Autograph manuscript letter from R. B. Robinson, editor and proprietor of The Kanawha Advance in Charleston, West Virginia, to Benjamin F. Jones, chairman of the Republican National Committee, dated 1884 September 22. Robinson asks for funds to support the publication of The Kanawha Advance, "the only colored newspaper in the state." Robinson also reports that the Democrats are gaining support among African Americans in Ohio and West Virginia ahead of the 1884 presidential election, but claims that a unified republican vote among West Virginia African Americans would secure the state for the party. Enclosed is a clipping from The Kanawha Advance dated 20 September 188[4] reporting on the first Colored Men of West Virginia state convention held in Charleston on 18 September, during which Robinson was appointed chairman of the State Executive Committee of the Colored Men of West Virginia
Description:
Robert B. Robinson was an African American newspaper owner and editor born in Alexandria, Virginia in 1848, to Reverend Robert H. Robinson (1824-1909) and Mary Ann Warwick Robinson (1832-1899). With his brother Magnus L. Robinson (1852-1918), he founded the The Virginia Post in Harrisonburg, Virginia, in the late 1870s. In the 1880s, Robinson managed the Virginia branch of The Washington Bee, and established The Kanawha Advance newspaper in Charleston, West Virginia. Robinson was involved with the Republican Party and the Readjuster Party., Benjamin Franklin Jones (1824-1903) was an iron and steel industrialist in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, who served as chairman of the Republican National Committee from 1884-1888., In English., and Accompanied by an envelope featuring manuscript notes about the letter in an unidentified hand.
Subject (Geographic):
West Virginia., United States, and West Virginia
Subject (Name):
Jones, Benjamin F. 1824-1903. (Benjamin Franklin),, Robinson, R. B. 1848- (Robert B.),, Colored Men of West Virginia., and Republican National Committee (U.S.)
Subject (Topic):
African American newspaper editors, African American newspapers, African Americans, Political activity, Presidents, Election, and Politics and government
Manuscript on paper, in a single hand, of a collection of political material, the bulk of which consists of petitions and Parliamentary speeches made in 1640 and 1641. The grievances cited in a petition by "the Citizens of London" at York include "imposicions upon Merchandise imported and exported. The urging and levying of ship money...the great concourse of Papists and their adherents in London...The seldome calling and sodaine dissolving of Parlmt. without redressing your subjects grevances;" and a petition of "the Lay-Catholiques Recusants of England" begs for relief from persecution. Issues discussed in Parliament during this time include the trial of Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, the Oath of allegiance to the Church of England, and the question of episcopal government. The manuscript also contains a satirical piece titled "Observations of Holland" which declares, "It is excellent for desparring Lovers, for each corner affoords a Willow; But if Justice should condemne one to bee hang'd on any other Tree, he may live long, and confident," followed by a similarly satirical piece on Scotland. A sermon "preacht at St. Gyles in Edinburgh...1638...by James Rowe" declares "The Kirk a Scotland cau'd a smeld as weele, as any Kirk ith the Warld. Than the Kyrk a Rounie smelt sa strang that at furst she cau'd a tauld yee, she taisted o the cheare o Babylon. But now bring in the stinkenest Papery under her Neese, and it wull savour as sweat as an Aple." The manuscript concludes with "The Oath all are to take, or to suffer as Papists" and a petition from "severall grammer schooles in and about the Cyty of London."
Description:
In English., Partial table of contents at beginning., Initials stamped on front and back covers: "T. D.", and Binding: full sheep.
Subject (Geographic):
Great Britain., Great Britain, Netherlands, and Scotland
Subject (Name):
Arundel and Surrey, Thomas Howard, second earl of, 1585-1646., Charles I, King of England, 1600-1649., Strafford, Thomas Wentworth, Earl of, 1593-1641., and Great Britain. Parliament, 1640-1641.
Subject (Topic):
Catholics, Episcopacy, Satire, Sermons, Ship money, History, Politics and government, Religious life and customs, and Description and travel