Colored American

The "Colored American" was an African-American newspaper that was launched in 1836 by Samuel Cornish, Phillip Bell, and Charles Bennett Ray. It was a weekly running newspaper whose length was between four to six pages long. The "Colored American" circulated in free black communities up and down the northern seaboard even though it was published from the city of New York.

Purpose

The main focus of this newspaper was set on the moral, social, and political elevation of the free colored people as well as the peaceful emancipation of slaves. That is why the "Colored American" had various subscribers. Due to the employment of agents in various cities, as well as abolitionists for their marketing needs, the subscribers were widely spread. Since the newspaper's primary readers were black and hard pressed for cash, they also received help from African-American churches and local abolition societies by way of fund drives and donations. Occasionally, the newspaper received cash infusions from prominent white allies. All of the donations, fund drives and supplements helped the paper to publish 38 articles and survive through 1841. Thanks to the subscribers, the interesting articles and the extra funding sources, the "Colored American" was the most important paper of its time.

Timeline

* 1836 - Samuel Cornish, Philip Bell, and Charles Bennett Ray launched the "Colored American".
* 1839 - Charles Bennett Ray became the sole owner of the "Colored American".
* 1840 - The "Colored American" declared in favor of Liberty Party canidate James G. Birney.
* 1841 - The last paper was published on Christmas Day.

References

* [http://amistad.mysticseaport.org/library/news/colored.american.html Mystic Seaport - The Colored American]
* [http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USASnewspapers.htm Spartacus Educational]