after which I was willing, if necessary, to leave.

From January 1st, 1837, I had been employed as I have mentioned, in the
office of the Governor of the State, principally under the direction of
his private Secretary, in keeping the office in order, taking the letters
to the Post Office, and doing such other duties of the sort as occurred
from time to time. This circumstance, with the fact of the high standing
in the city of the family of my former master, and of the former masters
of my wife, had given me the friendship of the first people in the place
generally, who from that time forward acted towards me the friendly part.

MR. BATTLE, then private Secretary to Governor Dudley, addressed the
following letter to the prosecuting attorney in my behalf:

RALEIGH, Nov. 3, 1840.

DEAR SIR:--Lunsford Lane, a free man of color, has been in the employ of
the State under me since my entering on my present situation. I
understand that under a law of the State, he has been notified to leave,
and that the time is now at hand.

In the discharge of the duties I had from him, I have found him prompt,
obedient, and faithful. At this particular time, his absence to me would
be much regretted, as I am now just fixing up my books and other papers
in the new office, and I shall not have time to learn another what he
can already do so well. With me the period of the Legislature is a very
busy one, and I am compelled to have a servant who understands the
business I want done, and one I can trust. I would not wish to be an
obstacle in the execution of any law, but the enforcing of the one
against him, will be doing me a serious inconvenience, and the object of