Observations on the slave trade and a description of some part of the coast of Guinea, during a voyage, made in 1787, and 1788, in company with Doctor A. Sparrman and Captain ArreheniusWadström, Carl Bernhard
History
Observations on the slave trade and a description of some part of the coast of Guinea, during a voyage, made in 1787, and 1788, in company with Doctor A. Sparrman and Captain Arrehenius
Wadström, Carl Bernhard
Guinea -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; Slave trade -- Africa, West -- Early works to 1800
personal obligations to him, were never at home when he visited them; a
dreadful example this, joined to many others which present themselves
daily, and are yet insufficient to prevent men from desiring to form
such connexions. Thus reduced to live in the wretched inns on the
port, which are only suited to the poorest, he had not yet been to
see his negro; whether he had been prevented from not knowing where
he was, or from being ashamed of presenting himself in the condition
to which he was reduced, I know not; but the black, who had a house,
having learnt his misfortune, and discovered his retreat, soon threw
himself at the feet of his dear master and benefactor (for these were
the terms he made use of) accompanied with tears at considering his
situation. His zeal was not confined to words, he made him master in
his house; but on reflection, putting himself in his place, he saw his
self-love mortified by the contempt inseparable from indigence, and
the pain which is induced by the consciousness of being in a state of
dependance; he felt all the weight his benefits must have on a generous
and liberal mind. “My dear master,” said he, embracing his knees, “I
owe to you all I am; dispose of every thing I have, quit this country,
where your past misfortunes will give birth to new ones; abandon
those ungrateful people whom you did not oblige with a view to their
future services.” How shall I be able to live in France? “Ah, my dear
master, shall your slave be happy enough to induce you to accept of a
tribute of his gratitude? will you do him that kindness?” The master
quite affected, knew not how to answer. The negro continued, “fifteen
hundred livres, will that be sufficient?” Ah, it will certainly be too
much answered the master, dissolved in tears. Immediately the black
quitted him, and returning, put into his possession a deed, which
insured him for life fifteen hundred livres. The planter is now in
France, and actually receives every year his pension, six months in
advance. The negro’s name is Lewis Desrouleaux, and I saw him at the
Cape, where he continued to keep house.
FINIS.
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