The man is reading a newspaper with headline, "Presidential Proclamation, Slavery," which refers to the Jan. 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. Stephens has created several other illustrations that depict slavery, slave rebellion, and emancipation.
These illustrations can be found at: https://www.loc.gov/search/?fa=contributor:stephens,+h.+l.+%28henry+loui...
Rights Status Unknown
LinkStephens, H.L. Black man reading newspaper by candle light. Drawing and watercolor. c. 1863. Library of Congress: Prints and Photographs Division. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/resource/cph.3g02442/ (Accessed October 25, 2018)
The exact copyright and related rights status of this item is unknown or undetermined. You can use this item in a way that is permitted by the copyright legislation that applies to your use.
Stephens, H.L. Black man reading newspaper by candle light. Drawing and watercolor. c. 1863. Library of Congress: Prints and Photographs Division. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/resource/cph.3g02442/ (Accessed October 25, 2018)