P. O. Box 621.
Portsmouth Va,
May 15, 1920.

Hon. Thos. W. Bickett,
Governor of North Carolina,
Raleigh, N.C.

Dear Sir:

I see it announced through our City press that you have been engaged to be here on the 10th of June, with other North Carolinians, to inspect the great Battle Shil North Carolina now assuming proportions on the Building Ways. The Negro population of Portsmouth and Norfolk is largly made up of Tar Heels. The same is true as to the white population of these cities. Since you are coming here we are very anxious to have you meet and speak to these devoted sons and daughters of the Old North State as well as to those who are natives of Virginia.

We North Carolina people, white and colored, seem to be scattere everywhere, and everywhere I meet them the North Carolina spirit of genuine sympathetic interest in each other and love for the old state is in distinctive evidence. I like this. I would encourage it. If your other engagements will permit you the time for an address to our during your stay in the city, say on the evening of the 10th or 11th, I will have the Men's League of the Church here extend you a formal invitation. I would not feel to do this without some assurance of your ability to accept.

Permit me to bespeak for the occasion a great outpouring of our people here and a splendid opportunity for a message from you which will be heard with deep interest and prove of permanent good.

The Men's League is a Church organization under the auspices of which eminent speakers of both races have addressed our people here and the spirit of earnest, intelligent, enthusiasm which they have instilled may be seen in the fine optimism and progressive enterprise which are visible on every side.

Again permit the assurance of the great pleasure which it will give us to have you honor us with an acceptance of an invitation to address us on the occasion mentioned and on the lasting value of such an address for good.

And I have the honor to be,

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

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