Buffalo, Jan. 6, 1849.

Messrs. Editors:—Being convinced by the liberal spirit which has ever characterized your valuable paper, of your willingness at all times to contribute to the cause of humanity, I have thought it not amiss to transmit to you a brief sketch of a series of spirited anti-slavery meetings which have been held in our city during the present week.

Henry Bibb, a fugitive slave—one that has endured the most cruel suffering—one that has been deprived of every right guaranteed man by the Author of his existence, and despite the God that made him, has been manacled, and driven far worse than the beast of burden. This distinguished fugitive (for well may one be said to be distinguished who, having undergone such severe trials and persecutions, yet remains a man, to plead in behalf his brethren still in bonds,) has for some four or five evenings past been deeply interesting the citizens of Buffalo in a course of lectures at the Pearl street Church, (formerly Dr. Lord's,) upon the subject of American slavery, and by giving a narrative of his life. His lectures commenced on Sunday evening, and closed on Thursday evening, having severally been well attended.

He gave a thrilling and interesting narrative of his life, during twenty-five years' experience of the most cruel and heart-rending bondage. His lectures were of a nature highly entertaining and instructive, and most deeply elicited the sympathy of the greater portion of his audience. It may not be amiss to state that a large portion of his audience was composed of the most respectable of our white citizens, and many who have hitherto manifested but little interest in the cause of human freedom.

The use of the church was gratuitously given by Mr. R. B. Heacock, the proprietor, who promptly attended each meeting, and expressed an unbounded degree of sympathy with the proceedings.

At the close of the meeting, the following resolutions were offered and unanimously adopted:

Whereas, the citizens of Buffalo have for some evenings past been deeply interested and instructed by the lectures of Henry Bibb upon the subject of American Slavery, and hearing the narrative of his life; and whereas, we understand that he is preparing his narrative for publication, and believing as we do that it will be a work well calculated to advance the cause of human freedom, and put to blush the apologists for American slavery: Therefore,

Resolved, That we bespeak for him every encouragement, and bid him God-speed in his laudable undertaking.

Resolved, That as a token of our appreciation of so valuable a work, (should it be published,) containing, as it will, a complete history of his life during twenty-five years' experience in slavery, we pledge ourselves to become subscribers thereto, and also to use all proper means to have its circulation widely extended wherever our influence may reach.

After appropriate singing, the meeting dispersed, leaving an impression long to be remembered.

Mr. Bibb will doubtless before long be in your city.

George Weir, Jr.Weir, George, Jr.

The son of a minister of Buffalo’s Vine Street African Methodist Episcopal Church, George Weir, Jr., was a minister and abolitionist in Buffalo. Arthur O. White, “The Black Movement against Jim Crow Education in Buffalo, New York, 1800-1900,” , 30:383 (Winter 1969).