A WELCOME TO

EX-PRESIDENT JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

When it was known that ex-President Adams would visit Buffalo in July, 1843, a citizens' committee was organized to arrange for a suitable reception. Mr. Fillmore's name headed the list. On July 26th, the Buffalo deputation met Mr. Adams at Schlosser, above Niagara Falls, accompanied him by boat to Buffalo and escorted him to the Park, now Lafayette Square, where Mr. Fillmore welcomed him to the city in the following words:

SIR: I have been deputed by the citizens of this place to tender you a welcome to our city. In the discharge of this grateful duty, I feel that I speak not only my own sentiments, but theirs, when I tell you that your long and arduous public services, your lofty independence, your punctilious attention to business, and, more than all, your unsullied and unsuspected integrity, have given you a character in the estimation of this republic, which calls forth the deepest feelings of veneration and respect.

You see around you, sir, no political partisans seeking to promote some sinister purpose; but you see here assembled the people of our infant city, without distinction of party, sex, age or condition, all-all-anxiously vying with each other to show their respect and esteem for your public services and private worth.

Here, sir, are gathered in this vast multitude of what must appear to you strange faces, thousands whose hearts have vibrated to the chord of sympathy which your written

speeches have touched. Here are reflecting age, and ardent youth, and lisping childhood, to all of whom your venerated name is as familiar as household words-all anxious to feast their eyes by a sight of that extraordinary and venerable man of whom they have heard and read and thought so much-all anxious to hear the voice of that "old man eloquent," on whose lips wisdom has distilled her choicest nectar. Here, sir, you see them all, and read in their eager and joy-gladdened countenances and brightly beaming eyes, a welcome-a thrice-told, heartfelt, and soul-stirring welcome to "the man whom they delight to honor."

Ex-President Adams spoke at length in reply and for twenty-four hours was the recipient of many attentions from the people of Buffalo, with Mr. Fillmore as chief host.

IN BEHALF OF IRELAND

A meeting of the citizens of Buffalo was held in the Court House on the evening of February 15, 1847, to consider measures of relief for Ireland. Gaius B. Rich presided, and among the speakers was Mr. Fillmore, whose remarks were reported by the Commercial Advertiser as follows:

MR. PRESIDENT: I came here to listen, not to speak. I am satisfied in regard to the great question now before the meeting. I accord the value, the valor, the wisdom of the Irish people, but we are called upon to take active measures to relieve the distress that now exists throughout the length and breadth of that country, and the outstretched arms of suffering millions are imploring us to save life. The only question is, what can we do, and how do it?

No one can doubt the existence of great want and suffering-it is corroborated by the Queen's speech-by the English and Irish papers; and I venture to say that within the recollection of the oldest person present, no such circumstance has ever before occurred. It is sufficient for every man who has a heart to feel, that men, women and children are dying of hunger. It may be found that the aid may not reach those who are now in great destitution—it may arrive too late-but it is more than probable that the terrible state of things which now exists may continue for months. All we can do ought promptly to be done, for the relief afforded by us will be the means of saving many valuable lives.

A course has been pursued in Albany, I understand, whereby provisions may safely reach those for whom they

are intended, and the next question is, how shall we contribute? It occurred to me that money should be converted into provisions. I am astonished that the warehouses in Ireland should be groaning under the weight of breadstuffs now locked up within her walls, while millions of her people are dying from absolute starvation. This, in my opinion, is conclusive that we ought to invest the money contributed, into food and clothing, and transmit direct. What I can do, I stand ready to do. The people of Ireland are separated from us by an ocean, to be sure, but they are nevertheless a part of the human family, and justly entitled to our sympathy and aid.1

1. Some eleven hundred dollars was subscribed at the meeting, Mr. Fillmore's contribution being $50.

AS CHANCELLOR OF

THE UNIVERSITY OF BUFFALO

At the first annual commencement of the University of Buffalo, June 16, 1847, Mr. Fillmore, the Chancellor-as he continued to be for more than a quarter-century-delivered an address of which the following extracts are preserved:

FELLOW-CITIZENS: Urged by pressing solicitations of the Medical Faculty of the University of Buffalo, I have reluctantly consented to address a few words to you on this interesting occasion. My official relations to this institution are such that I do not presume to possess that intimate practical knowledge of the progress of its students or their various qualifications, which can be known only to the faculty and the professors. But to those of you who have been so fortunate as to make the acquaintance of the latter, and witness their proficiency, learning and unwearied assiduity in teaching, nothing which I could say could add to your high estimation of their ability and worth. As a body, they are doubtless equal to that of any other faculty in the Union, and they only require the requisite time and our cordial and united support, to render the medical department of this university as celebrated as any other similar college in the United States.

This, then, is a new era for the citizens of Buffalo. This is the first time we have ever been called upon to witness the interesting ceremony of conferring the time-honored degrees of a collegiate course. Here for the first time we see assembled the officers and professors of a literary institution, located in our midst, and destined we trust to shed its liter