After some opposition the Convention passed a resolution calling on the legislature to enact a law authorizing the education of slaves.

The petition was presented by Mr.Harlston, who introduced the bill embodying this idea, piloted it through the lower house, but failed by two or three votes to secure the sanction of the senate.[1] In 1855 certain influential citizens of North Carolina[2] memorialized their legislature asking among other things that the slaves be taught to read.

This petition provoked some discussion, but did not receive as much attention as that of Georgia.
[Footnote 1: _Special Report of the U.S.Com.

of Ed._, p.

339] [Footnote 2: _African Repository_, vol.xxxi., pp.