On the 5th of February, 1842, finding that I should soon have in my possession the sum necessary to procure my family, and fearing that there might be danger in visiting Raleigh for that purpose, in consequence of the strong opposition of many of the citizens against colored people, their opposition to me, and their previously persecuting me from the city, I wrote to Mr. Smith, requesting him to see the Governor and obtain under his hand a permit to visit the State for a sufficient time to accomplish this business.  I requested Mr. Smith to publish the permit in one or two of the city papers, and then to enclose the original to me.  This letter he answered, under date of Raleigh, 19th Feb. 1842, as follows: 

LUNSFORD:—­Your letter of the 5th inst. came duly to hand, and in reply I have to inform you, that owing to the absence of Gov.  Morehead, I cannot send you the permit you requested, but this will make no difference, for you can come home, and after your arrival you may obtain one to remain long enough to settle up your affairs.  You ought of course to apply to the Governor immediately on your arrival, before any malicious person would have time to inform against you; I don’t think by pursuing this course you need apprehend any danger.

* * * * *

We are all alive at present in Raleigh on the subjects of temperance and religion.  We have taken into the temperance societies, about five hundred members, and about fifty persons have been happily converted. * * * The work seems still to be spreading, and such a time I have never seen before in my life.  Glorious times truly.

  Do try and get all the religion in your heart you possibly can, for it
  is the only thing worth having after all.

  Your, &c.

  B.B.  SMITH.

The way now appeared to be in a measure open; also I thought that the religious and temperance interest mentioned in the latter portion of Mr. Smith’s letter, augured a state of feeling which would be a protection to me.  But fearing still that there might be danger in visiting Raleigh without the permit from the Governor, or at least wishing to take every possible precaution, I addressed another letter to Mr. Smith, and received under date of March 12th, a reply, from which I copy as follows: 

“The Governor has just returned, and I called upon him to get the permit as you requested, but he said he had no authority by law to grant one; and he told me to say to you, that you might in perfect safety come home in a quiet manner, and remain twenty days without being interrupted.  I also consulted Mr. Manly [a lawyer] and he told me the same thing. * * * Surely you need not fear any thing under these circumstances.  You had therefore better come on just as soon as possible.”

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