I then proceeded to get up a petition to the Legislature.  It required much hard labor and persuasion on my part to start it; but after that, I readily obtained the signatures of the principal men in the place.—­Then I went round to the members, many of whom were known to me, calling upon them at their rooms, and urging them for my sake, for humanity’s sake, for the sake of my wife and little ones, whose hopes had been excited by the idea that they were even now free; I appealed to them as husbands, fathers, brothers, sons, to vote in favor of my petition, and allow me to remain in the State long enough to purchase my family.  I was doing well in business, and it would be but a short time before I could accomplish the object.  Then, if it was desired, I and my wife and children, redeemed from bondage, would together seek a more friendly home, beyond the dominion of slavery.  The following is the petition presented, endorsed as the reader will see: 

  To the Hon. General Assembly of the State of North Carolina.

GENTLEMEN:—­The petition of Lunsford Lane humbly shews—­That about five years ago, he purchased his freedom from his mistress, Mrs. Sherwood Haywood, and by great economy and industry has paid the purchase money; that he has a wife and seven children whom he has agreed to purchase, and for whom he has paid a part of the purchase money; but not having paid in full, is not yet able to leave the State, without parting with his wife and children.

Your petitioner prays your Honorable Body to pass a law, allowing him to remain a limited time within the State, until he can remove his family also.  Your petitioner will give bond and good security for his good behaviour while he remains.  Your petitioner will ever pray, &c.

  LUNSFORD LANE.

* * * * *

  The undersigned are well acquainted with Lunsford Lane, the petitioner,
  and join in his petition to the Assembly for relief.

Charles Manly,                     Drury Lacy,
R.W.  Haywood,                      Will.  Peck,
Eleanor Haywood,                   W.A.  Stith,
Wm. Hill,                          A.B.  Stith,
R. Smith,                          J. Brown,
Wm. Peace,                         William White,
Jos.  Peace,                        Geo. Simpson,
Wm. M’Pheeters,                    Jno.  I. Christophers,
Wm. Boylan,                        John Primrose,
Fabius J. Haywood,                 Hugh M’Queen,
D.W.  Stone,                        Alex.  J. Lawrence,
T. Meredith,                       C.L.  Hinton. 
A.J.  Battle,

* * * * *

Lunsford Lane, the petitioner herein, has been servant to the Executive Office since the 1st of January, 1837, and it gives me pleasure to state that, during the whole time, without exception, I have found him faithful and obedient, in keeping every thing committed to his care in good condition.  From what I have seen of his conduct and demeanor, I cheerfully join in the petition for his relief.

  C.C.  BATTLE,