Re: global key not binding

[Joe Corneli]

   >    (global-set-key "\C-cb" "\C-xh\M-w") ;copy buffer C-c b
   >    (global-set-key "\C-cb" "\C-xh\M-w") ;copy buffer C-c p
   > 
   >    I get symbol function definition is void ...
   > 
   > That is to be expected.
   >

   why then this work:
   (global-set-key "\C-cl" "\C-a\C-@\C-e\M-w") ;copy ling C-c l

OK, I guess it isn't to be expected.  The question boils down to the
behavior of the function `define-key', which is what `global-set-key'
calls (without any intervening typechecking) and which _does_ allow
"strings treated as macros".  So, I have no idea.

Evaluating this works:

(execute-kbd-macro "\C-xh\M-w")

But anyway, my hint should work for you.  Maybe someone else
can say whether you found a bug or not.