Viewing page 195 of 246

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

(20)

subsequently denied them. [[strikethrough]] by unjust enactment of the State government [[/strikethrough]], have left their traces indelibly upon the negro population of the State.] There are to be found now among the older colored men and women, and not a few of the younger men and women of the same class, those who reading, writing, and ciphering testify of their having, either directly or indirectly, gained this knowledge from the schools taught among them in the days of slavery. Not a few slave persons were reached by the influence of these schools, as they picked up here and there the crumb of knowledge dropped by the free boy or girl, in a visit to a slave relation in the negro-quarter; and so with hearts of gushing tender gratitude, they make their thank-offering, now that they are free, to this and that relative, who free, did not forget them, in their day of slavery. In the providence of God both these classes are free; and with a perfectly good understanding between them, together enter upon their new life in Freedom with earnestness and spirit.

[[left margin]] Mechanics [[/left margin]] 

North Carolina [[strikethrough]] in most part [[/strikethrough]] has never been distinguished as an agricultural State. To make their slaves, [[strikethrough]] grown in that [[illegible]] more [[/strikethrough]] valuable in [[strikethrough]] the [[/strikethrough]] market, as well as [[strikethrough]] to [[/strikethrough]]