The Reverend Lewis Woodson of Pittsburgh wrote a series of ten letters that were printed in the newspaper.

The letters advocated elevation through the establishment of schools, newspapers, and churches by black Americans.

Historian Floyd Miller attributed the title of the "Father of Black Nationalism" to Woodson, mostly in recognition of the efficacy of the 'Augustine letters'.

The paper also received help from African-American churches and local abolition societies by way of fund drives and donations.

All of the donations, fund drives and supplements helped the paper to publish 38 articles and survive through 1841.