Black Abolitionists' Activism in Lowell
Document 22c

PURCHASE OF A SLAVE'S FREEDOM. We un-
derstand that Mr. Booth, the colored barber, and
a fugitive, who went to Canada some time since
and returned after a brief sojourn there, is in a
fair way of receiving his freedom papers. A
day or two since, his owner in Virginia wrote
to the Hon. Linus Child, that unless Booth's
freedom were purchased, he should be compell-
ed to adopt legal measures for his surrender. --
He stated that he was worth fifteen hundred
dollars to him, but that, under the circumstan-
ces, he would take much less. He was finally
induced to say that he would relinquish his
claim for seven hundred dollars. Accordingly,
on Saturday, a paper was drawn up by I.W.
Beard, Esq., who headed it with $25, and about
fifty [pledges] were obtained in the course of a few
days. The subscriptions are payable to Mr.
Child, and they will not be called for unless the
whole amount shall be raised. An opportunity
is here presented for the exercise of a little
practical philanthropy on the part of our aboli-
tionists, which, of course, they will not allow
to pass unimproved.