return to Old England. For this purpose I thought a knowledge of
navigation might be of use to me; for, though I did not intend to run
away unless I should be ill used, yet, in such a case, if I understood
navigation, I might attempt my escape in our sloop, which was one of
the swiftest sailing vessels in the West Indies, and I could be at no
loss for hands to join me: and if I should make this attempt, I had
intended to have gone for England; but this, as I said, was only to be
in the event of my meeting with any ill usage. I therefore employed
the mate of our vessel to teach me navigation, for which I agreed to
give him twenty-four dollars, and actually paid him part of the money
down; though when the captain, some time after, came to know that the
mate was to have such a sum for teaching me, he rebuked him, and said
it was a shame for him to take any money from me. However, my
progress in this useful art was much retarded by the constancy of our
work. Had I wished to run away I did not want opportunities, which
frequently presented themselves; and particularly at one time, soon
after this. When we were at the island of Gaurdeloupe there was a
large fleet of merchantmen bound for Old France; and, seamen then
being very scarce, they gave from fifteen to twenty pounds a man for
the run. Our mate, and all the white sailors, left our vessel on this
account, and went on board of the French ships. They would have had me
also to go with them, for they regarded me; and they swore to protect
me, if I would go: and, as the fleet was to sail the next day, I
really believe I could have got safe to Europe at that time. However,
as my master was kind, I would not attempt to leave him; and,
remembering the old maxim, that 'honesty is the best policy,' I
suffered them to go without me. Indeed my captain was much afraid of
my leaving him and the vessel at that time, as I had so fair an
opportunity: but, I thank God, this fidelity of mine turned out much
to my advantage hereafter, when I did not in the least think of it;
and made me so much in favour with the captain, that he used now and
then to teach me some parts of navigation himself: but some of our
passengers, and others, seeing this, found much fault with him for it,
saying it was a very dangerous thing to let a negro know navigation;
thus I was hindered again in my pursuits. About the latter end of the
year 1764 my master bought a larger sloop, called the Providence,
about seventy or eighty tons, of which my captain had the command. I
went with him into this vessel, and we took a load of new slaves for
Georgia and Charles Town. My master now left me entirely to the
captain, though he still wished for me to be with him; but I, who
always much wished to lose sight of the West Indies, was not a little
rejoiced at the thoughts of seeing any other country. Therefore,
relying on the goodness of my captain, I got ready all the little
venture I could; and, when the vessel was ready, we sailed, to my
great joy. When we got to our destined places, Georgia and Charles
Town, I expected I should have an opportunity of selling my little
property to advantage: but here, particularly in Charles Town, I met
with buyers, white men, who imposed on me as in other places.
Notwithstanding, I was resolved to have fortitude; thinking no lot or
trial is too hard when kind Heaven is the rewarder. We soon got loaded
again, and returned to Montserrat; and there, amongst the rest of the
islands, I sold my goods well; and in this manner I continued trading
during the year 1764; meeting with various scenes of imposition, as
usual. After this, my master fitted out his vessel for Philadelphia,
in the year 1765; and during the time we were loading her, and getting
ready for the voyage, I worked with redoubled alacrity, from the hope
of getting money enough by these voyages to buy my freedom in time, if
it should please God; and also to see the town of Philadelphia, which
I had heard a great deal about for some years past; besides which, I
had always longed to prove my master's promise the first day I came to
him. In the midst of these elevated ideas, and while I was about
getting my little merchandize in readiness, one Sunday my master sent
for me to his house. When I came there I found him and the captain
together; and, on my going in, I was struck with astonishment at his
telling me he heard that I meant to run away from him when I got to
Philadelphia: 'And therefore,' said he, 'I must sell you again: you
cost me a great deal of money, no less than forty pounds sterling; and
it will not do to lose so much. You are a valuable fellow,' continued
he; 'and I can get any day for you one hundred guineas, from many
gentlemen in this island.' And then he told me of Captain Doran's
brother-in-law, a severe master, who ever wanted to buy me to make me
his overseer. My captain also said he could get much more than a
hundred guineas for me in Carolina. This I knew to be a fact; for the
gentleman that wanted to buy me came off several times on board of us,
and spoke to me to live with him, and said he would use me well. When
I asked what work he would put me to he said, as I was a sailor, he
would make me a captain of one of his rice vessels. But I refused: and
fearing, at the same time, by a sudden turn I saw in the captain's
temper, he might mean to sell me, I told the gentleman I would not
live with him on any condition, and that I certainly would run away
with his vessel: but he said he did not fear that, as he would catch
me again; and then he told me how cruelly he would serve me if I
should do so. My captain, however, gave him to understand that I knew
something of navigation: so he thought better of it; and, to my great
joy, he went away. I now told my master I did not say I would run away
in Philadelphia; neither did I mean it, as he did not use me ill, nor
yet the captain: for if they did I certainly would have made some
attempts before now; but as I thought that if it were God's will I
ever should be freed it would be so, and, on the contrary, if it was
not his will it would not happen; so I hoped, if ever I were freed,
whilst I was used well, it should be by honest means; but, as I could
not help myself, he must do as he pleased; I could only hope and trust
to the God of Heaven; and at that instant my mind was big with
inventions and full of schemes to escape. I then appealed to the
captain whether he ever saw any sign of my making the least attempt to
run away; and asked him if I did not always come on board according to
the time for which he gave me liberty; and, more particularly, when
all our men left us at Gaurdeloupe and went on board of the French
fleet, and advised me to go with them, whether I might not, and that
he could not have got me again. To my no small surprise, and very
great joy, the captain confirmed every syllable that I had said: and
even more; for he said he had tried different times to see if I would
make any attempt of this kind, both at St. Eustatia and in America,
and he never found that I made the smallest; but, on the contrary, I
always came on board according to his orders; and he did really
believe, if I ever meant to run away, that, as I could never have had
a better opportunity, I would have done it the night the mate and all
the people left our vessel at Gaurdeloupe. The captain then informed
my master, who had been thus imposed on by our mate, though I did not
know who was my enemy, the reason the mate had for imposing this lie
upon him; which was, because I had acquainted the captain of the
provisions the mate had given away or taken out of the vessel. This
speech of the captain was like life to the dead to me, and instantly
my soul glorified God; and still more so on hearing my master
immediately say that I was a sensible fellow, and he never did intend
to use me as a common slave; and that but for the entreaties of the
captain, and his character of me, he would not have let me go from the
stores about as I had done; that also, in so doing, he thought by
carrying one little thing or other to different places to sell I might
make money. That he also intended to encourage me in this by crediting
me with half a puncheon of rum and half a hogshead of sugar at a time;
so that, from being careful, I might have money enough, in some time,
to purchase my freedom; and, when that was the case, I might depend
upon it he would let me have it for forty pounds sterling money, which
was only the same price he gave for me. This sound gladdened my poor
heart beyond measure; though indeed it was no more than the very idea
I had formed in my mind of my master long before, and I immediately
made him this reply: 'Sir, I always had that very thought of you,
indeed I had, and that made me so diligent in serving you.' He then
gave me a large piece of silver coin, such as I never had seen or had
before, and told me to get ready for the voyage, and he would credit
me with a tierce of sugar, and another of rum; he also said that he
had two amiable sisters in Philadelphia, from whom I might get some
necessary things. Upon this my noble captain desired me to go aboard;
and, knowing the African metal, he charged me not to say any thing of
this matter to any body; and he promised that the lying mate should
not go with him any more. This was a change indeed; in the same hour
to feel the most exquisite pain, and in the turn of a moment the
fullest joy. It caused in me such sensations as I was only able to
express in my looks; my heart was so overpowered with gratitude that I
could have kissed both of their feet. When I left the room I
immediately went, or rather flew, to the vessel, which being loaded,
my master, as good as his word, trusted me with a tierce of rum, and
another of sugar, when we sailed, and arrived safe at the elegant town
of Philadelphia. I soon sold my goods here pretty well; and in this
charming place I found every thing plentiful and cheap.
While I was in this place a very extraordinary occurrence befell me. I
had been told one evening of a _wise_ woman, a Mrs. Davis, who
revealed secrets, foretold events, &c. I put little faith in this
story at first, as I could not conceive that any mortal could foresee
the future disposals of Providence, nor did I believe in any other
revelation than that of the Holy Scriptures; however, I was greatly
astonished at seeing this woman in a dream that night, though a
person I never before beheld in my life; this made such an impression
on me, that I could not get the idea the next day out of my mind, and
I then became as anxious to see her as I was before indifferent;
accordingly in the evening, after we left off working, I inquired
where she lived, and being directed to her, to my inexpressible
surprise, beheld the very woman in the very same dress she appeared to
me to wear in the vision. She immediately told me I had dreamed of her
the preceding night; related to me many things that had happened with
a correctness that astonished me; and finally told me I should not be
long a slave: this was the more agreeable news, as I believed it the
more readily from her having so faithfully related the past incidents
of my life. She said I should be twice in very great danger of my life
within eighteen months, which, if I escaped, I should afterwards go on
well; so, giving me her blessing, we parted. After staying here some
time till our vessel was loaded, and I had bought in my little
traffic, we sailed from this agreeable spot for Montserrat, once more
to encounter the raging surfs.
We arrived safe at Montserrat, where we discharged our cargo; and soon
after that we took slaves on board for St. Eustatia, and from thence
to Georgia. I had always exerted myself and did double work, in order
to make our voyages as short as possible; and from thus over-working
myself while we were at Georgia I caught a fever and ague. I was very
ill for eleven days and near dying; eternity was now exceedingly
impressed on my mind, and I feared very much that awful event. I
prayed the Lord therefore to spare me; and I made a promise in my mind
to God, that I would be good if ever I should recover. At length, from
having an eminent doctor to attend me, I was restored again to health;
and soon after we got the vessel loaded, and set off for Montserrat.
During the passage, as I was perfectly restored, and had much business
of the vessel to mind, all my endeavours to keep up my integrity, and
perform my promise to God, began to fail; and, in spite of all I could
do, as we drew nearer and nearer to the islands, my resolutions more
and more declined, as if the very air of that country or climate
seemed fatal to piety. When we were safe arrived at Montserrat, and I
had got ashore, I forgot my former resolutions.--Alas! how prone is
the heart to leave that God it wishes to love! and how strongly do the
things of this world strike the senses and captivate the soul!--After
our vessel was discharged, we soon got her ready, and took in, as
usual, some of the poor oppressed natives of Africa, and other
negroes; we then set off again for Georgia and Charlestown. We arrived
at Georgia, and, having landed part of our cargo, proceeded to
Charlestown with the remainder. While we were there I saw the town
illuminated; the guns were fired, and bonfires and other
demonstrations of joy shewn, on account of the repeal of the stamp
act. Here I disposed of some goods on my own account; the white men
buying them with smooth promises and fair words, giving me however but
very indifferent payment. There was one gentleman particularly who
bought a puncheon of rum of me, which gave me a great deal of trouble;
and, although I used the interest of my friendly captain, I could not
obtain any thing for it; for, being a negro man, I could not oblige
him to pay me. This vexed me much, not knowing how to act; and I lost
some time in seeking after this Christian; and though, when the
Sabbath came (which the negroes usually make their holiday) I was much
inclined to go to public worship, I was obliged to hire some black men
to help to pull a boat across the water to God in quest of this
gentleman. When I found him, after much entreaty, both from myself and
my worthy captain, he at last paid me in dollars; some of them,
however, were copper, and of consequence of no value; but he took
advantage of my being a negro man, and obliged me to put up with those
or none, although I objected to them. Immediately after, as I was
trying to pass them in the market, amongst other white men, I was
abused for offering to pass bad coin; and, though I shewed them the
man I got them from, I was within one minute of being tied up and
flogged without either judge or jury; however, by the help of a good
pair of heels, I ran off, and so escaped the bastinadoes I should have
received. I got on board as fast as I could, but still continued in
fear of them until we sailed, which I thanked God we did not long
after; and I have never been amongst them since.
We soon came to Georgia, where we were to complete our lading; and
here worse fate than ever attended me: for one Sunday night, as I was
with some negroes in their master's yard in the town of Savannah, it
happened that their master, one Doctor Perkins, who was a very severe
and cruel man, came in drunk; and, not liking to see any strange
negroes in his yard, he and a ruffian of a white man he had in his
service beset me in an instant, and both of them struck me with the
first weapons they could get hold of. I cried out as long as I could
for help and mercy; but, though I gave a good account of myself, and
he knew my captain, who lodged hard by him, it was to no purpose. They
beat and mangled me in a shameful manner, leaving me near dead. I lost
so much blood from the wounds I received, that I lay quite motionless,
and was so benumbed that I could not feel any thing for many hours.
Early in the morning they took me away to the jail. As I did not
return to the ship all night, my captain, not knowing where I was, and
being uneasy that I did not then make my appearance, he made inquiry
after me; and, having found where I was, immediately came to me. As
soon as the good man saw me so cut and mangled, he could not forbear
weeping; he soon got me out of jail to his lodgings, and immediately
sent for the best doctors in the place, who at first declared it as
their opinion that I could not recover. My captain on this went to all
the lawyers in the town for their advice, but they told him they could
do nothing for me as I was a negro. He then went to Doctor Perkins,
the hero who had vanquished me, and menaced him, swearing he would be
revenged of him, and challenged him to fight.--But cowardice is ever
the companion of cruelty--and the Doctor refused. However, by the
skilfulness of one Doctor Brady of that place, I began at last to
amend; but, although I was so sore and bad with the wounds I had all
over me that I could not rest in any posture, yet I was in more pain
on account of the captain's uneasiness about me than I otherwise
should have been. The worthy man nursed and watched me all the hours
of the night; and I was, through his attention and that of the doctor,
able to get out of bed in about sixteen or eighteen days. All this
time I was very much wanted on board, as I used frequently to go up
and down the river for rafts, and other parts of our cargo, and stow
them when the mate was sick or absent. In about four weeks I was able
to go on duty; and in a fortnight after, having got in all our
lading, our vessel set sail for Montserrat; and in less than three
weeks we arrived there safe towards the end of the year. This ended my
adventures in 1764; for I did not leave Montserrat again till the
beginning of the following year.
END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.
They ran the ship aground: and the fore part stuck fast, and
remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with
the violence of the waves.
Acts xxvii. 41.
Howbeit, we must be cast upon a certain island;
Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it
shall be even as it was told me.
Acts xxvii. 26, 25.
Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received
a little thereof.
In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep
falleth on men.
Job iv. 12, 13.
Lo, all these _things_ worketh God oftentimes with man,
To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with
the light of the living.
Job xxxiii. 29, 30.
VOLUME II
CHAP. VII.
_The author's disgust at the West Indies--Forms schemes to
obtain his freedom--Ludicrous disappointment he and his
Captain meet with in Georgia--At last, by several successful
voyages, he acquires a sum of money sufficient to purchase
it--Applies to his master, who accepts it, and grants his
manumission, to his great joy--He afterwards enters as a
freeman on board one of Mr. King's ships, and sails for
Georgia--Impositions on free negroes as usual--His venture
of turkies--Sails for Montserrat, and on his passage his
friend, the Captain, falls ill and dies._
Every day now brought me nearer my freedom, and I was impatient till
we proceeded again to sea, that I might have an opportunity of getting
a sum large enough to purchase it. I was not long ungratified; for, in
the beginning of the year 1766, my master bought another sloop, named
the Nancy, the largest I had ever seen. She was partly laden, and was
to proceed to Philadelphia; our Captain had his choice of three, and I
was well pleased he chose this, which was the largest; for, from his
having a large vessel, I had more room, and could carry a larger
quantity of goods with me. Accordingly, when we had delivered our old
vessel, the Prudence, and completed the lading of the Nancy, having
made near three hundred per cent, by four barrels of pork I brought
from Charlestown, I laid in as large a cargo as I could, trusting to
God's providence to prosper my undertaking. With these views I sailed
for Philadelphia. On our passage, when we drew near the land, I was
for the first time surprised at the sight of some whales, having never
seen any such large sea monsters before; and as we sailed by the land
one morning I saw a puppy whale close by the vessel; it was about the
length of a wherry boat, and it followed us all the day till we got
within the Capes. We arrived safe and in good time at Philadelphia,
and I sold my goods there chiefly to the quakers. They always appeared
to be a very honest discreet sort of people, and never attempted to
impose on me; I therefore liked them, and ever after chose to deal
with them in preference to any others. One Sunday morning while I was
here, as I was going to church, I chanced to pass a meeting-house. The
doors being open, and the house full of people, it excited my
curiosity to go in. When I entered the house, to my great surprise, I
saw a very tall woman standing in the midst of them, speaking in an
audible voice something which I could not understand. Having never
seen anything of this kind before, I stood and stared about me for
some time, wondering at this odd scene. As soon as it was over I took
an opportunity to make inquiry about the place and people, when I was
informed they were called Quakers. I particularly asked what that
woman I saw in the midst of them had said, but none of them were
pleased to satisfy me; so I quitted them, and soon after, as I was
returning, I came to a church crowded with people; the church-yard was
full likewise, and a number of people were even mounted on ladders,
looking in at the windows. I thought this a strange sight, as I had
never seen churches, either in England or the West Indies, crowded in
this manner before. I therefore made bold to ask some people the
meaning of all this, and they told me the Rev. Mr. George Whitfield
was preaching. I had often heard of this gentleman, and had wished to
see and hear him; but I had never before had an opportunity. I now
therefore resolved to gratify myself with the sight, and I pressed in
amidst the multitude. When I got into the church I saw this pious man
exhorting the people with the greatest fervour and earnestness, and
sweating as much as I ever did while in slavery on Montserrat beach. I
was very much struck and impressed with this; I thought it strange I
had never seen divines exert themselves in this manner before, and I
was no longer at a loss to account for the thin congregations they
preached to. When we had discharged our cargo here, and were loaded
again, we left this fruitful land once more, and set sail for
Montserrat. My traffic had hitherto succeeded so well with me, that I
thought, by selling my goods when we arrived at Montserrat, I should
have enough to purchase my freedom. But, as soon as our vessel arrived
there, my master came on board, and gave orders for us to go to St.
Eustatia, and discharge our cargo there, and from thence proceed for
Georgia. I was much disappointed at this; but thinking, as usual, it
was of no use to encounter with the decrees of fate, I submitted
without repining, and we went to St. Eustatia. After we had discharged
our cargo there we took in a live cargo, as we call a cargo of slaves.
Here I sold my goods tolerably well; but, not being able to lay out
all my money in this small island to as much advantage as in many
other places, I laid out only part, and the remainder I brought away
with me neat. We sailed from hence for Georgia, and I was glad when we
got there, though I had not much reason to like the place from my last
adventure in Savannah; but I longed to get back to Montserrat and
procure my freedom, which I expected to be able to purchase when I
returned. As soon as we arrived here I waited on my careful doctor,
Mr. Brady, to whom I made the most grateful acknowledgments in my
power for his former kindness and attention during my illness. While
we were here an odd circumstance happened to the Captain and me, which
disappointed us both a good deal. A silversmith, whom we had brought
to this place some voyages before, agreed with the Captain to return
with us to the West Indies, and promised at the same time to give the
Captain a great deal of money, having pretended to take a liking to
him, and being, as we thought, very rich. But while we stayed to load
our vessel this man was taken ill in a house where he worked, and in a
week's time became very bad. The worse he grew the more he used to
speak of giving the Captain what he had promised him, so that he
expected something considerable from the death of this man, who had no
wife or child, and he attended him day and night. I used also to go
with the Captain, at his own desire, to attend him; especially when we
saw there was no appearance of his recovery: and, in order to
recompense me for my trouble, the Captain promised me ten pounds, when
he should get the man's property. I thought this would be of great
service to me, although I had nearly money enough to purchase my
freedom, if I should get safe this voyage to Montserrat. In this
expectation I laid out above eight pounds of my money for a suit of
superfine clothes to dance with at my freedom, which I hoped was then
at hand. We still continued to attend this man, and were with him even
on the last day he lived, till very late at night, when we went on
board. After we were got to bed, about one or two o'clock in the
morning, the Captain was sent for, and informed the man was dead. On
this he came to my bed, and, waking me, informed me of it, and desired
me to get up and procure a light, and immediately go to him. I told
him I was very sleepy, and wished he would take somebody else with
him; or else, as the man was dead, and could want no farther
attendance, to let all things remain as they were till the next
morning. 'No, no,' said he, 'we will have the money to-night, I cannot
wait till to-morrow; so let us go.' Accordingly I got up and struck a
light, and away we both went and saw the man as dead as we could wish.
The Captain said he would give him a grand burial, in gratitude for
the promised treasure; and desired that all the things belonging to
the deceased might be brought forth. Among others, there was a nest of
trunks of which he had kept the keys whilst the man was ill, and when
they were produced we opened them with no small eagerness and
expectation; and as there were a great number within one another, with
much impatience we took them one out of the other. At last, when we
came to the smallest, and had opened it, we saw it was full of papers,
which we supposed to be notes; at the sight of which our hearts leapt
for joy; and that instant the Captain, clapping his hands, cried out,
'Thank God, here it is.' But when we took up the trunk, and began to
examine the supposed treasure and long-looked-for bounty, (alas! alas!
how uncertain and deceitful are all human affairs!) what had we found!
While we thought we were embracing a substance we grasped an empty
nothing. The whole amount that was in the nest of trunks was only one
dollar and a half; and all that the man possessed would not pay for
his coffin. Our sudden and exquisite joy was now succeeded by a sudden
and exquisite pain; and my Captain and I exhibited, for some time,
most ridiculous figures--pictures of chagrin and disappointment! We
went away greatly mortified, and left the deceased to do as well as he
could for himself, as we had taken so good care of him when alive for
nothing. We set sail once more for Montserrat, and arrived there safe;
but much out of humour with our friend the silversmith. When we had
unladen the vessel, and I had sold my venture, finding myself master
of about forty-seven pounds, I consulted my true friend, the Captain,
how I should proceed in offering my master the money for my freedom.
He told me to come on a certain morning, when he and my master would
be at breakfast together. Accordingly, on that morning I went, and met
the Captain there, as he had appointed. When I went in I made my
obeisance to my master, and with my money in my hand, and many fears
in my heart, I prayed him to be as good as his offer to me, when he
was pleased to promise me my freedom as soon as I could purchase it.
This speech seemed to confound him; he began to recoil: and my heart
that instant sunk within me. 'What,' said he, 'give you your freedom?
Why, where did you get the money? Have you got forty pounds sterling?'
'Yes, sir,' I answered. 'How did you get it?' replied he. I told him,
very honestly. The Captain then said he knew I got the money very
honestly and with much industry, and that I was particularly careful.
On which my master replied, I got money much faster than he did; and
said he would not have made me the promise he did if he had thought I
should have got money so soon. 'Come, come,' said my worthy Captain,
clapping my master on the back, 'Come, Robert, (which was his name) I
think you must let him have his freedom; you have laid your money out
very well; you have received good interest for it all this time, and
here is now the principal at last. I know Gustavus has earned you more
than an hundred a-year, and he will still save you money, as he will
not leave you:--Come, Robert, take the money.' My master then said, he
would not be worse than his promise; and, taking the money, told me to
go to the Secretary at the Register Office, and get my manumission
drawn up. These words of my master were like a voice from heaven to
me: in an instant all my trepidation was turned into unutterable
bliss; and I most reverently bowed myself with gratitude, unable to
express my feelings, but by the overflowing of my eyes, while my true
and worthy friend, the Captain, congratulated us both with a peculiar
degree of heartfelt pleasure. As soon as the first transports of my
joy were over, and that I had expressed my thanks to these my worthy
friends in the best manner I was able, I rose with a heart full of
affection and reverence, and left the room, in order to obey my
master's joyful mandate of going to the Register Office. As I was
leaving the house I called to mind the words of the Psalmist, in the
126th Psalm, and like him, 'I glorified God in my heart, in whom I
trusted.' These words had been impressed on my mind from the very day
I was forced from Deptford to the present hour, and I now saw them, as
I thought, fulfilled and verified. My imagination was all rapture as I
flew to the Register Office, and, in this respect, like the apostle
Peter,[U] (whose deliverance from prison was so sudden and
extraordinary, that he thought he was in a vision) I could scarcely
believe I was awake. Heavens! who could do justice to my feelings at
this moment! Not conquering heroes themselves, in the midst of a
triumph--Not the tender mother who has just regained her long-lost
infant, and presses it to her heart--Not the weary hungry mariner, at
the sight of the desired friendly port--Not the lover, when he once
more embraces his beloved mistress, after she had been ravished from
his arms!--All within my breast was tumult, wildness, and delirium! My
feet scarcely touched the ground, for they were winged with joy, and,
like Elijah, as he rose to Heaven, they 'were with lightning sped as I
went on.' Every one I met I told of my happiness, and blazed about the
virtue of my amiable master and captain.
When I got to the office and acquainted the Register with my errand he
congratulated me on the occasion, and told me he would draw up my
manumission for half price, which was a guinea. I thanked him for his
kindness; and, having received it and paid him, I hastened to my
master to get him to sign it, that I might be fully released.
Accordingly he signed the manumission that day, so that, before night,
I who had been a slave in the morning, trembling at the will of
another, was become my own master, and completely free. I thought this
was the happiest day I had ever experienced; and my joy was still
heightened by the blessings and prayers of the sable race,
particularly the aged, to whom my heart had ever been attached with
reverence.
* * * * *
As the form of my manumission has something peculiar in it, and
expresses the absolute power and dominion one man claims over his
fellow, I shall beg leave to present it before my readers at full
length: