Philadelphia, Dec. 16, 1848.

Messrs. Editors:ーFrom a perusal of your paper, I find you have no direct news from this city. If agreeable to you, I will drop you an item every week, by which you may learn how matters progress here.

The Anti-Slavery feeling is still alive among our people. Friend Delany lectured on Monday evening at Brick Wesley Church, before the Young Men's Anti-Slavery Society. I was not present, but learned they had a refreshing time.

The Delegates by this time have completed their business at Harrisburg. Philadelphia did not do her part this time, so far as the raising of means to defray the expenses of the Delegates was concerned. Had it not been for the indefatigable exertions of the ladies, together with a few societies, many of the delegates would have been obliged to remain at home.

The ladies are getting up a monster Fair, to come off during the holidays, to be held at the Philadelphia Institute. No doubt it will be something rich, for the females are very zealous when they put their heads together.

The quarrel in Bethel Church, between the Trustees and elders, is not yet settled, having been thrown into Court. The Grand Jury, a few days since, found a true bill against both parties. How the matter will end, remains to be seen.

PalmettoPalmetto

The identity of “Palmetto” cannot be definitively determined. However, the penname “Palmetto” would indicate a person of South Carolina origin and the contents of the letter would suggest, perhaps, a person of color. One possibility, then, would be the former slave, Robert Adger (1813-96). Born in Charleston, South Carolina, he was enslaved until his master’s death when, though complicated legal proceedings, he and his family were freed. By the late 1840s, Adger had arrived in Philadelphia and began taking an “active interest in the welfare of his race” and was described in his obituary as a “colored abolitionist.” He first worked as a waiter before becoming a nurse and then opening a furniture store later in life. He is known to have been literate and he made sure that each of his children received an education. He was an important part of the African American community of Philadelphia and might possibly have written this assessment to Douglass. “Robert Adger Dead,” Philadelphia Inquirer, 1 Nov, 1896, p. 18, c. 2; “Robert Adger,” Philadelphia Ledger, 2 Nov. 1896; “William Adger 1856–1885,” Penn Libraries, archives.upenn.edu. .