CHAPTER 6

In the preceding chapter I have set before the reader a few of those many instances of oppression, extortion, and cruelty, which I have been a witness to in the West Indies: but, were I to enumerate them all, the catalogue would be tedious and disgusting. The punishments of the slaves on every trifling occasion are so frequent, and so well known, together with the different instruments with which they are tortured, that it cannot any longer afford novelty to recite them; and they are too shocking to yield delight either to the writer or the reader. I shall therefore hereafter only mention such as incidentally befel myself in the course of my adventures.

In the previous chapter, I described a few of the many acts of oppression, extortion, and cruelty I witnessed in the West Indies. But if I listed them all, the account would be tedious and disgusting. Slaves are punished so often for every minor matter that these punishments are already well known. So are the various instruments used to torture them. Describing these punishments again would offer nothing new. They are also too shocking to give either the writer or the reader any pleasure. From now on, therefore, I will mention only the punishments I happened to suffer myself during my adventures.

In the variety of departments in which I was employed by my master, I had an opportunity of seeing many curious scenes in different islands; but, above all, I was struck with a celebrated curiosity called Brimstone-Hill, which is a high and steep mountain, some few miles from the town of Plymouth in Montserrat. I had often heard of some wonders that were to be seen on this hill, and I went once with some white and black people to visit it. When we arrived at the top, I saw under different cliffs great flakes of brimstone, occasioned by the steams of various little ponds, which were then boiling naturally in the earth. Some of these ponds were as white as milk, some quite blue, and many others of different colours. I had taken some potatoes with me, and I put them into different ponds, and in a few minutes they were well boiled. I tasted some of them, but they were very sulphurous; and the silver shoe buckles, and all the other things of that metal we had among us, were, in a little time, turned as black as lead.

The various jobs I did for my master gave me opportunities to see many unusual sights on different islands. But above all, I was struck by a famous natural wonder called Brimstone-Hill. This high, steep mountain stands a few miles from the town of Plymouth in Montserrat. I had often heard about the wonders to be seen on this hill. Once, I went with some white and black people to visit it. At the top, I saw large flakes of sulphur beneath several cliffs. These had formed from steam rising from various small pools that boiled naturally in the ground. Some of these pools were as white as milk, some quite blue, and many others were different colours. I had brought some potatoes and put them into different pools. Within a few minutes, the potatoes were fully cooked. I tasted some, but they tasted strongly of sulphur. Within a short time, our silver shoe buckles and all the other silver objects we had with us turned as black as lead.

Some time in the year 1763 kind Providence seemed to appear rather more favourable to me. One of my master's vessels, a Bermudas sloop, about sixty tons, was commanded by one Captain Thomas Farmer, an Englishman, a very alert and active man, who gained my master a great deal of money by his good management in carrying passengers from one island to another; but very often his sailors used to get drunk and run away from the vessel, which hindered him in his business very much. This man had taken a liking to me; and many different times begged of my master to let me go a trip with him as a sailor; but he would tell him he could not spare me, though the vessel sometimes could not go for want of hands, for sailors were generally very scarce in the island. However, at last, from necessity or force, my master was prevailed on, though very reluctantly, to let me go with this captain; but he gave great charge to him to take care that I did not run away, for if I did he would make him pay for me. This being the case, the captain had for some time a sharp eye upon me whenever the vessel anchored; and as soon as she returned I was sent for on shore again. Thus was I slaving as it were for life, sometimes at one thing, and sometimes at another; so that the captain and I were nearly the most useful men in my master's employment. I also became so useful to the captain on shipboard, that many times, when he used to ask for me to go with him, though it should be but for twenty-four hours, to some of the islands near us, my master would answer he could not spare me, at which the captain would swear, and would not go the trip; and tell my master I was better to him on board than any three white men he had; for they used to behave ill in many respects, particularly in getting drunk; and then they frequently got the boat stove, so as to hinder the vessel from coming back as soon as she might have done. This my master knew very well; and at last, by the captain's constant entreaties, after I had been several times with him, one day, to my great joy, my master told me the captain would not let him rest, and asked me whether I would go aboard as a sailor, or stay on shore and mind the stores, for he could not bear any longer to be plagued in this manner. I was very happy at this proposal, for I immediately thought I might in time stand some chance by being on board to get a little money, or possibly make my escape if I should be used ill: I also expected to get better food, and in greater abundance; for I had felt much hunger oftentimes, though my master treated his slaves, as I have observed, uncommonly well. I therefore, without hesitation, answered him, that I would go and be a sailor if he pleased. Accordingly I was ordered on board directly. Nevertheless, between the vessel and the shore, when she was in port, I had little or no rest, as my master always wished to have me along with him. Indeed he was a very pleasant gentleman, and but for my expectations on shipboard I should not have thought of leaving him. But the captain liked me also very much, and I was entirely his right-hand man. I did all I could to deserve his favour, and in return I received better treatment from him than any other I believe ever met with in the West Indies in my situation.

Sometime in 1763, kind Providence seemed to become a little more favorable to me. One of my master’s vessels was a Bermudas sloop of about sixty tons. Her captain was Thomas Farmer, an Englishman who was very energetic and quick to act. His skill in managing the vessel earned my master a great deal of money carrying passengers between islands. But his sailors very often got drunk and ran away from the vessel, greatly disrupting his business. The captain had taken a liking to me. He repeatedly begged my master to let me make a trip with him as a sailor. But my master would say he could not spare me. Sometimes the vessel could not sail for lack of crew, since sailors were generally very scarce on the island. At last, necessity or pressure persuaded my master to let me sail with this captain, though he agreed very reluctantly. But my master strictly instructed the captain to make sure I did not run away. If I did, my master would make the captain pay for me. Because of this warning, the captain watched me closely for some time whenever the vessel anchored. As soon as the vessel returned, I was called back ashore. So I labored like a slave for life, as it were, sometimes at one task and sometimes at another. As a result, the captain and I were among the most useful men my master employed. I also became so useful aboard ship that the captain often asked for me to sail with him. Sometimes the trip to nearby islands would last only twenty-four hours. Even then, my master would say he could not spare me. The captain would swear at this answer and refuse to make the trip. He told my master I was more useful aboard than any three white men he had. Those men often behaved badly, especially by getting drunk. When drunk, they frequently damaged the boat, preventing the vessel from returning as soon as she otherwise could. My master knew all this very well. After I had sailed with the captain several times, his constant requests finally persuaded my master. One day, to my great joy, my master told me the captain would give him no peace. He asked whether I wanted to go aboard as a sailor or stay ashore and look after the stores. He could no longer bear being bothered in this way. I was very happy with this offer. I immediately thought that working aboard might eventually give me a chance to earn a little money. Or I might possibly escape if I were treated badly. I also expected better food and more of it. I had often gone very hungry, although, as I have noted, my master treated his slaves unusually well. So I answered without hesitation that I would become a sailor if he wished. I was therefore ordered aboard immediately. Nevertheless, when the vessel was in port, I had little or no rest between working aboard and ashore. My master always wanted me with him. He was indeed a very pleasant gentleman. Had it not been for my hopes aboard ship, I would not have thought of leaving him. But the captain also liked me very much, and I was his right-hand man in everything. I did all I could to deserve his favor. In return, he treated me better than, I believe, anyone else in my situation was ever treated in the West Indies.

After I had been sailing for some time with this captain, at length I endeavoured to try my luck and commence merchant. I had but a very small capital to begin with; for one single half bit, which is equal to three pence in England, made up my whole stock. However I trusted to the Lord to be with me; and at one of our trips to St. Eustatia, a Dutch island, I bought a glass tumbler with my half bit, and when I came to Montserrat I sold it for a bit, or sixpence. Luckily we made several successive trips to St. Eustatia (which was a general mart for the West Indies, about twenty leagues from Montserrat); and in our next, finding my tumbler so profitable, with this one bit I bought two tumblers more; and when I came back I sold them for two bits, equal to a shilling sterling. When we went again I bought with these two bits four more of these glasses, which I sold for four bits on our return to Montserrat; and in our next voyage to St. Eustatia I bought two glasses with one bit, and with the other three I bought a jug of Geneva, nearly about three pints in measure. When we came to Montserrat I sold the gin for eight bits, and the tumblers for two, so that my capital now amounted in all to a dollar, well husbanded and acquired in the space of a month or six weeks, when I blessed the Lord that I was so rich. As we sailed to different islands, I laid this money out in various things occasionally, and it used to turn out to very good account, especially when we went to Guadaloupe, Grenada, and the rest of the French islands. Thus was I going all about the islands upwards of four years, and ever trading as I went, during which I experienced many instances of ill usage, and have seen many injuries done to other negroes in our dealings with Europeans: and, amidst our recreations, when we have been dancing and merry-making, they, without cause, have molested and insulted us. Indeed I was more than once obliged to look up to God on high, as I had advised the poor fisherman some time before. And I had not been long trading for myself in the manner I have related above, when I experienced the like trial in company with him as follows: This man being used to the water, was upon an emergency put on board of us by his master to work as another hand, on a voyage to Santa Cruz; and at our sailing he had brought his little all for a venture, which consisted of six bits' worth of limes and oranges in a bag; I had also my whole stock, which was about twelve bits' worth of the same kind of goods, separate in two bags; for we had heard these fruits sold well in that island. When we came there, in some little convenient time he and I went ashore with our fruits to sell them; but we had scarcely landed when we were met by two white men, who presently took our three bags from us. We could not at first guess what they meant to do; and for some time we thought they were jesting with us; but they too soon let us know otherwise, for they took our ventures immediately to a house hard by, and adjoining the fort, while we followed all the way begging of them to give us our fruits, but in vain. They not only refused to return them, but swore at us, and threatened if we did not immediately depart they would flog us well. We told them these three bags were all we were worth in the world, and that we brought them with us to sell when we came from Montserrat, and shewed them the vessel. But this was rather against us, as they now saw we were strangers as well as slaves. They still therefore swore, and desired us to be gone, and even took sticks to beat us; while we, seeing they meant what they said, went off in the greatest confusion and despair. Thus, in the very minute of gaining more by three times than I ever did by any venture in my life before, was I deprived of every farthing I was worth. An insupportable misfortune! but how to help ourselves we knew not. In our consternation we went to the commanding officer of the fort and told him how we had been served by some of his people; but we obtained not the least redress: he answered our complaints only by a volley of imprecations against us, and immediately took a horse-whip, in order to chastise us, so that we were obliged to turn out much faster than we came in. I now, in the agony of distress and indignation, wished that the ire of God in his forked lightning might transfix these cruel oppressors among the dead. Still however we persevered; went back again to the house, and begged and besought them again and again for our fruits, till at last some other people that were in the house asked if we would be contented if they kept one bag and gave us the other two. We, seeing no remedy whatever, consented to this; and they, observing one bag to have both kinds of fruit in it, which belonged to my companion, kept that; and the other two, which were mine, they gave us back. As soon as I got them, I ran as fast as I could, and got the first negro man I could to help me off; my companion, however, stayed a little longer to plead; he told them the bag they had was his, and likewise all that he was worth in the world; but this was of no avail, and he was obliged to return without it. The poor old man, wringing his hands, cried bitterly for his loss; and, indeed, he then did look up to God on high, which so moved me with pity for him, that I gave him nearly one third of my fruits. We then proceeded to the markets to sell them; and Providence was more favourable to us than we could have expected, for we sold our fruits uncommonly well; I got for mine about thirty-seven bits. Such a surprising reverse of fortune in so short a space of time seemed like a dream to me, and proved no small encouragement for me to trust the Lord in any situation. My captain afterwards frequently used to take my part, and get me my right, when I have been plundered or used ill by these tender Christian depredators; among whom I have shuddered to observe the unceasing blasphemous execrations which are wantonly thrown out by persons of all ages and conditions, not only without occasion, but even as if they were indulgences and pleasure.

After sailing with this captain for some time, I finally decided to try my luck as a merchant. I had very little money to start with. My entire capital was a single half bit, worth three pence in England. But I trusted that the Lord would be with me. On one of our trips to St. Eustatia, a Dutch island, I bought a glass tumbler with my half bit. When I reached Montserrat, I sold it for a bit, or sixpence. Luckily, we made several trips in a row to St. Eustatia. The island was a trading center for the West Indies, about twenty leagues from Montserrat. On our next trip, since my tumbler had proved so profitable, I bought two more tumblers with my one bit. When I returned, I sold them for two bits, equal to one shilling sterling. On our next visit, I used those two bits to buy four more glasses. I sold them for four bits when we returned to Montserrat. On our next voyage to St. Eustatia, I bought two glasses with one bit. With the other three bits, I bought a jug of gin containing nearly three pints. When we reached Montserrat, I sold the gin for eight bits and the tumblers for two. My capital now amounted to a dollar, earned and carefully managed over a month or six weeks. I blessed the Lord that I was so rich. As we sailed to different islands, I sometimes used this money to buy various goods. These purchases usually brought me very good profits, especially on trips to Guadaloupe, Grenada, and the other French islands. For more than four years, I traveled around the islands, trading wherever I went. During that time, I suffered many instances of mistreatment. I also saw many wrongs done to other black people in our dealings with Europeans. Even during our leisure, when we were dancing and making merry, Europeans harassed and insulted us without cause. More than once, I had to look up to God above, as I had advised the poor fisherman earlier. I had not been trading for myself for long when I suffered a similar trial alongside that fisherman. He was familiar with working on the water. When an urgent need arose, his master sent him aboard our ship as an extra hand on a voyage to Santa Cruz. When we sailed, he had brought everything he owned to trade: six bits' worth of limes and oranges in a bag. I had also brought my entire stock, about twelve bits' worth of the same fruit, divided between two bags. We had heard that these fruits sold well on that island. When we arrived, he and I went ashore at a convenient moment to sell our fruit. We had scarcely landed when two white men met us and immediately took our three bags. At first, we could not guess what the men intended. For a while, we thought they were joking with us. But they soon showed us otherwise. They immediately carried our goods to a nearby house next to the fort. We followed the whole way, begging them to give us our fruit, but in vain. The men not only refused to return it, but swore at us. They threatened to flog us severely if we did not leave immediately. We told them that those three bags were everything we owned in the world. We explained that we had brought the fruit from Montserrat to sell, and we pointed out our ship. But this explanation worked against us. The men now saw that we were strangers as well as slaves. So they kept swearing and ordering us to leave. They even picked up sticks to beat us. Seeing that they meant their threats, we left in utter confusion and despair. Just as I stood to earn three times more than on any previous trading venture, I lost every penny I owned. What an unbearable misfortune! Yet we did not know how to help ourselves. In our dismay, we went to the fort's commanding officer. We told him how some of his men had treated us, but we received no help at all. His only answer to our complaints was a stream of curses. He immediately picked up a riding whip to beat us, so we had to leave much faster than we had entered. In my anguish and outrage, I wished God's anger would strike those cruel oppressors dead with his forked lightning. Still, we persisted. We returned to the house and begged again and again for our fruit. At last, some other people in the house asked whether we would accept two bags back if they kept one. Seeing no other way to recover anything, we agreed. They noticed that one bag contained both kinds of fruit, and they kept that bag, which belonged to my companion. They returned the other two bags, which were mine. As soon as I had them, I ran as fast as I could. I got the first black man I could find to help me carry them away. My companion, however, stayed a little longer to plead with the men. He told them that the bag they had kept was his, and that it contained everything he owned. But his pleas achieved nothing, and he had to return without it. The poor old man wrung his hands and wept bitterly over his loss. And indeed, he then looked up to God above. His distress moved me so deeply that I gave him nearly a third of my fruit. We then went to the markets to sell our goods. Providence was more favorable to us than we could have expected, for our fruit sold unusually well. I received about thirty-seven bits for mine. Such a surprising change of fortune in so short a time seemed like a dream to me. It greatly encouraged me to trust the Lord in any situation. Afterward, my captain often defended me and helped me get what I was owed when these tenderhearted Christian plunderers robbed or mistreated me. Among these people, I shuddered to hear the constant, blasphemous curses uttered so freely by people of every age and station. They cursed not only without cause, but even as though cursing were a pleasure to indulge in.

At one of our trips to St. Kitt's I had eleven bits of my own; and my friendly captain lent me five bits more, with which I bought a Bible. I was very glad to get this book, which I scarcely could meet with any where. I think there was none sold in Montserrat; and, much to my grief, from being forced out of the Ætna in the manner I have related, my Bible, and the Guide to the Indians, the two books I loved above all others, were left behind.

On one of our trips to St. Kitt's, I had eleven bits of my own money. My friendly captain lent me five bits more, and I used the money to buy a Bible. I was very glad to get a Bible, since I could hardly find one anywhere. I think none were sold in Montserrat. Much to my grief, my Bible and the Guide to the Indians had been left behind on the Ætna. These were the two books I loved above all others. I had left them behind because I was forced off the Ætna in the way I have already described.

While I was in this place, St. Kitt's, a very curious imposition on human nature took place:—A white man wanted to marry in the church a free black woman that had land and slaves in Montserrat: but the clergyman told him it was against the law of the place to marry a white and a black in the church. The man then asked to be married on the water, to which the parson consented, and the two lovers went in one boat, and the parson and clerk in another, and thus the ceremony was performed. After this the loving pair came on board our vessel, and my captain treated them extremely well, and brought them safe to Montserrat.

While I was in St. Kitt's, a very strange restriction on human nature came to my attention. A white man wanted to marry a free black woman in the church. She owned land and slaves in Montserrat. But the clergyman told him local law forbade a white person and a black person from marrying in the church. The man then asked to be married on the water, and the clergyman agreed. The two lovers went in one boat, and the clergyman and clerk went in another. The ceremony was performed that way. Afterward, the loving couple came aboard our vessel. My captain treated them extremely well and brought them safely to Montserrat.

The reader cannot but judge of the irksomeness of this situation to a mind like mine, in being daily exposed to new hardships and impositions, after having seen many better days, and having been as it were in a state of freedom and plenty; added to which, every part of the world I had hitherto been in seemed to me a paradise in comparison of the West Indies. My mind was therefore hourly replete with inventions and thoughts of being freed, and, if possible, by honest and honourable means; for I always remembered the old adage; and I trust it has ever been my ruling principle, that honesty is the best policy; and likewise that other golden precept—to do unto all men as I would they should do unto me. However, as I was from early years a predestinarian, I thought whatever fate had determined must ever come to pass; and therefore, if ever it were my lot to be freed nothing could prevent me, although I should at present see no means or hope to obtain my freedom; on the other hand, if it were my fate not to be freed I never should be so, and all my endeavours for that purpose would be fruitless. In the midst of these thoughts I therefore looked up with prayers anxiously to God for my liberty; and at the same time I used every honest means, and endeavoured all that was possible on my part to obtain it. In process of time I became master of a few pounds, and in a fair way of making more, which my friendly captain knew very well; this occasioned him sometimes to take liberties with me: but whenever he treated me waspishly I used plainly to tell him my mind, and that I would die before I would be imposed on as other negroes were, and that to me life had lost its relish when liberty was gone. This I said although I foresaw my then well-being or future hopes of freedom (humanly speaking) depended on this man. However, as he could not bear the thoughts of my not sailing with him, he always became mild on my threats. I therefore continued with him; and, from my great attention to his orders and his business, I gained him credit, and through his kindness to me I at last procured my liberty. While I thus went on, filled with the thoughts of freedom, and resisting oppression as well as I was able, my life hung daily in suspense, particularly in the surfs I have formerly mentioned, as I could not swim. These are extremely violent throughout the West Indies, and I was ever exposed to their howling rage and devouring fury in all the islands. I have seen them strike and toss a boat right up an end, and maim several on board. Once in the Grenada islands, when I and about eight others were pulling a large boat with two puncheons of water in it, a surf struck us, and drove the boat and all in it about half a stone's throw, among some trees, and above the high water mark. We were obliged to get all the assistance we could from the nearest estate to mend the boat, and launch it into the water again. At Montserrat one night, in pressing hard to get off the shore on board, the punt was overset with us four times; the first time I was very near being drowned; however the jacket I had on kept me up above water a little space of time, while I called on a man near me who was a good swimmer, and told him I could not swim; he then made haste to me, and, just as I was sinking, he caught hold of me, and brought me to sounding, and then he went and brought the punt also. As soon as we had turned the water out of her, lest we should be used ill for being absent, we attempted again three times more, and as often the horrid surfs served us as at first; but at last, the fifth time we attempted, we gained our point, at the imminent hazard of our lives. One day also, at Old Road in Montserrat, our captain, and three men besides myself, were going in a large canoe in quest of rum and sugar, when a single surf tossed the canoe an amazing distance from the water, and some of us even a stone's throw from each other: most of us were very much bruised; so that I and many more often said, and really thought, that there was not such another place under the heavens as this. I longed therefore much to leave it, and daily wished to see my master's promise performed of going to Philadelphia. While we lay in this place a very cruel thing happened on board of our sloop which filled me with horror; though I found afterwards such practices were frequent. There was a very clever and decent free young mulatto-man who sailed a long time with us: he had a free woman for his wife, by whom he had a child; and she was then living on shore, and all very happy. Our captain and mate, and other people on board, and several elsewhere, even the natives of Bermudas, all knew this young man from a child that he was always free, and no one had ever claimed him as their property: however, as might too often overcomes right in these parts, it happened that a Bermudas captain, whose vessel lay there for a few days in the road, came on board of us, and seeing the mulatto-man, whose name was Joseph Clipson, he told him he was not free, and that he had orders from his master to bring him to Bermudas. The poor man could not believe the captain to be in earnest; but he was very soon undeceived, his men laying violent hands on him: and although he shewed a certificate of his being born free in St. Kitt's, and most people on board knew that he served his time to boat building, and always passed for a free man, yet he was taken forcibly out of our vessel. He then asked to be carried ashore before the secretary or magistrates, and these infernal invaders of human rights promised him he should; but, instead of that, they carried him on board of the other vessel: and the next day, without giving the poor man any hearing on shore, or suffering him even to see his wife or child, he was carried away, and probably doomed never more in this world to see them again. Nor was this the only instance of this kind of barbarity I was a witness to. I have since often seen in Jamaica and other islands free men, whom I have known in America, thus villainously trepanned and held in bondage. I have heard of two similar practices even in Philadelphia: and were it not for the benevolence of the quakers in that city many of the sable race, who now breathe the air of liberty, would, I believe, be groaning indeed under some planter's chains. These things opened my mind to a new scene of horror to which I had been before a stranger. Hitherto I had thought only slavery dreadful; but the state of a free negro appeared to me now equally so at least, and in some respects even worse, for they live in constant alarm for their liberty; and even this is but nominal, for they are universally insulted and plundered without the possibility of redress; for such is the equity of the West Indian laws, that no free negro's evidence will be admitted in their courts of justice. In this situation is it surprising that slaves, when mildly treated, should prefer even the misery of slavery to such a mockery of freedom? I was now completely disgusted with the West Indies, and thought I never should be entirely free until I had left them.

The reader can imagine how distressing this situation was to someone like me. I faced new hardships and abuses every day, after having known much better days. I had lived almost as though I were free and had plenty. Besides, every place I had visited before seemed a paradise compared with the West Indies. So my mind was constantly filled with plans and thoughts of gaining freedom, through honest and honorable means if possible. I always remembered the old saying that honesty is the best policy. I trust that saying has always guided me. So has the other golden rule: to treat everyone as I would wish them to treat me. However, from an early age I had believed in predestination. I thought that whatever fate had determined must happen. Therefore, if I was destined to become free, nothing could prevent my freedom. That remained true even if I could see no means or hope of gaining it. On the other hand, if I was not destined to become free, I never would. All my efforts to gain freedom would then be useless. With these thoughts in mind, I prayed anxiously to God for my freedom. At the same time, I used every honest means and did everything possible on my part to obtain it. Over time, I saved a few pounds and had good prospects of making more. My friendly captain knew this very well, and sometimes took advantage of me because of it. But whenever he treated me spitefully, I told him plainly what I thought. I said I would die before accepting the abuses other Black people suffered. For me, life had lost its pleasure when freedom was gone. I spoke this way although I knew my present welfare and future hopes of freedom depended, humanly speaking, on him. However, he could not bear the thought of my no longer sailing with him. So whenever I threatened to leave, he softened toward me. I therefore stayed with him. By carefully following his orders and attending to his business, I earned him a good reputation. Through his kindness to me, I finally gained my freedom. As I continued this way, thoughts of freedom filled my mind, and I resisted oppression as well as I could. Meanwhile, my life was in danger every day, particularly in the breaking waves I mentioned earlier, because I could not swim. These waves are extremely violent throughout the West Indies. On every island, I was exposed to their howling rage and devouring fury. I have seen them strike a boat, throw it upright on one end, and seriously injure several people aboard. Once, in the Grenada islands, about eight others and I were rowing a large boat carrying two large water casks. A breaking wave struck us and hurled the boat and everyone aboard about half a stone’s throw. We landed among some trees above the high-water mark. We had to get all the help we could from the nearest estate to repair the boat and launch it again. One night at Montserrat, we were struggling to leave the shore and return to our ship. The small boat overturned with us four times. The first time, I nearly drowned. However, my jacket kept me afloat briefly while I called to a man nearby who could swim well. I told him I could not swim. He hurried toward me and caught me just as I was sinking. He brought me into shallow water, then went back and brought in the boat as well. Once we had emptied the water from the boat, we tried again. We feared being mistreated for staying away. We made three more attempts, and each time the terrible waves overturned us as before. At last, on our fifth attempt, we reached the ship, at the immediate risk of our lives. Another day, at Old Road in Montserrat, our captain, three other men, and I went looking for rum and sugar. We were traveling in a large canoe. A single breaking wave threw the canoe an astonishing distance out of the water. Some of us landed as far as a stone’s throw from one another. Most of us were badly bruised. Because of such experiences, many others and I often said, and truly believed, that nowhere under heaven matched this place. So I longed to leave and wished daily that my master would fulfill his promise of going to Philadelphia. While we were there, something terribly cruel happened aboard our sloop. It filled me with horror, though I later learned that such acts were common. A very capable and respectable young man of mixed Black and white ancestry had sailed with us for a long time. He was free and had a wife who was also free. They had a child together. His wife was then living ashore, and the whole family was very happy. Our captain, our mate, others aboard, and several people elsewhere knew the young man had been free since childhood. Even people from Bermudas knew this, and no one had ever claimed him as property. However, in these parts, power too often defeats justice. A captain from Bermudas had anchored his vessel offshore for a few days. He came aboard our ship and saw the young man, whose name was Joseph Clipson. The captain told Joseph that he was not free. He said he had orders from Joseph’s master to take him to Bermudas. The poor man could not believe the captain was serious. But he soon learned otherwise when the captain’s men seized him violently. Joseph showed a certificate proving that he had been born free in St. Kitt’s. Most people aboard also knew he had completed an apprenticeship in boatbuilding and had always been recognized as free. Yet he was forcibly taken from our vessel. Joseph then asked to be taken ashore before the secretary or magistrates. These infernal violators of human rights promised to do so. Instead, they took him aboard the other vessel. The next day, they carried the poor man away without giving him any hearing ashore. They would not even let him see his wife or child. He was probably doomed never to see them again in this world. Nor was this the only example of such cruelty I witnessed. Since then, in Jamaica and other islands, I have often seen free men I had known in America kidnapped this way. They were treacherously trapped and held in slavery. I have heard of two similar cases even in Philadelphia. Without the kindness of the quakers there, many Black people who now breathe freely would, I believe, be suffering in chains. They would be groaning under some planter’s power. These events revealed horrors I had never known before. Until then, I had thought only slavery was dreadful. Now the condition of a free Black person seemed at least equally dreadful, and in some ways even worse. Free Black people live in constant fear of losing their freedom. Even that freedom exists only in name. They are all subjected to insults and robbery, with no possibility of legal remedy. Such is the fairness of West Indian laws that their courts will not accept any free Black person’s testimony. Under these circumstances, is it surprising that enslaved people, when treated gently, should prefer even slavery’s misery to such mock freedom? I was now thoroughly disgusted with the West Indies. I thought I would never be entirely free until I had left them.

I determined to make every exertion to obtain my freedom, and to return to Old England. For this purpose I thought a knowledge of navigation might be of use to me; for, though I did not intend to run away unless I should be ill used, yet, in such a case, if I understood navigation, I might attempt my escape in our sloop, which was one of the swiftest sailing vessels in the West Indies, and I could be at no loss for hands to join me: and if I should make this attempt, I had intended to have gone for England; but this, as I said, was only to be in the event of my meeting with any ill usage. I therefore employed the mate of our vessel to teach me navigation, for which I agreed to give him twenty-four dollars, and actually paid him part of the money down; though when the captain, some time after, came to know that the mate was to have such a sum for teaching me, he rebuked him, and said it was a shame for him to take any money from me. However, my progress in this useful art was much retarded by the constancy of our work. Had I wished to run away I did not want opportunities, which frequently presented themselves; and particularly at one time, soon after this. When we were at the island of Gaurdeloupe there was a large fleet of merchantmen bound for Old France; and, seamen then being very scarce, they gave from fifteen to twenty pounds a man for the run. Our mate, and all the white sailors, left our vessel on this account, and went on board of the French ships. They would have had me also to go with them, for they regarded me; and they swore to protect me, if I would go: and, as the fleet was to sail the next day, I really believe I could have got safe to Europe at that time. However, as my master was kind, I would not attempt to leave him; and, remembering the old maxim, that 'honesty is the best policy,' I suffered them to go without me. Indeed my captain was much afraid of my leaving him and the vessel at that time, as I had so fair an opportunity: but, I thank God, this fidelity of mine turned out much to my advantage hereafter, when I did not in the least think of it; and made me so much in favour with the captain, that he used now and then to teach me some parts of navigation himself: but some of our passengers, and others, seeing this, found much fault with him for it, saying it was a very dangerous thing to let a negro know navigation; thus I was hindered again in my pursuits. About the latter end of the year 1764 my master bought a larger sloop, called the Providence, about seventy or eighty tons, of which my captain had the command. I went with him into this vessel, and we took a load of new slaves for Georgia and Charles Town. My master now left me entirely to the captain, though he still wished for me to be with him; but I, who always much wished to lose sight of the West Indies, was not a little rejoiced at the thoughts of seeing any other country. Therefore, relying on the goodness of my captain, I got ready all the little venture I could; and, when the vessel was ready, we sailed, to my great joy. When we got to our destined places, Georgia and Charles Town, I expected I should have an opportunity of selling my little property to advantage: but here, particularly in Charles Town, I met with buyers, white men, who imposed on me as in other places. Notwithstanding, I was resolved to have fortitude; thinking no lot or trial is too hard when kind Heaven is the rewarder. We soon got loaded again, and returned to Montserrat; and there, amongst the rest of the islands, I sold my goods well; and in this manner I continued trading during the year 1764; meeting with various scenes of imposition, as usual. After this, my master fitted out his vessel for Philadelphia, in the year 1765; and during the time we were loading her, and getting ready for the voyage, I worked with redoubled alacrity, from the hope of getting money enough by these voyages to buy my freedom in time, if it should please God; and also to see the town of Philadelphia, which I had heard a great deal about for some years past; besides which, I had always longed to prove my master's promise the first day I came to him. In the midst of these elevated ideas, and while I was about getting my little merchandize in readiness, one Sunday my master sent for me to his house. When I came there I found him and the captain together; and, on my going in, I was struck with astonishment at his telling me he heard that I meant to run away from him when I got to Philadelphia: 'And therefore,' said he, 'I must sell you again: you cost me a great deal of money, no less than forty pounds sterling; and it will not do to lose so much. You are a valuable fellow,' continued he; 'and I can get any day for you one hundred guineas, from many gentlemen in this island.' And then he told me of Captain Doran's brother-in-law, a severe master, who ever wanted to buy me to make me his overseer. My captain also said he could get much more than a hundred guineas for me in Carolina. This I knew to be a fact; for the gentleman that wanted to buy me came off several times on board of us, and spoke to me to live with him, and said he would use me well. When I asked what work he would put me to he said, as I was a sailor, he would make me a captain of one of his rice vessels. But I refused: and fearing, at the same time, by a sudden turn I saw in the captain's temper, he might mean to sell me, I told the gentleman I would not live with him on any condition, and that I certainly would run away with his vessel: but he said he did not fear that, as he would catch me again; and then he told me how cruelly he would serve me if I should do so. My captain, however, gave him to understand that I knew something of navigation: so he thought better of it; and, to my great joy, he went away. I now told my master I did not say I would run away in Philadelphia; neither did I mean it, as he did not use me ill, nor yet the captain: for if they did I certainly would have made some attempts before now; but as I thought that if it were God's will I ever should be freed it would be so, and, on the contrary, if it was not his will it would not happen; so I hoped, if ever I were freed, whilst I was used well, it should be by honest means; but, as I could not help myself, he must do as he pleased; I could only hope and trust to the God of Heaven; and at that instant my mind was big with inventions and full of schemes to escape. I then appealed to the captain whether he ever saw any sign of my making the least attempt to run away; and asked him if I did not always come on board according to the time for which he gave me liberty; and, more particularly, when all our men left us at Gaurdeloupe and went on board of the French fleet, and advised me to go with them, whether I might not, and that he could not have got me again. To my no small surprise, and very great joy, the captain confirmed every syllable that I had said: and even more; for he said he had tried different times to see if I would make any attempt of this kind, both at St. Eustatia and in America, and he never found that I made the smallest; but, on the contrary, I always came on board according to his orders; and he did really believe, if I ever meant to run away, that, as I could never have had a better opportunity, I would have done it the night the mate and all the people left our vessel at Gaurdeloupe. The captain then informed my master, who had been thus imposed on by our mate, though I did not know who was my enemy, the reason the mate had for imposing this lie upon him; which was, because I had acquainted the captain of the provisions the mate had given away or taken out of the vessel. This speech of the captain was like life to the dead to me, and instantly my soul glorified God; and still more so on hearing my master immediately say that I was a sensible fellow, and he never did intend to use me as a common slave; and that but for the entreaties of the captain, and his character of me, he would not have let me go from the stores about as I had done; that also, in so doing, he thought by carrying one little thing or other to different places to sell I might make money. That he also intended to encourage me in this by crediting me with half a puncheon of rum and half a hogshead of sugar at a time; so that, from being careful, I might have money enough, in some time, to purchase my freedom; and, when that was the case, I might depend upon it he would let me have it for forty pounds sterling money, which was only the same price he gave for me. This sound gladdened my poor heart beyond measure; though indeed it was no more than the very idea I had formed in my mind of my master long before, and I immediately made him this reply: 'Sir, I always had that very thought of you, indeed I had, and that made me so diligent in serving you.' He then gave me a large piece of silver coin, such as I never had seen or had before, and told me to get ready for the voyage, and he would credit me with a tierce of sugar, and another of rum; he also said that he had two amiable sisters in Philadelphia, from whom I might get some necessary things. Upon this my noble captain desired me to go aboard; and, knowing the African metal, he charged me not to say any thing of this matter to any body; and he promised that the lying mate should not go with him any more. This was a change indeed; in the same hour to feel the most exquisite pain, and in the turn of a moment the fullest joy. It caused in me such sensations as I was only able to express in my looks; my heart was so overpowered with gratitude that I could have kissed both of their feet. When I left the room I immediately went, or rather flew, to the vessel, which being loaded, my master, as good as his word, trusted me with a tierce of rum, and another of sugar, when we sailed, and arrived safe at the elegant town of Philadelphia. I soon sold my goods here pretty well; and in this charming place I found every thing plentiful and cheap.

I decided to do everything I could to gain my freedom and return to Old England. I thought learning navigation might help me achieve this. I did not intend to run away unless I was mistreated. But if that happened, knowing navigation might let me escape in our sloop. It was one of the fastest sailing vessels in the West Indies. I would have no trouble finding sailors to join me. If I made such an attempt, I intended to head for England. But, as I said, I would do this only if I was mistreated. So I hired our vessel’s mate to teach me navigation. I agreed to pay him twenty-four dollars and paid part of the money in advance. Some time later, the captain learned how much the mate was charging me. He scolded the mate and said he should be ashamed to take any money from me. However, our constant work greatly slowed my progress in this useful skill. If I had wanted to run away, I had plenty of opportunities. One especially good opportunity came soon afterward. At the island of Gaurdeloupe, we found a large fleet of merchant ships bound for Old France. Sailors were very scarce then, so the ships offered fifteen to twenty pounds per man for the voyage. Our mate and all the white sailors left our vessel to join the French ships. They wanted me to go too, because they cared for me. They swore to protect me if I joined them. The fleet was leaving the next day. I truly believe I could have reached Europe safely then. But because my master was kind, I would not try to leave him. Remembering the old saying that 'honesty is the best policy,' I let them go without me. My captain was very afraid I would leave him and the vessel, since I had such a good opportunity. But, thank God, my loyalty later helped me greatly, when I least expected it. My loyalty also won me so much favor with the captain that he sometimes taught me navigation himself. But some passengers and others saw him teaching me and strongly criticized him. They said teaching a Black man navigation was very dangerous. So once again, my efforts were held back. Toward the end of 1764, my master bought a larger sloop called the Providence, of about seventy or eighty tons. My captain took command, and I joined him aboard. We took a cargo of newly enslaved people to Georgia and Charles Town. My master now placed me entirely under the captain’s authority, though he still wished to keep me with him. But I had always longed to leave the West Indies behind. I was delighted at the thought of seeing any other country. So, trusting my captain’s kindness, I gathered all the goods I could afford to trade. When the vessel was ready, we sailed, to my great joy. When we reached Georgia and Charles Town, I expected to sell my small stock of goods at a profit. But there, especially in Charles Town, white buyers cheated me, just as buyers had elsewhere. Still, I was determined to remain strong. I thought no hardship or trial was too great when kind Heaven would give the reward. We soon loaded the vessel again and returned to Montserrat. There and among the other islands, I sold my goods profitably. I continued trading in this way during 1764, meeting with various kinds of cheating, as usual. After this, in 1765, my master prepared his vessel for Philadelphia. While we loaded the vessel and prepared for the voyage, I worked with twice my usual energy and enthusiasm. I hoped these voyages would eventually earn me enough to buy my freedom, if God pleased. I also wanted to see Philadelphia, which I had heard so much about for several years. Besides, I had always longed to test the promise my master made when I first came to him. While I was full of these hopeful thoughts and preparing my small stock of goods, my master sent for me. It was a Sunday, and he asked me to come to his house. When I arrived, I found him with the captain. As I entered, my master astonished me by saying he had heard I intended to escape in Philadelphia. 'And therefore,' he said, 'I must sell you again. You cost me a great deal of money, no less than forty pounds sterling. I cannot afford to lose so much. You are a valuable fellow,' he continued. 'Many gentlemen on this island would pay me one hundred guineas for you any day.' Then he mentioned Captain Doran’s brother-in-law, a harsh master who had long wanted to buy me as his overseer. My captain also said he could get much more than a hundred guineas for me in Carolina. I knew this was true. The gentleman who wanted to buy me had come aboard several times and asked me to live with him. He said he would treat me well. When I asked what work he would give me, he said I could captain one of his rice vessels. He offered this because I was a sailor. But I refused. At the same time, a sudden change in the captain’s mood made me fear he might intend to sell me. I told the gentleman I would not live with him under any conditions. I also said I would certainly run away with his vessel. But he said he was not afraid, because he would catch me again. Then he told me how cruelly he would treat me if I escaped. However, my captain told him I knew something about navigation. So the gentleman reconsidered and, to my great joy, went away. I now told my master I had not said I would run away in Philadelphia. Nor did I intend to, since neither he nor the captain mistreated me. If they had, I certainly would have tried to escape before now. But I believed that if God willed my freedom, I would gain it. If he did not, I would not become free. So, as long as I was treated well, I hoped to gain my freedom by honest means. But since I had no power to help myself, my master must do as he pleased. I could only hope and trust in the God of Heaven. Yet at that very moment, my mind was crowded with ideas and plans for escape. Then I asked the captain whether he had ever seen the slightest sign that I intended to run away. Had I not always returned aboard at the time he set when allowing me ashore? I reminded him especially of Gaurdeloupe. All our men had left for the French fleet and urged me to join them. Could I not have gone, knowing he could never have brought me back? To my great surprise and joy, the captain confirmed every word I had said. He went even further. He said he had tested me several times, both at St. Eustatia and in America, to see whether I would escape. He had never found the slightest sign of an attempt. On the contrary, I had always returned aboard as ordered. He truly believed I would have escaped at Gaurdeloupe if I had ever intended to run away. I could never have had a better opportunity than the night the mate and all the crew left. The captain then explained why our mate had deceived my master with this lie. Until then, I had not known who my enemy was. I had told the captain about provisions the mate had given away or taken out of the vessel. The mate had invented the lie because I had reported him. The captain’s words were like life returning to the dead. My soul immediately praised God. I praised him still more when my master immediately said I was a sensible fellow. He said he had never intended to treat me like an ordinary slave. Only the captain’s requests and good opinion of me had persuaded him to let me leave the stores so freely. He also thought this freedom would let me earn money by taking small goods to different places to sell. My master said he intended to encourage my trading by letting me buy goods on credit. He would offer me half a puncheon of rum and half a hogshead of sugar at a time. With care, I might eventually save enough money to buy my freedom. When I had enough, I could depend on him to grant my freedom for forty pounds sterling. That was only the price he had paid for me. These words filled my poor heart with immeasurable joy. Yet they only confirmed the opinion I had formed of my master long before. I immediately replied: 'Sir, I always thought exactly that of you. Indeed I did, and that made me work so diligently for you.' He then gave me a large silver coin, unlike any I had ever seen or owned. He told me to prepare for the voyage. He would give me credit for a tierce, a large cask, of sugar and another of rum. He also said he had two kind sisters in Philadelphia, from whom I could obtain some necessities. Then my noble captain told me to go aboard. Knowing the African character, he warned me not to tell anyone about this matter. He also promised that the lying mate would never sail with him again. What a change this was! Within the same hour, I felt the sharpest pain and then, in an instant, the fullest joy. My feelings were so strong that I could express them only through my face. Gratitude so overwhelmed my heart that I could have kissed both their feet. When I left the room, I went straight to the vessel, or rather, I flew there. The vessel was loaded, and my master kept his word. He entrusted me with a tierce of rum and another of sugar. We sailed and arrived safely at the elegant town of Philadelphia. I soon sold my goods there at a fairly good profit. In this charming place, I found everything plentiful and cheap.

While I was in this place a very extraordinary occurrence befell me. I had been told one evening of a wise woman, a Mrs. Davis, who revealed secrets, foretold events, &c. I put little faith in this story at first, as I could not conceive that any mortal could foresee the future disposals of Providence, nor did I believe in any other revelation than that of the Holy Scriptures; however, I was greatly astonished at seeing this woman in a dream that night, though a person I never before beheld in my life; this made such an impression on me, that I could not get the idea the next day out of my mind, and I then became as anxious to see her as I was before indifferent; accordingly in the evening, after we left off working, I inquired where she lived, and being directed to her, to my inexpressible surprise, beheld the very woman in the very same dress she appeared to me to wear in the vision. She immediately told me I had dreamed of her the preceding night; related to me many things that had happened with a correctness that astonished me; and finally told me I should not be long a slave: this was the more agreeable news, as I believed it the more readily from her having so faithfully related the past incidents of my life. She said I should be twice in very great danger of my life within eighteen months, which, if I escaped, I should afterwards go on well; so, giving me her blessing, we parted. After staying here some time till our vessel was loaded, and I had bought in my little traffic, we sailed from this agreeable spot for Montserrat, once more to encounter the raging surfs.

While I was in this place, something extraordinary happened to me. One evening, I heard about a wise woman, a Mrs. Davis, who revealed secrets, predicted events, and so on. At first, I put little faith in the story. I could not imagine that any mortal could foresee what Providence had planned. Nor did I believe in any revelation other than the Holy Scriptures. Yet I was greatly astonished to see this woman in a dream that night, although I had never seen her before. The dream made such an impression on me that I could not stop thinking about her the next day. I became as eager to see her as I had previously been indifferent. So that evening, after we finished working, I asked where she lived and was directed to her. To my indescribable surprise, I saw the very woman, wearing exactly the same clothes she had worn in my dream. She immediately told me I had dreamed of her the night before. She described many things that had happened to me with astonishing accuracy. Finally, she told me I would not remain a slave for long. This news was all the more welcome because her accurate account of my past made me believe her more readily. She said my life would be in very great danger twice within eighteen months. If I escaped those dangers, my life would go well afterward. Then she gave me her blessing, and we parted. We stayed there for some time, until our vessel was loaded and I had bought goods for my small trading business. Then we sailed from this pleasant place for Montserrat, once more to face the raging surf.

We arrived safe at Montserrat, where we discharged our cargo; and soon after that we took slaves on board for St. Eustatia, and from thence to Georgia. I had always exerted myself and did double work, in order to make our voyages as short as possible; and from thus over-working myself while we were at Georgia I caught a fever and ague. I was very ill for eleven days and near dying; eternity was now exceedingly impressed on my mind, and I feared very much that awful event. I prayed the Lord therefore to spare me; and I made a promise in my mind to God, that I would be good if ever I should recover. At length, from having an eminent doctor to attend me, I was restored again to health; and soon after we got the vessel loaded, and set off for Montserrat. During the passage, as I was perfectly restored, and had much business of the vessel to mind, all my endeavours to keep up my integrity, and perform my promise to God, began to fail; and, in spite of all I could do, as we drew nearer and nearer to the islands, my resolutions more and more declined, as if the very air of that country or climate seemed fatal to piety. When we were safe arrived at Montserrat, and I had got ashore, I forgot my former resolutions.—Alas! how prone is the heart to leave that God it wishes to love! and how strongly do the things of this world strike the senses and captivate the soul!—After our vessel was discharged, we soon got her ready, and took in, as usual, some of the poor oppressed natives of Africa, and other negroes; we then set off again for Georgia and Charlestown. We arrived at Georgia, and, having landed part of our cargo, proceeded to Charlestown with the remainder. While we were there I saw the town illuminated; the guns were fired, and bonfires and other demonstrations of joy shewn, on account of the repeal of the stamp act. Here I disposed of some goods on my own account; the white men buying them with smooth promises and fair words, giving me however but very indifferent payment. There was one gentleman particularly who bought a puncheon of rum of me, which gave me a great deal of trouble; and, although I used the interest of my friendly captain, I could not obtain any thing for it; for, being a negro man, I could not oblige him to pay me. This vexed me much, not knowing how to act; and I lost some time in seeking after this Christian; and though, when the Sabbath came (which the negroes usually make their holiday) I was much inclined to go to public worship, I was obliged to hire some black men to help to pull a boat across the water to God in quest of this gentleman. When I found him, after much entreaty, both from myself and my worthy captain, he at last paid me in dollars; some of them, however, were copper, and of consequence of no value; but he took advantage of my being a negro man, and obliged me to put up with those or none, although I objected to them. Immediately after, as I was trying to pass them in the market, amongst other white men, I was abused for offering to pass bad coin; and, though I shewed them the man I got them from, I was within one minute of being tied up and flogged without either judge or jury; however, by the help of a good pair of heels, I ran off, and so escaped the bastinadoes I should have received. I got on board as fast as I could, but still continued in fear of them until we sailed, which I thanked God we did not long after; and I have never been amongst them since.

We arrived safely at Montserrat, where we unloaded our cargo. Soon afterward, we took enslaved people aboard for St. Eustatia, and from there sailed to Georgia. I had always pushed myself and done twice the work to make our voyages as short as possible. Because I overworked myself this way in Georgia, I developed a fever with chills. I was very ill for eleven days and nearly died. Eternity now weighed heavily on my mind, and I greatly feared death. So I prayed to the Lord to spare me. I silently promised God that I would be good if I ever recovered. At last, with a distinguished doctor treating me, I regained my health. Soon afterward, we loaded the vessel and set off for Montserrat. During the voyage, my efforts to remain upright and keep my promise to God began to fail. I had fully recovered and had much of the vessel’s business to attend to. Despite all I could do, my resolve weakened more and more as we approached the islands. It was as if the very air of that country or climate were fatal to devotion. Once we arrived safely at Montserrat and I went ashore, I forgot my earlier resolutions. Alas! How readily the heart turns away from the God it wishes to love! And how powerfully the things of this world strike the senses and captivate the soul! After unloading our vessel, we soon prepared her to sail again. As usual, we took aboard some of the poor, oppressed natives of Africa and other enslaved black people. Then we set off again for Georgia and Charlestown. We arrived in Georgia, unloaded part of our cargo, and continued to Charlestown with the rest. While we were there, I saw the town lit up in celebration of the repeal of the stamp act. Guns were fired, bonfires were lit, and people showed their joy in other ways. Here I sold some goods on my own account. The white men bought them with smooth promises and fine words, but paid me very poorly. One gentleman in particular bought a puncheon, a large cask of rum, from me and caused me considerable trouble. Although I sought help through my friendly captain’s influence, I could get no payment. Because I was a black man, I could not force the gentleman to pay me. This troubled me greatly, as I did not know what to do. I spent some time searching for this Christian. When the Sabbath came, I very much wanted to attend public worship. Black people usually take that day as their holiday. Instead, I had to hire some black men to help row a boat across the water to God, seeking this gentleman. When I found him, both my worthy captain and I pleaded with him at length. At last, he paid me in dollars. Some of the coins, however, were copper and therefore worthless. But he took advantage of my being a black man and made me accept those coins or nothing, despite my objections. Immediately afterward, I tried to spend the coins in the market among other white men. They insulted me for offering bad money. Although I pointed out the man who had given me the coins, I was almost immediately threatened with punishment. I was within a minute of being tied up and whipped, without either judge or jury. But my fast feet saved me. I ran away and escaped the beating I would have received. I got aboard as quickly as I could, but remained afraid of those men until we sailed. I thanked God that we sailed soon afterward, and I have never been among those men since.

We soon came to Georgia, where we were to complete our lading; and here worse fate than ever attended me: for one Sunday night, as I was with some negroes in their master's yard in the town of Savannah, it happened that their master, one Doctor Perkins, who was a very severe and cruel man, came in drunk; and, not liking to see any strange negroes in his yard, he and a ruffian of a white man he had in his service beset me in an instant, and both of them struck me with the first weapons they could get hold of. I cried out as long as I could for help and mercy; but, though I gave a good account of myself, and he knew my captain, who lodged hard by him, it was to no purpose. They beat and mangled me in a shameful manner, leaving me near dead. I lost so much blood from the wounds I received, that I lay quite motionless, and was so benumbed that I could not feel any thing for many hours. Early in the morning they took me away to the jail. As I did not return to the ship all night, my captain, not knowing where I was, and being uneasy that I did not then make my appearance, he made inquiry after me; and, having found where I was, immediately came to me. As soon as the good man saw me so cut and mangled, he could not forbear weeping; he soon got me out of jail to his lodgings, and immediately sent for the best doctors in the place, who at first declared it as their opinion that I could not recover. My captain on this went to all the lawyers in the town for their advice, but they told him they could do nothing for me as I was a negro. He then went to Doctor Perkins, the hero who had vanquished me, and menaced him, swearing he would be revenged of him, and challenged him to fight.—But cowardice is ever the companion of cruelty—and the Doctor refused. However, by the skilfulness of one Doctor Brady of that place, I began at last to amend; but, although I was so sore and bad with the wounds I had all over me that I could not rest in any posture, yet I was in more pain on account of the captain's uneasiness about me than I otherwise should have been. The worthy man nursed and watched me all the hours of the night; and I was, through his attention and that of the doctor, able to get out of bed in about sixteen or eighteen days. All this time I was very much wanted on board, as I used frequently to go up and down the river for rafts, and other parts of our cargo, and stow them when the mate was sick or absent. In about four weeks I was able to go on duty; and in a fortnight after, having got in all our lading, our vessel set sail for Montserrat; and in less than three weeks we arrived there safe towards the end of the year. This ended my adventures in 1764; for I did not leave Montserrat again till the beginning of the following year.

We soon reached Georgia, where we were to finish loading our cargo. Here I suffered a worse fate than ever before. One Sunday night, I was with some black people in their master’s yard in the town of Savannah. Their master, Doctor Perkins, was a very harsh and cruel man. He came home drunk and disliked seeing unfamiliar black people in his yard. He and a white thug who worked for him immediately attacked me. Both struck me with the first weapons they could grab. I cried out for help and mercy as long as I could. I explained who I was, and Perkins knew my captain, who was staying nearby. But none of this helped. The two men beat and wounded me shamefully, leaving me nearly dead. I lost so much blood from my wounds that I lay completely motionless. I was so numb that I could feel nothing for many hours. Early in the morning, they took me to jail. When I did not return to the ship all night, my captain did not know where I was. Worried that I still had not appeared, he asked about me. Once he found out where I was, he came immediately. When the good man saw me so badly cut and wounded, he could not help weeping. He soon got me out of jail and took me to his lodgings. He immediately sent for the best doctors in town, who at first believed I could not recover. My captain then went to all the lawyers in town for advice. But the lawyers told him they could do nothing for me because I was black. He then went to Doctor Perkins, the hero who had defeated me. My captain threatened Perkins, swore he would take revenge on him, and challenged him to fight. But cowardice always goes hand in hand with cruelty, and the Doctor refused. However, thanks to the skill of Doctor Brady, who lived there, I finally began to recover. My wounds covered my body, and I was so sore and unwell that I could not rest in any position. Yet the captain’s worry about me caused me more pain than I would otherwise have felt. That good man nursed me and watched over me throughout the night. Thanks to his care and the doctor’s, I could get out of bed after about sixteen or eighteen days. Throughout this time, I was badly needed aboard the ship. I often traveled up and down the river to collect rafts and other parts of our cargo. I also stowed the cargo when the mate was sick or absent. After about four weeks, I could return to duty. Two weeks later, once we had loaded all our cargo, our vessel sailed for Montserrat. We arrived there safely in less than three weeks, toward the end of the year. This ended my adventures in 1764, since I did not leave Montserrat again until the beginning of the following year.