Freedom's Journal/1827/03/16/Prospectus

As education is what renders civilized man superior to the savage: as the dissemination of knowledge is continually progressing among all other classes in the community: we deem it expedient to establish a paper, and bring into operation all the means with which our benevolent Creator has endowed us, for the moral, religious, civil and literary improvement of our injured race. Experience teaches us that the Press is the most economical and convenient method by which this object is to be obtained.

Daily slandered, we think that there ought to be some channel of communication between us and the public: through which a single voice may be heard, in defence of five hundred thousand free people of colour. For often has injustice been heaped upon us, when our only defence was an appeal to the Almighty: but we believe that the time has now arrived, when the calumnies of our enemies should be refuted by forcible arguments.

Believing that all men are equal by nature, we indulge the pleasing anticipation, that as the means of knowledge are more extensively diffused among our people, their condition will become improved, not only in their daily walk and convertion, but in their domestic economy.

Our columns shall ever be open to a temperate discussion of interesting subjects. But in respect to matters of religion, while we concede to them their full importance, and shall occasionally introduce articles of this general character, we would mot be the advocates of any particular sect or party. In the discussion of political subjects, we shall over regard the constitution of the United States as our polar star. Pledged to no party, we shall endeavour to urge our brethren to use their right to the elective franchise as free citizens. It shall never be our object to court controversy, though we must at all times consider ourselves as champions in defence of oppressed humanity.

As the diffusion of knowledge, and raising our community into respectability, are the principal motives which influence us in our present undertaking, we hope our hands will be upheld by all our brethren and friends.

From the Rev. Samuel H. Cox, Pastor of the Laight-street Church, New York.

Being well acquainted with the Rev. Samuel E. Cornish, and having good evidence of the character of his colleague, John B. Russworm, A. B.; and they having become co-editors of a weekly paper, designed chiefly for the reading of their coloured brethren; I am free to express my confidence in the promise of their enterprize, and in the relative competency with which is concerns will be conducted.

New-York, Jan. 17, 1827.

I am acquainted with the Editors, and consider them very competent to the undertaking of the proposed work they are well known in this city's respected and valuable citizens.

New-York, 1st mo. 17, 1827.

Those of our subscribers who are not prepared to pay the amount of their subscriptions at this sime, are informed that we shall expect they will do so next week, on the appearance of our second number.

Letters and Communications intended for publication, must be post paid, and addressed to the "Editors of the freedoma's Journal."

Advertisements inserted by the month, quarter, or year at a reasonable rate.

The price is three dollars a year, payable half yearly in advance. If paid at the time of subscribing $2.50 will be received.

No subscription will be received for less cerm than One Year.

Agents who procure and pay for five subscribers, are entitled to a sixth copy, gratia, for one year.

No paper discontinued until all arrearages are paid, except at the discretion of the Editors.

All communications, (except those of Agents) must be post paid.

Mr. Rouben Ruby, Portland, Maine.
"David Walker, Boston.
Rev. Thomas Paul; do.
Mr. Jolin Raymond, Salem, Mass.
"George C. Willis, Providence, R. I.
Isaac Rodgers, New London, Conn.
"Francis Webb, Philadelphia.
"Stephen Smith, Columbia, Penn.
Messrs. R. Cooley & Chs. Hackett, Baltimore.
Mr. John W. Prout, Washington, D. C.
Rev. Nathaniel Paul, Albany.
Mr. Theodore Wright, Princeton, N, J.
James Cowes, New-Brunswick, NJ.
Rev. B. F. Hughes, Newark, NJ