February 8, 1861 This article recounts a debate in the Massachusetts House of Representatives over a motion to allow the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society the use of Representatives Hall, in consequence…
May 26, 2007
May 26, 2007
January 25, 1861 An urgent call for people to return signed petitions against Slave-hunting in Massachusetts, to then be laid before the legislature. “Now, while the concessionists are at work……
May 26, 2007
November 23, 1860 An urgent appeal for “every family and every person”, to continue the two-year campaign to have the “no slave-hunting” legislation adopted in the state.
May 7, 2007
April 8, 1859 An account of the action of the House of Representatives, which by a vote of 84 to 132 failed to pass the bill which was designed to…
May 7, 2007
March 25, 1859 Here is a list by town of the number of persons who have signed the petitions “for a law to prevent the Rendition of any fugitive slave…
May 3, 2007
January 21, 1859 As a memorial signed by William Cooper Nell, is brought before the Legislature, asking for the vindication and protection of the rights of colored citizens. Rep. Mr.…
May 2, 2007
June 18, 1858 A brief note about a petition addressed to Massachusetts House and Senate. “Let everyone have a chance to sign it; and let there be a noble rivalry…
May 2, 2007
April 2, 1858 Much of the first two pages is devoted to reaction to the removal of Loring, including three columns under the Refuge of Oppression, Personal Liberty Bill Defeated…
September 16, 2006
March 17, 1843 “The Massachusetts petition consists of a roll of paper two feet wide, two feet in diameter,, and more than half a mile long, to which are attached…
September 16, 2006
March 3, 1843 A very long report, taking a large portion of the paper, concludes with an act to submit to the legislature an Act “Further to Protect Personal Liberty”. …
September 13, 2006
June 10, 1842 An item from the Washington Globe, warning that the Massachusetts Legislature “are resolved to make black and white the same”….. It worries that because there is an…
April 3, 1840
Here is a long two-column listing of petitions presented, with the names of lead petitioners, indicating the number of signers, and towns from which they come. Petitions cover a range…
Read More Petitions to the Mass. Legislature — by MASS & “new organization”
March 29, 1839
House of Representatives acts to empower the Governor to take steps to insure that citizens of the state who are charged in slave states as being runaway slaves, be given…
Read More Massachusetts citizens being imprisoned in slave states.
March 15, 1839
This is the report of a Special Joint Committee of the Massachusetts Legislature, urging that the subject of the slave trade is deserving of immediate attention of the national government.
April 19, 1836
A long report from a Special Committee of the Legislature, responding to documents which had been sent to the Governor from several southern state Legislatures, complaining about abolitionists and maintaining…
Read More Massachusetts Legislature report and an Appeal to the South