Notice! The Coloured People of the City of Richmond… [broadside]
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Title
Notice! The Coloured People of the City of Richmond… [broadside]
Description
This 1866 broadside, issued by members of the African American community in Richmond, intended to clarify their plans to celebrate not the fall of the Confederacy, but rather the first anniversary of emancipation.
When Richmond fell into the hands of Union troops, on 3 April 1865, enslaved individuals there effectively were emancipated. The text noted that the black community would commemorate “the day on which GOD was pleased to liberate their long-oppressed race”—emphasizing that their freedom came about as a result of God’s will.
In the immediate aftermath of the war, racialized confrontations in Richmond’s streets frequently led to violence, and near-riots. The African American community, while determined to carry out their celebration, clearly intended to preempt potentially violent repercussions.
Text:
"NOTICE!
The coloured people of the City of Richmond would most respectfully inform the public, that
THEY DO NOT INTEND
to celebrate
THE FAILURE OF THE SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY,
as it has been stated in the papers of this City, but simply as the day on which GOD was pleased to Liberate their long-oppressed race.
C. Harris,
J. Cocks,
J. Edmunds,
F. J. Smith,
N. Williams,
Committee.
Richmond, Va., April 2, 1866"
When Richmond fell into the hands of Union troops, on 3 April 1865, enslaved individuals there effectively were emancipated. The text noted that the black community would commemorate “the day on which GOD was pleased to liberate their long-oppressed race”—emphasizing that their freedom came about as a result of God’s will.
In the immediate aftermath of the war, racialized confrontations in Richmond’s streets frequently led to violence, and near-riots. The African American community, while determined to carry out their celebration, clearly intended to preempt potentially violent repercussions.
Text:
"NOTICE!
The coloured people of the City of Richmond would most respectfully inform the public, that
THEY DO NOT INTEND
to celebrate
THE FAILURE OF THE SOUTHERN CONFEDERACY,
as it has been stated in the papers of this City, but simply as the day on which GOD was pleased to Liberate their long-oppressed race.
C. Harris,
J. Cocks,
J. Edmunds,
F. J. Smith,
N. Williams,
Committee.
Richmond, Va., April 2, 1866"
Creator
Unknown, although presumed authors are the “Committee” listed on the broadside: C. Harris, J. Cocks, J. Edmunds, F. J. Smith, N. Williams.
Source
Broadside Collection, Call Number 1866:13, Library of the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Virginia Historical Society
Date
1866
Contributor
Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Virginia Historical Society
Rights
NO COPYRIGHT - UNITED STATES
The organization that has made the Item available believes that the Item is in the Public Domain under the laws of the United States, but a determination was not made as to its copyright status under the copyright laws of other countries. The Item may not be in the Public Domain under the laws of other countries. Please refer to the organization that has made the Item available for more information.
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Acknowledgement of the Virginia Historical Society as a source is requested.
The organization that has made the Item available believes that the Item is in the Public Domain under the laws of the United States, but a determination was not made as to its copyright status under the copyright laws of other countries. The Item may not be in the Public Domain under the laws of other countries. Please refer to the organization that has made the Item available for more information.
http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/
Acknowledgement of the Virginia Historical Society as a source is requested.
Notes
Learn more:
The Evacuation of Richmond. (1933). The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, 41(3), 215-222.
Richmond during the Civil War, Encyclopedia Virginia
Ruane, M.E. (2015). War's End. The Washington Post.
Linking to Our Past, Virginia Museum of History and Culture.
The Evacuation of Richmond. (1933). The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, 41(3), 215-222.
Richmond during the Civil War, Encyclopedia Virginia
Ruane, M.E. (2015). War's End. The Washington Post.
Linking to Our Past, Virginia Museum of History and Culture.
Collection
Citation
Unknown, although presumed authors are the “Committee” listed on the broadside: C. Harris, J. Cocks, J. Edmunds, F. J. Smith, N. Williams., “Notice! The Coloured People of the City of Richmond… [broadside],” Social Welfare History Image Portal, accessed April 27, 2024, https://images.socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/items/show/453.