Page:The Afro-American Press.djvu/127

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AFRO-AMERICAN MAGAZINES.
119

1856. Published by Thomas Hamilton, 48 Beekman Street, New York.

This magazine adhered closely to the outline of policy given in the prospectus, it being devoted to Literature, Science, Statistics, and the advancement of the cause of human freedom. The name of Thomas Hamilton as editor was a guarantee for its editorial matter. Its contributors, who were men of unimpeachable character and ability, kept its columns constantly teeming with light. They always presented a clear and concise statement of the race's condition at that time, both free and enslaved.

The objects mentioned below, set forth in the prospectus, were faithfully adhered to and worked for. They were as follows: "To chronicle the population and movements of the colored people.

To present reliable statements of their religious, as well as their moral and economic standing.

To present statements of their educational condition and movements, and of their legal status in the several states.

To examine the basis on which rest their claims for citizenship in the several states and of the United States.

To give an elaborate account of the various books, pamphlets, and newspapers, written or edited by colored men.

To present the biographies of noteworthy colored men throughout the world."

The price of subscription to this magazine was $1.00. It had fifty correspondents. Upon the death of Mr. Hamliton, in 1861, its publication was suspended; but it was resurrected in 1864 by his son, William G. Hamilton, then bookkeeper in the office of The Weekly Anglo-African, published by his uncle; it lived, however, but a short time, to serve as a reminder of what had been.

The period intervening before we hear of another magazine, is a very long one,—freedom and citizenship having come