BATTLE,
_P. Secretary to Gov. Dudley._
Raleigh, Nov. 20, 1840.
The foregoing petition was presented to the Senate. It was there referred
to a committee. I knew when the committee was to report, and watched about
the State House that I might receive the earliest news of the fate of my
petition. I should have gone within the senate chamber, but no colored man
has that permission. I do not know why, unless for fear, he may hear the
name of _Liberty_. By and by a member came out, and as he passed me,
said, "_Well, Lunsford, they have laid you out; the nigger bill is
killed._" I need not tell the reader that my feelings did not enter into
the merriment of this honorable senator. To me, the fate of my petition
was the last blow to my hopes. I had done all I could do, had said all I
could say, laboring night and day, to obtain a favorable reception to my
petition; but all in vain. Nothing appeared before me but I must leave the
State, and leave my wife and my children never to see them more.
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