UMass Amherst Libraries

Robert S. Cox Special Collections and University Archives Research Center

Antislavery Pamphle Collection

1725-1911

368 items (7.5 linear feet)

Call no.: RB 003

Read collection overview

New England bears the peculiar historical distinction of being both a center of the slave trade and a center of early opposition to it. Beginning fitfully in the seventeenth century, both pro-slavery and antislavery sentiment grew side by side in the region.

The Antislavery Collection contains hundreds of printed pamphlets and books pertaining to slavery and antislavery in New England, 1725-1911. The holdings include speeches, sermons, proceedings and other publications of organizations such as the American Anti-Slavery Society and the American Colonization Society, and a small number of pro-slavery tracts.

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African American

Printed materials

Background

New England bears the peculiar historical distinction of being both a center of the slave trade and a center of early opposition to it. Beginning fitfully in the seventeenth century, both pro-slavery and antislavery sentiment grew side by side in the region. As merchants in ports like Newport and Providence invested increasingly in the Triangular Trade and provided material commercial support for slaveholders in the southern United States and Caribbean, moral resistance to the slave trade, and eventually slavery itself, took root in a number of communities, including the African Americans communities and several communities of faith, including Quakers, Baptists, and Unitarians.

Scope of collection

The Antislavery Collection contains several hundred printed pamphlets and books pertaining to slavery and antislavery in New England, 1725-1911. The holdings include speeches, sermons, proceedings and other publications of organizations such as the American Anti-Slavery Society and the American Colonization Society, and a small number of pro-slavery tracts.

Inventory

(Digitized titles only)

American Anti-Slavery Society: Declaration of Sentiments of the American Anti-Slavery Society. New York: American Anti-Slavery Society

1833

American Anti-Slavery Society: The Declaration of Sentiments and Constitution of the American Anti-Slavery Society. New York: American Anti-Slavery Society

1835

Anonymous: Christianity Versus Treason and Slavery. Religion Rebuking Sedition. Philadelphia: H. B. Ashmead

1864

Anonymous: Reply to the Reviewer of the Remarks on Dr. Channing's Slavery. Boston: John H. Eastburn

1836

Association for the Religious Instructions of the Negroes in Liberty County, Georgia: Sixth Annual Report. Charleston: Observer Office Press

1841

Austin, Arthur W.: Speech of Arthur W. Austin, of West Roxbury, at Charlestown, Mass., Nov. 1, 1856. Charlestown, Mass.: s.n.

1856

Baker, J. L.: Slavery. Philadelphia: John A. Norton

1860

Barber, John Warner: A History of the Amistad Captives: Being a Circumstantial Account of the Capture of the Spanish Schooner Amistad, by the Africans on Board. . .. New Haven: E.L. and J.W. Barber

1840

Bolles, John R.: A Reply to Bishop Hopkins' View of Slavery, and a Review of the Times. Philadelphia: J. W. Daughaday

1865

Boston Mass.. Citizens: A Memorial to the Congress of the United States on the Subject of Restraining the Increase of Slavery in New States to be Admitted Into the Union. Boston: Sewell Phelps

1819

Bushnell, Horace: Crisis of the Church. Hartford: Daniel Burgess and Co.

1835

Butler, Thomas B.: The Slave Question. Speech of Hon. T. B. Butler, of Connecticut, in the House of Representatives, March 12, 1850. Wahington: Congressional Globe

1850

Chandler, Amariah: The Use of Liberty by the Servant of God: A Discourse, Delivered July 4, 1833, in the North Meeting House, in Greenfield. Greenfield, [Mass.]: Franklin Freeman

1833

Channing, William Ellery: An Address Delivered at Lenox, on the First of August, 1842, the Anniversary of Emancipation in the British West Indies. Lenox, Mass.: J. G. Stanly

1842

Chapman, Maria Weston: What Can I Do To Help Abolish Slavery? Or, Counsels to the Newly Converted. New York: American Anti-Slavery Society

1855

Cheever, Henry T.: A Tract for the Times: On the Question, Is It Right to Withold Fellowship from Churches or from Individuals that Tolerate or Practise Slavery?. New York: John A. Gray

1859

Church Anti-Slavery Society [Worcester, Mass.]: Circular. [Worcester, Mass.]: s.n.

1859

Citizen of New England [Pearl, Cyril]: Remarks on African Colonization and the Abolition of Slavery. Windsor, Vt.: Richards and Tracy

1833

Clark, Rufus W.: Conscience and Law: A Discourse Preached in the North Church, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on Fast Day, April 3, 1851. Boston: Tappan and Whittemore

1851

Clarke, James Freeman: Slavery in the United States. A Sermon Delivered in Amory Hall, on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 1842. Boston: Benjamin H. Greene

1843

Clarke, Walter: The American Anti-Slavery Society at War with the Church: A Discourse Delivered Before the First Congregational Church and Society, in Canterbury, Conn., June 30th, 1844. Hartford: Elihu Geer

1844

Colonization Society of Connecticut: An Address to the Public by the Colonization Society of Connecticut, with an Appendix. New Haven: Treadway and Adams

1828

Convention of Ministers of Worcester County on the Subject of Slavery: Proceedings of the Convention of Ministers of Worcester County, on the Subject of Slavery; Held at Worcester, December 5 and 6, 1837, and January 16, 1838. Worcester: Massachusetts Spy

1838

Cooke, Parsons: Moral Machinery Simplified: A Discourse, Delivered at Andover, Massachusetts, July 4, 1839. Andover: William Peirce

1839

Craik, James: Slavery in the South, Or, What is Our Present Duty to the Slaves?. Boston: Prentiss and Deland

1862

Cuffe, Paul: A Brief Account of the Settlement and Present Situation of the Colony of Sierra Leone, in Africa. New York: Samuel Wood

1812

Dana, James: The African Slave Trade: A Discourse Delivered in the City of New-Haven, September 9, 1790, Before the Connecticut Society for the Promotion of Freedom. New Haven: Thomas and Samuel Green

1791

Davis, Charles G.: Report of the proceedings at the examination of Charles G. Davis, Esq., on a charge of aiding and abetting in the rescue of a fugitive slave : held in Boston, in February, 1851.. Boston: White and Potter

1851

Dewey, Loring Daniel: Correspondence Relative to the Emigration to Haiti, of the Free People of Colour, in the United States, Together with the Instructions to the Agent Sent Out by President Boyer. New York: Mahlon Day

1824

Dickinson, James Taylor: A Sermon, Delivered in the Second Congregational Church, Norwich, On the Fourth of July, 1834, At the Request of the Anti-Slavery Society of Norwich and Vicinity. Norwich, [Conn.]: Anti-Slavery Society of Norwich and Vicinity

1834

Drisler, Henry: The Bible View of Slavery Reconsidered. A Letter to the Right Rev. Bishop Hopkins, 2d ed.. Philadelphia: Henry B. Ashmead

1863

Dwight, Sereno Edwards: Slave representation, by Boreas. Awake! O spirit of the North.. S.n.: s.l.

1812

Edwards, Jonathan: The Injustice and Impolicy of the Slave Trade, and of the Slavery of the Africans, Illustrated in a Sermon. . . September 15, 1791, 3d ed.. New Haven: New Haven Anti-Slavery Society

1833

Everett, Edward: Speech of Mr. Everett, of Massachusetts, Delivered in the Senate of the United States, Feb. 8, 1854, on the Nebraska and Kansas Territorial Bill. Washington: Congressional Globe

1854

Finley, Robert: Thoughts On the Colonization of Free Blacks. Washington, D.C.: s.n.

1816

Fisher, George E.: The Church, the Ministry, and Slavery: A Discourse, Delivered at Rutland, Mass., July 14, 1850. Worcester: Henry J. Howland

1850

Fitzgerald, W. P. N.: A Scriptural View of Slavery. New Haven : s.n.

1839

Forman, J. G.: The Fugitive Slave Law: A Discourse Delivered in the Congregational Church in West Bridgewater, Mass., on Sunday, November 17th, 1850. Boston: William Crosby and H. P. Nichols

1850

Gannett, Ezra S.: Relation of the North to Slavery: A Discourse Preached in the Federal Street Meetinghouse, In Boston, On Sunday, June 11, 1854. Boston: Crosby, Nichols, and Co.

1854

Garrison, William Lloyd: An Address, Delivered Before the Free People of Color, in Philadelphia, New-York, and Other Cities, During the Month of June, 1831. Boston: Stephen Foster

1831

Gillette, Francis: National Slavery and National Responsibility: Speech of Hon. Francis Gillette, of Connecticut, in the Senate of the United States, February 23d, 1855. Washington, D.C.: Buell and Blanchard

1855

Hart, Levi: Liberty Described and Recommended: in a sermon, preached to the corporation of freemen in Farmington, at their meeting on Tuesday, September 20, 1774, and published at their desire. Hartford: E. Watson

1775

Hartford Conn.. Citizens: A Declaration of the Sentiments of the People of Hartford, Regarding the Measures of the Abolitionists. Hartford: s.n.

1835

Hartford Auxiliary Colonization Society: Constitution of the Hartford Auxiliary Colonization Society. Hartford: Lincoln and Stone

1819

Hicks, Elias: Observations on the Slavery of the Africans and Their Descendants, and on the Use of the Produce of Their Labour. New York: Samuel Wood

1814

Holly, James Theodore: A Vindication of the Capacity of the Negro Race For Self-Government, and Civilized Progress, as Demonstrated by Historical Events of the Haytian Revolution. New Haven: Afric-American Printing Co.

1857

Humphrey, Heman: Our Nation: A Discourse Delivered at Pittsfield, Mass., January 4, 1861, On the Day of the National Fast. Pittsfield, Mass.: Henry Chickering

1861

John Brown Fund: Friends of Freedom! Read and Circulate. New Yrok: Wilbur, Hastings, and Co.

1859

Jones, Thomas H.: The Experience of Thomas H. Jones, Who Was a Slave for Forty-Three Years. New Bedford: E. Anthony & Sons

1871

Liberty Party: The Slave Power. Political Tracts, no. 1. Hartford: Christian Freeman

1844

Lincoln, Levi: Speech of Mr. Lincoln, of Massachusetts: Delivered in the House of Representatives of the United States, Feb. 7, 1837, on the Resolution to Censure the Hon. John Q. Adams, for Inquiring of the Speaker, Whether a Paper Purporting to Come from Slaves. . .. Washington: Gales and Seaton

1837

Lord, Nathan [A Northern Presbyter]: A Letter of Inquiry to Ministers of the Gospel of all Denominations, on Slavery. Boston: Petridge and Company

1854

Maine. Governor 1834-1838: Dunlap: Preamble and Resolutions on the Subject of Incendiary Publications. [Augusta, Maine?]: s.n.

1836

Mann, Horace: New Dangers to Freedom, and New Duties for its Defenders: A Letter by the Hon. Horace Mann to his Constituents, May 3, 1850. Boston: Redding and Company

1850

Mann, Horace: Speech of Hon. Horace Mann, of Mass., on the Institution of Slavery, Delivered in the House of Representatives, August 17, 1852. Washington: Congressional Globe

1852

Mars, James: Life of James Mars, a Slave Born and Sold in Connecticut. Hartford: Case, Lockwood, & Co.

1867

May, Samuel J.: A Discourse on Slavery in the United States, Delivered in Brookylen, July 3, 1831. Boston: Garrison and Knapp

1832

McEwen, Abel: Sermon Preached in the First Congregational Church, New London, Conn., on the Day of Thanksgiving, November 28, 1850. New London: Daniels and Bacon

1851

Minister of the Gospel, in Massachusetts: Slavery in its Relation to God: A Review of Rev. Dr. Lord's Thanksgiving Sermon, In Favor of Domestic Slavery, Entitled The Higher Law, In Its Application to the Fugitive Slave Bill. Buffalo: A.M. Clapp & Co.

1851

Mitchell, William: The Claims of Africa: A Discourse, Delivered at Montpelier, at the Annual Meeting of the Vermont Colonization Society, October 19, 1843. Burlington: Stilman Fletcher

1843

Morse, Jedediah: A Discourse, Delivered at the African Meeting House, in Boston, July 14, 1808, in Grateful Celebration of the Abolition of the African Slave-Trade, by the Governments of the United States, Great Britain and Denmark. Boston: Lincoln and Edmands

1808

New Hampshire Anti-Slavery Society: First Annual Report of the New-Hampshire Anti-Slavery Society. Concord, N.H.: Elbridge G. Chase

1835

O'Conor, Charles: Negro Slavery Not Unjust: Speech of Charles O'Connor, Esq., at the Union Meeting at the Academy of Music, New York City, December 19th, 1859. New York: Van Evrie, Horton and Co.

1859

Parker, Theodore: A Sermon of Slavery, Delivered Jan. 31, 1841, Repeated June 4, 1843, and Now Published by Request. Boston: Thurston and Torry

1843

Peabody, William Bourn Oliver: An Address, Delivered at Springfield, Before the Hampden Colonization Society, July 4th, 1828. Springfield: S. Bowles

1828

Pennington, James C. W.: Covenants Involving Moral Wrong Are Not Obligatory Upon Man. Hartford: John C. Wells

1842

Perry, Nathaniel: A Dialogue Between a Freesoiler, a Citizen of Boston, and the Prince of This World. Boston: The Author

1853

Phelps, Samuel Shethar: Speech of Mr. Phelps, of Vermont, on the Subject of Slavery, &c., in Senate, January 23, 1850. Washington: Gideon and Co.

1850

Rantoul, Robert: Second Speech of Mr. Rantoul, of Massachusetts, on the Coalition in Massachusetts, Delivered in the House of Representatives of the United States, March 9, 1852, in Reply to Hon. George T. Davis. Washington: Congressional Globe

1852

Rantoul, Robert: Trial of Thomas Sims, on an Issue of Personal Liberty, on the Claim of James Potter, of Georgia, Against Him, as an Alleged Fugitive from Service. Boston: William S. Damrell

1851

Skinner, Otis Ainsworth: Duty to Government and to God: A Sermon, Preached in the Warren Street Church, Boston, on Thanksgiving-Day, November 29, 1850, and Repeated by Request in the Same Church, December 15, 1850. Boston: A. Tompkins

1851

Slade, William: Speech of Mr. Slade, of Vermont, on the Right of Petition; the Power of Congress to Abolish Slavery and the Slave Trade in the District of Columbia; the Implied Faith of the North and the South to Each Other in Forming the Constitution. . .. Washington: Gales and Seaton

1840

Smart, Ephraim Knight: Speech of Hon. E. K. Smart, of Maine, in Defence of the North Against the Charge of Aggression Upon the South, Delivered in the House of Representatives, April 23, 1852. Washington: Congressional Globe

1852

Society of Friends. New England Yearly Meeting: Address of the Yearly Meeting of Friends for New-England, Held on Rhode-Island, in the Sixth Month, 1837, to its Own Members, and Those of Other Christian Communities. New Bedford: J. C. Parmenter

1837

Sumner, Charles: Defence of Massachusetts. Speeches of Hon. Charles Sumner, on the Boston Memorial for the Repeal of the Fugitive Slave Bill. . .. Washington, D.C.: Buell and Blanchard

1854

Sumner, Charles: Freedom National, Slavery Sectional. Speech of Hon. Charles Sumner, of Massachusetts, on His Motion to Repeal the Fugitive Slave Bill, In the Senate of the United States, August 26, 1852. Washington: Buell and Blanchard

1852

Sumner, Charles: No Compromise of Human Rights. No Admission in the Constitution of Inequality of Rights, or Disfranchisement on Account of Color. Speech of Hon. Charles Sumner, of Massachusetts, on the Proposed Amendment of the Constitution. . .. Washington: Congressional Globe

1866

Thacher, George: No Fellowship With Slavery: A Sermon Delivered June 29th, 1856, in the First Congregational Church, Meriden, Conn.. Meriden, Conn.: L. R Webb

1856

Thayer, Eli: Fair Play for Free Labor: Speech of Hon. Eli Thayer, of Mass., Delivered in the House of Representatives Feb. 24, 1859. Washington: Polkinhorn's Steam Printing Office

1859

Toombs, Robert Augustus: A Lecture Delivered in the Tremont Temple, Boston, Massachusetts, on the 24th January, 1856. s.n.: s.l.

1856

Webster, Daniel: Speech of Mr. Webster on Mr. Clay's Resolutions, Delivered in the Senate of the United States, March 7, 1850. Washington: Gideon and Co.

1850

Webster, Daniel: Speech of the Honorable Daniel Webster, on The Compromise Bill, Delivered in the Senate of the United States, on the 17th Day of July, 1850. Washington: Gideon and Co.

1850

Webster, Noah: Effects of Slavery on Morals and Industry. Hartford: Hudson and Goodwin

1793

Weston, George M.: The Poor Whites of the South. Washngton: Buell and Blanchard

1856

Weston, George M.: Southern Slavery Reduces Northern Wages: An Address by George M. Weston, of Maine, Delivered in Washington, D.C., March 25, 1856. Washington: s.n.

1856

Wheaton, Josephus: The Equality of Mankind and the Evils of Slavery, Illustrated: A Sermon, Delivered on the Day of the Annual Fast, April 6, 1820. Boston: For Samuel T. Armstrong by Crocker and Brewster

1820

Williams, Peter: An Oration on the Abolition of the Slave Trade: Delivered in the African Church, in the City of New-York, January 1, 1808. New York: Samuel Wood

1808

Woods, Joseph: Thoughts on the Slavery of the Negroes. London: James Phillips

1784

Administrative information

Access

The collection is open for research.

Provenance

Acquired variously.

Processing Information

Processed by I. Eliot Wentworth, Feb. 2018.

Digitized content

Selected images in this collection have been digitized are available for viewing online through SCUA's digital repository, Credo.

Language:

English

Copyright and Use (More information )

Cite as: Antislavery Pamphlet Collection (RB 003). Special Collections and University Archives, University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries.

Search terms

Subjects

African Americans--Colonization--Africa
African Americans--Suffrage
American Anti-Slavery Society
American Colonization Society
Antislavery movements--New England
Slave trade--United States
Slavery--United States

Contributors

Genres and formats

Pamphlets

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