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First edition. The second and substantially longer and more comprehensive account of the life of Lane, born a slave in 1803, who was able to purchase his freedom after 32 years, but was nevertheless forced to flee the South (after being arrested, released, captured by a mob and tarred and feathered). Lane published his account of his early years in 1842, and this book quotes liberally from those early memoirs. In the preface Hawkins explains why he published this book ('hoping its circulation might be of service to the cause of the oppressed, and, at the same time, be of some benefit to a worthy family who were unwilling exiles from home.') and also gives a brief summary of what it contains: ' the particulars of a life replete with incident, not of what slavery is under its most revolting features, but of what it is to be a slave, with a sensitive nature, under the most favorable circumstances. The years of servitude were passed at Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina. He was himself thirty-two years a slave and spent eighteen years of his life in the purchase of himself and family, consisting of a wife and seven children. He acted acceptably for three years, as messenger and waiter under Governors Dudley and Morehead, and thus made the acquaintance of many members of the Legislature. He is finally compelled to flee with his family from the State, and reside in a climate unsuited to their health. The sketches of Southern life will be recognized as true by those who have resided in the Southern States. The incidents of kidnapping now belong to the documentary history of the country. Several chapters are devoted to the changed position into which the colored population are brought by the civil war. One or two chapters give some incidents in the organization and equipment of the Fifty-fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, and their eventful history at the seat of war. It is hoped this account, compiled mostly from the press, will be acceptable to the friends of the colored soldier.' It appears that Lane died soon after publication of this book; in 1865 the Worcester city directory no longer lists his name, although that of his son, Lunsford Lane, Jr., still appears. Frontispiece. xii, 13-305 pp. Very good condition overall, in the original blind-stamped brown cloth, gilt lettering on spine rubbed off, some wear to ends of spine and corners, minor foxing, mostly affecting the tissue guard and frontispiece. Overall a quite presentable copy of an uncommon work. .ISBN # 0-837120594 

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