary of the Navy to the Speaker of the…

THE DAILY DELTA, New Orleans, Oct. 2, 1850  Newspapers from the pre-Civil War South are rather difficult to find. Here is one from Louisiana.
The front page has most of a column headed: "Important News from Deseret, Now Utah Territory--Indian Fight--The California Emigrants".
Among the many ads is one on the front page headed: "Slaves! Slaves!! Slaves!!!" which notes in part: "The subscribers are prepared to receive, on consignment, for sale in this market, any number of slaves, having one of…

NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, Jan. 22, 1820  Inside has nearly two pages taken up- with: "The Slave Question" as it relates to the on-going discussion of the situation with Missouri joining the Union.
Also within: "Civilization of the Indians" which includes two letters signed in type by J. C. Calhoun as Secretary of War. Additionally, in the Supplement there are nearly 3 pages headed: "Illegal Introduction of Slaves" being a letter from the Secretary of the Navy to the Speaker of the…

NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., May 15, 1860  

* Slave ship - slaver "Wanderer"
* Last documented shipment of slaves 
* South Carolina court decision

Page 2 has over half a column taken up with: "Decision On The Slave Trade" which deals with the rather infamous case of the slave ship 'Wanderer', about which much can be found online.
Four pages, large folio size, a bit irregular at the spine from disbinding, good condition. Folder size noted is for the issue folded in half.
…

NILES' NATIONAL REGISTER, Baltimore, March 21, 1846  The front page has an editorial concerning the Mexican War: "Shall We Have Peace or War?" Page 3 has a report: "Slavers Captured" being an account of the capture of the slave ships Panther, Patuxent, and Pons. Note that although slavery continued until the Civil War, the importation of slaves was outlawed in 1808.
A few bits include: "...The Yorktown captured at sea Sept. 25, 1845...suspected of slaving...She sailed from Monrovia...with 900…

GLEASON'S PICTORIAL DRAWING-ROOM COMPANION, Boston, May 10, 1851  

* Thomas Sims - Negro
* Fugitive slave case

This was perhaps America's first successful illustrated newspaper, existing from 1851 thru 1859. It set the format for other more successful titles to emulate, most notably Frank Leslie's Illustrated (1855) and Harper's Weekly (1857). All were modeled after the British title London Illustrated News which began in 1842.
This is the volume 1, number 2 issue. Most of the front…

DAILY OHIO STATESMAN, Columbus, Jan. 12, 1854 

* H.N. Ganbrill schooner
* Slaver - slave ship captured
* USS Constitution's last prize

Page 3 has: "The Slaver Gambrill--The Recent Seizure of a Slaver on the Coast of Africa" which includes: "...it was found that the slave deck had all been laid...a large quantity of water & slave provisions, sufficient  to subsist a considerable number of slaves on the passage thence to the island of Cuba...He admitted that he was going in for a cargo…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Feb. 11, 1853  Page 3 has an article: "From The Coast of Africa - The Extinguishment of the Slave Trade" which notes in part: "...arrived in England from the coast of Africa. She reports that the slave trade is in effect extinguished...All the chiefs promised to give up the slave trade & were giving encouragement to the missionaries...".
Then another article: "The Slave Trade" notes: "...dated Rio de Janeiro...says that...one thousand slaves…

THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, England, April 6, 1861  Most of a page is taken up with a print: "The Dandy Slave: A Scene in Baltimore, Md." and "Slaves For Sale: A Scene in New Orleans", both showing slaves dressed in formal attire.
A related article: "The Dandy Slave" begins: "Whenever a negro can afford it, he dresses well, sometimes quietly and in good taste..." This is followed by an article: "Slaves For Sale" which includes: "The accompanying engraving represents a gang of negroes…

THE DAILY DELTA, New Orleans, July 19, 1850  Newspapers from the pre-Civil War South are rather difficult to find. Here is one from Louisiana.
Page 2 has 2 1/2 columns taken up with reports on the death of President Zachary Taylor, with column heads: "Official Proceedings Of The Cabinet Consequent Upon Gen. Taylor's Death".
Among the many back page ads is one headed: "Slaves! Slaves! Slaves!" which notes in part: "The subscribers are prepared to receive, on consignment, for sale in this…

NEW YORK OBSERVER, Secular Department (there was also a 'Religious Department' edition), June 8, 1854  

* Fugitive slave Anthony Burns
* Escape - capture and trial verdict

Page 3 has a very notable report with a small head: "The Boston Fugitive Slave Case" which was an historic event in Boston. Most of this report relates to the verdict of the case.
 This was the case of 19 year-old Anthony Burns, arrested on a trumped-up charge of jewelry theft.
As a bit of background, Burns was born…

THE DAILY DELTA, New Orleans, July 16, 1850  Newspapers from the pre-Civil War South are rather difficult to find. Here is one from Louisiana.
Among the many back page ads is one headed: "Slaves! Slaves! Slaves!" which notes in part: "The subscribers are prepared to receive, on consignment, for sale in this market, any number of slaves, having one of the best showrooms in the city, & large & comfortable quarters where every attention will be paid to their comfort. Merchants, planters, and…

NILES' WEEKLY REGISTER, Baltimore, Nov. 4, 1826 

* Chief William McIntosh execution
* Texas to abolish slavery before American control
* Slave ships captured: slaves set free

A report: "Texas" has text noting: "...the states of Cohuahuilla and Texas had nearly completed their constitutions and that they have determined to abolish slavery in toto; and that all slaves in the province at the promulgation of the decree should be free..." with more. This was when Texas was part of Mexico.
…

NEW YORK TRIBUNE, June 18, 1862  The front page has a report headed: "The Rendition of Nicholas Bray's Slave Woman". This is an interesting fugitive slave report, noting: "Gov. Stanly was that Bray...said that one of his female slave had been enticed away by our troops & was held against her will...the warrant empowering Bray to search for the slave was issued; she was found & brought to Gov. Stanly...that night a party of three white Massachusetts soldiers & two Negroes went to Bray's house,…

NATIONAL ANTI-SLAVERY STANDARD, New York, Nov. 3, 1842 

* Rare abolitionism publication
* American Anti-Slavery Society
* Capture & trial of George Latimer

 As the title would suggest, an anti-slavery newspaper from 19 years before the Civil War.
Among the articles: "Henry Clay" "Henry Clay & His Slaves"  "United States Oppression" "Clay & Slavery" "Anti-Slavery Items" which concerning: "The Philadelphia Slave Case". 
Of special note is a detailed article: "The Boston Slave Case" being the case of Ge…

THE DAILY DELTA, New Orleans, July 20, 1850  Newspapers from the pre-Civil War South are rather difficult to find. Here is one from Louisiana.
Among the many back page ads is one headed: "Slaves! Slaves! Slaves!" which notes in part: "The subscribers are prepared to receive, on consignment, for sale in this market, any number of slaves, having one of the best showrooms in the city, & large & comfortable quarters where every attention will be paid to their comfort. Merchants, planters, and…

THE DAILY DELTA, New Orleans, Sept. 11, 1850  Newspapers from the pre-Civil War South are rather difficult to find. Here is one from Louisiana.
The front page has considerable reporting headed: "Execution of Prof. Webster!" Webster was an American professor of chemistry and geology at Harvard Medical College. He was convicted of murder in the Parkman–Webster murder case and hanged.

NEW YORK WORLD, May 20, 1862 

* General David Hunter's Emancipation order
* Abraham Lincoln rebuffs (nullifies)
* Robert Smalls & companions to be compensated

The front page begins with column heads: "PRESIDENT'S PROCLAMATION" "Gen. Hunter's Proclamation Void" "The Power of Declaring Slaves Free Belongs to the President" "An Appeal To The Border States" "Gradual Abolition of Slavery Urged" "How the Proclamation is Received".
The related text takes most of the first column, headed:…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Nov. 4, 1852  Taking over 1 1/2 columns on page 2 is the very detailed: "Captain Stansbury's Expedition To The Great Salt Lake". This is a wonderful account of the journey, about which much can be found on the internet. The subheads include: "From the Literary World" "A Dutchman en Route" "A Happy Family on the Prairie" "Game Been & An Indian's Appetite" "Maine Coffins Outdone" and "A Party of Indian Women". 
Page 3 has: "An Important Slave Case…

THE DAILY DELTA, New Orleans, July 18, 1850 

* From the deep South
* Rare Antebellum publication

Newspapers from the pre-Civil War South are rather difficult to find. Here is one from Louisiana.
Among the many back page ads is one headed: "Slaves! Slaves! Slaves!" which notes in part: "The subscribers are prepared to receive, on consignment, for sale in this market, any number of slaves, having one of the best showrooms in the city, & large & comfortable quarters where every attention…

THE DAILY DELTA, New Orleans, Sept. 3, 1850  Newspapers from the pre-Civil War South are rather difficult to find. Here is one from Louisiana.
Among the many page 3 ads is one headed: "Slaves! Slaves!! Slaves!!!" which notes in part: "The subscribers are prepared to receive, on consignment, for sale in this market, any number of slaves, having one of the best showrooms in the city, & large & comfortable quarters where every attention will be paid to their comfort. Merchants, planters, and…

THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS, England, March 9, 1861  

* Extradition case of John Anderson
* Canada West escaped slave w/ print

“The Fugitive Anderson” on page 3 is about John Anderson, the famous fugitive slave who escaped to Canada evading the pursuit of bounty hunters.
While on the run he killed a farmer who intended to legally recapture Anderson and send him back into his master’s custody. Anderson lived and worked in Canada West from 1854 to April 1860, managing to keep a low…

DAILY NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER, Washington, D.C., Oct. 6, 1858  The top of page 3 has an article: "Arrest Of The Montauk Point Slavers" which reports on a slave ship, mentioning in part: "...a vessel had been sunk off Montauk Point...had been scuttled...name of the scuttled vessel is Haidee...sailed from New York...to the coast of Africa, where she took in a cargo of 900 slaves. She then sailed for Cuba and the slaves were landed..." with more.
Keep in mind that the importation of slaves had…

 NEW YORK TIMES, May 20, 1862 

* General David Hunter's Emancipation order
* Abraham Lincoln rebuffs (nullifies)
* Robert Smalls & companions to be compensated

Page one has: "Gen. Hunter's Order Repudiated by the President" followed by: "He Pronounces it Void and of No Effect" "The Policy of the Administration Reiterated." The pronouncement is signed in type: Abraham Lincoln.
This was the controversial situation where Hunter pronounced slaves free in Florida, Georgia & South Carolina,…