The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, The African: Written By HimselfEquiano, Olaudah
History
The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, The African: Written By Himself
Equiano, Olaudah
Enslaved persons -- Great Britain -- Biography; Enslaved persons -- United States -- Biography; Equiano, Olaudah, 1745-1797
We arrived safe at Montserrat, where we discharged our cargo; and soon
after that we took slaves on board for St. Eustatia, and from thence
to Georgia. I had always exerted myself and did double work, in order
to make our voyages as short as possible; and from thus over-working
myself while we were at Georgia I caught a fever and ague. I was very
ill for eleven days and near dying; eternity was now exceedingly
impressed on my mind, and I feared very much that awful event. I
prayed the Lord therefore to spare me; and I made a promise in my mind
to God, that I would be good if ever I should recover. At length, from
having an eminent doctor to attend me, I was restored again to health;
and soon after we got the vessel loaded, and set off for Montserrat.
During the passage, as I was perfectly restored, and had much business
of the vessel to mind, all my endeavours to keep up my integrity, and
perform my promise to God, began to fail; and, in spite of all I could
do, as we drew nearer and nearer to the islands, my resolutions more
and more declined, as if the very air of that country or climate
seemed fatal to piety. When we were safe arrived at Montserrat, and I
had got ashore, I forgot my former resolutions.--Alas! how prone is
the heart to leave that God it wishes to love! and how strongly do the
things of this world strike the senses and captivate the soul!--After
our vessel was discharged, we soon got her ready, and took in, as
usual, some of the poor oppressed natives of Africa, and other
negroes; we then set off again for Georgia and Charlestown. We arrived
at Georgia, and, having landed part of our cargo, proceeded to
Charlestown with the remainder. While we were there I saw the town
illuminated; the guns were fired, and bonfires and other
demonstrations of joy shewn, on account of the repeal of the stamp
act. Here I disposed of some goods on my own account; the white men
buying them with smooth promises and fair words, giving me however but
very indifferent payment. There was one gentleman particularly who
bought a puncheon of rum of me, which gave me a great deal of trouble;
and, although I used the interest of my friendly captain, I could not
obtain any thing for it; for, being a negro man, I could not oblige
him to pay me. This vexed me much, not knowing how to act; and I lost
some time in seeking after this Christian; and though, when the
Sabbath came (which the negroes usually make their holiday) I was much
inclined to go to public worship, I was obliged to hire some black men
to help to pull a boat across the water to God in quest of this
gentleman. When I found him, after much entreaty, both from myself and
my worthy captain, he at last paid me in dollars; some of them,
however, were copper, and of consequence of no value; but he took
advantage of my being a negro man, and obliged me to put up with those
or none, although I objected to them. Immediately after, as I was
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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