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:

_Montserrat_.--To all men unto whom these presents shall

come: I Robert King, of the parish of St. Anthony in the

said island, merchant, send greeting: Know ye, that I the

aforesaid Robert King, for and in consideration of the sum

of seventy pounds current money of the said island, to me in

hand paid, and to the intent that a negro man-slave, named

Gustavus Vassa, shall and may become free, have manumitted,

emancipated, enfranchised, and set free, and by these

presents do manumit, emancipate, enfranchise, and set free,

the aforesaid negro man-slave, named Gustavus Vassa, for

ever, hereby giving, granting, and releasing unto him, the

said Gustavus Vassa, all right, title, dominion,

sovereignty, and property, which, as lord and master over

the aforesaid Gustavus Vassa, I had, or now I have, or by

any means whatsoever I may or can hereafter possibly have

over him the aforesaid negro, for ever. In witness whereof I

the abovesaid Robert King have unto these presents set my

hand and seal, this tenth day of July, in the year of our

Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-six.

Robert King.

Signed, sealed, and delivered in the presence of Terrylegay,

Montserrat.

Registered the within manumission at full length, this

eleventh day of July, 1766, in liber D.

Terrylegay, Register.

* * * * *

In short, the fair as well as black people immediately styled me by a

new appellation, to me the most desirable in the world, which was

Freeman, and at the dances I gave my Georgia superfine blue clothes

made no indifferent appearance, as I thought. Some of the sable

females, who formerly stood aloof, now began to relax and appear less

coy; but my heart was still fixed on London, where I hoped to be ere

long. So that my worthy captain and his owner, my late master,

finding that the bent of my mind was towards London, said to me, 'We

hope you won't leave us, but that you will still be with the vessels.'

Here gratitude bowed me down; and none but the generous mind can judge

of my feelings, struggling between inclination and duty. However,

notwithstanding my wish to be in London, I obediently answered my

benefactors that I would go in the vessel, and not leave them; and

from that day I was entered on board as an able-bodied sailor, at

thirty-six shillings per month, besides what perquisites I could make.

My intention was to make a voyage or two, entirely to please these my

honoured patrons; but I determined that the year following, if it

pleased God, I would see Old England once more, and surprise my old

master, Capt. Pascal, who was hourly in my mind; for I still loved

him, notwithstanding his usage of me, and I pleased myself with

thinking of what he would say when he saw what the Lord had done for

me in so short a time, instead of being, as he might perhaps suppose,

under the cruel yoke of some planter. With these kind of reveries I

used often to entertain myself, and shorten the time till my return;

and now, being as in my original free African state, I embarked on

board the Nancy, after having got all things ready for our voyage. In

this state of serenity we sailed for St. Eustatia; and, having smooth

seas and calm weather, we soon arrived there: after taking our cargo

on board, we proceeded to Savannah in Georgia, in August, 1766. While

we were there, as usual, I used to go for the cargo up the rivers in

boats; and on this business I have been frequently beset by

alligators, which were very numerous on that coast, and I have shot

many of them when they have been near getting into our boats; which we

have with great difficulty sometimes prevented, and have been very

much frightened at them. I have seen a young one sold in Georgia alive

for six pence. During our stay at this place, one evening a slave

belonging to Mr. Read, a merchant of Savannah, came near our vessel,

and began to use me very ill. I entreated him, with all the patience I

was master of, to desist, as I knew there was little or no law for a

free negro here; but the fellow, instead of taking my advice,

persevered in his insults, and even struck me. At this I lost all

temper, and I fell on him and beat him soundly. The next morning his

master came to our vessel as we lay alongside the wharf, and desired

me to come ashore that he might have me flogged all round the town,

for beating his negro slave. I told him he had insulted me, and had

given the provocation, by first striking me. I had told my captain

also the whole affair that morning, and wished him to have gone along

with me to Mr. Read, to prevent bad consequences; but he said that it

did not signify, and if Mr. Read said any thing he would make matters

up, and had desired me to go to work, which I accordingly did. The

Captain being on board when Mr. Read came, he told him I was a free

man; and when Mr. Read applied to him to deliver me up, he said he

knew nothing of the matter. I was astonished and frightened at this,

and thought I had better keep where I was than go ashore and be

flogged round the town, without judge or jury. I therefore refused to

stir; and Mr. Read went away, swearing he would bring all the

constables in the town, for he would have me out of the vessel. When

he was gone, I thought his threat might prove too true to my sorrow;

and I was confirmed in this belief, as well by the many instances I

had seen of the treatment of free negroes, as from a fact that had

happened within my own knowledge here a short time before. There was a

free black man, a carpenter, that I knew, who, for asking a gentleman

that he worked for for the money he had earned, was put into gaol; and

afterwards this oppressed man was sent from Georgia, with false

accusations, of an intention to set the gentleman's house on fire, and

run away with his slaves. I was therefore much embarrassed, and very

apprehensive of a flogging at least. I dreaded, of all things, the

thoughts of being striped, as I never in my life had the marks of any

violence of that kind. At that instant a rage seized my soul, and for

a little I determined to resist the first man that should offer to lay

violent hands on me, or basely use me without a trial; for I would

sooner die like a free man, than suffer myself to be scourged by the

hands of ruffians, and my blood drawn like a slave. The captain and

others, more cautious, advised me to make haste and conceal myself;

for they said Mr. Read was a very spiteful man, and he would soon come

on board with constables and take me. At first I refused this counsel,

being determined to stand my ground; but at length, by the prevailing

entreaties of the captain and Mr. Dixon, with whom he lodged, I went

to Mr. Dixon's house, which was a little out of town, at a place

called Yea-ma-chra. I was but just gone when Mr. Read, with the

constables, came for me, and searched the vessel; but, not finding me

there, he swore he would have me dead or alive. I was secreted about

five days; however, the good character which my captain always gave me

as well as some other gentlemen who also knew me, procured me some

friends. At last some of them told my captain that he did not use me

well, in suffering me thus to be imposed upon, and said they would see

me redressed, and get me on board some other vessel. My captain, on

this, immediately went to Mr. Read, and told him, that ever since I

eloped from the vessel his work had been neglected, and he could not

go on with her loading, himself and mate not being well; and, as I had

managed things on board for them, my absence must retard his voyage,

and consequently hurt the owner; he therefore begged of him to forgive

me, as he said he never had any complaint of me before, for the many

years that I had been with him. After repeated entreaties, Mr. Read

said I might go to hell, and that he would not meddle with me; on

which my captain came immediately to me at his lodging, and, telling

me how pleasantly matters had gone on, he desired me to go on board.

Some of my other friends then asked him if he had got the constable's

warrant from them; the captain said, No. On this I was desired by them

to stay in the house; and they said they would get me on board of some

other vessel before the evening. When the captain heard this he became

almost distracted. He went immediately for the warrant, and, after

using every exertion in his power, he at last got it from my hunters;

but I had all the expenses to pay. After I had thanked all my friends

for their attention, I went on board again to my work, of which I had

always plenty. We were in haste to complete our lading, and were to

carry twenty head of cattle with us to the West Indies, where they are

a very profitable article. In order to encourage me in working, and to

make up for the time I had lost, my captain promised me the privilege

of carrying two bullocks of my own with me; and this made me work with

redoubled ardour. As soon as I had got the vessel loaded, in doing

which I was obliged to perform the duty of the mate as well as my own

work, and that the bullocks were near coming on board, I asked the

captain leave to bring my two, according to his promise; but, to my

great surprise, he told me there was no room for them. I then asked

him to permit me to take one; but he said he could not. I was a good

deal mortified at this usage, and told him I had no notion that he

intended thus to impose on me; nor could I think well of any man that

was so much worse than his word. On this we had some disagreement, and

I gave him to understand, that I intended to leave the vessel. At this

he appeared to be very much dejected; and our mate, who had been very

sickly, and whose duty had long devolved upon me, advised him to

persuade me to stay: in consequence of which he spoke very kindly to

me, making many fair promises, telling me that, as the mate was so

sickly, he could not do without me, and that, as the safety of the

vessel and cargo depended greatly upon me, he therefore hoped that I

would not be offended at what had passed between us, and swore he

would make up all matters when we arrived in the West Indies; so I

consented to slave on as before. Soon after this, as the bullocks were

coming on board, one of them ran at the captain, and butted him so

furiously in the breast, that he never recovered of the blow. In order

to make me some amends for his treatment about the bullocks, the

captain now pressed me very much to take some turkeys, and other

fowls, with me, and gave me liberty to take as many as I could find

room for; but I told him he knew very well I had never carried any

turkeys before, as I always thought they were such tender birds that

they were not fit to cross the seas. However, he continued to press me

to buy them for once; and, what was very surprising to me, the more I

was against it, the more he urged my taking them, insomuch that he

ensured me from all losses that might happen by them, and I was

prevailed on to take them; but I thought this very strange, as he had

never acted so with me before. This, and not being able to dispose of

my paper-money in any other way, induced me at length to take four

dozen. The turkeys, however, I was so dissatisfied about that I

determined to make no more voyages to this quarter, nor with this

captain; and was very apprehensive that my free voyage would be the

worst I had ever made. We set sail for Montserrat. The captain and

mate had been both complaining of sickness when we sailed, and as we

proceeded on our voyage they grew worse. This was about November, and

we had not been long at sea before we began to meet with strong

northerly gales and rough seas; and in about seven or eight days all

the bullocks were near being drowned, and four or five of them died.

Our vessel, which had not been tight at first, was much less so now;

and, though we were but nine in the whole, including five sailors and

myself, yet we were obliged to attend to the pumps every half or three

quarters of an hour. The captain and mate came on deck as often as

they were able, which was now but seldom; for they declined so fast,

that they were not well enough to make observations above four or five

times the whole voyage. The whole care of the vessel rested,

therefore, upon me, and I was obliged to direct her by my former

experience, not being able to work a traverse. The captain was now

very sorry he had not taught me navigation, and protested, if ever he

should get well again, he would not fail to do so; but in about

seventeen days his illness increased so much, that he was obliged to

keep his bed, continuing sensible, however, till the last, constantly

having the owner's interest at heart; for this just and benevolent man

ever appeared much concerned about the welfare of what he was

intrusted with. When this dear friend found the symptoms of death

approaching, he called me by my name; and, when I came to him, he

asked (with almost his last breath) if he had ever done me any harm?

'God forbid I should think so,' I replied, 'I should then be the most

ungrateful of wretches to the best of sorrow by his bedside, he

expired without saying another word; and the day following we

committed his body to the deep. Every man on board loved this man, and

regretted his death; but I was exceedingly affected at it, and I found

that I did not know, till he was gone, the strength of my regard for

him. Indeed I had every reason in the world to be attached to him;

for, besides that he was in general mild, affable, generous, faithful,

benevolent, and just, he was to me a friend and a father; and, had it

pleased Providence that he had died but five months before, I verily

believe I should not have obtained my freedom when I did; and it is

not improbable that I might not have been able to get it at any rate

afterwards. The captain being dead, the mate came on the deck, and

made such observations as he was able, but to no purpose. In the

course of a few days more, the few bullocks that remained were found

dead; but the turkies I had, though on the deck, and exposed to so

much wet and bad weather, did well, and I afterwards gained near three

hundred per cent, on the sale of them; so that in the event it proved

a happy circumstance for me that I had not bought the bullocks I

intended, for they must have perished with the rest; and I could not

help looking on this, otherwise trifling circumstance, as a particular

providence of God, and I was thankful accordingly. The care of the

vessel took up all my time, and engaged my attention entirely. As we

were now out of the variable winds, I thought I should not be much

puzzled to hit upon the islands. I was persuaded I steered right for

Antigua, which I wished to reach, as the nearest to us; and in the

course of nine or ten days we made this island, to our great joy; and

the next day after we came safe to Montserrat. Many were surprised

when they heard of my conducting the sloop into the port, and I now

obtained a new appellation, and was called Captain. This elated me not

a little, and it was quite flattering to my vanity to be thus styled

by as high a title as any free man in this place possessed. When the

death of the captain became known, he was much regretted by all who

knew him; for he was a man universally respected. At the same time the

sable captain lost no fame; for the success I had met with increased

the affection of my friends in no small measure.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote U: Acts, chap. xii. ver. 9.]

CHAP. VIII.

_The author, to oblige Mr. King, once more embarks for

Georgia in one of his vessels--A new captain is

appointed--They sail, and steer a new course--Three

remarkable dreams--The vessel is shipwrecked on the Bahama

bank, but the crew are preserved, principally by means of

the author--He sets out from the island with the captain, in

a small boat, in quest of a ship--Their distress--Meet with

a wrecker--Sail for Providence--Are overtaken again by a

terrible storm, and are all near perishing--Arrive at New

Providence--The author, after some time, sails from thence

to Georgia--Meets with another storm, and is obliged to put

back and refit--Arrives at Georgia--Meets new

impositions--Two white men attempt to kidnap him--Officiates

as a parson at a funeral ceremony--Bids adieu to Georgia,

and sails for Martinico._

As I had now, by the death of my captain, lost my great benefactor and

friend, I had little inducement to remain longer in the West Indies,

except my gratitude to Mr. King, which I thought I had pretty well

discharged in bringing back his vessel safe, and delivering his cargo

to his satisfaction. I began to think of leaving this part of the

world, of which I had been long tired, and returning to England, where

my heart had always been; but Mr. King still pressed me very much to

stay with his vessel; and he had done so much for me that I found

myself unable to refuse his requests, and consented to go another

voyage to Georgia, as the mate, from his ill state of health, was

quite useless in the vessel. Accordingly a new captain was appointed,

whose name was William Phillips, an old acquaintance of mine; and,

having refitted our vessel, and taken several slaves on board, we set

sail for St. Eustatia, where we stayed but a few days; and on the 30th

of January 1767 we steered for Georgia. Our new captain boasted

strangely of his skill in navigating and conducting a vessel; and in

consequence of this he steered a new course, several points more to

the westward than we ever did before; this appeared to me very

extraordinary.

On the fourth of February, which was soon after we had got into our

new course, I dreamt the ship was wrecked amidst the surfs and rocks,

and that I was the means of saving every one on board; and on the

night following I dreamed the very same dream. These dreams however

made no impression on my mind; and the next evening, it being my watch

below, I was pumping the vessel a little after eight o'clock, just

before I went off the deck, as is the custom; and being weary with the

duty of the day, and tired at the pump, (for we made a good deal of

water) I began to express my impatience, and I uttered with an oath,

'Damn the vessel's bottom out.' But my conscience instantly smote me

for the expression. When I left the deck I went to bed, and had

scarcely fallen asleep when I dreamed the same dream again about the

ship that I had dreamt the two preceeding nights. At twelve o'clock

the watch was changed; and, as I had always the charge of the

captain's watch, I then went upon deck. At half after one in the

morning the man at the helm saw something under the lee-beam that the

sea washed against, and he immediately called to me that there was a

grampus, and desired me to look at it. Accordingly I stood up and

observed it for some time; but, when I saw the sea wash up against it

again and again, I said it was not a fish but a rock. Being soon

certain of this, I went down to the captain, and, with some confusion,

told him the danger we were in, and desired him to come upon deck

immediately. He said it was very well, and I went up again. As soon as

I was upon deck the wind, which had been pretty high, having abated a

little, the vessel began to be carried sideways towards the rock, by

means of the current. Still the captain did not appear. I therefore

went to him again, and told him the vessel was then near a large rock,

and desired he would come up with speed. He said he would, and I

returned to the deck. When I was upon the deck again I saw we were not

above a pistol shot from the rock, and I heard the noise of the

breakers all around us. I was exceedingly alarmed at this; and the

captain having not yet come on the deck I lost all patience; and,

growing quite enraged, I ran down to him again, and asked him why he

did not come up, and what he could mean by all this? 'The breakers,'

said I, 'are round us, and the vessel is almost on the rock.' With

that he came on the deck with me, and we tried to put the vessel

about, and get her out of the current, but all to no purpose, the

wind being very small. We then called all hands up immediately; and

after a little we got up one end of a cable, and fastened it to the

anchor. By this time the surf was foaming round us, and made a

dreadful noise on the breakers, and the very moment we let the anchor

go the vessel struck against the rocks. One swell now succeeded

another, as it were one wave calling on its fellow: the roaring of the

billows increased, and, with one single heave of the swells, the sloop

was pierced and transfixed among the rocks! In a moment a scene of

horror presented itself to my mind, such as I never had conceived or

experienced before. All my sins stared me in the face; and especially,

I thought that God had hurled his direful vengeance on my guilty head

for cursing the vessel on which my life depended. My spirits at this

forsook me, and I expected every moment to go to the bottom: I

determined if I should still be saved that I would never swear again.

And in the midst of my distress, while the dreadful surfs were dashing

with unremitting fury among the rocks, I remembered the Lord, though

fearful that I was undeserving of forgiveness, and I thought that as

he had often delivered he might yet deliver; and, calling to mind the

many mercies he had shewn me in times past, they gave me some small

hope that he might still help me. I then began to think how we might

be saved; and I believe no mind was ever like mine so replete with

inventions and confused with schemes, though how to escape death I

knew not. The captain immediately ordered the hatches to be nailed

down on the slaves in the hold, where there were above twenty, all of

whom must unavoidably have perished if he had been obeyed. When he

desired the man to nail down the hatches I thought that my sin was the

cause of this, and that God would charge me with these people's blood.

This thought rushed upon my mind that instant with such violence, that

it quite overpowered me, and I fainted. I recovered just as the people

were about to nail down the hatches; perceiving which, I desired them

to stop. The captain then said it must be done: I asked him why? He

said that every one would endeavour to get into the boat, which was

but small, and thereby we should be drowned; for it would not have

carried above ten at the most. I could no longer restrain my emotion,

and I told him he deserved drowning for not knowing how to navigate

the vessel; and I believe the people would have tossed him overboard

if I had given them the least hint of it. However the hatches were not

nailed down; and, as none of us could leave the vessel then on account

of the darkness, and as we knew not where to go, and were convinced

besides that the boat could not survive the surfs, we all said we

would remain on the dry part of the vessel, and trust to God till

daylight appeared, when we should know better what to do.

I then advised to get the boat prepared against morning, and some of

us began to set about it; but some abandoned all care of the ship and

themselves, and fell to drinking. Our boat had a piece out of her

bottom near two feet long, and we had no materials to mend her;

however, necessity being the mother of invention, I took some pump

leather and nailed it to the broken part, and plastered it over with

tallow-grease. And, thus prepared, with the utmost anxiety of mind we

watched for daylight, and thought every minute an hour till it

appeared. At last it saluted our longing eyes, and kind Providence

accompanied its approach with what was no small comfort to us; for the

dreadful swell began to subside; and the next thing that we discovered

to raise our drooping spirits, was a small key or island, about five

or six miles off; but a barrier soon presented itself; for there was

not water enough for our boat to go over the reefs, and this threw us

again into a sad consternation; but there was no alternative, we were

therefore obliged to put but few in the boat at once; and, what is

still worse, all of us were frequently under the necessity of getting

out to drag and lift it over the reefs. This cost us much labour and

fatigue; and, what was yet more distressing, we could not avoid having

our legs cut and torn very much with the rocks. There were only four

people that would work with me at the oars; and they consisted of

three black men and a Dutch Creole sailor; and, though we went with

the boat five times that day, we had no others to assist us. But, had

we not worked in this manner, I really believe the people could not

have been saved; for not one of the white men did any thing to

preserve their lives; and indeed they soon got so drunk that they were

not able, but lay about the deck like swine, so that we were at last

obliged to lift them into the boat and carry them on shore by force.

This want of assistance made our labour intolerably severe; insomuch,

that, by putting on shore so often that day, the skin was entirely

stript off my hands.

However, we continued all the day to toil and strain our exertions,

till we had brought all on board safe to the shore; so that out of

thirty-two people we lost not one. My dream now returned upon my mind

with all its force; it was fulfilled in every part; for our danger was

the same I had dreamt of: and I could not help looking on myself as

the principal instrument in effecting our deliverance; for, owing to

some of our people getting drunk, the rest of us were obliged to

double our exertions; and it was fortunate we did, for in a very

little time longer the patch of leather on the boat would have been

worn out, and she would have been no longer fit for service. Situated

as we were, who could think that men should be so careless of the

danger they were in? for, if the wind had but raised the swell as it

was when the vessel struck, we must have bid a final farewell to all

hopes of deliverance; and though, I warned the people who were

drinking and entreated them to embrace the moment of deliverance,

nevertheless they persisted, as if not possessed of the least spark of

reason. I could not help thinking, that, if any of these people had

been lost, God would charge me with their lives, which, perhaps, was

one cause of my labouring so hard for their preservation, and indeed

every one of them afterwards seemed so sensible of the service I had

rendered them; and while we were on the key I was a kind of chieftain

amongst them. I brought some limes, oranges, and lemons ashore; and,

finding it to be a good soil where we were, I planted several of them

as a token to any one that might be cast away hereafter. This key, as

we afterwards found, was one of the Bahama islands, which consist of a

cluster of large islands, with smaller ones or keys, as they are

called, interspersed among them. It was about a mile in circumference,

with a white sandy beach running in a regular order along it. On that

part of it where we first attempted to land there stood some very

large birds, called flamingoes: these, from the reflection of the sun,

appeared to us at a little distance as large as men; and, when they

walked backwards and forwards, we could not conceive what they were:

our captain swore they were cannibals. This created a great panic

among us; and we held a consultation how to act. The captain wanted to

go to a key that was within sight, but a great way off; but I was

against it, as in so doing we should not be able to save all the

people; 'And therefore,' said I, 'let us go on shore here, and perhaps

these cannibals may take to the water.' Accordingly we steered towards

them; and when we approached them, to our very great joy and no less

wonder, they walked off one after the other very deliberately; and at

last they took flight and relieved us entirely from our fears. About

the key there were turtles and several sorts of fish in such abundance

that we caught them without bait, which was a great relief to us after

the salt provisions on board. There was also a large rock on the

beach, about ten feet high, which was in the form of a punch-bowl at

the top; this we could not help thinking Providence had ordained to

supply us with rainwater; and it was something singular that, if we

did not take the water when it rained, in some little time after it

would turn as salt as sea-water.

Our first care, after refreshment, was to make ourselves tents to

lodge in, which we did as well as we could with some sails we had

brought from the ship. We then began to think how we might get from

this place, which was quite uninhabited; and we determined to repair

our boat, which was very much shattered, and to put to sea in quest of

a ship or some inhabited island. It took us up however eleven days

before we could get the boat ready for sea in the manner we wanted it,

with a sail and other necessaries. When we had got all things prepared

the captain wanted me to stay on shore while he went to sea in quest

of a vessel to take all the people off the key; but this I refused;

and the captain and myself, with five more, set off in the boat

towards New Providence. We had no more than two musket load of

gunpowder with us if any thing should happen; and our stock of

provisions consisted of three gallons of rum, four of water, some salt

beef, some biscuit; and in this manner we proceeded to sea.

On the second day of our voyage we came to an island called Obbico,

the largest of the Bahama islands. We were much in want of water; for

by this time our water was expended, and we were exceedingly fatigued

in pulling two days in the heat of the sun; and it being late in the

evening, we hauled the boat ashore to try for water and remain during

the night: when we came ashore we searched for water, but could find

none. When it was dark, we made a fire around us for fear of the wild

beasts, as the place was an entire thick wood, and we took it by turns

to watch. In this situation we found very little rest, and waited with

impatience for the morning. As soon as the light appeared we set off

again with our boat, in hopes of finding assistance during the day. We

were now much dejected and weakened by pulling the boat; for our sail

was of no use, and we were almost famished for want of fresh water to

drink. We had nothing left to eat but salt beef, and that we could not

use without water. In this situation we toiled all day in sight of the

island, which was very long; in the evening, seeing no relief, we made

ashore again, and fastened our boat. We then went to look for fresh

water, being quite faint for the want of it; and we dug and searched

about for some all the remainder of the evening, but could not find

one drop, so that our dejection at this period became excessive, and

our terror so great, that we expected nothing but death to deliver us.

We could not touch our beef, which was as salt as brine, without fresh

water; and we were in the greatest terror from the apprehension of

wild beasts. When unwelcome night came we acted as on the night

before; and the next morning we set off again from the island in hopes

of seeing some vessel. In this manner we toiled as well as we were

able till four o'clock, during which we passed several keys, but could

not meet with a ship; and, still famishing with thirst, went ashore on

one of those keys again in hopes of finding some water. Here we found

some leaves with a few drops of water in them, which we lapped with

much eagerness; we then dug in several places, but without success. As

we were digging holes in search of water there came forth some very

thick and black stuff; but none of us could touch it, except the poor

Dutch Creole, who drank above a quart of it as eagerly as if it had

been wine. We tried to catch fish, but could not; and we now began to

repine at our fate, and abandon ourselves to despair; when, in the

midst of our murmuring, the captain all at once cried out 'A sail! a

sail! a sail!' This gladdening sound was like a reprieve to a

convict, and we all instantly turned to look at it; but in a little

time some of us began to be afraid it was not a sail. However, at a

venture, we embarked and steered after it; and, in half an hour, to

our unspeakable joy, we plainly saw that it was a vessel. At this our

drooping spirits revived, and we made towards her with all the speed

imaginable. When we came near to her, we found she was a little sloop,

about the size of a Gravesend hoy, and quite full of people; a

circumstance which we could not make out the meaning of. Our captain,

who was a Welchman, swore that they were pirates, and would kill us. I

said, be that as it might, we must board her if we were to die for it;

and, if they should not receive us kindly, we must oppose them as well

as we could; for there was no alternative between their perishing and

ours. This counsel was immediately taken; and I really believe that

the captain, myself, and the Dutchman, would then have faced twenty

men. We had two cutlasses and a musquet, that I brought in the boat;

and, in this situation, we rowed alongside, and immediately boarded

her. I believe there were about forty hands on board; but how great

was our surprise, as soon as we got on board, to find that the major

part of them were in the same predicament as ourselves!

They belonged to a whaling schooner that was wrecked two days before

us about nine miles to the north of our vessel. When she was wrecked

some of them had taken to their boats and had left some of their

people and property on a key, in the same manner as we had done; and

were going, like us, to New Providence in quest of a ship, when they

met with this little sloop, called a wrecker; their employment in

those seas being to look after wrecks. They were then going to take

the remainder of the people belonging to the schooner; for which the

wrecker was to have all things belonging to the vessel, and likewise

their people's help to get what they could out of her, and were then

to carry the crew to New Providence.

We told the people of the wrecker the condition of our vessel, and we

made the same agreement with them as the schooner's people; and, on

their complying, we begged of them to go to our key directly, because

our people were in want of water. They agreed, therefore, to go along

with us first; and in two days we arrived at the key, to the

inexpressible joy of the people that we had left behind, as they had

been reduced to great extremities for want of water in our absence.

Luckily for us, the wrecker had now more people on board than she

could carry or victual for any moderate length of time; they therefore

hired the schooner's people to work on our wreck, and we left them our

boat, and embarked for New Providence.

Nothing could have been more fortunate than our meeting with this

wrecker, for New Providence was at such a distance that we never could

have reached it in our boat. The island of Abbico was much longer than

we expected; and it was not till after sailing for three or four days

that we got safe to the farther end of it, towards New Providence.

When we arrived there we watered, and got a good many lobsters and

other shellfish; which proved a great relief to us, as our provisions

and water were almost exhausted. We then proceeded on our voyage; but

the day after we left the island, late in the evening, and whilst we

were yet amongst the Bahama keys, we were overtaken by a violent gale

of wind, so that we were obliged to cut away the mast. The vessel was

very near foundering; for she parted from her anchors, and struck

several times on the shoals. Here we expected every minute that she

would have gone to pieces, and each moment to be our last; so much so

that my old captain and sickly useless mate, and several others,

fainted; and death stared us in the face on every side. All the

swearers on board now began to call on the God of Heaven to assist

them: and, sure enough, beyond our comprehension he did assist us, and

in a miraculous manner delivered us! In the very height of our

extremity the wind lulled for a few minutes; and, although the swell

was high beyond expression, two men, who were expert swimmers,

attempted to go to the buoy of the anchor, which we still saw on the

water, at some distance, in a little punt that belonged to the

wrecker, which was not large enough to carry more than two. She filled

different times in their endeavours to get into her alongside of our

vessel; and they saw nothing but death before them, as well as we; but

they said they might as well die that way as any other. A coil of very

small rope, with a little buoy, was put in along with them; and, at

last, with great hazard, they got the punt clear from the vessel; and

these two intrepid water heroes paddled away for life towards the buoy

of the anchor. The eyes of us all were fixed on them all the time,

expecting every minute to be their last: and the prayers of all those

that remained in their senses were offered up to God, on their behalf,

for a speedy deliverance; and for our own, which depended on them; and

he heard and answered us! These two men at last reached the buoy; and,

having fastened the punt to it, they tied one end of their rope to the

small buoy that they had in the punt, and sent it adrift towards the

vessel. We on board observing this threw out boat-hooks and leads

fastened to lines, in order to catch the buoy: at last we caught it,

and fastened a hawser to the end of the small rope; we then gave them

a sign to pull, and they pulled the hawser to them, and fastened it to

the buoy: which being done we hauled for our lives; and, through the

mercy of God, we got again from the shoals into deep water, and the

punt got safe to the vessel. It is impossible for any to conceive our

heartfelt joy at this second deliverance from ruin, but those who have

suffered the same hardships. Those whose strength and senses were gone

came to themselves, and were now as elated as they were before

depressed. Two days after this the wind ceased, and the water became

smooth. The punt then went on shore, and we cut down some trees; and

having found our mast and mended it we brought it on board, and fixed

it up. As soon as we had done this we got up the anchor, and away we

went once more for New Providence, which in three days more we reached

safe, after having been above three weeks in a situation in which we

did not expect to escape with life. The inhabitants here were very

kind to us; and, when they learned our situation, shewed us a great

deal of hospitality and friendship. Soon after this every one of my

old fellow-sufferers that were free parted from us, and shaped their

course where their inclination led them. One merchant, who had a large

sloop, seeing our condition, and knowing we wanted to go to Georgia,

told four of us that his vessel was going there; and, if we would work

on board and load her, he would give us our passage free. As we could

not get any wages whatever, and found it very hard to get off the

place, we were obliged to consent to his proposal; and we went on

board and helped to load the sloop, though we had only our victuals

allowed us. When she was entirely loaded he told us she was going to

Jamaica first, where we must go if we went in her. This, however, I

refused; but my fellow-sufferers not having any money to help

themselves with, necessity obliged them to accept of the offer, and to

steer that course, though they did not like it.

We stayed in New Providence about seventeen or eighteen days; during

which time I met with many friends, who gave me encouragement to stay

there with them: but I declined it; though, had not my heart been

fixed on England, I should have stayed, as I liked the place

extremely, and there were some free black people here who were very

happy, and we passed our time pleasantly together, with the melodious

sound of the catguts, under the lime and lemon trees. At length

Captain Phillips hired a sloop to carry him and some of the slaves

that he could not sell to Georgia; and I agreed to go with him in this

vessel, meaning now to take my farewell of that place. When the vessel

was ready we all embarked; and I took my leave of New Providence, not

without regret. We sailed about four o'clock in the morning, with a

fair wind, for Georgia; and about eleven o'clock the same morning a

short and sudden gale sprung up and blew away most of our sails; and,

as we were still amongst the keys, in a very few minutes it dashed the

sloop against the rocks. Luckily for us the water was deep; and the

sea was not so angry but that, after having for some time laboured

hard, and being many in number, we were saved through God's mercy;

and, by using our greatest exertions, we got the vessel off. The next

day we returned to Providence, where we soon got her again refitted.

Some of the people swore that we had spells set upon us by somebody in

Montserrat; and others that we had witches and wizzards amongst the

poor helpless slaves; and that we never should arrive safe at Georgia.

But these things did not deter me; I said, 'Let us again face the

winds and seas, and swear not, but trust to God, and he will deliver

us.' We therefore once more set sail; and, with hard labour, in seven

day's time arrived safe at Georgia.

After our arrival we went up to the town of Savannah; and the same

evening I went to a friend's house to lodge, whose name was Mosa, a

black man. We were very happy at meeting each other; and after supper

we had a light till it was between nine and ten o'clock at night.

About that time the watch or patrol came by; and, discerning a light

in the house, they knocked at the door: we opened it; and they came in

and sat down, and drank some punch with us: they also begged some

limes of me, as they understood I had some, which I readily gave them.

A little after this they told me I must go to the watch-house with

them: this surprised me a good deal, after our kindness to them; and I

asked them, Why so? They said that all negroes who had light in their

houses after nine o'clock were to be taken into custody, and either

pay some dollars or be flogged. Some of those people knew that I was a

free man; but, as the man of the house was not free, and had his

master to protect him, they did not take the same liberty with him

they did with me. I told them that I was a free man, and just arrived

from Providence; that we were not making any noise, and that I was not

a stranger in that place, but was very well known there: 'Besides,'

said I, 'what will you do with me?'--'That you shall see,' replied

they, 'but you must go to the watch-house with us.' Now whether they

meant to get money from me or not I was at a loss to know; but I

thought immediately of the oranges and limes at Santa Cruz: and seeing

that nothing would pacify them I went with them to the watch-house,

where I remained during the night. Early the the next morning these

imposing ruffians flogged a negro-man and woman that they had in the

watch-house, and then they told me that I must be flogged too. I asked

why? and if there was no law for free men? And told them if there was

I would have it put in force against them. But this only exasperated

them the more; and instantly they swore they would serve me as Doctor

Perkins had done; and they were going to lay violent hands on me; when

one of them, more humane than the rest, said that as I was a free man

they could not justify stripping me by law. I then immediately sent

for Doctor Brady, who was known to be an honest and worthy man; and on

his coming to my assistance they let me go.

This was not the only disagreeable incident I met with while I was in

this place; for, one day, while I was a little way out of the town of

Savannah, I was beset by two white men, who meant to play their usual

tricks with me in the way of kidnapping. As soon as these men accosted

me, one of them said to the other, 'This is the very fellow we are

looking for that you lost:' and the other swore immediately that I was

the identical person. On this they made up to me, and were about to

handle me; but I told them to be still and keep off; for I had seen

those kind of tricks played upon other free blacks, and they must not

think to serve me so. At this they paused a little, and one said to

the other--it will not do; and the other answered that I talked too

good English. I replied, I believed I did; and I had also with me a

revengeful stick equal to the occasion; and my mind was likewise good.

Happily however it was not used; and, after we had talked together a

little in this manner, the rogues left me. I stayed in Savannah some

time, anxiously trying to get to Montserrat once more to see Mr. King,

my old master, and then to take a final farewell of the American

quarter of the globe. At last I met with a sloop called the Speedwell,

Captain John Bunton, which belonged to Grenada, and was bound to

Martinico, a French island, with a cargo of rice, and I shipped myself

on board of her. Before I left Georgia a black woman, who had a child

lying dead, being very tenacious of the church burial service, and not

able to get any white person to perform it, applied to me for that

purpose. I told her I was no parson; and besides, that the service

over the dead did not affect the soul. This however did not satisfy

her; she still urged me very hard: I therefore complied with her

earnest entreaties, and at last consented to act the parson for the

first time in my life. As she was much respected, there was a great

company both of white and black people at the grave. I then

accordingly assumed my new vocation, and performed the funeral

ceremony to the satisfaction of all present; after which I bade adieu

to Georgia, and sailed for Martinico.

CHAP. IX

_The author arrives at Martinico--Meets with new

difficulties--Gets to Montserrat, where he takes leave of

his old master, and sails for England--Meets Capt.

Pascal--Learns the French horn--Hires himself with Doctor

Irving, where he learns to freshen sea water--Leaves the

doctor, and goes a voyage to Turkey and Portugal; and

afterwards goes a voyage to Grenada, and another to

Jamaica--Returns to the Doctor, and they embark together on

a voyage to the North Pole, with the Hon. Capt. Phipps--Some

account of that voyage, and the dangers the author was

in--He returns to England._

I thus took a final leave of Georgia; for the treatment I had received

in it disgusted me very much against the place; and when I left it and

sailed for Martinico I determined never more to revisit it. My new

captain conducted his vessel safer than my former one; and, after an

agreeable voyage, we got safe to our intended port. While I was on

this island I went about a good deal, and found it very pleasant: in

particular I admired the town of St. Pierre, which is the principal

one in the island, and built more like an European town than any I had

seen in the West Indies. In general also, slaves were better treated,

had more holidays, and looked better than those in the English

islands. After we had done our business here, I wanted my discharge,

which was necessary; for it was then the month of May, and I wished

much to be at Montserrat to bid farewell to Mr. King, and all my other

friends there, in time to sail for Old England in the July fleet. But,

alas! I had put a great stumbling block in my own way, by which I was

near losing my passage that season to England. I had lent my captain

some money, which I now wanted to enable me to prosecute my

intentions. This I told him; but when I applied for it, though I urged

the necessity of my occasion, I met with so much shuffling from him,

that I began at last to be afraid of losing my money, as I could not

recover it by law: for I have already mentioned, that throughout the

West Indies no black man's testimony is admitted, on any occasion,

against any white person whatever, and therefore my own oath would

have been of no use. I was obliged, therefore, to remain with him

till he might be disposed to return it to me. Thus we sailed from

Martinico for the Grenades. I frequently pressing the captain for my

money to no purpose; and, to render my condition worse, when we got

there, the captain and his owners quarrelled; so that my situation

became daily more irksome: for besides that we on board had little or

no victuals allowed us, and I could not get my money nor wages, I

could then have gotten my passage free to Montserrat had I been able

to accept it. The worst of all was, that it was growing late in July,

and the ships in the islands must sail by the 26th of that month. At

last, however, with a great many entreaties, I got my money from the

captain, and took the first vessel I could meet with for St. Eustatia.

From thence I went in another to Basseterre in St. Kitts, where I

arrived on the 19th of July. On the 22d, having met with a vessel

bound to Montserrat, I wanted to go in her; but the captain and others

would not take me on board until I should advertise myself, and give

notice of my going off the island. I told them of my haste to be in

Montserrat, and that the time then would not admit of advertising, it

being late in the evening, and the captain about to sail; but he

insisted it was necessary, and otherwise he said he would not take me.

This reduced me to great perplexity; for if I should be compelled to

submit to this degrading necessity, which every black freeman is

under, of advertising himself like a slave, when he leaves an island,

and which I thought a gross imposition upon any freeman, I feared I

should miss that opportunity of going to Montserrat, and then I could

not get to England that year. The vessel was just going off, and no

time could be lost; I immediately therefore set about, with a heavy

heart, to try who I could get to befriend me in complying with the

demands of the captain. Luckily I found, in a few minutes, some

gentlemen of Montserrat whom I knew; and, having told them my

situation, I requested their friendly assistance in helping me off the

island. Some of them, on this, went with me to the captain, and

satisfied him of my freedom; and, to my very great joy, he desired me

to go on board. We then set sail, and the next day, the 23d, I arrived

at the wished-for place, after an absence of six months, in which I

had more than once experienced the delivering hand of Providence,

when all human means of escaping destruction seemed hopeless. I saw my

friends with a gladness of heart which was increased by my absence and

the dangers I had escaped, and I was received with great friendship by

them all, but particularly by Mr. King, to whom I related the fate of

his sloop, the Nancy, and the causes of her being wrecked. I now

learned with extreme sorrow, that his house was washed away during my

absence, by the bursting of a pond at the top of a mountain that was

opposite the town of Plymouth. It swept great part of the town away,

and Mr. King lost a great deal of property from the inundation, and

nearly his life. When I told him I intended to go to London that

season, and that I had come to visit him before my departure, the good

man expressed a great deal of affection for me, and sorrow that I

should leave him, and warmly advised me to stay there; insisting, as I

was much respected by all the gentlemen in the place, that I might do

very well, and in a short time have land and slaves of my own. I

thanked him for this instance of his friendship; but, as I wished very

much to be in London, I declined remaining any longer there, and

begged he would excuse me. I then requested he would be kind enough to

give me a certificate of my behaviour while in his service, which he

very readily complied with, and gave me the following:

_Montserrat, January 26, 1767._

'The bearer hereof, Gustavus Vassa, was my slave for upwards

of three years, during which he has always behaved himself

well, and discharged his duty with honesty and assiduity.

Robert King.

'To all whom this may concern.'

Having obtained this, I parted from my kind master, after many sincere

professions of gratitude and regard, and prepared for my departure for

London. I immediately agreed to go with one Capt. John Hamer, for

seven guineas, the passage to London, on board a ship called the

Andromache; and on the 24th and 25th I had free dances, as they are

called, with some of my countrymen, previous to my setting off; after

which I took leave of all my friends, and on the 26th I embarked for

London, exceedingly glad to see myself once more on board of a ship;

and still more so, in steering the course I had long wished for. With

a light heart I bade Montserrat farewell, and never had my feet on it

since; and with it I bade adieu to the sound of the cruel whip, and

all other dreadful instruments of torture; adieu to the offensive

sight of the violated chastity of the sable females, which has too

often accosted my eyes; adieu to oppressions (although to me less

severe than most of my countrymen); and adieu to the angry howling,

dashing surfs. I wished for a grateful and thankful heart to praise

the Lord God on high for all his mercies!

We had a most prosperous voyage, and, at the end of seven weeks,

arrived at Cherry-Garden stairs. Thus were my longing eyes once more

gratified with a sight of London, after having been absent from it

above four years. I immediately received my wages, and I never had

earned seven guineas so quick in my life before; I had thirty-seven

guineas in all, when I got cleared of the ship. I now entered upon a

scene, quite new to me, but full of hope. In this situation my first

thoughts were to look out for some of my former friends, and amongst

the first of those were the Miss Guerins. As soon, therefore, as I had

regaled myself I went in quest of those kind ladies, whom I was very

impatient to see; and with some difficulty and perseverance, I found

them at May's-hill, Greenwich. They were most agreeably surprised to

see me, and I quite overjoyed at meeting with them. I told them my

history, at which they expressed great wonder, and freely acknowledged

it did their cousin, Capt. Pascal, no honour. He then visited there

frequently; and I met him four or five days after in Greenwich park.

When he saw me he appeared a good deal surprised, and asked me how I

came back? I answered, 'In a ship.' To which he replied dryly, 'I

suppose you did not walk back to London on the water.' As I saw, by

his manner, that he did not seem to be sorry for his behaviour to me,

and that I had not much reason to expect any favour from him, I told

him that he had used me very ill, after I had been such a faithful

servant to him for so many years; on which, without saying any more,

he turned about and went away. A few days after this I met Capt.

Pascal at Miss Guerin's house, and asked him for my prize-money. He

said there was none due to me; for, if my prize money had been

10,000 £. he had a right to it all. I told him I was informed

otherwise; on which he bade me defiance; and, in a bantering tone,

desired me to commence a lawsuit against him for it: 'There are

lawyers enough,' said he, 'that will take the cause in hand, and you

had better try it.' I told him then that I would try it, which enraged

him very much; however, out of regard to the ladies, I remained still,

and never made any farther demand of my right. Some time afterwards

these friendly ladies asked me what I meant to do with myself, and how

they could assist me. I thanked them, and said, if they pleased, I

would be their servant; but if not, as I had thirty-seven guineas,

which would support me for some time, I would be much obliged to them

to recommend me to some person who would teach me a business whereby I

might earn my living. They answered me very politely, that they were

sorry it did not suit them to take me as their servant, and asked me

what business I should like to learn? I said, hair-dressing. They then

promised to assist me in this; and soon after they recommended me to a

gentleman whom I had known before, one Capt. O'Hara, who treated me

with much kindness, and procured me a master, a hair-dresser, in

Coventry-court, Haymarket, with whom he placed me. I was with this man

from September till the February following. In that time we had a

neighbour in the same court who taught the French horn. He used to

blow it so well that I was charmed with it, and agreed with him to

teach me to blow it. Accordingly he took me in hand, and began to

instruct me, and I soon learned all the three parts. I took great

delight in blowing on this instrument, the evenings being long; and

besides that I was fond of it, I did not like to be idle, and it

filled up my vacant hours innocently. At this time also I agreed with

the Rev. Mr. Gregory, who lived in the same court, where he kept an

academy and an evening-school, to improve me in arithmetic. This he

did as far as barter and alligation; so that all the time I was there

I was entirely employed. In February 1768 I hired myself to Dr.

Charles Irving, in Pall-mall, so celebrated for his successful

experiments in making sea water fresh; and here I had plenty of

hair-dressing to improve my hand. This gentleman was an excellent

master; he was exceedingly kind and good tempered; and allowed me in

the evenings to attend my schools, which I esteemed a great blessing;

therefore I thanked God and him for it, and used all my diligence to

improve the opportunity. This diligence and attention recommended me

to the notice and care of my three preceptors, who on their parts

bestowed a great deal of pains in my instruction, and besides were all

very kind to me. My wages, however, which were by two thirds less than

I ever had in my life (for I had only 12l. per annum) I soon found

would not be sufficient to defray this extraordinary expense of

masters, and my own necessary expenses; my old thirty-seven guineas

had by this time worn all away to one. I thought it best, therefore,

to try the sea again in quest of more money, as I had been bred to it,

and had hitherto found the profession of it successful. I had also a

very great desire to see Turkey, and I now determined to gratify it.

Accordingly, in the month of May, 1768, I told the doctor my wish to

go to sea again, to which he made no opposition; and we parted on

friendly terms. The same day I went into the city in quest of a

master. I was extremely fortunate in my inquiry; for I soon heard of a

gentleman who had a ship going to Italy and Turkey, and he wanted a

man who could dress hair well. I was overjoyed at this, and went

immediately on board of his ship, as I had been directed, which I

found to be fitted up with great taste, and I already foreboded no

small pleasure in sailing in her. Not finding the gentleman on board,

I was directed to his lodgings, where I met with him the next day, and

gave him a specimen of my dressing. He liked it so well that he hired

me immediately, so that I was perfectly happy; for the ship, master,

and voyage, were entirely to my mind. The ship was called the Delawar,

and my master's name was John Jolly, a neat smart good humoured man,

just such an one as I wished to serve. We sailed from England in July

following, and our voyage was extremely pleasant. We went to Villa

Franca, Nice, and Leghorn; and in all these places I was charmed with

the richness and beauty of the countries, and struck with the elegant

buildings with which they abound. We had always in them plenty of

extraordinary good wines and rich fruits, which I was very fond of;

and I had frequent occasions of gratifying both my taste and

curiosity; for my captain always lodged on shore in those places,

which afforded me opportunities to see the country around. I also

learned navigation of the mate, which I was very fond of. When we left

Italy we had delightful sailing among the Archipelago islands, and

from thence to Smyrna in Turkey. This is a very ancient city; the

houses are built of stone, and most of them have graves adjoining to

them; so that they sometimes present the appearance of church-yards.

Provisions are very plentiful in this city, and good wine less than a

penny a pint. The grapes, pomegranates, and many other fruits, were

also the richest and largest I ever tasted. The natives are well

looking and strong made, and treated me always with great civility. In

general I believe they are fond of black people; and several of them

gave me pressing invitations to stay amongst them, although they keep

the franks, or Christians, separate, and do not suffer them to dwell

immediately amongst them. I was astonished in not seeing women in any

of their shops, and very rarely any in the streets; and whenever I did

they were covered with a veil from head to foot, so that I could not

see their faces, except when any of them out of curiosity uncovered

them to look at me, which they sometimes did. I was surprised to see

how the Greeks are, in some measure, kept under by the Turks, as the

negroes are in the West Indies by the white people. The less refined

Greeks, as I have already hinted, dance here in the same manner as we

do in my nation. On the whole, during our stay here, which was about

five months, I liked the place and the Turks extremely well. I could

not help observing one very remarkable circumstance there: the tails

of the sheep are flat, and so very large, that I have known the tail

even of a lamb to weigh from eleven to thirteen pounds. The fat of

them is very white and rich, and is excellent in puddings, for which

it is much used. Our ship being at length richly loaded with silk, and

other articles, we sailed for England.

In May 1769, soon after our return from Turkey, our ship made a

delightful voyage to Oporto in Portugal, where we arrived at the time

of the carnival. On our arrival, there were sent on board to us

thirty-six articles to observe, with very heavy penalties if we should

break any of them; and none of us even dared to go on board any other

vessel or on shore till the Inquisition had sent on board and

searched for every thing illegal, especially bibles. Such as were

produced, and certain other things, were sent on shore till the ships

were going away; and any person in whose custody a bible was found

concealed was to be imprisoned and flogged, and sent into slavery for

ten years. I saw here many very magnificent sights, particularly the

garden of Eden, where many of the clergy and laity went in procession

in their several orders with the host, and sung Te Deum. I had a great

curiosity to go into some of their churches, but could not gain

admittance without using the necessary sprinkling of holy water at my

entrance. From curiosity, and a wish to be holy, I therefore complied

with this ceremony, but its virtues were lost on me, for I found

myself nothing the better for it. This place abounds with plenty of

all kinds of provisions. The town is well built and pretty, and

commands a fine prospect. Our ship having taken in a load of wine, and

other commodities, we sailed for London, and arrived in July

following. Our next voyage was to the Mediterranean. The ship was

again got ready, and we sailed in September for Genoa. This is one of

the finest cities I ever saw; some of the edifices were of beautiful

marble, and made a most noble appearance; and many had very curious

fountains before them. The churches were rich and magnificent, and

curiously adorned both in the inside and out. But all this grandeur

was in my eyes disgraced by the galley slaves, whose condition both

there and in other parts of Italy is truly piteous and wretched. After

we had stayed there some weeks, during which we bought many different

things which we wanted, and got them very cheap, we sailed to Naples,

a charming city, and remarkably clean. The bay is the most beautiful I

ever saw; the moles for shipping are excellent. I thought it

extraordinary to see grand operas acted here on Sunday nights, and

even attended by their majesties. I too, like these great ones, went

to those sights, and vainly served God in the day while I thus served

mammon effectually at night. While we remained here there happened an

eruption of mount Vesuvius, of which I had a perfect view. It was

extremely awful; and we were so near that the ashes from it used to be

thick on our deck. After we had transacted our business at Naples we

sailed with a fair wind once more for Smyrna, where we arrived in

December. A seraskier or officer took a liking to me here, and wanted

me to stay, and offered me two wives; however I refused the

temptation. The merchants here travel in caravans or large companies.

I have seen many caravans from India, with some hundreds of camels,

laden with different goods. The people of these caravans are quite

brown. Among other articles, they brought with them a great quantity

of locusts, which are a kind of pulse, sweet and pleasant to the

palate, and in shape resembling French beans, but longer. Each kind of

goods is sold in a street by itself, and I always found the Turks very

honest in their dealings. They let no Christians into their mosques or

churches, for which I was very sorry; as I was always fond of going to

see the different modes of worship of the people wherever I went. The

plague broke out while we were in Smyrna, and we stopped taking goods

into the ship till it was over. She was then richly laden, and we

sailed in about March 1770 for England. One day in our passage we met

with an accident which was near burning the ship. A black cook, in

melting some fat, overset the pan into the fire under the deck, which

immediately began to blaze, and the flame went up very high under the

foretop. With the fright the poor cook became almost white, and

altogether speechless. Happily however we got the fire out without

doing much mischief. After various delays in this passage, which was

tedious, we arrived in Standgate creek in July; and, at the latter end

of the year, some new event occurred, so that my noble captain, the

ship, and I all separated.

In April 1771 I shipped myself as a steward with Capt. Wm. Robertson

of the ship Grenada Planter, once more to try my fortune in the West

Indies; and we sailed from London for Madeira, Barbadoes, and the

Grenades. When we were at this last place, having some goods to sell,

I met once more with my former kind of West India customers. A white

man, an islander, bought some goods of me to the amount of some

pounds, and made me many fair promises as usual, but without any

intention of paying me. He had likewise bought goods from some more of

our people, whom he intended to serve in the same manner; but he still

amused us with promises. However, when our ship was loaded, and near

sailing, this honest buyer discovered no intention or sign of paying

for any thing he had bought of us; but on the contrary, when I asked

him for my money he threatened me and another black man he had bought

goods of, so that we found we were like to get more blows than

payment. On this we went to complain to one Mr. M'Intosh, a justice of

the peace; we told his worship of the man's villainous tricks, and

begged that he would be kind enough to see us redressed: but being

negroes, although free, we could not get any remedy; and our ship

being then just upon the point of sailing, we knew not how to help

ourselves, though we thought it hard to lose our property in this

manner. Luckily for us however, this man was also indebted to three

white sailors, who could not get a farthing from him; they therefore

readily joined us, and we all went together in search of him. When we

found where he was, I took him out of a house and threatened him with

vengeance; on which, finding he was likely to be handled roughly, the

rogue offered each of us some small allowance, but nothing near our

demands. This exasperated us much more; and some were for cutting his

ears off; but he begged hard for mercy, which was at last granted him,

after we had entirely stripped him. We then let him go, for which he

thanked us, glad to get off so easily, and ran into the bushes, after

having wished us a good voyage. We then repaired on board, and shortly

after set sail for England. I cannot help remarking here a very narrow

escape we had from being blown up, owing to a piece of negligence of

mine. Just as our ship was under sail, I went down into the cabin to

do some business, and had a lighted candle in my hand, which, in my

hurry, without thinking, I held in a barrel of gunpowder. It remained

in the powder until it was near catching fire, when fortunately I

observed it and snatched it out in time, and providentially no harm

happened; but I was so overcome with terror that I immediately fainted

at this deliverance.

In twenty-eight days time we arrived in England, and I got clear of

this ship. But, being still of a roving disposition, and desirous of

seeing as many different parts of the world as I could, I shipped

myself soon after, in the same year, as steward on board of a fine

large ship, called the Jamaica, Captain David Watt; and we sailed from

England in December 1771 for Nevis and Jamaica. I found Jamaica to be

a very fine large island, well peopled, and the most considerable of

the West India islands. There was a vast number of negroes here, whom

I found as usual exceedingly imposed upon by the white people, and the

slaves punished as in the other islands. There are negroes whose

business it is to flog slaves; they go about to different people for

employment, and the usual pay is from one to four bits. I saw many

cruel punishments inflicted on the slaves in the short time I stayed

here. In particular I was present when a poor fellow was tied up and

kept hanging by the wrists at some distance from the ground, and then

some half hundred weights were fixed to his ancles, in which posture

he was flogged most unmercifully. There were also, as I heard, two

different masters noted for cruelty on the island, who had staked up

two negroes naked, and in two hours the vermin stung them to death. I

heard a gentleman I well knew tell my captain that he passed sentence

on a negro man to be burnt alive for attempting to poison an overseer.

I pass over numerous other instances, in order to relieve the reader

by a milder scene of roguery. Before I had been long on the island,

one Mr. Smith at Port Morant bought goods of me to the amount of

twenty-five pounds sterling; but when I demanded payment from him, he

was going each time to beat me, and threatened that he would put me in

goal. One time he would say I was going to set his house on fire, at

another he would swear I was going to run away with his slaves. I was

astonished at this usage from a person who was in the situation of a

gentleman, but I had no alternative; I was therefore obliged to

submit. When I came to Kingston, I was surprised to see the number of

Africans who were assembled together on Sundays; particularly at a

large commodious place, called Spring Path. Here each different nation

of Africa meet and dance after the manner of their own country. They

still retain most of their native customs: they bury their dead, and

put victuals, pipes and tobacco, and other things, in the grave with

the corps, in the same manner as in Africa. Our ship having got her

loading we sailed for London, where we arrived in the August

following. On my return to London, I waited on my old and good master,

Dr. Irving, who made me an offer of his service again. Being now tired

of the sea I gladly accepted it. I was very happy in living with this

gentleman once more; during which time we were daily employed in

reducing old Neptune's dominions by purifying the briny element and

making it fresh. Thus I went on till May 1773, when I was roused by

the sound of fame, to seek new adventures, and to find, towards the

north pole, what our Creator never intended we should, a passage to

India. An expedition was now fitting out to explore a north-east

passage, conducted by the Honourable John Constantine Phipps, since

Lord Mulgrave, in his Majesty's sloop of war the Race Horse. My master

being anxious for the reputation of this adventure, we therefore

prepared every thing for our voyage, and I attended him on board the

Race Horse, the 24th day of May 1773. We proceeded to Sheerness, where

we were joined by his Majesty's sloop the Carcass, commanded by

Captain Lutwidge. On the 4th of June we sailed towards our destined

place, the pole; and on the 15th of the same month we were off

Shetland. On this day I had a great and unexpected deliverance from an

accident which was near blowing up the ship and destroying the crew,

which made me ever after during the voyage uncommonly cautious. The

ship was so filled that there was very little room on board for any

one, which placed me in a very aukward situation. I had resolved to

keep a journal of this singular and interesting voyage; and I had no

other place for this purpose but a little cabin, or the doctor's

store-room, where I slept. This little place was stuffed with all

manner of combustibles, particularly with tow and aquafortis, and many

other dangerous things. Unfortunately it happened in the evening as I

was writing my journal, that I had occasion to take the candle out of

the lanthorn, and a spark having touched a single thread of the tow,

all the rest caught the flame, and immediately the whole was in a

blaze. I saw nothing but present death before me, and expected to be

the first to perish in the flames. In a moment the alarm was spread,

and many people who were near ran to assist in putting out the fire.

All this time I was in the very midst of the flames; my shirt, and the

handkerchief on my neck, were burnt, and I was almost smothered with

the smoke. However, through God's mercy, as I was nearly giving up all

hopes, some people brought blankets and mattresses and threw them on

the flames, by which means in a short time the fire was put out. I was

severely reprimanded and menaced by such of the officers who knew it,

and strictly charged never more to go there with a light: and, indeed,

even my own fears made me give heed to this command for a little time;

but at last, not being able to write my journal in any other part of

the ship, I was tempted again to venture by stealth with a light in

the same cabin, though not without considerable fear and dread on my

mind. On the 20th of June we began to use Dr. Irving's apparatus for

making salt water fresh; I used to attend the distillery: I frequently

purified from twenty-six to forty gallons a day. The water thus

distilled was perfectly pure, well tasted, and free from salt; and was

used on various occasions on board the ship. On the 28th of June,

being in lat. 78, we made Greenland, where I was surprised to see the

sun did not set. The weather now became extremely cold; and as we

sailed between north and east, which was our course, we saw many very

high and curious mountains of ice; and also a great number of very

large whales, which used to come close to our ship, and blow the water

up to a very great height in the air. One morning we had vast

quantities of sea-horses about the ship, which neighed exactly like

any other horses. We fired some harpoon guns amongst them, in order to

take some, but we could not get any. The 30th, the captain of a

Greenland ship came on board, and told us of three ships that were

lost in the ice; however we still held on our course till July the

11th, when we were stopt by one compact impenetrable body of ice. We

ran along it from east to west above ten degrees; and on the 27th we

got as far north as 80, 37; and in 19 or 20 degrees east longitude

from London. On the 29th and 30th of July we saw one continued plain

of smooth unbroken ice, bounded only by the horizon; and we fastened

to a piece of ice that was eight yards eleven inches thick. We had

generally sunshine, and constant daylight; which gave cheerfulness and

novelty to the whole of this striking, grand, and uncommon scene; and,

to heighten it still more, the reflection of the sun from the ice gave

the clouds a most beautiful appearance. We killed many different

animals at this time, and among the rest nine bears. Though they had

nothing in their paunches but water yet they were all very fat. We

used to decoy them to the ship sometimes by burning feathers or skins.

I thought them coarse eating, but some of the ship's company relished

them very much. Some of our people once, in the boat, fired at and

wounded a sea-horse, which dived immediately; and, in a little time

after, brought up with it a number of others. They all joined in an

attack upon the boat, and were with difficulty prevented from staving

or oversetting her; but a boat from the Carcass having come to assist

ours, and joined it, they dispersed, after having wrested an oar from

one of the men. One of the ship's boats had before been attacked in

the same manner, but happily no harm was done. Though we wounded

several of these animals we never got but one. We remained hereabouts

until the 1st of August; when the two ships got completely fastened in

the ice, occasioned by the loose ice that set in from the sea. This

made our situation very dreadful and alarming; so that on the 7th day

we were in very great apprehension of having the ships squeezed to

pieces. The officers now held a council to know what was best for us

to do in order to save our lives; and it was determined that we should

endeavour to escape by dragging our boats along the ice towards the

sea; which, however, was farther off than any of us thought. This

determination filled us with extreme dejection, and confounded us with

despair; for we had very little prospect of escaping with life.

However, we sawed some of the ice about the ships to keep it from

hurting them; and thus kept them in a kind of pond. We then began to

drag the boats as well as we could towards the sea; but, after two or

three days labour, we made very little progress; so that some of our

hearts totally failed us, and I really began to give up myself for

lost, when I saw our surrounding calamities. While we were at this

hard labour I once fell into a pond we had made amongst some loose

ice, and was very near being drowned; but providentially some people

were near who gave me immediate assistance, and thereby I escaped

drowning. Our deplorable condition, which kept up the constant

apprehension of our perishing in the ice, brought me gradually to

think of eternity in such a manner as I never had done before. I had

the fears of death hourly upon me, and shuddered at the thoughts of

meeting the grim king of terrors in the _natural_ state I then was in,

and was exceedingly doubtful of a happy eternity if I should die in

it. I had no hopes of my life being prolonged for any time; for we

saw that our existence could not be long on the ice after leaving the

ships, which were now out of sight, and some miles from the boats. Our

appearance now became truly lamentable; pale dejection seized every

countenance; many, who had been before blasphemers, in this our

distress began to call on the good God of heaven for his help; and in

the time of our utter need he heard us, and against hope or human

probability delivered us! It was the eleventh day of the ships being

thus fastened, and the fourth of our drawing the boats in this manner,

that the wind changed to the E.N.E. The weather immediately became

mild, and the ice broke towards the sea, which was to the S.W. of us.

Many of us on this got on board again, and with all our might we hove

the ships into every open water we could find, and made all the sail

on them in our power; and now, having a prospect of success, we made

signals for the boats and the remainder of the people. This seemed to

us like a reprieve from death; and happy was the man who could first

get on board of any ship, or the first boat he could meet. We then

proceeded in this manner till we got into the open water again, which

we accomplished in about thirty hours, to our infinite joy and

gladness of heart. As soon as we were out of danger we came to anchor

and refitted; and on the 19th of August we sailed from this

uninhabited extremity of the world, where the inhospitable climate

affords neither food nor shelter, and not a tree or shrub of any kind

grows amongst its barren rocks; but all is one desolate and expanded

waste of ice, which even the constant beams of the sun for six months

in the year cannot penetrate or dissolve. The sun now being on the

decline the days shortened as we sailed to the southward; and, on the

28th, in latitude 73, it was dark by ten o'clock at night. September

the 10th, in latitude 58-59, we met a very severe gale of wind and

high seas, and shipped a great deal of water in the space of ten

hours. This made us work exceedingly hard at all our pumps a whole

day; and one sea, which struck the ship with more force than any thing

I ever met with of the kind before, laid her under water for some

time, so that we thought she would have gone down. Two boats were

washed from the booms, and the long-boat from the chucks: all other

moveable things on the deck were also washed away, among which were

many curious things of different kinds which we had brought from

Greenland; and we were obliged, in order to lighten the ship, to toss

some of our guns overboard. We saw a ship, at the same time, in very

great distress, and her masts were gone; but we were unable to assist

her. We now lost sight of the Carcass till the 26th, when we saw land

about Orfordness, off which place she joined us. From thence we sailed

for London, and on the 30th came up to Deptford. And thus ended our

Arctic voyage, to the no small joy of all on board, after having been

absent four months; in which time, at the imminent hazard of our

lives, we explored nearly as far towards the Pole as 81 degrees north,

and 20 degrees east longitude; being much farther, by all accounts,

than any navigator had ever ventured before; in which we fully proved

the impracticability of finding a passage that way to India.

CHAP. X.

_The author leaves Doctor Irving and engages on board a

Turkey ship--Account of a black man's being kidnapped on

board and sent to the West Indies, and the author's

fruitless endeavours to procure his freedom--Some account of

the manner of the author's conversion to the faith of Jesus

Christ._

Our voyage to the North Pole being ended, I returned to London with

Doctor Irving, with whom I continued for some time, during which I

began seriously to reflect on the dangers I had escaped, particularly

those of my last voyage, which made a lasting impression on my mind,

and, by the grace of God, proved afterwards a mercy to me; it caused

me to reflect deeply on my eternal state, and to seek the Lord with

full purpose of heart ere it was too late. I rejoiced greatly; and

heartily thanked the Lord for directing me to London, where I was

determined to work out my own salvation, and in so doing procure a

title to heaven, being the result of a mind blended by ignorance and

sin.

In process of time I left my master, Doctor Irving, the purifier of

waters, and lodged in Coventry-court, Haymarket, where I was

continually oppressed and much concerned about the salvation of my

soul, and was determined (in my own strength) to be a first-rate

Christian. I used every means for this purpose; and, not being able to

find any person amongst my acquaintance that agreed with me in point

of religion, or, in scripture language, 'that would shew me any good;'

I was much dejected, and knew not where to seek relief; however, I

first frequented the neighbouring churches, St. James's, and others,

two or three times a day, for many weeks: still I came away

dissatisfied; something was wanting that I could not obtain, and I

really found more heartfelt relief in reading my bible at home than in

attending the church; and, being resolved to be saved, I pursued other

methods still. First I went among the quakers, where the word of God

was neither read or preached, so that I remained as much in the dark

as ever. I then searched into the Roman catholic principles, but was

not in the least satisfied. At length I had recourse to the Jews,

which availed me nothing, for the fear of eternity daily harassed my

mind, and I knew not where to seek shelter from the wrath to come.

However this was my conclusion, at all events, to read the four

evangelists, and whatever sect or party I found adhering thereto such

I would join. Thus I went on heavily without any guide to direct me

the way that leadeth to eternal life. I asked different people

questions about the manner of going to heaven, and was told different

ways. Here I was much staggered, and could not find any at that time

more righteous than myself, or indeed so much inclined to devotion. I

thought we should not all be saved (this is agreeable to the holy

scriptures), nor would all be damned. I found none among the circle of

my acquaintance that kept wholly the ten commandments. So righteous

was I in my own eyes, that I was convinced I excelled many of them in

that point, by keeping eight out of ten; and finding those who in

general termed themselves Christians not so honest or so good in their

morals as the Turks, I really thought the Turks were in a safer way of

salvation than my neighbours: so that between hopes and fears I went

on, and the chief comforts I enjoyed were in the musical French horn,

which I then practised, and also dressing of hair. Such was my

situation some months, experiencing the dishonesty of many people

here. I determined at last to set out for Turkey, and there to end my

days. It was now early in the spring 1774. I sought for a master, and

found a captain John Hughes, commander of a ship called Anglicania,

fitting out in the river Thames, and bound to Smyrna in Turkey. I

shipped myself with him as a steward; at the same time I recommended

to him a very clever black man, John Annis, as a cook. This man was on

board the ship near two months doing his duty: he had formerly lived

many years with Mr. William Kirkpatrick, a gentleman of the island of

St. Kitts, from whom he parted by consent, though he afterwards tried

many schemes to inveigle the poor man. He had applied to many captains

who traded to St. Kitts to trepan him; and when all their attempts and

schemes of kidnapping proved abortive, Mr. Kirkpatrick came to our

ship at Union Stairs on Easter Monday, April the fourth, with two

wherry boats and six men, having learned that the man was on board;

and tied, and forcibly took him away from the ship, in the presence

of the crew and the chief mate, who had detained him after he had

notice to come away. I believe that this was a combined piece of

business: but, at any rate, it certainly reflected great disgrace on

the mate and captain also, who, although they had desired the

oppressed man to stay on board, yet he did not in the least assist to

recover him, or pay me a farthing of his wages, which was about five

pounds. I proved the only friend he had, who attempted to regain him

his liberty if possible, having known the want of liberty myself. I

sent as soon as I could to Gravesend, and got knowledge of the ship in

which he was; but unluckily she had sailed the first tide after he was

put on board. My intention was then immediately to apprehend Mr.

Kirkpatrick, who was about setting off for Scotland; and, having

obtained a _habeas corpus_ for him, and got a tipstaff to go with me

to St. Paul's church-yard, where he lived, he, suspecting something of

this kind, set a watch to look out. My being known to them occasioned

me to use the following deception: I whitened my face, that they might

not know me, and this had its desired effect. He did not go out of his

house that night, and next morning I contrived a well plotted

stratagem notwithstanding he had a gentleman in his house to personate

him. My direction to the tipstaff, who got admittance into the house,

was to conduct him to a judge, according to the writ. When he came

there, his plea was, that he had not the body in custody, on which he

was admitted to bail. I proceeded immediately to that philanthropist,

Granville Sharp, Esq. who received me with the utmost kindness, and

gave me every instruction that was needful on the occasion. I left him

in full hope that I should gain the unhappy man his liberty, with the

warmest sense of gratitude towards Mr. Sharp for his kindness; but,

alas! my attorney proved unfaithful; he took my money, lost me many

months employ, and did not do the least good in the cause: and when

the poor man arrived at St. Kitts, he was, according to custom, staked

to the ground with four pins through a cord, two on his wrists, and

two on his ancles, was cut and flogged most unmercifully, and

afterwards loaded cruelly with irons about his neck. I had two very

moving letters from him, while he was in this situation; and also was

told of it by some very respectable families now in London, who saw

him in St. Kitts, in the same state in which he remained till kind

death released him out of the hands of his tyrants. During this

disagreeable business I was under strong convictions of sin, and

thought that my state was worse than any man's; my mind was

unaccountably disturbed; I often wished for death, though at the same

time convinced I was altogether unprepared for that awful summons.

Suffering much by villains in the late cause, and being much concerned

about the state of my soul, these things (but particularly the latter)

brought me very low; so that I became a burden to myself, and viewed

all things around me as emptiness and vanity, which could give no

satisfaction to a troubled conscience. I was again determined to go to

Turkey, and resolved, at that time, never more to return to England. I

engaged as steward on board a Turkeyman (the Wester Hall, Capt.

Linna); but was prevented by means of my late captain, Mr. Hughes, and

others. All this appeared to be against me, and the only comfort I

then experienced was, in reading the holy scriptures, where I saw that

'there is no new thing under the sun,' Eccles. i. 9; and what was

appointed for me I must submit to. Thus I continued to travel in much

heaviness, and frequently murmured against the Almighty, particularly

in his providential dealings; and, awful to think! I began to

blaspheme, and wished often to be any thing but a human being. In

these severe conflicts the Lord answered me by awful 'visions of the

night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed,'

Job xxxiii. 15. He was pleased, in much mercy, to give me to see, and

in some measure to understand, the great and awful scene of the

judgment-day, that 'no unclean person, no unholy thing, can enter into

the kingdom of God,' Eph. v. 5. I would then, if it had been possible,

have changed my nature with the meanest worm on the earth; and was

ready to say to the mountains and rocks 'fall on me,' Rev. vi. 16; but

all in vain. I then requested the divine Creator that he would grant

me a small space of time to repent of my follies and vile iniquities,

which I felt were grievous. The Lord, in his manifold mercies, was

pleased to grant my request, and being yet in a state of time, the

sense of God's mercies was so great on my mind when I awoke, that my

strength entirely failed me for many minutes, and I was exceedingly

weak. This was the first spiritual mercy I ever was sensible of, and

being on praying ground, as soon as I recovered a little strength, and

got out of bed and dressed myself, I invoked Heaven from my inmost

soul, and fervently begged that God would never again permit me to

blaspheme his most holy name. The Lord, who is long-suffering, and

full of compassion to such poor rebels as we are, condescended to hear

and answer. I felt that I was altogether unholy, and saw clearly what

a bad use I had made of the faculties I was endowed with; they were

given me to glorify God with; I thought, therefore, I had better want

them here, and enter into life eternal, than abuse them and be cast

into hell fire. I prayed to be directed, if there were any holier than

those with whom I was acquainted, that the Lord would point them out

to me. I appealed to the Searcher of hearts, whether I did not wish to

love him more, and serve him better. Notwithstanding all this, the

reader may easily discern, if he is a believer, that I was still in

nature's darkness. At length I hated the house in which I lodged,

because God's most holy name was blasphemed in it; then I saw the word

of God verified, viz. 'Before they call, I will answer; and while they

are yet speaking, I will hear.'

I had a great desire to read the bible the whole day at home; but not

having a convenient place for retirement, I left the house in the day,

rather than stay amongst the wicked ones; and that day as I was

walking, it pleased God to direct me to a house where there was an old

sea-faring man, who experienced much of the love of God shed abroad in

his heart. He began to discourse with me; and, as I desired to love

the Lord, his conversation rejoiced me greatly; and indeed I had never

heard before the love of Christ to believers set forth in such a

manner, and in so clear a point of view. Here I had more questions to

put to the man than his time would permit him to answer; and in that

memorable hour there came in a dissenting minister; he joined our

discourse, and asked me some few questions; among others, where I

heard the gospel preached. I knew not what he meant by hearing the

gospel; I told him I had read the gospel: and he asked where I went to

church, or whether I went at all or not. To which I replied, 'I

attended St. James's, St. Martin's, and St. Ann's, Soho;'--'So,' said

he, 'you are a churchman.' I answered, I was. He then invited me to a

love-feast at his chapel that evening. I accepted the offer, and

thanked him; and soon after he went away, I had some further discourse

with the old Christian, added to some profitable reading, which made

me exceedingly happy. When I left him he reminded me of coming to the

feast; I assured him I would be there. Thus we parted, and I weighed

over the heavenly conversation that had passed between these two men,

which cheered my then heavy and drooping spirit more than any thing I

had met with for many months. However, I thought the time long in

going to my supposed banquet. I also wished much for the company of

these friendly men; their company pleased me much; and I thought the

gentlemen very kind, in asking me, a stranger, to a feast; but how

singular did it appear to me, to have it in a chapel! When the

wished-for hour came I went, and happily the old man was there, who

kindly seated me, as he belonged to the place. I was much astonished

to see the place filled with people, and no signs of eating and

drinking. There were many ministers in the company. At last they began

by giving out hymns, and between the singing the minister engaged in

prayer; in short, I knew not what to make of this sight, having never

seen any thing of the kind in my life before now. Some of the guests

began to speak their experience, agreeable to what I read in the

Scriptures; much was said by every speaker of the providence of God,

and his unspeakable mercies, to each of them. This I knew in a great

measure, and could most heartily join them. But when they spoke of a

future state, they seemed to be altogether certain of their calling

and election of God; and that no one could ever separate them from the

love of Christ, or pluck them out of his hands. This filled me with

utter consternation, intermingled with admiration. I was so amazed as

not to know what to think of the company; my heart was attracted and

my affections were enlarged. I wished to be as happy as them, and was

persuaded in my mind that they were different from the world 'that

lieth in wickedness,' 1 John v. 19. Their language and singing, &c.

did well harmonize; I was entirely overcome, and wished to live and

die thus. Lastly, some persons in the place produced some neat baskets

full of buns, which they distributed about; and each person

communicated with his neighbour, and sipped water out of different

mugs, which they handed about to all who were present. This kind of

Christian fellowship I had never seen, nor ever thought of seeing on

earth; it fully reminded me of what I had read in the holy scriptures,

of the primitive Christians, who loved each other and broke bread. In

partaking of it, even from house to house, this entertainment (which

lasted about four hours) ended in singing and prayer. It was the first

soul feast I ever was present at. This last twenty-four hours produced

me things, spiritual and temporal, sleeping and waking, judgment and

mercy, that I could not but admire the goodness of God, in directing

the blind, blasphemous sinner in the path that he knew not of, even

among the just; and instead of judgment he has shewed mercy, and will

hear and answer the prayers and supplications of every returning

prodigal:

O! to grace how great a debtor

Daily I'm constrain'd to be!

After this I was resolved to win Heaven if possible; and if I perished

I thought it should be at the feet of Jesus, in praying to him for

salvation. After having been an eye-witness to some of the happiness

which attended those who feared God, I knew not how, with any

propriety, to return to my lodgings, where the name of God was

continually profaned, at which I felt the greatest horror. I paused in

my mind for some time, not knowing what to do; whether to hire a bed

elsewhere, or go home again. At last, fearing an evil report might

arise, I went home, with a farewell to card-playing and vain jesting,

&c. I saw that time was very short, eternity long, and very near, and

I viewed those persons alone blessed who were found ready at midnight

call, or when the Judge of all, both quick and dead, cometh.

The next day I took courage, and went to Holborn, to see my new and

worthy acquaintance, the old man, Mr. C----; he, with his wife, a

gracious woman, were at work at silk weaving; they seemed mutually

happy, and both quite glad to see me, and I more so to see them. I sat

down, and we conversed much about soul matters, &c. Their discourse

was amazingly delightful, edifying, and pleasant. I knew not at last

how to leave this agreeable pair, till time summoned me away. As I

was going they lent me a little book, entitled "The Conversion of an

Indian." It was in questions and answers. The poor man came over the

sea to London, to inquire after the Christian's God, who, (through

rich mercy) he found, and had not his journey in vain. The above book

was of great use to me, and at that time was a means of strengthening

my faith; however, in parting, they both invited me to call on them

when I pleased. This delighted me, and I took care to make all the

improvement from it I could; and so far I thanked God for such company

and desires. I prayed that the many evils I felt within might be done

away, and that I might be weaned from my former carnal acquaintances.

This was quickly heard and answered, and I was soon connected with

those whom the scripture calls the excellent of the earth. I heard the

gospel preached, and the thoughts of my heart and actions were laid

open by the preachers, and the way of salvation by Christ alone was

evidently set forth. Thus I went on happily for near two months; and I

once heard, during this period, a reverend gentleman speak of a man

who had departed this life in full assurance of his going to glory. I

was much astonished at the assertion; and did very deliberately

inquire how he could get at this knowledge. I was answered fully,

agreeable to what I read in the oracles of truth; and was told also,

that if I did not experience the new birth, and the pardon of my sins,

through the blood of Christ, before I died, I could not enter the

kingdom of heaven. I knew not what to think of this report, as I

thought I kept eight commandments out of ten; then my worthy

interpreter told me I did not do it, nor could I; and he added, that

no man ever did or could keep the commandments, without offending in

one point. I thought this sounded very strange, and puzzled me much

for many weeks; for I thought it a hard saying. I then asked my

friend, Mr. L----d, who was a clerk in a chapel, why the commandments

of God were given, if we could not be saved by them? To which he

replied, 'The law is a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ,' who alone

could and did keep the commandments, and fulfilled all their

requirements for his elect people, even those to whom he had given a

living faith, and the sins of those chosen vessels _were already_

atoned for and forgiven them whilst living; and if I did not

experience the same before my exit, the Lord would say at that great

day to me 'Go ye cursed,' &c. &c. for God would appear faithful in his

judgments to the wicked, as he would be faithful in shewing mercy to

those who were ordained to it before the world was; therefore Christ

Jesus seemed to be all in all to that man's soul. I was much wounded

at this discourse, and brought into such a dilemma as I never

expected. I asked him, if _he_ was to die that moment, whether he was

sure to enter the kingdom of God? and added, 'Do you _know_ that your

sins are forgiven you?' He answered in the affirmative. Then

confusion, anger, and discontent seized me, and I staggered much at

this sort of doctrine; it brought me to a stand, not knowing which to

believe, whether salvation by works or by faith only in Christ. I

requested him to tell me how I might know when my sins were forgiven

me. He assured me he could not, and that none but God alone could do

this. I told him it was very mysterious; but he said it was really

matter of fact, and quoted many portions of scripture immediately to

the point, to which I could make no reply. He then desired me to pray

to God to shew me these things. I answered, that I prayed to God every

day. He said, 'I perceive you are a churchman.' I answered I was. He

then entreated me to beg of God to shew me what I was, and the true

state of my soul. I thought the prayer very short and odd; so we

parted for that time. I weighed all these things well over, and could

not help thinking how it was possible for a man to know that his sins

were forgiven him in this life. I wished that God would reveal this

self same thing unto me. In a short time after this I went to

Westminster chapel; the Rev. Mr. P---- preached, from Lam. iii. 39. It

was a wonderful sermon; he clearly shewed that a living man had no

cause to complain for the punishment of his sins; he evidently

justified the Lord in all his dealings with the sons of men; he also

shewed the justice of God in the eternal punishment of the wicked and

impenitent. The discourse seemed to me like a two-edged sword cutting

all ways; it afforded me much joy, intermingled with many fears, about

my soul; and when it was ended, he gave it out that he intended, the

ensuing week, to examine all those who meant to attend the Lord's

table. Now I thought much of my good works, and at the same time was

doubtful of my being a proper object to receive the sacrament; I was

full of meditation till the day of examining. However, I went to the

chapel, and, though much distressed, I addressed the reverend

gentleman, thinking, if I was not right, he would endeavour to

convince me of it. When I conversed with him, the first thing he asked

me was, what I knew of Christ? I told him I believed in him, and had

been baptized in his name. 'Then,' said he, 'when were you brought to

the knowledge of God? and how were you convinced of sin?' I knew not

what he meant by these questions; I told him I kept eight commandments

out of ten; but that I sometimes swore on board ship, and sometimes

when on shore, and broke the sabbath. He then asked me if I could

read? I answered, 'Yes.'--'Then,' said he, 'do you not read in the

bible, he that offends in one point is guilty of all?' I said, 'Yes.'

Then he assured me, that one sin unatoned for was as sufficient to

damn a soul as one leak was to sink a ship. Here I was struck with

awe; for the minister exhorted me much, and reminded me of the

shortness of time, and the length of eternity, and that no

unregenerate soul, or any thing unclean, could enter the kingdom of

Heaven. He did not admit me as a communicant; but recommended me to

read the scriptures, and hear the word preached, not to neglect

fervent prayer to God, who has promised to hear the supplications of

those who seek him in godly sincerity; so I took my leave of him, with

many thanks, and resolved to follow his advice, so far as the Lord

would condescend to enable me. During this time I was out of employ,

nor was I likely to get a situation suitable for me, which obliged me

to go once more to sea. I engaged as steward of a ship called the

Hope, Capt. Richard Strange, bound from London to Cadiz in Spain. In a

short time after I was on board I heard the name of God much

blasphemed, and I feared greatly, lest I should catch the horrible

infection. I thought if I sinned again, after having life and death

set evidently before me, I should certainly go to hell. My mind was

uncommonly chagrined, and I murmured much at God's providential

dealings with me, and was discontented with the commandments, that I

could not be saved by what I had done; I hated all things, and wished

I had never been born; confusion seized me, and I wished to be

annihilated. One day I was standing on the very edge of the stern of

the ship, thinking to drown myself; but this scripture was instantly

impressed on my mind--'that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in

him,' 1 John iii. 15. Then I paused, and thought myself the unhappiest

man living. Again I was convinced that the Lord was better to me than

I deserved, and I was better off in the world than many. After this I

began to fear death; I fretted, mourned, and prayed, till I became a

burden to others, but more so to myself. At length I concluded to beg

my bread on shore rather than go again to sea amongst a people who

feared not God, and I entreated the captain three different times to

discharge me; he would not, but each time gave me greater and greater

encouragement to continue with him, and all on board shewed me very

great civility: notwithstanding all this I was unwilling to embark

again. At last some of my religious friends advised me, by saying it

was my lawful calling, consequently it was my duty to obey, and that

God was not confined to place, &c. &c. particularly Mr. G.S. the

governor of Tothil-fields Bridewell, who pitied my case, and read the

eleventh chapter of the Hebrews to me, with exhortations. He prayed

for me, and I believed that he prevailed on my behalf, as my burden

was then greatly removed, and I found a heartfelt resignation to the

will of God. The good man gave me a pocket Bible and Allen's Alarm to

the unconverted. We parted, and the next day I went on board again. We

sailed for Spain, and I found favour with the captain. It was the

fourth of the month of September when we sailed from London; we had a

delightful voyage to Cadiz, where we arrived the twenty-third of the

same month. The place is strong, commands a fine prospect, and is very

rich. The Spanish galloons frequent that port, and some arrived whilst

we were there. I had many opportunities of reading the scriptures. I

wrestled hard with God in fervent prayer, who had declared in his word

that he would hear the groanings and deep sighs of the poor in spirit.

I found this verified to my utter astonishment and comfort in the

following manner:

On the morning of the 6th of October, (I pray you to attend) or all

that day, I thought that I should either see or hear something

supernatural. I had a secret impulse on my mind of something that was

to take place, which drove me continually for that time to a throne of

grace. It pleased God to enable me to wrestle with him, as Jacob did:

I prayed that if sudden death were to happen, and I perished, it might

be at Christ's feet.

In the evening of the same day, as I was reading and meditating on the

fourth chapter of the Acts, twelfth verse, under the solemn

apprehensions of eternity, and reflecting on my past actions, I began

to think I had lived a moral life, and that I had a proper ground to

believe I had an interest in the divine favour; but still meditating

on the subject, not knowing whether salvation was to be had partly for

our own good deeds, or solely as the sovereign gift of God; in this

deep consternation the Lord was pleased to break in upon my soul with

his bright beams of heavenly light; and in an instant as it were,

removing the veil, and letting light into a dark place, I saw clearly

with the eye of faith the crucified Saviour bleeding on the cross on

mount Calvary: the scriptures became an unsealed book, I saw myself a

condemned criminal under the law, which came with its full force to my

conscience, and when 'the commandment came sin revived, and I died,' I

saw the Lord Jesus Christ in his humiliation, loaded and bearing my

reproach, sin, and shame. I then clearly perceived that by the deeds

of the law no flesh living could be justified. I was then convinced

that by the first Adam sin came, and by the second Adam (the Lord

Jesus Christ) all that are saved must be made alive. It was given me

at that time to know what it was to be born again, John iii. 5. I saw

the eighth chapter to the Romans, and the doctrines of God's decrees,

verified agreeable to his eternal, everlasting, and unchangeable

purposes. The word of God was sweet to my taste, yea sweeter than

honey and the honeycomb. Christ was revealed to my soul as the

chiefest among ten thousand. These heavenly moments were really as

life to the dead, and what John calls an earnest of the Spirit[V].

This was indeed unspeakable, and I firmly believe undeniable by many.

Now every leading providential circumstance that happened to me, from

the day I was taken from my parents to that hour, was then in my view,

as if it had but just then occurred. I was sensible of the invisible

hand of God, which guided and protected me when in truth I knew it

not: still the Lord pursued me although I slighted and disregarded it;

this mercy melted me down. When I considered my poor wretched state I

wept, seeing what a great debtor I was to sovereign free grace. Now

the Ethiopian was willing to be saved by Jesus Christ, the sinner's

only surety, and also to rely on none other person or thing for

salvation. Self was obnoxious, and good works he had none, for it is

God that worketh in us both to will and to do. The amazing things of

that hour can never be told--it was joy in the Holy Ghost! I felt an

astonishing change; the burden of sin, the gaping jaws of hell, and

the fears of death, that weighed me down before, now lost their

horror; indeed I thought death would now be the best earthly friend I

ever had. Such were my grief and joy as I believe are seldom

experienced. I was bathed in tears, and said, What am I that God

should thus look on me the vilest of sinners? I felt a deep concern

for my mother and friends, which occasioned me to pray with fresh

ardour; and, in the abyss of thought, I viewed the unconverted people

of the world in a very awful state, being without God and without

hope.

It pleased God to pour out on me the Spirit of prayer and the grace of

supplication, so that in loud acclamations I was enabled to praise and

glorify his most holy name. When I got out of the cabin, and told some

of the people what the Lord had done for me, alas, who could

understand me or believe my report!--None but to whom the arm of the

Lord was revealed. I became a barbarian to them in talking of the love

of Christ: his name was to me as ointment poured forth; indeed it was

sweet to my soul, but to them a rock of offence. I thought my case

singular, and every hour a day until I came to London, for I much

longed to be with some to whom I could tell of the wonders of God's

love towards me, and join in prayer to him whom my soul loved and

thirsted after. I had uncommon commotions within, such as few can tell

aught about. Now the bible was my only companion and comfort; I prized

it much, with many thanks to God that I could read it for myself, and

was not left to be tossed about or led by man's devices and notions.

The worth of a soul cannot be told.--May the Lord give the reader an

understanding in this. Whenever I looked in the bible I saw things

new, and many texts were immediately applied to me with great comfort,

for I knew that to me was the word of salvation sent. Sure I was that

the Spirit which indited the word opened my heart to receive the truth

of it as it is in Jesus--that the same Spirit enabled me to act faith

upon the promises that were so precious to me, and enabled me to

believe to the salvation of my soul. By free grace I was persuaded

that I had a part in the first resurrection, and was 'enlightened with

the light of the living,' Job xxxiii. 30. I wished for a man of God

with whom I might converse: my soul was like the chariots of Aminidab,

Canticles vi. 12. These, among others, were the precious promises that

were so powerfully applied to me: 'All things whatsoever ye shall ask

in prayer, believing, ye shall receive,' Mat. xxi. 22. 'Peace I leave

with you, my peace I give unto you,' John xiv. 27. I saw the blessed

Redeemer to be the fountain of life, and the well of salvation. I

experienced him all in all; he had brought me by a way that I knew

not, and he had made crooked paths straight. Then in his name I set up

my Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto he hath helped me: and could say to the

sinners about me, Behold what a Saviour I have! Thus I was, by the

teaching of that all-glorious Deity, the great One in Three, and Three

in One, confirmed in the truths of the bible, those oracles of

everlasting truth, on which every soul living must stand or fall

eternally, agreeable to Acts iv. 12. 'Neither is there salvation in

any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men

whereby we must be saved, but only Christ Jesus.' May God give the

reader a right understanding in these facts! To him that believeth all

things are possible, but to them that are unbelieving nothing is pure,

Titus i. 15. During this period we remained at Cadiz until our ship

got laden. We sailed about the fourth of November; and, having a good

passage, we arrived in London the month following, to my comfort, with

heartfelt gratitude to God for his rich and unspeakable mercies. On my

return I had but one text which puzzled me, or that the devil

endeavoured to buffet me with, viz. Rom. xi. 6. and, as I had heard of

the Reverend Mr. Romaine, and his great knowledge in the scriptures, I

wished much to hear him preach. One day I went to Blackfriars church,

and, to my great satisfaction and surprise, he preached from that very

text. He very clearly shewed the difference between human works and

free election, which is according to God's sovereign will and

pleasure. These glad tidings set me entirely at liberty, and I went

out of the church rejoicing, seeing my spots were those of God's

children. I went to Westminster Chapel, and saw some of my old

friends, who were glad when they perceived the wonderful change that

the Lord had wrought in me, particularly Mr. G---- S----, my worthy

acquaintance, who was a man of a choice spirit, and had great zeal for

the Lord's service. I enjoyed his correspondence till he died in the

year 1784. I was again examined at that same chapel, and was received

into church fellowship amongst them: I rejoiced in spirit, making

melody in my heart to the God of all my mercies. Now my whole wish was

to be dissolved, and to be with Christ--but, alas! I must wait mine

appointed time.

* * * * *

MISCELLANEOUS VERSES,

or

Reflections on the State of my mind during my first

Convictions; of the Necessity of believing the Truth, and

experiencing the inestimable Benefits of Christianity.

Well may I say my life has been

One scene of sorrow and of pain;

From early days I griefs have known,

And as I grew my griefs have grown:

Dangers were always in my path;

And fear of wrath, and sometimes death;

While pale dejection in me reign'd

I often wept, by grief constrain'd.

When taken from my native land,

By an unjust and cruel band,

How did uncommon dread prevail!

My sighs no more I could conceal.

'To ease my mind I often strove,

And tried my trouble to remove:

I sung, and utter'd sighs between--

Assay'd to stifle guilt with sin.

'But O! not all that I could do

Would stop the current of my woe;

Conviction still my vileness shew'd;

How great my guilt--how lost from God!

'Prevented, that I could not die,

Nor might to one kind refuge fly;

An orphan state I had to mourn,--

Forsook by all, and left forlorn.'

Those who beheld my downcast mien

Could not guess at my woes unseen:

They by appearance could not know

The troubles that I waded through.

'Lust, anger, blasphemy, and pride,

With legions of such ills beside,

Troubled my thoughts,' while doubts and fears

Clouded and darken'd most my years.

'Sighs now no more would be confin'd--

They breath'd the trouble of my mind:

I wish'd for death, but check'd the word,

And often pray'd unto the Lord.'

Unhappy, more than some on earth,

I thought the place that gave me birth--

Strange thoughts oppress'd--while I replied

"Why not in Ethiopia died?"

And why thus spared, nigh to hell?--

God only knew--I could not tell!

'A tott'ring fence, a bowing wall

thought myself ere since the fall.'

'Oft times I mused, nigh despair,

While birds melodious fill'd the air:

Thrice happy songsters, ever free,

How bless'd were they compar'd to me!'

Thus all things added to my pain,

While grief compell'd me to complain;

When sable clouds began to rise

My mind grew darker than the skies.

The English nation call'd to leave,

How did my breast with sorrows heave!

I long'd for rest--cried "Help me, Lord!

Some mitigation, Lord, afford!"

Yet on, dejected, still I went--

Heart-throbbing woes within were pent;

Nor land, nor sea, could comfort give,

Nothing my anxious mind relieve.

Weary with travail, yet unknown

To all but God and self alone,

Numerous months for peace I strove,

And numerous foes I had to prove.

Inur'd to dangers, griefs, and woes,

Train'd up 'midst perils, deaths, and foes,

I said "Must it thus ever be?--

No quiet is permitted me."

Hard hap, and more than heavy lot!

I pray'd to God "Forget me not--

What thou ordain'st willing I'll bear;

But O! deliver from despair!"

Strivings and wrestlings seem'd in vain;

Nothing I did could ease my pain:

Then gave I up my works and will,

Confess'd and own'd my doom was hell!

Like some poor pris'ner at the bar,

Conscious of guilt, of sin and fear,

Arraign'd, and self-condemned, I stood--

'Lost in the world, and in my blood!'

Yet here, 'midst blackest clouds confin'd,

A beam from Christ, the day-star, shin'd;

Surely, thought I, if Jesus please,

He can at once sign my release.

I, ignorant of his righteousness,

Set up my labours in its place;

'Forgot for why his blood was shed,

And pray'd and fasted in its stead.'

He dy'd for sinners--I am one!

Might not his blood for me atone?

Tho' I am nothing else but sin,

Yet surely he can make me clean!

Thus light came in, and I believ'd;

Myself forgot, and help receiv'd!

My Saviour then I know I found,

For, eas'd from guilt, no more I groan'd.

O, happy hour, in which I ceas'd

To mourn, for then I found a rest!

My soul and Christ were now as one--

Thy light, O Jesus, in me shone!

Bless'd be thy name, for now I know

I and my works can nothing do;

"The Lord alone can ransom man--

For this the spotless Lamb was slain!"

When sacrifices, works, and pray'r,

Prov'd vain, and ineffectual were,

"Lo, then I come!" the Saviour cry'd,

And, bleeding, bow'd his head and dy'd!

He dy'd for all who ever saw

No help in them, nor by the law:--

I this have seen; and gladly own

"Salvation is by Christ alone[W]!"

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote V: John xvi. 13, 14. &c.]

[Footnote W: Acts iv. 12.]

CHAP. XI.

_The author embarks on board a ship bound for Cadiz--Is near

being shipwrecked--Goes to Malaga--Remarkable fine cathedral

there--The author disputes with a popish priest--Picking up

eleven miserable men at sea in returning to England--Engages

again with Doctor Irving to accompany him to Jamaica and the

Mosquito Shore--Meets with an Indian prince on board--The

author attempts to instruct him in the truths of the

Gospel--Frustrated by the bad example of some in the

ship--They arrive on the Mosquito Shore with some slaves

they purchased at Jamaica, and begin to cultivate a

plantation--Some account of the manners and customs of the

Mosquito Indians--Successful device of the author's to quell

a riot among them--Curious entertainment given by them to

Doctor Irving and the author, who leaves the shore and goes

for Jamaica--Is barbarously treated by a man with whom he

engaged for his passage--Escapes and goes to the Mosquito

admiral, who treats him kindly--He gets another vessel and

goes on board--Instances of bad treatment--Meets Doctor

Irving--Gets to Jamaica--Is cheated by his captain--Leaves

the Doctor and goes for England._

When our ship was got ready for sea again, I was entreated by the

captain to go in her once more; but, as I felt myself now as happy as

I could wish to be in this life, I for some time refused; however, the

advice of my friends at last prevailed; and, in full resignation to

the will of God, I again embarked for Cadiz in March 1775. We had a

very good passage, without any material accident, until we arrived off

the Bay of Cadiz; when one Sunday, just as we were going into the

harbour, the ship struck against a rock and knocked off a garboard

plank, which is the next to the keel. In an instant all hands were in

the greatest confusion, and began with loud cries to call on God to

have mercy on them. Although I could not swim, and saw no way of

escaping death, I felt no dread in my then situation, having no desire

to live. I even rejoiced in spirit, thinking this death would be

sudden glory. But the fulness of time was not yet come. The people

near to me were much astonished in seeing me thus calm and resigned;

but I told them of the peace of God, which through sovereign grace I

enjoyed, and these words were that instant in my mind:

"Christ is my pilot wise, my compass is his word;

My soul each storm defies, while I have such a Lord.

I trust his faithfulness and power,

To save me in the trying hour.

Though rocks and quicksands deep through all my passage lie,

Yet Christ shall safely keep and guide me with his eye.

How can I sink with such a prop,

That bears the world and all things up?"

At this time there were many large Spanish flukers or passage-vessels

full of people crossing the channel; who seeing our condition, a

number of them came alongside of us. As many hands as could be

employed began to work; some at our three pumps, and the rest

unloading the ship as fast as possible. There being only a single rock

called the Porpus on which we struck, we soon got off it, and

providentially it was then high water, we therefore run the ship

ashore at the nearest place to keep her from sinking. After many

tides, with a great deal of care and industry, we got her repaired

again. When we had dispatched our business at Cadiz, we went to

Gibraltar, and from thence to Malaga, a very pleasant and rich city,

where there is one of the finest cathedrals I had ever seen. It had

been above fifty years in building, as I heard, though it was not then

quite finished; great part of the inside, however, was completed and

highly decorated with the richest marble columns and many superb

paintings; it was lighted occasionally by an amazing number of wax

tapers of different sizes, some of which were as thick as a man's

thigh; these, however, were only used on some of their grand

festivals.

I was very much shocked at the custom of bull-baiting, and other

diversions which prevailed here on Sunday evenings, to the great

scandal of Christianity and morals. I used to express my abhorrence of

it to a priest whom I met with. I had frequent contests about religion

with the reverend father, in which he took great pains to make a

proselyte of me to his church; and I no less to convert him to mine.

On these occasions I used to produce my Bible, and shew him in what

points his church erred. He then said he had been in England, and that

every person there read the Bible, which was very wrong; but I

answered him that Christ desired us to search the Scriptures. In his

zeal for my conversion, he solicited me to go to one of the

universities in Spain, and declared that I should have my education

free; and told me, if I got myself made a priest, I might in time

become even pope; and that Pope Benedict was a black man. As I was

ever desirous of learning, I paused for some time upon this

temptation; and thought by being crafty I might catch some with guile;

but I began to think that it would be only hypocrisy in me to embrace

his offer, as I could not in conscience conform to the opinions of his

church. I was therefore enabled to regard the word of God, which says,

'Come out from amongst them,' and refused Father Vincent's offer. So

we parted without conviction on either side.

Having taken at this place some fine wines, fruits, and money, we

proceeded to Cadiz, where we took about two tons more of money, &c.

and then sailed for England in the month of June. When we were about

the north latitude 42, we had contrary wind for several days, and the

ship did not make in that time above six or seven miles straight

course. This made the captain exceeding fretful and peevish: and I was

very sorry to hear God's most holy name often blasphemed by him. One

day, as he was in that impious mood, a young gentleman on board, who

was a passenger, reproached him, and said he acted wrong; for we ought

to be thankful to God for all things, as we were not in want of any

thing on board; and though the wind was contrary for us, yet it was

fair for some others, who, perhaps, stood in more need of it than we.

I immediately seconded this young gentleman with some boldness, and

said we had not the least cause to murmur, for that the Lord was

better to us than we deserved, and that he had done all things well. I

expected that the captain would be very angry with me for speaking,

but he replied not a word. However, before that time on the following

day, being the 21st of June, much to our great joy and astonishment,

we saw the providential hand of our benign Creator, whose ways with

his blind creatures are past finding out. The preceding night I

dreamed that I saw a boat immediately off the starboard main shrouds;

and exactly at half past one o'clock, the following day at noon, while

I was below, just as we had dined in the cabin, the man at the helm

cried out, A boat! which brought my dream that instant into my mind. I

was the first man that jumped on the deck; and, looking from the

shrouds onward, according to my dream, I descried a little boat at

some distance; but, as the waves were high, it was as much as we could

do sometimes to discern her; we however stopped the ship's way, and

the boat, which was extremely small, came alongside with eleven

miserable men, whom we took on board immediately. To all human

appearance, these people must have perished in the course of one hour

or less, the boat being small, it barely contained them. When we took

them up they were half drowned, and had no victuals, compass, water,

or any other necessary whatsoever, and had only one bit of an oar to

steer with, and that right before the wind; so that they were obliged

to trust entirely to the mercy of the waves. As soon as we got them

all on board, they bowed themselves on their knees, and, with hands

and voices lifted up to heaven, thanked God for their deliverance; and

I trust that my prayers were not wanting amongst them at the same

time. This mercy of the Lord quite melted me, and I recollected his

words, which I saw thus verified in the 107th Psalm 'O give thanks

unto the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever. Hungry

and thirsty, their souls fainted in them. They cried unto Lord in

their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses. And he

led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of

habitation. O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness and for

his wonderful works to the children of men! For he satisfieth the

longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.

'Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death:

'Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them out

of their distresses. They that go down to the sea in ships; that do

business in great waters: these see the works of the Lord, and his

wonders in the deep. Whoso is wise and will observe these things, even

they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord.'

The poor distressed captain said, 'that the Lord is good; for, seeing

that I am not fit to die, he therefore gave me a space of time to

repent.' I was very glad to hear this expression, and took an

opportunity when convenient of talking to him on the providence of

God. They told us they were Portuguese, and were in a brig loaded with

corn, which shifted that morning at five o'clock, owing to which the

vessel sunk that instant with two of the crew; and how these eleven

got into the boat (which was lashed to the deck) not one of them could

tell. We provided them with every necessary, and brought them all safe

to London: and I hope the Lord gave them repentance unto life eternal.

I was happy once more amongst my friends and brethren, till November,

when my old friend, the celebrated Doctor Irving, bought a remarkable

fine sloop, about 150 tons. He had a mind for a new adventure in

cultivating a plantation at Jamaica and the Musquito Shore; asked me

to go with him, and said that he would trust me with his estate in

preference to any one. By the advice, therefore, of my friends, I

accepted of the offer, knowing that the harvest was fully ripe in

those parts, and hoped to be the instrument, under God, of bringing

some poor sinner to my well beloved master, Jesus Christ. Before I

embarked, I found with the Doctor four Musquito Indians, who were

chiefs in their own country, and were brought here by some English

traders for some selfish ends. One of them was the Musquito king's

son; a youth of about eighteen years of age; and whilst he was here he

was baptized by the name of George. They were going back at the

government's expense, after having been in England about twelve

months, during which they learned to speak pretty good English. When I

came to talk to them about eight days before we sailed, I was very

much mortified in finding that they had not frequented any churches

since they were here, to be baptized, nor was any attention paid to

their morals. I was very sorry for this mock Christianity, and had

just an opportunity to take some of them once to church before we

sailed. We embarked in the month of November 1775, on board of the

sloop Morning Star, Captain David Miller, and sailed for Jamaica. In

our passage, I took all the pains that I could to instruct the Indian

prince in the doctrines of Christianity, of which he was entirely

ignorant; and, to my great joy, he was quite attentive, and received

with gladness the truths that the Lord enabled me to set forth to him.

I taught him in the compass of eleven days all the letters, and he

could put even two or three of them together and spell them. I had

Fox's Martyrology with cuts, and he used to be very fond of looking

into it, and would ask many questions about the papal cruelties he saw

depicted there, which I explained to him. I made such progress with

this youth, especially in religion, that when I used to go to bed at

different hours of the night, if he was in his bed, he would get up on

purpose to go to prayer with me, without any other clothes than his

shirt; and before he would eat any of his meals amongst the gentlemen

in the cabin, he would first come to me to pray, as he called it. I

was well pleased at this, and took great delight in him, and used much

supplication to God for his conversion. I was in full hope of seeing

daily every appearance of that change which I could wish; not knowing

the devices of satan, who had many of his emissaries to sow his tares

as fast as I sowed the good seed, and pull down as fast as I built up.

Thus we went on nearly four fifths of our passage, when satan at last

got the upper hand. Some of his messengers, seeing this poor heathen

much advanced in piety, began to ask him whether I had converted him

to Christianity, laughed, and made their jest at him, for which I

rebuked them as much as I could; but this treatment caused the prince

to halt between two opinions. Some of the true sons of Belial, who did

not believe that there was any hereafter, told him never to fear the

devil, for there was none existing; and if ever he came to the prince,

they desired he might be sent to them. Thus they teazed the poor

innocent youth, so that he would not learn his book any more! He would

not drink nor carouse with these ungodly actors, nor would he be with

me, even at prayers. This grieved me very much. I endeavoured to

persuade him as well as I could, but he would not come; and entreated

him very much to tell me his reasons for acting thus. At last he asked

me, 'How comes it that all the white men on board who can read and

write, and observe the sun, and know all things, yet swear, lie, and

get drunk, only excepting yourself?' I answered him, the reason was,

that they did not fear God; and that if any one of them died so they

could not go to, or be happy with God. He replied, that if these

persons went to hell he would go to hell too. I was sorry to hear

this; and, as he sometimes had the toothach, and also some other

persons in the ship at the same time, I asked him if their toothach

made his easy: he said, No. Then I told him if he and these people

went to hell together, their pains would not make his any lighter.

This answer had great weight with him: it depressed his spirits much;

and he became ever after, during the passage, fond of being alone.

When we were in the latitude of Martinico, and near making the land,

one morning we had a brisk gale of wind, and, carrying too much sail,

the main-mast went over the side. Many people were then all about the

deck, and the yards, masts, and rigging, came tumbling all about us,

yet there was not one of us in the least hurt, although some were

within a hair's breadth of being killed: and, particularly, I saw two

men then, by the providential hand of God, most miraculously preserved

from being smashed to pieces. On the fifth of January we made Antigua

and Montserrat, and ran along the rest of the islands: and on the

fourteenth we arrived at Jamaica. One Sunday while we were there I

took the Musquito Prince George to church, where he saw the sacrament

administered. When we came out we saw all kinds of people, almost from

the church door for the space of half a mile down to the waterside,

buying and selling all kinds of commodities: and these acts afforded

me great matter of exhortation to this youth, who was much astonished.

Our vessel being ready to sail for the Musquito shore, I went with the

Doctor on board a Guinea-man, to purchase some slaves to carry with

us, and cultivate a plantation; and I chose them all my own

countrymen. On the twelfth of February we sailed from Jamaica, and on

the eighteenth arrived at the Musquito shore, at a place called

Dupeupy. All our Indian guests now, after I had admonished them and a

few cases of liquor given them by the Doctor, took an affectionate

leave of us, and went ashore, where they were met by the Musquito

king, and we never saw one of them afterwards. We then sailed to the

southward of the shore, to a place called Cape Gracias a Dios, where

there was a large lagoon or lake, which received the emptying of two

or three very fine large rivers, and abounded much in fish and land

tortoise. Some of the native Indians came on board of us here; and we

used them well, and told them we were come to dwell amongst them,

which they seemed pleased at. So the Doctor and I, with some others,

went with them ashore; and they took us to different places to view

the land, in order to choose a place to make a plantation of. We fixed

on a spot near a river's bank, in a rich soil; and, having got our

necessaries out of the sloop, we began to clear away the woods, and

plant different kinds of vegetables, which had a quick growth. While

we were employed in this manner, our vessel went northward to Black

River to trade. While she was there, a Spanish guarda costa met with

and took her. This proved very hurtful, and a great embarrassment to

us. However, we went on with the culture of the land. We used to make

fires every night all around us, to keep off wild beasts, which, as

soon as it was dark, set up a most hideous roaring. Our habitation

being far up in the woods, we frequently saw different kinds of

animals; but none of them ever hurt us, except poisonous snakes, the

bite of which the Doctor used to cure by giving to the patient, as

soon as possible, about half a tumbler of strong rum, with a good deal

of Cayenne pepper in it. In this manner he cured two natives and one

of his own slaves. The Indians were exceedingly fond of the Doctor,

and they had good reason for it; for I believe they never had such an

useful man amongst them. They came from all quarters to our dwelling;

and some _woolwow_, or flat-headed Indians, who lived fifty or sixty

miles above our river, and this side of the South Sea, brought us a

good deal of silver in exchange for our goods. The principal articles

we could get from our neighbouring Indians, were turtle oil, and

shells, little silk grass, and some provisions; but they would not

work at any thing for us, except fishing; and a few times they

assisted to cut some trees down, in order to build us houses; which

they did exactly like the Africans, by the joint labour of men, women,

and children. I do not recollect any of them to have had more than two

wives. These always accompanied their husbands when they came to our

dwelling; and then they generally carried whatever they brought to us,

and always squatted down behind their husbands. Whenever we gave them

any thing to eat, the men and their wives ate it separate. I never

saw the least sign of incontinence amongst them. The women are

ornamented with beads, and fond of painting themselves; the men also

paint, even to excess, both their faces and shirts: their favourite

colour is red. The women generally cultivate the ground, and the men

are all fishermen and canoe makers. Upon the whole, I never met any

nation that were so simple in their manners as these people, or had so

little ornament in their houses. Neither had they, as I ever could

learn, one word expressive of an oath. The worst word I ever heard

amongst them when they were quarreling, was one that they had got from

the English, which was, 'you rascal.' I never saw any mode of worship

among them; but in this they were not worse than their European

brethren or neighbours: for I am sorry to say that there was not one

white person in our dwelling, nor any where else that I saw in

different places I was at on the shore, that was better or more pious

than those unenlightened Indians; but they either worked or slept on

Sundays: and, to my sorrow, working was too much Sunday's employment

with ourselves; so much so, that in some length of time we really did

not know one day from another. This mode of living laid the foundation

of my decamping at last. The natives are well made and warlike; and

they particularly boast of having never been conquered by the

Spaniards. They are great drinkers of strong liquors when they can get

them. We used to distil rum from pine apples, which were very

plentiful here; and then we could not get them away from our place.

Yet they seemed to be singular, in point of honesty, above any other

nation I was ever amongst. The country being hot, we lived under an

open shed, where we had all kinds of goods, without a door or a lock

to any one article; yet we slept in safety, and never lost any thing,

or were disturbed. This surprised us a good deal; and the Doctor,

myself, and others, used to say, if we were to lie in that manner in

Europe we should have our throats cut the first night. The Indian

governor goes once in a certain time all about the province or

district, and has a number of men with him as attendants and

assistants. He settles all the differences among the people, like the

judge here, and is treated with very great respect. He took care to

give us timely notice before he came to our habitation, by sending his

stick as a token, for rum, sugar, and gunpowder, which we did not

refuse sending; and at the same time we made the utmost preparation to

receive his honour and his train. When he came with his tribe, and all

our neighbouring chieftains, we expected to find him a grave reverend

judge, solid and sagacious; but instead of that, before he and his

gang came in sight, we heard them very clamorous; and they even had

plundered some of our good neighbouring Indians, having intoxicated

themselves with our liquor. When they arrived we did not know what to

make of our new guests, and would gladly have dispensed with the

honour of their company. However, having no alternative, we feasted

them plentifully all the day till the evening; when the governor,

getting quite drunk, grew very unruly, and struck one of our most

friendly chiefs, who was our nearest neighbour, and also took his

gold-laced hat from him. At this a great commotion taken place; and

the Doctor interfered to make peace, as we could all understand one

another, but to no purpose; and at last they became so outrageous that

the Doctor, fearing he might get into trouble, left the house, and

made the best of his way to the nearest wood, leaving me to do as well

as I could among them. I was so enraged with the Governor, that I

could have wished to have seen him tied fast to a tree and flogged for

his behaviour; but I had not people enough to cope with his party. I

therefore thought of a stratagem to appease the riot. Recollecting a

passage I had read in the life of Columbus, when he was amongst the

Indians in Mexico or Peru, where, on some occasion, he frightened

them, by telling them of certain events in the heavens, I had recourse

to the same expedient; and it succeeded beyond my most sanguine

expectations. When I had formed my determination, I went in the midst

of them; and, taking hold of the Governor, I pointed up to the

heavens. I menaced him and the rest: I told them God lived there, and

that he was angry with them, and they must not quarrel so; that they

were all brothers, and if they did not leave off, and go away quietly,

I would take the book (pointing to the Bible), read, and _tell_ God to

make them dead. This was something like magic. The clamour immediately

ceased, and I gave them some rum and a few other things; after which

they went away peaceably; and the Governor afterwards gave our

neighbour, who was called Captain Plasmyah, his hat again. When the

Doctor returned, he was exceedingly glad at my success in thus getting

rid of our troublesome guests. The Musquito people within our

vicinity, out of respect to the Doctor, myself and his people, made

entertainments of the grand kind, called in their tongue _tourrie_ or

_dryckbot_. The English of this expression is, a feast of drinking

about, of which it seems a corruption of language. The drink consisted

of pine apples roasted, and casades chewed or beaten in mortars;

which, after lying some time, ferments, and becomes so strong as to

intoxicate, when drank in any quantity. We had timely notice given to

us of the entertainment. A white family, within five miles of us, told

us how the drink was made, and I and two others went before the time

to the village, where the mirth was appointed to be held; and there we

saw the whole art of making the drink, and also the kind of animals

that were to be eaten there. I cannot say the sight of either the

drink or the meat were enticing to me. They had some thousands of pine

apples roasting, which they squeezed, dirt and all, into a canoe they

had there for the purpose. The casade drink was in beef barrels and

other vessels, and looked exactly like hog-wash. Men, women, and

children, were thus employed in roasting the pine apples, and

squeezing them with their hands. For food they had many land torpins

or tortoises, some dried turtle, and three large alligators alive, and

tied fast to the trees. I asked the people what they were going to do

with these alligators; and I was told they were to be eaten. I was

much surprised at this, and went home, not a little disgusted at the

preparations. When the day of the feast was come, we took some rum

with us, and went to the appointed place, where we found a great

assemblage of these people, who received us very kindly. The mirth had

begun before we came; and they were dancing with music: and the

musical instruments were nearly the same as those of any other sable

people; but, as I thought, much less melodious than any other nation I

ever knew. They had many curious gestures in dancing, and a variety of

motions and postures of their bodies, which to me were in no wise

attracting. The males danced by themselves, and the females also by

themselves, as with us. The Doctor shewed his people the example, by

immediately joining the women's party, though not by their choice. On

perceiving the women disgusted, he joined the males. At night there

were great illuminations, by setting fire to many pine trees, while

the dryckbot went round merrily by calabashes or gourds: but the

liquor might more justly be called eating than drinking. One Owden,

the oldest father in the vicinity, was dressed in a strange and

terrifying form. Around his body were skins adorned with different

kinds of feathers, and he had on his head a very large and high

head-piece, in the form of a grenadier's cap, with prickles like a

porcupine; and he made a certain noise which resembled the cry of an

alligator. Our people skipped amongst them out of complaisance, though

some could not drink of their tourrie; but our rum met with customers

enough, and was soon gone. The alligators were killed and some of them

roasted. Their manner of roasting is by digging a hole in the earth,

and filling it with wood, which they burn to coal, and then they lay

sticks across, on which they set the meat. I had a raw piece of the

alligator in my hand: it was very rich: I thought it looked like fresh

salmon, and it had a most fragrant smell, but I could not eat any of

it. This merry-making at last ended without the least discord in any

person in the company, although it was made up of different nations

and complexions. The rainy season came on here about the latter end of

May, which continued till August very heavily; so that the rivers were

overflowed, and our provisions then in the ground were washed away. I

thought this was in some measure a judgment upon us for working on

Sundays, and it hurt my mind very much. I often wished to leave this

place and sail for Europe; for our mode of procedure and living in

this heathenish form was very irksome to me. The word of God saith,

'What does it avail a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his own

soul?' This was much and heavily impressed on my mind; and, though I

did not know how to speak to the Doctor for my discharge, it was

disagreeable for me to stay any longer. But about the middle of June I

took courage enough to ask him for it. He was very unwilling at first

to grant my request; but I gave him so many reasons for it, that at

last he consented to my going, and gave me the following certificate

of my behaviour:

'The bearer, Gustavus Vassa, has served me several years

with strict honesty, sobriety, and fidelity. I can,

therefore, with justice recommend him for these

qualifications; and indeed in every respect I consider him

as an excellent servant. I do hereby certify that he always

behaved well, and that he is perfectly trust-worthy.

'CHARLES IRVING.'

_Musquito Shore, June 15, 1776._

Though I was much attached to the doctor, I was happy when he

consented. I got every thing ready for my departure, and hired some

Indians, with a large canoe, to carry me off. All my poor countrymen,

the slaves, when they heard of my leaving them, were very sorry, as I

had always treated them with care and affection, and did every thing I

could to comfort the poor creatures, and render their condition easy.

Having taken leave of my old friends and companions, on the 18th of

June, accompanied by the doctor, I left that spot of the world, and

went southward above twenty miles along the river. There I found a

sloop, the captain of which told me he was going to Jamaica. Having

agreed for my passage with him and one of the owners, who was also on

board, named Hughes, the doctor and I parted, not without shedding

tears on both sides. The vessel then sailed along the river till

night, when she stopped in a lagoon within the same river. During the

night a schooner belonging to the same owners came in, and, as she was

in want of hands, Hughes, the owner of the sloop, asked me to go in

the schooner as a sailor, and said he would give me wages. I thanked

him; but I said I wanted to go to Jamaica. He then immediately changed

his tone, and swore, and abused me very much, and asked how I came to

be freed. I told him, and said that I came into that vicinity with Dr.

Irving, whom he had seen that day. This account was of no use; he

still swore exceedingly at me, and cursed the master for a fool that

sold me my freedom, and the doctor for another in letting me go from

him. Then he desired me to go in the schooner, or else I should not go

out of the sloop as a freeman. I said this was very hard, and begged

to be put on shore again; but he swore that I should not. I said I had

been twice amongst the Turks, yet had never seen any such usage with

them, and much less could I have expected any thing of this kind

amongst Christians. This incensed him exceedingly; and, with a volley

of oaths and imprecations, he replied, 'Christians! Damn you, you are

one of St. Paul's men; but by G----, except you have St. Paul's or St.

Peter's faith, and walk upon the water to the shore, you shall not go

out of the vessel;' which I now found was going amongst the Spaniards

towards Carthagena, where he swore he would sell me. I simply asked

him what right he had to sell me? but, without another word, he made

some of his people tie ropes round each of my ancles, and also to each

wrist, and another rope round my body, and hoisted me up without

letting my feet touch or rest upon any thing. Thus I hung, without any

crime committed, and without judge or jury; merely because I was a

free man, and could not by the law get any redress from a white person

in those parts of the world. I was in great pain from my situation,

and cried and begged very hard for some mercy; but all in vain. My

tyrant, in a great rage, brought a musquet out of the cabin, and

loaded it before me and the crew, and swore that he would shoot me if

I cried any more. I had now no alternative; I therefore remained

silent, seeing not one white man on board who said a word on my

behalf. I hung in that manner from between ten and eleven o'clock at

night till about one in the morning; when, finding my cruel abuser

fast asleep, I begged some of his slaves to slack the rope that was

round my body, that my feet might rest on something. This they did at

the risk of being cruelly used by their master, who beat some of them

severely at first for not tying me when he commanded them. Whilst I

remained in this condition, till between five and six o'clock next

morning, I trust I prayed to God to forgive this blasphemer, who cared

not what he did, but when he got up out of his sleep in the morning

was of the very same temper and disposition as when he left me at

night. When they got up the anchor, and the vessel was getting under

way, I once more cried and begged to be released; and now, being

fortunately in the way of their hoisting the sails, they released me.

When I was let down, I spoke to one Mr. Cox, a carpenter, whom I knew

on board, on the impropriety of this conduct. He also knew the doctor,

and the good opinion he ever had of me. This man then went to the

captain, and told him not to carry me away in that manner; that I was

the doctor's steward, who regarded me very highly, and would resent

this usage when he should come to know it. On which he desired a young

man to put me ashore in a small canoe I brought with me. This sound

gladdened my heart, and I got hastily into the canoe and set off,

whilst my tyrant was down in the cabin; but he soon spied me out, when

I was not above thirty or forty yards from the vessel, and, running

upon the deck with a loaded musket in his hand, he presented it at me,

and swore heavily and dreadfully, that he would shoot me that instant,

if I did not come back on board. As I knew the wretch would have done

as he said, without hesitation, I put back to the vessel again; but,

as the good Lord would have it, just as I was alongside he was abusing

the captain for letting me go from the vessel; which the captain

returned, and both of them soon got into a very great heat. The young

man that was with me now got out of the canoe; the vessel was sailing

on fast with a smooth sea: and I then thought it was neck or nothing,

so at that instant I set off again, for my life, in the canoe, towards

the shore; and fortunately the confusion was so great amongst them on

board, that I got out of the reach of the musquet shot unnoticed,

while the vessel sailed on with a fair wind a different way; so that

they could not overtake me without tacking: but even before that could

be done I should have been on shore, which I soon reached, with many

thanks to God for this unexpected deliverance. I then went and told

the other owner, who lived near that shore (with whom I had agreed for

my passage) of the usage I had met with. He was very much astonished,

and appeared very sorry for it. After treating me with kindness, he

gave me some refreshment, and three heads of roasted Indian corn, for

a voyage of about eighteen miles south, to look for another vessel. He

then directed me to an Indian chief of a district, who was also the

Musquito admiral, and had once been at our dwelling; after which I set

off with the canoe across a large lagoon alone (for I could not get

any one to assist me), though I was much jaded, and had pains in my

bowels, by means of the rope I had hung by the night before. I was

therefore at different times unable to manage the canoe, for the

paddling was very laborious. However, a little before dark I got to my

destined place, where some of the Indians knew me, and received me

kindly. I asked for the admiral; and they conducted me to his

dwelling. He was glad to see me, and refreshed me with such things as

the place afforded; and I had a hammock to sleep in. They acted

towards me more like Christians than those whites I was amongst the

last night, though they had been baptized. I told the admiral I wanted

to go to the next port to get a vessel to carry me to Jamaica; and

requested him to send the canoe back which I then had, for which I was

to pay him. He agreed with me, and sent five able Indians with a large

canoe to carry my things to my intended place, about fifty miles; and

we set off the next morning. When we got out of the lagoon and went

along shore, the sea was so high that the canoe was oftentimes very

near being filled with water. We were obliged to go ashore and drag

across different necks of land; we were also two nights in the swamps,

which swarmed with musquito flies, and they proved troublesome to us.

This tiresome journey of land and water ended, however, on the third

day, to my great joy; and I got on board of a sloop commanded by one

Captain Jenning. She was then partly loaded, and he told me he was

expecting daily to sail for Jamaica; and having agreed with me to work

my passage, I went to work accordingly. I was not many days on board

before we sailed; but to my sorrow and disappointment, though used to

such tricks, we went to the southward along the Musquito shore,

instead of steering for Jamaica. I was compelled to assist in cutting

a great deal of mahogany wood on the shore as we coasted along it, and

load the vessel with it, before she sailed. This fretted me much; but,

as I did not know how to help myself among these deceivers, I thought

patience was the only remedy I had left, and even that was forced.

There was much hard work and little victuals on board, except by good

luck we happened to catch turtles. On this coast there was also a

particular kind of fish called manatee, which is most excellent

eating, and the flesh is more like beef than fish; the scales are as

large as a shilling, and the skin thicker than I ever saw that of any

other fish. Within the brackish waters along shore there were likewise

vast numbers of alligators, which made the fish scarce. I was on board

this sloop sixteen days, during which, in our coasting, we came to

another place, where there was a smaller sloop called the Indian

Queen, commanded by one John Baker. He also was an Englishman, and had

been a long time along the shore trading for turtle shells and silver,

and had got a good quantity of each on board. He wanted some hands

very much; and, understanding I was a free man, and wanted to go to

Jamaica, he told me if he could get one or two, that he would sail

immediately for that island: he also pretended to me some marks of

attention and respect, and promised to give me forty-five shillings

sterling a month if I would go with him. I thought this much better

than cutting wood for nothing. I therefore told the other captain that

I wanted to go to Jamaica in the other vessel; but he would not listen

to me: and, seeing me resolved to go in a day or two, he got the

vessel to sail, intending to carry me away against my will. This

treatment mortified me extremely. I immediately, according to an

agreement I had made with the captain of the Indian Queen, called for

her boat, which was lying near us, and it came alongside; and, by the

means of a north-pole shipmate which I met with in the sloop I was in,

I got my things into the boat, and went on board of the Indian Queen,

July the 10th. A few days after I was there, we got all things ready

and sailed: but again, to my great mortification, this vessel still

went to the south, nearly as far as Carthagena, trading along the

coast, instead of going to Jamaica, as the captain had promised me:

and, what was worst of all, he was a very cruel and bloody-minded man,

and was a horrid blasphemer. Among others he had a white pilot, one

Stoker, whom he beat often as severely as he did some negroes he had

on board. One night in particular, after he had beaten this man most

cruelly, he put him into the boat, and made two negroes row him to a

desolate key, or small island; and he loaded two pistols, and swore

bitterly that he would shoot the negroes if they brought Stoker on

board again. There was not the least doubt but that he would do as he

said, and the two poor fellows were obliged to obey the cruel mandate;

but, when the captain was asleep, the two negroes took a blanket and

carried it to the unfortunate Stoker, which I believe was the means of

saving his life from the annoyance of insects. A great deal of

entreaty was used with the captain the next day, before he would

consent to let Stoker come on board; and when the poor man was brought

on board he was very ill, from his situation during the night, and he

remained so till he was drowned a little time after. As we sailed

southward we came to many uninhabited islands, which were overgrown

with fine large cocoa nuts. As I was very much in want of provisions,

I brought a boat load of them on board, which lasted me and others for

several weeks, and afforded us many a delicious repast in our

scarcity. One day, before this, I could not help observing the

providential hand of God, that ever supplies all our wants, though in

the ways and manner we know not. I had been a whole day without food,

and made signals for boats to come off, but in vain. I therefore

earnestly prayed to God for relief in my need; and at the close of the

evening I went off the deck. Just as I laid down I heard a noise on

the deck; and, not knowing what it meant, I went directly on the the

deck again, when what should I see but a fine large fish about seven

or eight pounds, which had jumped aboard! I took it, and admired, with

thanks, the good hand of God; and, what I considered as not less

extraordinary, the captain, who was very avaricious, did not attempt

to take it from me, there being only him and I on board; for the rest

were all gone ashore trading. Sometimes the people did not come off

for some days: this used to fret the captain, and then he would vent

his fury on me by beating me, or making me feel in other cruel ways.

One day especially, in his wild, wicked, and mad career, after

striking me several times with different things, and once across my

mouth, even with a red burning stick out of the fire, he got a barrel

of gunpowder on the deck, and swore that he would blow up the vessel.

I was then at my wit's end, and earnestly prayed to God to direct me.

The head was out of the barrel; and the captain took a lighted stick

out of the fire to blow himself and me up, because there was a vessel

then in sight coming in, which he supposed was a Spaniard, and he was

afraid of falling into their hands. Seeing this I got an axe,

unnoticed by him, and placed myself between him and the powder, having

resolved in myself as soon as he attempted to put the fire in the

barrel to chop him down that instant. I was more than an hour in this

situation; during which he struck me often, still keeping the fire in

his hand for this wicked purpose. I really should have thought myself

justifiable in any other part of the world if I had killed him, and

prayed to God, who gave me a mind which rested solely on himself. I

prayed for resignation, that his will might be done; and the following

two portions of his holy word, which occurred to my mind, buoyed up my

hope, and kept me from taking the life of this wicked man. 'He hath

determined the times before appointed, and set bounds to our

habitations,' Acts xvii. 26. And, 'Who is there amongst you that

feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh

in darkness and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord,

and stay upon his God,' Isaiah 1. 10. And thus by the grace of God I

was enabled to do. I found him a present help in the time of need, and

the captain's fury began to subside as the night approached: but I

found,

"That he who cannot stem his anger's tide

Doth a wild horse without a bridle ride."

The next morning we discovered that the vessel which had caused such a

fury in the captain was an English sloop. They soon came to an anchor

where we were, and, to my no small surprise, I learned that Doctor

Irving was on board of her on his way from the Musquito shore to

Jamaica. I was for going immediately to see this old master and

friend, but the captain would not suffer me to leave the vessel. I

then informed the doctor, by letter, how I was treated, and begged

that he would take me out of the sloop: but he informed me that it was

not in his power, as he was a passenger himself; but he sent me some

rum and sugar for my own use. I now learned that after I had left the

estate which I managed for this gentleman on the Musquito shore,

during which the slaves were well fed and comfortable, a white

overseer had supplied my place: this man, through inhumanity and

ill-judged avarice, beat and cut the poor slaves most unmercifully;

and the consequence was, that every one got into a large Puriogua

canoe, and endeavoured to escape; but not knowing where to go, or how

to manage the canoe, they were all drowned; in consequence of which

the doctor's plantation was left uncultivated, and he was now

returning to Jamaica to purchase more slaves and stock it again. On

the 14th of October the Indian Queen arrived at Kingston in Jamaica.

When we were unloaded I demanded my wages, which amounted to eight

pounds and five shillings sterling; but Captain Baker refused to give

me one farthing, although it was the hardest-earned money I ever

worked for in my life. I found out Doctor Irving upon this, and

acquainted him of the captain's knavery. He did all he could to help

me to get my money; and we went to every magistrate in Kingston (and

there were nine), but they all refused to do any thing for me, and

said my oath could not be admitted against a white man. Nor was this

all; for Baker threatened that he would beat me severely if he could

catch me for attempting to demand my money; and this he would have

done, but that I got, by means of Dr. Irving, under the protection of

Captain Douglas of the Squirrel man of war. I thought this exceedingly

hard usage; though indeed I found it to be too much the practice there

to pay free men for their labour in this manner. One day I went with a

free negroe taylor, named Joe Diamond, to one Mr. Cochran, who was

indebted to him some trifling sum; and the man, not being able to get

his money, began to murmur. The other immediately took a horse-whip to

pay him with it; but, by the help of a good pair of heels, the taylor

got off. Such oppressions as these made me seek for a vessel to get

off the island as fast as I could; and by the mercy of God I found a

ship in November bound for England, when I embarked with a convoy,

after having taken a last farewell of Doctor Irving. When I left

Jamaica he was employed in refining sugars; and some months after my

arrival in England I learned, with much sorrow, that this my amiable

friend was dead, owing to his having eaten some poisoned fish. We had

many very heavy gales of wind in our passage; in the course of which

no material incident occurred, except that an American privateer,

falling in with the fleet, was captured and set fire to by his

Majesty's ship the Squirrel. On January the seventh, 1777, we arrived

at Plymouth. I was happy once more to tread upon English ground; and,

after passing some little time at Plymouth and Exeter among some pious

friends, whom I was happy to see, I went to London with a heart

replete with thanks to God for all past mercies.

CHAP. XII.

_Different transactions of the author's life till the

present time--His application to the late Bishop of London

to be appointed a missionary to Africa--Some account of his

share in the conduct of the late expedition to Sierra

Leona--Petition to the Queen--Conclusion._

Such were the various scenes which I was a witness to, and the fortune

I experienced until the year 1777. Since that period my life has been

more uniform, and the incidents of it fewer, than in any other equal

number of years preceding; I therefore hasten to the conclusion of a

narrative, which I fear the reader may think already sufficiently

tedious.

I had suffered so many impositions in my commercial transactions in

different parts of the world, that I became heartily disgusted with

the sea-faring life, and I was determined not to return to it, at

least for some time. I therefore once more engaged in service shortly

after my return, and continued for the most part in this situation

until 1784.

Soon after my arrival in London, I saw a remarkable circumstance

relative to African complexion, which I thought so extraordinary, that

I beg leave just to mention it: A white negro woman, that I had

formerly seen in London and other parts, had married a white man, by

whom she had three boys, and they were every one mulattoes, and yet

they had fine light hair. In 1779 I served Governor Macnamara, who had

been a considerable time on the coast of Africa. In the time of my

service, I used to ask frequently other servants to join me in family

prayers; but this only excited their mockery. However, the Governor,

understanding that I was of a religious turn, wished to know of what

religion I was; I told him I was a protestant of the church of

England, agreeable to the thirty-nine articles of that church, and

that whomsoever I found to preach according to that doctrine, those I

would hear. A few days after this, we had some more discourse on the

same subject: the Governor spoke to me on it again, and said that he

would, if I chose, as he thought I might be of service in converting

my countrymen to the Gospel faith, get me sent out as a missionary to

Africa. I at first refused going, and told him how I had been served

on a like occasion by some white people the last voyage I went to

Jamaica, when I attempted (if it were the will of God) to be the means

of converting the Indian prince; and I said I supposed they would

serve me worse than Alexander the coppersmith did St. Paul, if I

should attempt to go amongst them in Africa. He told me not to fear,

for he would apply to the Bishop of London to get me ordained. On

these terms I consented to the Governor's proposal to go to Africa, in

hope of doing good if possible amongst my countrymen; so, in order to

have me sent out properly, we immediately wrote the following letters

to the late Bishop of London:

_To the Right Reverend Father in God_,

ROBERT, _Lord Bishop of London_:

The MEMORIAL of Gustavus Vassa

Sheweth,

That your memorialist is a native of Africa, and has a

knowledge of the manners and customs of the inhabitants of

that country.

That your memorialist has resided in different parts of

Europe for twenty-two years last past, and embraced the

Christian faith in the year 1759.

That your memorialist is desirous of returning to Africa as

a missionary, if encouraged by your Lordship, in hopes of

being able to prevail upon his countrymen to become

Christians; and your memorialist is the more induced to

undertake the same, from the success that has attended the

like undertakings when encouraged by the Portuguese through

their different settlements on the coast of Africa, and also

by the Dutch: both governments encouraging the blacks, who,

by their education are qualified to undertake the same, and

are found more proper than European clergymen, unacquainted

with the language and customs of the country.

Your memorialist's only motive for soliciting the office of

a missionary is, that he may be a means, under God, of

reforming his countrymen and persuading them to embrace the

Christian religion. Therefore your memorialist humbly prays

your Lordship's encouragement and support in the

undertaking.

GUSTAVUS VASSA.

At Mr. Guthrie's, taylor,

No. 17, Hedge-lane.

My Lord,

I have resided near seven years on the coast of Africa, for

most part of the time as commanding officer. From the

knowledge I have of the country and its inhabitants, I am

inclined to think that the within plan will be attended with

great success, if countenanced by your Lordship. I beg leave

further to represent to your Lordship, that the like

attempts, when encouraged by other governments, have met

with uncommon success; and at this very time I know a very

respectable character a black priest at Cape Coast Castle. I

know the within named Gustavus Vassa, and believe him a

moral good man.

I have the honour to be,

My Lord,

Your Lordship's

Humble and obedient servant,

MATT. MACNAMARA.

Grove, 11th March 1779.

This letter was also accompanied by the following from Doctor Wallace,

who had resided in Africa for many years, and whose sentiments on the

subject of an African mission were the same with Governor Macnamara's.

_March 13, 1779_.

My Lord,

I have resided near five years on Senegambia on the coast of

Africa, and have had the honour of filling very considerable

employments in that province. I do approve of the within

plan, and think the undertaking very laudable and proper,

and that it deserves your Lordship's protection and

encouragement, in which case it must be attended with the

intended success.

I am,

My Lord,

Your Lordship's

Humble and obedient servant,

THOMAS WALLACE.

With these letters, I waited on the Bishop by the Governor's desire,

and presented them to his Lordship. He received me with much

condescension and politeness; but, from some certain scruples of

delicacy, declined to ordain me.

My sole motive for thus dwelling on this transaction, or inserting

these papers, is the opinion which gentlemen of sense and education,

who are acquainted with Africa, entertain of the probability of

converting the inhabitants of it to the faith of Jesus Christ, if the

attempt were countenanced by the legislature.

Shortly after this I left the Governor, and served a nobleman in the

Devonshire militia, with whom I was encamped at Coxheath for some

time; but the operations there were too minute and uninteresting to

make a detail of.

In the year 1783 I visited eight counties in Wales, from motives of

curiosity. While I was in that part of the country I was led to go

down into a coal-pit in Shropshire, but my curiosity nearly cost me my

life; for while I was in the pit the coals fell in, and buried one

poor man, who was not far from me: upon this I got out as fast as I

could, thinking the surface of the earth the safest part of it.

In the spring 1784 I thought of visiting old ocean again. In

consequence of this I embarked as steward on board a fine new ship

called the London, commanded by Martin Hopkin, and sailed for

New-York. I admired this city very much; it is large and well-built,

and abounds with provisions of all kinds. While we lay here a

circumstance happened which I thought extremely singular:--One day a

malefactor was to be executed on a gallows; but with a condition that

if any woman, having nothing on but her shift, married the man under

the gallows, his life was to be saved. This extraordinary privilege

was claimed; a woman presented herself; and the marriage ceremony was

performed. Our ship having got laden we returned to London in January

1785. When she was ready again for another voyage, the captain being

an agreeable man, I sailed with him from hence in the spring, March

1785, for Philadelphia. On the fifth of April we took our departure

from the Land's-end, with a pleasant gale; and about nine o'clock that

night the moon shone bright, and the sea was smooth, while our ship

was going free by the wind, at the rate of about four or five miles an

hour. At this time another ship was going nearly as fast as we on the

opposite point, meeting us right in the teeth, yet none on board

observed either ship until we struck each other forcibly head and

head, to the astonishment and consternation of both crews. She did us

much damage, but I believe we did her more; for when we passed by each

other, which we did very quickly, they called to us to bring to, and

hoist out our boat, but we had enough to do to mind ourselves; and in

about eight minutes we saw no more of her. We refitted as well as we

could the next day, and proceeded on our voyage, and in May arrived at

Philadelphia. I was very glad to see this favourite old town once

more; and my pleasure was much increased in seeing the worthy quakers

freeing and easing the burthens of many of my oppressed African

brethren. It rejoiced my heart when one of these friendly people took

me to see a free-school they had erected for every denomination of

black people, whose minds are cultivated here and forwarded to virtue;

and thus they are made useful members of the community. Does not the

success of this practice say loudly to the planters in the language of

scripture--"Go ye and do likewise?"

In October 1785 I was accompanied by some of the Africans, and

presented this address of thanks to the gentlemen called Friends or

Quakers, in Gracechurch-Court Lombard-Street:

Gentlemen,

By reading your book, entitled a Caution to Great Britain

and her Colonies, concerning the Calamitous State of the

enslaved Negroes: We the poor, oppressed, needy, and

much-degraded negroes, desire to approach you with this

address of thanks, with our inmost love and warmest

acknowledgment; and with the deepest sense of your

benevolence, unwearied labour, and kind interposition,

towards breaking the yoke of slavery, and to administer a

little comfort and ease to thousands and tens of thousands

of very grievously afflicted, and too heavy burthened

negroes.

Gentlemen, could you, by perseverance, at last be enabled,

under God, to lighten in any degree the heavy burthen of the

afflicted, no doubt it would, in some measure, be the

possible means, under God, of saving the souls of many of

the oppressors; and, if so, sure we are that the God, whose

eyes are ever upon all his creatures, and always rewards

every true act of virtue, and regards the prayers of the

oppressed, will give to you and yours those blessings which

it is not in our power to express or conceive, but which we,

as a part of those captived, oppressed, and afflicted

people, most earnestly wish and pray for.

These gentlemen received us very kindly, with a promise to exert

themselves on behalf of the oppressed Africans, and we parted.

While in town I chanced once to be invited to a quaker's wedding. The

simple and yet expressive mode used at their solemnizations is worthy

of note. The following is the true form of it:

After the company have met they have seasonable exhortations by

several of the members; the bride and bridegroom stand up, and, taking

each other by the hand in a solemn manner, the man audily declares to

this purpose:

"Friends, in the fear of the Lord, and in the presence of this

assembly, whom I desire to be my witnesses, I take this my friend,

M.N. to be my wife; promising, through divine assistance, to be unto

her a loving and faithful husband till death separate us:" and the

woman makes the like declaration. Then the two first sign their names

to the record, and as many more witnesses as have a mind. I had the

honour to subscribe mine to a register in Gracechurch-Court,

Lombard-Street.

We returned to London in August; and our ship not going immediately to

sea, I shipped as a steward in an American ship called the Harmony,

Captain John Willet, and left London in March 1786, bound to

Philadelphia. Eleven days after sailing we carried our foremast away.

We had a nine weeks passage, which caused our trip not to succeed

well, the market for our goods proving bad; and, to make it worse, my

commander began to play me the like tricks as others too often

practise on free negroes in the West Indies. But I thank God I found

many friends here, who in some measure prevented him. On my return to

London in August I was very agreeably surprised to find that the

benevolence of government had adopted the plan of some philanthropic

individuals to send the Africans from hence to their native quarter;

and that some vessels were then engaged to carry them to Sierra Leone;

an act which redounded to the honour of all concerned in its

promotion, and filled me with prayers and much rejoicing. There was

then in the city a select committee of gentlemen for the black poor,

to some of whom I had the honour of being known; and, as soon as they

heard of my arrival they sent for me to the committee. When I came

there they informed me of the intention of government; and as they

seemed to think me qualified to superintend part of the undertaking,

they asked me to go with the black poor to Africa. I pointed out to

them many objections to my going; and particularly I expressed some

difficulties on the account of the slave dealers, as I would certainly

oppose their traffic in the human species by every means in my power.

However these objections were over-ruled by the gentlemen of the

committee, who prevailed on me to go, and recommended me to the

honourable Commissioners of his Majesty's Navy as a proper person to

act as commissary for government in the intended expedition; and they

accordingly appointed me in November 1786 to that office, and gave me

sufficient power to act for the government in the capacity of

commissary, having received my warrant and the following order.

_By the principal Officers and Commissioners of

his Majesty's Navy_.

Whereas you were directed, by our warrant of the 4th of last

month, to receive into your charge from Mr. Irving the

surplus provisions remaining of what was provided for the

voyage, as well as the provisions for the support of the

black poor, after the landing at Sierra Leone, with the

cloathing, tools, and all other articles provided at

government's expense; and as the provisions were laid in at

the rate of two months for the voyage, and for four months

after the landing, but the number embarked being so much

less than was expected, whereby there may be a considerable

surplus of provisions, cloathing, &c. These are, in addition

to former orders, to direct and require you to appropriate

or dispose of such surplus to the best advantage you can for

the benefit of government, keeping and rendering to us a

faithful account of what you do herein. And for your

guidance in preventing any white persons going, who are not

intended to have the indulgences of being carried thither,

we send you herewith a list of those recommended by the

Committee for the black poor as proper persons to be

permitted to embark, and acquaint you that you are not to

suffer any others to go who do not produce a certificate

from the committee for the black poor, of their having their

permission for it. For which this shall be your warrant.

Dated at the Navy Office, January 16, 1787.

J. HINSLOW,

GEO. MARSH,

W. PALMER.

To Mr. Gustavus Vassa,

Commissary of Provisions and

Stores for the Black Poor

going to Sierra Leone.

I proceeded immediately to the execution of my duty on board the

vessels destined for the voyage, where I continued till the March

following.

During my continuance in the employment of government, I was struck

with the flagrant abuses committed by the agent, and endeavoured to

remedy them, but without effect. One instance, among many which I

could produce, may serve as a specimen. Government had ordered to be

provided all necessaries (slops, as they are called, included) for 750

persons; however, not being able to muster more than 426, I was

ordered to send the superfluous slops, &c. to the king's stores at

Portsmouth; but, when I demanded them for that purpose from the agent,

it appeared they had never been bought, though paid for by government.

But that was not all, government were not the only objects of

peculation; these poor people suffered infinitely more; their

accommodations were most wretched; many of them wanted beds, and many

more cloathing and other necessaries. For the truth of this, and much

more, I do not seek credit from my own assertion. I appeal to the

testimony of Capt. Thompson, of the Nautilus, who convoyed us, to whom

I applied in February 1787 for a remedy, when I had remonstrated to

the agent in vain, and even brought him to be a witness of the

injustice and oppression I complained of. I appeal also to a letter

written by these wretched people, so early as the beginning of the

preceding January, and published in the Morning Herald of the 4th of

that month, signed by twenty of their chiefs.

I could not silently suffer government to be thus cheated, and my

countrymen plundered and oppressed, and even left destitute of the

necessaries for almost their existence. I therefore informed the

Commissioners of the Navy of the agent's proceeding; but my dismission

was soon after procured, by means of a gentleman in the city, whom the

agent, conscious of his peculation, had deceived by letter, and whom,

moreover, empowered the same agent to receive on board, at the

government expense, a number of persons as passengers, contrary to the

orders I received. By this I suffered a considerable loss in my

property: however, the commissioners were satisfied with my conduct,

and wrote to Capt. Thompson, expressing their approbation of it.

Thus provided, they proceeded on their voyage; and at last, worn out

by treatment, perhaps not the most mild, and wasted by sickness,

brought on by want of medicine, cloaths, bedding, &c. they reached

Sierra Leone just at the commencement of the rains. At that season of

the year it is impossible to cultivate the lands; their provisions

therefore were exhausted before they could derive any benefit from

agriculture; and it is not surprising that many, especially the

lascars, whose constitutions are very tender, and who had been cooped

up in ships from October to June, and accommodated in the manner I

have mentioned, should be so wasted by their confinement as not long

to survive it.

Thus ended my part of the long-talked-of expedition to Sierra Leone;

an expedition which, however unfortunate in the event, was humane and

politic in its design, nor was its failure owing to government: every

thing was done on their part; but there was evidently sufficient

mismanagement attending the conduct and execution of it to defeat its

success.

I should not have been so ample in my account of this transaction, had

not the share I bore in it been made the subject of partial

animadversion, and even my dismission from my employment thought

worthy of being made by some a matter of public triumph[X]. The

motives which might influence any person to descend to a petty contest

with an obscure African, and to seek gratification by his depression,

perhaps it is not proper here to inquire into or relate, even if its

detection were necessary to my vindication; but I thank Heaven it is

not. I wish to stand by my own integrity, and not to shelter myself

under the impropriety of another; and I trust the behaviour of the

Commissioners of the Navy to me entitle me to make this assertion; for

after I had been dismissed, March 24, I drew up a memorial thus:

_To the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of

his Majesty's Treasury:

The Memorial and Petition of_ Gustavus Vassa _a black Man,

late Commissary to the black Poor going to_ Africa.

HUMBLY SHEWETH,

That your Lordships' memorialist was, by the Honourable the

Commissioners of his Majesty's Navy, on the 4th of December

last, appointed to the above employment by warrant from that

board;

That he accordingly proceeded to the execution of his duty

on board of the Vernon, being one of the ships appointed to

proceed to Africa with the above poor;

That your memorialist, to his great grief and astonishment,

received a letter of dismission from the Honourable

Commissioners of the Navy, by your Lordships' orders;

That, conscious of having acted with the most perfect

fidelity and the greatest assiduity in discharging the trust

reposed in him, he is altogether at a loss to conceive the

reasons of your Lordships' having altered the favourable

opinion you were pleased to conceive of him, sensible that

your Lordships would not proceed to so severe a measure

without some apparent good cause; he therefore has every

reason to believe that his conduct has been grossly

misrepresented to your Lordships; and he is the more

confirmed in his opinion, because, by opposing measures of

others concerned in the same expedition, which tended to

defeat your Lordships' humane intentions, and to put the

government to a very considerable additional expense, he

created a number of enemies, whose misrepresentations, he

has too much reason to believe, laid the foundation of his

dismission. Unsupported by friends, and unaided by the

advantages of a liberal education, he can only hope for

redress from the justice of his cause, in addition to the

mortification of having been removed from his employment,

and the advantage which he reasonably might have expected to

have derived therefrom. He has had the misfortune to have

sunk a considerable part of his little property in fitting

himself out, and in other expenses arising out of his

situation, an account of which he here annexes. Your

memorialist will not trouble your Lordships with a

vindication of any part of his conduct, because he knows not

of what crimes he is accused; he, however, earnestly

entreats that you will be pleased to direct an inquiry into

his behaviour during the time he acted in the public

service; and, if it be found that his dismission arose from

false representations, he is confident that in your

Lordships' justice he shall find redress.

Your petitioner therefore humbly prays that your Lordships

will take his case into consideration, and that you will be

pleased to order payment of the above referred-to account,

amounting to 32l. 4s. and also the wages intended, which is

most humbly submitted.

_London, May 12, 1787._

The above petition was delivered into the hands of their Lordships,

who were kind enough, in the space of some few months afterwards,

without hearing, to order me 50l. sterling--that is, 18l. wages for

the time (upwards of four months) I acted a faithful part in their

service. Certainly the sum is more than a free negro would have had in

the western colonies!!!

* * * * *

March the 21st, 1788, I had the honour of presenting the Queen with a

petition on behalf of my African brethren, which was received most

graciously by her Majesty[Y]:

_To the_ QUEEN's _most Excellent Majesty_.

Madam,

Your Majesty's well known benevolence and humanity emboldens

me to approach your royal presence, trusting that the

obscurity of my situation will not prevent your Majesty from

attending to the sufferings for which I plead.

Yet I do not solicit your royal pity for my own distress; my

sufferings, although numerous, are in a measure forgotten. I

supplicate your Majesty's compassion for millions of my

African countrymen, who groan under the lash of tyranny in

the West Indies.

The oppression and cruelty exercised to the unhappy negroes

there, have at length reached the British legislature, and

they are now deliberating on its redress; even several

persons of property in slaves in the West Indies, have

petitioned parliament against its continuance, sensible that

it is as impolitic as it is unjust--and what is inhuman must

ever be unwise.

Your Majesty's reign has been hitherto distinguished by

private acts of benevolence and bounty; surely the more

extended the misery is, the greater claim it has to your

Majesty's compassion, and the greater must be your Majesty's

pleasure in administering to its relief.

I presume, therefore, gracious Queen, to implore your

interposition with your royal consort, in favour of the

wretched Africans; that, by your Majesty's benevolent

influence, a period may now be put to their misery; and that

they may be raised from the condition of brutes, to which

they are at present degraded, to the rights and situation of

freemen, and admitted to partake of the blessings of your

Majesty's happy government; so shall your Majesty enjoy the

heartfelt pleasure of procuring happiness to millions, and

be rewarded in the grateful prayers of themselves, and of

their posterity.

And may the all-bountiful Creator shower on your Majesty,

and the Royal Family, every blessing that this world can

afford, and every fulness of joy which divine revelation has

promised us in the next.

I am your Majesty's most dutiful and devoted servant to

command,

Gustavus Vassa,

The Oppressed Ethiopean.

No. 53, Baldwin's Gardens.

* * * * *

The negro consolidated act, made by the assembly of Jamaica last year,

and the new act of amendment now in agitation there, contain a proof

of the existence of those charges that have been made against the

planters relative to the treatment of their slaves.

I hope to have the satisfaction of seeing the renovation of liberty

and justice resting on the British government, to vindicate the honour

of our common nature. These are concerns which do not perhaps belong

to any particular office: but, to speak more seriously to every man of

sentiment, actions like these are the just and sure foundation of

future fame; a reversion, though remote, is coveted by some noble

minds as a substantial good. It is upon these grounds that I hope and

expect the attention of gentlemen in power. These are designs

consonant to the elevation of their rank, and the dignity of their

stations: they are ends suitable to the nature of a free and generous

government; and, connected with views of empire and dominion, suited

to the benevolence and solid merit of the legislature. It is a pursuit

of substantial greatness.--May the time come--at least the speculation

to me is pleasing--when the sable people shall gratefully commemorate

the auspicious æra of extensive freedom. Then shall those persons[Z]

particularly be named with praise and honour, who generously proposed

and stood forth in the cause of humanity, liberty, and good policy;

and brought to the ear of the legislature designs worthy of royal

patronage and adoption. May Heaven make the British senators the

dispersers of light, liberty, and science, to the uttermost parts of

the earth: then will be glory to God on the highest, on earth peace,

and goodwill to men:--Glory, honour, peace, &c. to every soul of man

that worketh good, to the Britons first, (because to them the Gospel

is preached) and also to the nations. 'Those that honour their Maker

have mercy on the poor.' 'It is righteousness exalteth a nation; but

sin is a reproach to any people; destruction shall be to the workers

of iniquity, and the wicked shall fall by their own wickedness.' May

the blessings of the Lord be upon the heads of all those who

commiserated the cases of the oppressed negroes, and the fear of God

prolong their days; and may their expectations be filled with

gladness! 'The liberal devise liberal things, and by liberal things

shall stand,' Isaiah xxxii. 8. They can say with pious Job, 'Did not I

weep for him that was in trouble? was not my soul grieved for the

poor?' Job xxx. 25.

As the inhuman traffic of slavery is to be taken into the

consideration of the British legislature, I doubt not, if a system of

commerce was established in Africa, the demand for manufactures would

most rapidly augment, as the native inhabitants will insensibly adopt

the British fashions, manners, customs, &c. In proportion to the

civilization, so will be the consumption of British manufactures.

The wear and tear of a continent, nearly twice as large as Europe, and

rich in vegetable and mineral productions, is much easier conceived

than calculated.

A case in point.--It cost the Aborigines of Britain little or nothing

in clothing, &c. The difference between their forefathers and the

present generation, in point of consumption, is literally infinite.

The supposition is most obvious. It will be equally immense in

Africa--The same cause, viz. civilization, will ever have the same

effect.

It is trading upon safe grounds. A commercial intercourse with Africa

opens an inexhaustible source of wealth to the manufacturing interests

of Great Britain, and to all which the slave trade is an objection.

If I am not misinformed, the manufacturing interest is equal, if not

superior, to the landed interest, as to the value, for reasons which

will soon appear. The abolition of slavery, so diabolical, will give a

most rapid extension of manufactures, which is totally and

diametrically opposite to what some interested people assert.

The manufacturers of this country must and will, in the nature and

reason of things, have a full and constant employ by supplying the

African markets.

Population, the bowels and surface of Africa, abound in valuable and

useful returns; the hidden treasures of centuries will be brought to

light and into circulation. Industry, enterprize, and mining, will

have their full scope, proportionably as they civilize. In a word, it

lays open an endless field of commerce to the British manufactures and

merchant adventurer. The manufacturing interest and the general

interests are synonymous. The abolition of slavery would be in reality

an universal good.

Tortures, murder, and every other imaginable barbarity and iniquity,

are practised upon the poor slaves with impunity. I hope the slave

trade will be abolished. I pray it may be an event at hand. The great

body of manufacturers, uniting in the cause, will considerably

facilitate and expedite it; and, as I have already stated, it is most

substantially their interest and advantage, and as such the nation's

at large, (except those persons concerned in the manufacturing

neck-yokes, collars, chains, hand-cuffs, leg-bolts, drags,

thumb-screws, iron muzzles, and coffins; cats, scourges, and other

instruments of torture used in the slave trade). In a short time one

sentiment alone will prevail, from motives of interest as well as

justice and humanity. Europe contains one hundred and twenty millions

of inhabitants. Query--How many millions doth Africa contain?

Supposing the Africans, collectively and individually, to expend 5l. a

head in raiment and furniture yearly when civilized, &c. an immensity

beyond the reach of imagination!

This I conceive to be a theory founded upon facts, and therefore an

infallible one. If the blacks were permitted to remain in their own

country, they would double themselves every fifteen years. In

proportion to such increase will be the demand for manufactures.

Cotton and indigo grow spontaneously in most parts of Africa; a

consideration this of no small consequence to the manufacturing towns

of Great Britain. It opens a most immense, glorious, and happy

prospect--the clothing, &c. of a continent ten thousand miles in

circumference, and immensely rich in productions of every denomination

in return for manufactures.

I have only therefore to request the reader's indulgence and conclude.

I am far from the vanity of thinking there is any merit in this

narrative: I hope censure will be suspended, when it is considered

that it was written by one who was as unwilling as unable to adorn the

plainness of truth by the colouring of imagination. My life and

fortune have been extremely chequered, and my adventures various. Even

those I have related are considerably abridged. If any incident in

this little work should appear uninteresting and trifling to most

readers, I can only say, as my excuse for mentioning it, that almost

every event of my life made an impression on my mind and influenced my

conduct. I early accustomed myself to look for the hand of God in the

minutest occurrence, and to learn from it a lesson of morality and

religion; and in this light every circumstance I have related was to

me of importance. After all, what makes any event important, unless by

its observation we become better and wiser, and learn 'to do justly,

to love mercy, and to walk humbly before God?' To those who are

possessed of this spirit, there is scarcely any book or incident so

trifling that does not afford some profit, while to others the

experience of ages seems of no use; and even to pour out to them the

treasures of wisdom is throwing the jewels of instruction away.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote X: See the Public Advertiser, July 14, 1787.]

[Footnote Y: At the request of some of my most particular friends, I

take the liberty of inserting it here.]

[Footnote Z: Grenville Sharp, Esq; the Reverend Thomas Clarkson; the

Reverend James Ramsay; our approved friends, men of virtue, are an

honour to their country, ornamental to human nature, happy in

themselves, and benefactors to mankind!]

THE END.