Tearing up free papers [graphic]. Free African Americans -- Legal status, laws, etc. -- United States. Legal documents -- Destruction and reconstruction. A man restrains a free Southern black woman as another man destroys the papers that attest to her freedom. The woman's small child stands beside her. In the background, at least two figures are visible behind bars. Illustration in the American Anti-Slavery Almanac, for 1838 (Boston: Published by D.K. Hitchcock, 1837), p. 7. Caption underneath the image reads: "In the Southern States, every colored person is presumed to be a slave, till proved to be free; and they are often robbed of the proof." Fels Afro-Americana Image Project, Anti-Slavery Movement Imagery. [Boston: s.n] MA. Boston. 1837 American Anti-Slavery Society. [1837] Woodcuts -- 1830-1840. Book illustrations -- 1830-1840. Anti-slavery prints -- 1830-1840. 1 print: woodcut; image 4 x 8 cm. (1.5 x 3.25 in) Islandora:2750 Library Company of Philadelphia Rare Am 1837 Ame Ant 52047.D.2 p 7 52047.D.2 Part of American anti-slavery almanac, for 1838 Boston: Published by D.K. Hitchcock, 1837.