I suppose such of my readers as are not accustomed to trade in human beings, may be curious to see the Bills of Sale, by which I have obtained the right to my wife and children.  They are both in the hand writing of Mr. Smith.  The first—­that for Laura is as follows: 

  State of North Carolina, Wake County.

Know all men by these presents, that for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars, to me in hand paid, I have this day bargained and sold; and do hereby bargain, sell and deliver unto Lunsford Lane, a free man of color, a certain negro girl by the name of Laura, aged about seven years, and hereby warrant and defend the right and title of the said girl to the said Lunsford and his heirs forever, free from the claims of all persons whatsoever.

  In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Raleigh,
  this 17th May, 1841.

  B.B.  SMITH, [seal.]

  Witness—­Robt.  W. Haywood.

Below is the Bill of Sale for my wife and other six children, to which the papers that follow are attached.

  State of North Carolina, Wake County.

Know all men by these presents, that for and in consideration of the sum of eighteen hundred and eighty dollars to me in hand paid, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, I have this day bargained, sold and delivered unto Lunsford Lane, a free man of color, one dark mulatto woman named Patsy, one boy named Edward, one boy also named William, one boy also named Lunsford, one girl named Maria, one boy also named Ellick, and one girl named Lucy, to have and to hold the said negroes free from the claims of all persons whatsoever.

  In witness whereof, I have hereunto affixed my hand and seal this 25th
  day of April, 1842.

  B.B.  SMITH, [seal.]

  Witness—­TH.  L. WEST.

* * * * *

  State of North Carolina, Wake County.

  Office of Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, April 26, 1842.

  The execution of the within bill of sale was this day duly acknowledged
  before me by B.B.  Smith, the executor of the same.

 [L.S.]

  In testimony whereof, I have hereunto affixed the seal of said Court,
  and subscribed my name at office in Raleigh, the date above.

  JAS. T. MARRIOTT, Clerk.

* * * * *

  State of North Carolina, Wake County.

I, Wm. Boylan, presiding magistrate of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for the county aforesaid, certify that James T. Marriott, who has written and signed the above certificate, is Clerk of the Court aforesaid,—­that the same is in due form, and full faith and credit are due to such his official acts.

  Given under my hand and private seal (having no seal of office) this
  26th day of April, 1842.