Proposed Civil Rights Monument, Capitol Square, Richmond
The Library of Virginia, Special Collections. 06-0678-01.
2006
Pen and ink and graphite on paper
<em>“Segregation declared unconstitutional” headline from <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Tribune</span> (Roanoke)</em>
The Tribune, advertised as "the only negro newspaper published in Southwest Virginia," made the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education their top story. They reported that the Court would hear arguments later in the year on "how and when to end the practice" of segregation in schools. Because of the South's adoption of massive resistance, it would take decades for schools to desegregate.
<em>Tribune</em> (Roanoke). The Library of Virginia. 04-0315-04.
22 May 1954
Newspaper
Letter, Carl E. Auvil, Falls Church, to Governor Thomas B. Stanley, Richmond
Carl Auvil wrote the governor that “Both the principles of Christianity and the law of our land point toward elimination of racial segregation.”
Virginia. Governor (1954–1958: Stanley), Executive Papers, 1954–1958, Acc. 25184. State Government Records Collection. The Library of Virginia. 04-1036-11.
15 November 1954
Manuscript
<em>Letter, Robert Leon Bacon, Richmond, to Governor Thomas B. Stanley, Richmond</em>
Robert Leon Bacon described the restrictions that segregation placed on his life and wrote that “Virginia is the mother of presidents but it is not the home of democracy.”
Virginia. Governor (1954–1958: Stanley), Executive Papers, 1954–1958, Acc. 25184. State Government Records Collection. The Library of Virginia. 04-1036-13/14/15.
2 December 1955
Typescript
<em>Virginia State Law Requires All Colored Passengers to Ride in Rear of Bus</em>
Library of Virginia, Special Collections (Broadside. 19– .C58FF). 06-1202-02.
After 1945
Broadside
By his Excellency the Right Honourable John Earl of Dunmore, his Majesty's Lieutenant and Governour-General of the Colony and Dominion of Virginia, and Vice-admiral of the same. A proclamation.
In November 1775, from the safety of a British warship near Norfolk, Virginia's royal governor, the earl of Dunmore, decided to handle the explosive political situation by declaring martial law and offering freedom to enslaved people who fought for the king against their owners. The Declaration of Independence referred to that proclamation in charging that the king and his governor "excited domestic Insurrections amongst us." The Declaration's statement that all men were entitled to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" did not apply to enslaved Virginians.
Library of Virginia, Special Collections. (Broadside. 1775 .V852 FF.). 11-0757-005.
7 November 1775
Broadside
Trial summary, Prince William County Court, Billy alias Will alias William a mulatto Slave the property of John Tayloe Esq for Treason
The summary of Billy's trial included the accusation that he "did in Company of & Conjunction with diverse Enemies of the Commonwealth in armed Vessels feloniously & Traiterously Wage & Levy War against the Commonwealth." His lawyers argued that he was "forced on board agst. his will" and that as a slave he was not afforded the privileges of a citizen, so he owed the state "no Allegiance."
RG 3, Virginia Governor (1779-1781: Jefferson), Executive Papers of Governor Thomas Jefferson: Letters received, 1779-1781. Acc. 44393, State Government Records Collection, Library of Virginia. 11-0757-005.
May 1781
Manuscript
Letter, Henry Lee and William Carr to Governor Thomas Jefferson
With his request for Jefferson to reprieve Billy, Mann Page included an opinion from Henry Lee and William Carr, justices who dissented from the verdict and supported Page's efforts to commute the death sentence.
RG 3, Virginia Governor (1779-1781: Jefferson), Executive Papers of Governor Thomas Jefferson: Letters received, 1779-1781. Acc. 44393, State Government Records Collection, Library of Virginia. 12-1070-005.
11 May 1781
Manuscript
Reprieve of Billy
Thomas Jefferson granted a reprieve of Billy until the end of June 1781, and the General Assembly vacated the conviction.
RG 3, Virginia Governor (1779-1781: Jefferson), Executive papers of Governor Thomas Jefferson: Letters received, 1779-1781. Acc. 44393, State Government Records Collection, Library of Virginia. 12-1070-001/002.
13 May 1781
Manuscript
Petition of Mann Page, executor of John Tayloe
With his request for Jefferson to reprieve Billy, Mann Page included a copy of the indictment, conviction, and sentence from the Prince William County Court.
Virginia General Assembly, Legislative petitions of the General Assembly, Petition of Mann Page, Prince William County. n.d. [Received June 7, 1781]. Acc. 36121 State Government Records Collection, Library of Virginia. 11-1306-001.
7 June 1781
Manuscript