ple at the south, free
and slaves, find it peculiarly necessary to their own comfort and safety
to observe.

I should, perhaps, have mentioned that on the same day I received the
notice to leave Raleigh, similar notices were presented to two other free
colored people, who had been slaves; were trying to purchase their
families; and were otherwise in a like situation to myself. And they took
the same course I did to endeavor to remain a limited time. ISAAC HUNTER,
who had a family with five children, was one; and WALLER FREEMAN, who had
six children, was the other. Mr. Hunter's petition went before mine; and a
bill of some sort passed the Senate, which was so cut down in the Commons,
as to allow him only _twenty days_ to remain in the State. He has since,
however, obtained the freedom of his family, who are living with him in
Philadelphia.

Mr. Freeman's petition received no better fate than mine. His family were
the property of Judge BADGER, who was afterwards made a member of Mr.
Harrison's cabinet. When Mr. Badger removed to Washington, he took with
him among other slaves this family; and Freeman removed also to that city.
After this, when Mr. B. resigned his office, with the other members of the
cabinet under President Tyler, he entered into some sort of contract with
Freeman, to sell him this family, which he left at Washington, while he
took the rest of his slaves back to Raleigh. Freeman is now endeavoring to
raise money to make the purchase.

It was now between two and three months to the next session of the court;
and I knew that before or at that time I must leave the State. I was
bound to appear before the court; but it had been arranged between my
lawyer and the prosecuting attorney, that if I would leave the State, and
pay the costs of court, the case should be dropped, so that my bondsmen
should not be involved. I therefore concluded to stay as long as I
possibly could, and then leave. I also determined to appeal to the
kindness of the friends of the colored man in the North, for assistance,
though I had but little hope of succeeding in this way. Yet it was the
only course I could think of, by which I could see any possible hope of
accomplishing the object.

I had paid Mr. Smith six hundred and twenty dollars; and had a house and
lot worth $500, which he had promised to take when I should raise the
balance. He gave me also a bill of sale of one of my children, Laura, in
consideration of two hundred and