to be joined by my father,
who several years ago received his freedom by legacy. The wine fresh from
the clustering grapes never filled so sweet a cup as mine. May I and my
family be permitted to drink it, remembering whence it came!

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