 In the early 19th century, national and local conventions involving a variety of political and social issues were pursued by increasing numbers of Americans.In 1830 and 1831, political parties held their first national nominating conventions.Historian Howard H. Bell notes that the convention movement grew out of a trend toward greater self-expression among African Americans and was largely fostered by the appearance of newspapers such as "Freedom's Journal", and was first suggested by Hezekiah Grice.