The life of Olaudah Equiano, or, Gustavus Vassa, the African

Front matter

THE LIFE

OF

CLAUDAH EQUIANO,

Chapter I

The author's account ofliis country, nml their manners and customs —Administration of justice—Embrenchc—Mnrringo ceremony, and public entertainments—Mode of living—Dress—Manufac¬ tures—Buildings—Commerce—Agriculture—War and religion— Superstition of the natives—Funeral ceremonies of the priests or magicians—Curious mode of discovering poison—Some hints concerning the origin of the author’s countrymen, with the opin¬ ions of different writers on that subject.

CHAPTER TT.

The author’s birth and parentage—His being kidnapped with his sister—Their separation—Surprise at meeting ngaiii—Are finally separated—Account of the different places and incidents the au¬ thor met with till his arrival on the coast—The effect the sight of a slave ship had on him—He sails for the West-Indies—Horrors of a slave ship—Arrives at Barbadaes, where the cargo is sold and dispersed.

Chapter III

The author is carried to Virginia—His distress—Surprise at seeing a picture and a watch—Is bought by Captain Pascal, and sets out for England—His terror during the voyage—Arrives in Eng¬ land- -His wonder at a fall of snow—Is sent to Guernsey, and in come time goes on board a ship of war with his master—Some account of the expedition against Louisbourg under the command of Admiral Boscawen, in 17b8.

Chapter IV

The author is baptized—Narrowly escapes drowning—Goes on an expedition to the Mediterranean—Incidents lie met with there— Is witness to an engagement between some English and French Bhips—A particular account of the celebrated engagement be¬ tween Admiral Boscawen and Mons. Le Clue, off Cape Logas, in

CONTENTS.

iv

August, 1759—Dreadful explosion of n French ship—The nnllior sails for England—H 'ib muster appointed to the command of n fire¬ ship—Meets n negro hoy, from wiioin ho experiences much benev¬ olence—Prepares for an expedition against Belle-Isle—A remark* nble story of n disaster which hotel his ship—Arrives at Hello- Isle—Operations of the landing and siege—The nether's danger and distress, with his manner of extricating himself—Surrender of Belle-Islo—Transactions afterwards on the coast of France— Itomnrknblo instance of kidnnpping—Tho author returns to Eng¬ land—Hears a talk of peace, and expects his freedom—His ship sails for Deptford to lio paid off, and when lie arrives there he is suddenly seized by his master and carried forcibly on board a Wcst-India ship und sold.

Chapter V

The author’s reflections on his situation—Is deceived by a promiso of being delivered—His despair at sailing for the West-Indies— Arrives at Montserrat, where he is sold to Mr. King—Various interesting instances of oppression, cruelty, and extortion, which the author saw practised upon the slaves in the WcHt-Indies, din¬ ing his captivity from the year 1763 to 1766—Addrea. on it to the planters.

Chapter VI

Some account of Brimstone-Hill in Montserrat—Favorable change in the author’s situation—He commences merchant with three pence—His various success in dealing in the different islands, and America, and the impositions he meets with in his transactions with Europeans—A curious imposition on human nature—Dan¬ ger of the surfs in the West-Indies—Remarkable instance of kid¬ napping a free mulatto—The author is nearly murdered by Doc¬ tor Perkins in Savannah.

Chapter VII

The author’s disgust at the West-Indies—Forms schemes to obtain his freedom—Ludicrous disappointment he and his Captain met with in Georgia—At last, by several successful voyages, be ac¬ quires 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 bis passage his friend the Captain, falls ill and dies.

Chapter VIII

'he author, to oblige Mr. King, once more embarks for Georgiain one of his vessels—A new captain is appointed—They sail, and

CONTENTS.

V

Dlccr a now course—Throe remarkable dreams—Tlio vessel i'b shipwrecked on tho Bahama Bank, but the crow are preserved, principally by /nonna of tho author—lie sets out from tho island with the captain, in a small boat, in quest of a ship—Their dis¬ tress—Moot with a wrecker—3uil for Providence—Are overtak¬ en again by a terrible storm, and all nro near perishing—Arrive at Now Providence—Tho author, after some time, sails from thence to Georgia—Meets with another storm, and is obliged to put back and refit—Arrives ut Georgia—Meets new impositions —Two white men attempt to kidnap him—Officiates ns a parson •at a funeral ceremony—Bids adieu to Gcorgiu.and sails for Martinico.

Chapter 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 Cnpt. Pascal—Learns the French horn— HircB himself with Doctor Irving, where he learns to freshen sea water—Leaves the Doctor, and goeB 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 Polo, with the Hon. Captain Phipps— Some account of that voyage, and the dangers the author was in— He returns to England.

Chapter 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 endeavors to procure his freedom—Some account of the manner of the author’s conversion to the faith of Jesus Christ.

Chapter XI

The author embarks on board a ship bound for Cadiz—Is near be¬ ing shipwrecked—Goes to Malaga—Remarkable fine cathedral there—The author disputes with a popish priest—Picking up elev¬ en miserable men at sea in returning to England—Engages again with Doctor Irving to accompany him to Jamaica and the Mus¬ quito 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 Musquito Shore with some slaves they purchased at Jamaica, and begin to cultivate a plantation—Some account of the manners and customs of the Musquito Indians—Successful device of 'lie author’s to quell a riot among them—Curious entertainment given by them io Doctor Irving and the author, who leaves the shore and goes for Jamaica—Is barbarously treated by a roan with

VI

CONTENTS.

whom ho engaged for his passage—Escapes and goes to tha Muhquito admiral, who tronta him kindly—lie gets nno'dior vessel und goon on hoard—Instances of bad treatment -Moots Doctor Irv¬ ing—Goia to Jamaica—Is choutcd by his Captain—Loavos tho Doctor and goes for England.

Chapter XII

Different transactions of tho author's life, till tho present time— His application to tho late Bishop of London to be appointed n missionary to Africa—Some account of bis share in the conduct of the late expedition to Sierra Leona—Petition to the Queen— Conclusion.

THE LIFE, &c.

Chapter I

The author’s account of his country, and their manners and cus¬ toms—Administration of justice—Embrenche—Mnrriage cere¬ mony, and public entertainments—Mode of living—DresB—Man¬ ufactures—Buildings—Commerce—Agriculture—War and relig¬ ion—Superstition of the natives—Funeral ceremonies of the . priests or magicians—Curious mode of discovering poison—Some hints concerning the origin of the author’s countrymen, with the opinions of different writers on that subject.

I believe it is difficult for those who publish their own memoirs to escape the imputation of vanity ; nor is this the only disadvantage under which they labor: it is also their misfortune, that what is uncommon is rarely, if ever, believed, and what is obvious we are apt to turn from with disgust, and to charge the writer with impertinence. People generally think those memoirs only worthy to be read or remem ber ¬ ed which abound in great or striking events; those, in shorty which in aThigh 19egre^ ration or pity : all others they. consign to contenapjt and oblfyion. ^ It is therefore, I confess, not a little

THE I<1 EE OF hazardous in a private and obscure individual, and a stranger too, thus to solicit tho indulgent attention of the public ; especially when I own I offer hero the history of neither a saint, a hero, nor a tyrant. I be¬ lieve there arc few events in my life, which have not happened to many : it is true the incidents of it are numerous ; and, did I consider myself an Europ¬ ean, I might say my sufferings were great: but when I compare my lot with that of most of my country¬ men, I regard myself as a particular favorite of heav¬ en, and acknowledge the mercies of Providence in every occurrence of my life. If, then, the following narrative does not appear sufficiently interesting to engage general attention, let my motive be some ex¬ cuse for its publication. I am not so foolishly vain as to expect from it either immortality or literary reputation. If it affords any satisfaction to my nu¬ merous friends, at whose request it has been written, or in the smallest degree promotes the. interests of humanity, the ends for which it was undertaken will be fully attained, and every wish of my heart grati¬ fied. Let it therefore be remembered, that, in wish¬ ing to avoid censure, I do not aspire to praise.

That part of Africa, known by the name of Guin¬ ea, to which the trade for slaves is carried on, ex¬ tends along the coast above 3400 miles, from Sene¬ gal to Angola, and includes a variety of kingdoms. Of these the most considerable is the kingdom of Benin, both as to extent and wealth, the richness and cultivation of the soil, the power of its king, and the number and warlike disposition of the inhabit-

(JUHTAVUS VASSA.

ants. It is situated nearly under the lino, and ex¬ tends along flic coast about 170 miles, but runs back into the interior part of Africa to a distance hitherto,

I believe, unexplored by any traveller; and seems on¬ ly terminated at length by the empire of Abyssinnia, near 1500 miles from its beginning. Thie kingdom is divided into many provinces or districts : in one of the most remote and fertile of which, I was born, in the year 1745, situated in a charming fruitful vale, named Essaka. The distance of this province from the capital of Benin and the sea coast must be very considerable : for I had never heard of white men or Europeans, nor of the sea ; and our subjection to the king of Benin was little more than nominal; for ev¬ ery transaction of the government, as far as my slen¬ der observation extended, was conducted by the chief or elders of the place. The manners and gov¬ ernment of a people who have little commerce with other countries, are generally very simple; and the history of what passes in one family or village, may serve as a specimen of the whole nation. My father^'’" was one of those elders or chiefs I have spoken of, and was styled Embrenche ; a term, as I remember, importing the highest distinction, and signifying in our language a mark of grandeur. This mark is conferred on the person entitled to it, by cutting the 6kin across at the top of the forehead, and drawing it down to the eye-brows : and while it is in this sit¬ uation applying a warm hand, and rubbing it untii it shrinks up into a thick weal across the lower part of the forehead. Most of the judges and senators wore thus marked; my father had long homo it: I had seen it conferred on one of my brothers, and I also was destined to receive it by my parents. Those Etnbrcnehe or chief men, decided disputes and pun¬ ished crimes ; for which purpose they always assem¬ bled together. The proceedings were generally short: and in most cases the law of retaliation pre¬ vailed. 1 remember a man was brought before my father, and the other judges, for kidnapping a boy ; and, although he was the son of a chief or senator, he was condemned to make recompense by a man or woman slave. Adultery, however, was sometimes ^ punished with slavery or death ; a punishment which I believe is inflicted on it throughout most of the na¬ tions of Africa: * so sacred among them is the honor of the marriage bed, and so jealous are they of the fidelity of their wives. Of this I recollect an instance —a woman was convicted before the judges of adul¬ tery, and delivered over, as the custom was, to her husband, to be punished. Accordingly he determin¬ ed to put her to death: but it being found, just be¬ fore her execution, that she had an infant at her breast; and no woman being prevailed on to perform the part of a nurse, she was spared on account of the ^ child. The men, however, do not preserve the same y constancy to their wives, which they expect from them ; for they indulge in a plurality, though seldom in more than two. Their mode of marriage is thus : l/ —both parties are usually betrothed when young by

* See Beneiet’s * Account, of Guinea,’ throughout.

their parents, (though I havo known the males to betroth themselves.) On this occasion a feast is prepared, and the bride and bridegroom stand up in the midst of all their friends, who are assembled for the purpose, while he declares she is henceforth to be looked upon as his wife, and that no other person is to pay any addresses to her. This is also imme¬ diately proclaimed in the vicinity, on which the bride retires from the assembly. Some time after, she is brought home to her husband, and then another feast is made, to which the relations of both parties are invited : her parents then deliver her to the bridegroom, accompanied with a number of bless¬ ings, and at the same time they tie round her waist a cotton string of the thickness of a goose-quill, which none but married women are permitted to wear : she is now considered as completely his wife ; and at this time the dowry is given to the new mar¬ ried pair, which generally consists of portions of land, slaves, and cattle, household goods, and imple¬ ments of husbandry. These are offered by the friends of both parties; besides which the parents o the bridegroom present gifts to those of the bride, whose property she is looked upon before ma.iage; but after it she is esteemed the sole property of her husband. The ceremony being now ended, the fes¬ tival begins, which is celebrated with bonfires, and loud acclamations of joy, accompanied with music and dancing.

We are almost a nation of dancers, musicians and ^ poets. Thus every great event, such as a triumph¬ ant return from battle, or other cause of public ren

TI1B LIFE OF joicing, is celebrated in public dances, which are ac¬ companied with songs and music suited to the occa¬ sion. The assembly is separated into four divisions, which dance cither apart or in succession, and each with a character peculiar to itself. The first divis¬ ion contains the married men, who in their dances frequently exhibit feats of arms, and the representa¬ tion of a battle. To these succeed the married wo¬ men, who dance in the second division. The young men occupy the third : and the maidens the fourth. Each represents some interesting scene of real life, such as a great achievement, domestic employment, a pathetic story, or some rural sport; and as the sub¬ ject is generally founded on some recent event, it is therefore ever new. This gives our dances a spirit and variety which I have scarcely seen elsewhere.* We have many musical instruments, particularly drums of different kinds, a piece of music which re¬ sembles a guitar, and another much like a stickado. These last are chiefly used by betrothed virgins, who play on them on all grand festivals. f As our manners are simple, our luxuries are few. The dress of both sexes is nearly the same. It gen¬ erally consists of a long piece of calico, or muslin, wrapped loosely round the body, somewhat in the form of a highland plaid. This is usually dyed blue, which is oar favorite color. It is extracted from a berry, and is brighter and richer than any I have

♦When I was in Smyrna I have frequently seen the Greeks dance after this manner.

OUSTAVUS VASSA.

scon in Europe. Besides this, our women of distinc¬ tion wear golden ornaments, which they dispose with some profusion on their arms and legs. When our women are not employed with the men in tillage, their usual occupation is spinning and weaving cot¬ ton, which they afterwards dye, and make into gar¬ ments. They also manufacture earthen vessels, of which we have many kinds. Among the rest, tobac¬ co pipes, made after the same fashion, and used in the same manner, as those in Turkey.*

Our manner of living is entirely plain ; for as yet the natives are unacquainted with those refinements in cookery which debauch the taste : bullocks, goats, and poultry, supply the greatest part of their food.— These constitute likewise the principal wealth of the country, and the chief articles of its commerce.—

The flesh is usually stewed in a pan ; to make it sa¬ vory we sometimes use also pepper, and other spices, and we have salt made of wood ashes. Our vegeta¬ bles are mostly plantains, eadas, yams, beans, and ^ Indian corn. The head of the family usually eats^ alone; his wives and slaves have also their separate tables. Before we taste food we always wash our *''' hands: indeed our cleanliness on all occasions is ex¬ treme ; but on this it is an indispensable ceremony. After washing, libation is made, by pouring out a i/' small portion of the drink on the floor, and tossing a small quantity of the food in a certain place, for

*The bowl is earthen, curiously figured, to which a long reed is fixed as a tube, 't his tube is sometimes so long as to be borne by one, and frequently out of grandeur, two boys.

THE LITE OS'

/the spirits of departed relations, which the natives supposo to preside over their conduct, and guard them from evil. They arc totally unacquainted with strong or spirituous liquors; and their principal bev¬ erage is palm wine. This is got from a tree of that name, by tapping it at the top, and fastening a large gourd to it; and sometimes one tree will yield three or four gallons in a night. When just drawn it is of a most delicious sweetness; but in a few days it acquires a tartish and more spirituous flavor: though I never saw any one intoxicated by it. The same tree also produces nuts and oil. Our principal lux¬ ury is in perfumes; one sort of these is an odorif¬ erous wood of delicious fragrance : the other a kind of earth ; a small portion of which thrown into the fire diffuses a most powerful odor.* We beat this wood into powder, and mix it with palm oil; with which both men and women perfume themselves. /In our buildings we study convenience rather than ornament. Each master of a family has a large square piece of ground, surrounded with a moat or fence, or enclosed with a wall made of red earth tempered : which, when dry, is as hard as brick.— Within this, are his houses to accommodate his fam¬ ily and slaves; which, if numerous, frequently pre¬ sent the appearance of a village. In the middle, stands the principal building, appropriated to the

•When 1 was in Smyrna I saw the same kind of earth, and brought some of it with me to England; it resembles musk in strength, but is more delicious in scent, and is not unlike the smell of a rjflue.

GVBTAVUS VAS9A.

sole use of the master, and consisting of two apart¬ ments ; in one of which ho sits in the day with his family, the other is left apart for the reception of his friends. lie has besides thcso a distinct apartment in which he sleeps, together with his male children.*^ On each side are the apartments of his wives, who have also their separate day and night houses. The habitations of the slaves and their families are dis¬ tributed throughout the rest of the enclosure. These houses never exceed one story in height: they are always built of wood, or stakes driven into the ground, crossed with wattles, and neatly plastered within and without. The roof is thatched with reeds. Our day-houses are left open at the sides ; but those in which we sleep are always covered, and plastered in the inside, with a composition mixed with cow-dung , to keep off the different insects, which annoy us during the night. The walls and floors also of these are generally covered with mats. Our beds consist of a platform, raised three or four feet from the ground, on which are laid skins, and different parts of a spungy tree, called plantain.— Our covering is calico or muslin, the same as our dress. The usual seats are a few logs of wood ; but we have benches, which are generally perfumed to accommodate strangers: these compose the greater part of our houshold furniture. Houses so construct¬ ed and furnished, require but little skill to erect them. Every man is a sufficient architect for the purpose.' The whole neighbourhood afford their unanimous

THE I.IFE OP assistance in building them, and in return receive, and expect no other recompense than a feast.

As we live in a country where nature is prodigal of her favors, our wants arc few and easily supplied ; of course we have few manufactures. They consist for the most part of calicoes, earthen ware, orna¬ ments, and instruments of war and husbandry.— But these make no part of our commerce, the prin¬ cipal articles of which, as I have observed, arc pro¬ visions. In such a state, money is of little use; how¬ ever, we have some small pieces of coin, if I may call them such. They are made something like an an¬ chor ; but I do not remember either their value or denomination. We have also markets, at which I have been frequently with my mother. These are sometimes visited by stout mahogany-colored men from the south-west of us: we call them Oyc-Eboc, which term signifies red men living at a distance.— They generally bring us fire-arms, gunpowder, hats, beads, and dried fish. The last we esteemed a great rarity, as our waters were only brooks and springs. These articles they barter with us for odoriferous woods and earth, and our salt of wood ashes. They always carry slaves through our land ; but the strict¬ est account is exacted of their manner of procuring them before they are suffered to pass. Sometimes indeed, we sold slaves to them, but they were only prisoners of war, or such among us as had been con¬ victed of kidnapping, or adultery, and some other crimes, which we esteemed heinous. This practice of kidnapping induces me to think, that, notwith-

OUSTAVUS VA8SA.

standing all our strictness, their principal business among us was to trepan our people. I remember too, they carried great sacks along with them, which not long after, I had an opportunity of fatally seeing ap¬ plied tv. that infamous purpose.

Our land is uncommonly rich and fruitful, and pro¬ duces all kinds of vegetables in great abundance.—

We have plenty of Indian corn, and vast quantities of cotton and tobacco. Our pine apples grow with¬ out culture; they are about the size of the largest sugar-loaf, and finely flavored. We have also spi¬ ces of different kinds, particularly pepper; and a va¬ riety of delicious fruits which I have never seen in Europe ; together with gums of various kinds, and honey in abundance. All our industry is exerted to improve these blessings of nature. Agriculture is our chief employment; and every one, even the child¬ ren and women, are engaged in it. Thus we are all habituated to labor from our earliest years. Ev- ✓ ery one contributes something to the common stock and, as we are unacquainted with idleness, we have no beggars. The benefits of such a mode of living are obvious. The West India planters prefer the slaves of Benin or Eboe, to those of any other part of Guinea, for their hardiness, intelligence, integrity, and zeal. Those benefits are felt by us in the gen¬ eral healthiness of the people, and in their vigor and activity ; I might have added, too, in their come¬ liness. Deformity is indeed unknown amongst us,

I mean that of shape. Numbers of the natives of Eboe now in London, might be brought in support tub urn or of this assertion : for, in regard to complexion, ideas of beauty are wholly relative. I remember while in Africa to have seen three negro children who were tawny, and another quite white, who were universal¬ ly regarded by myself, and the natives in general, as far as related to their complexions, as deformed.— Our women, too, were in my eye at least, uncommon¬ ly graceful, alert, and modest to a degree of bashful¬ ness ; nor do I remember to have heard of an instance of incontinence amongst them before marriage.— ,They are also remarkably cheerful. Indeed, cheer¬ fulness and affability are two of the leading charac¬ teristics of our nation.

Our tillage is exercised in a large plain or com¬ mon, some hours’ walk from our dwellings, and all the neighbors resort thither in a body. They use no beasts of husbandry ; and their only instruments are hoes, axes, shovels, and beaks, or pointed iron, to dig with. Sometimes we are visited by locusts, which come in large clouds, so as to darken the air, and destroy our harvest. This, however, happens rarely, but when it does, a famine is produced by it. I remember an instance or two wherein this happen¬ ed. This common is often the theatre of war ; and therefore when our people go out to till their land, they not only go in a body, but generally take their arms with them for fear of a surprise; and when they apprehend an invasion, they guard the avenues to their dwellings, by driving sticks into the ground, which are so sharp at one end as to pierce the foot, and are generally dipt in poison. From what I can

GUSTAVUS VABSA.

recollect of these battles, they uppcar to have been irruptions of ono little utalo or district on the other, to obtain prisoners or booty. Perhaps they were in¬ cited to this, by those tradors who brought the Euro¬ pean goods 1 mentioned, amongst us. Such a mode of obtaining slaves in Africa is common ; and I be¬ lieve more are procured this way, and by kidnapping, than any other.* When a trader wants slaves, he applies to a chief for them, and tempts him with his wares. It is not extraordinary, if on this occasion he yields to the temptation with as little firmness, and accepts the price of his fellow creatures’ liberty, with as little reluctance as the enlightened merchant.— Accordingly he falls on his neighbors, and a des¬ perate battle ensues. If he prevails and takes pris¬ oners, he gratifies liis avarice by selling them ; but, if his party be vanquished, and he falls into the hands of the enemy, he is put to death ; for, as he has been known to foment their quarrels, it is thought danger¬ ous to let him survive, and no ransom can save him, though all other prisoners may be redeemed. We have fire-arms, bows and arrows, broad two-edged swords and javelins: we have shields also which cover a man from head to foot. All are taught the use of these weapons ; even our women are warriors,^ and march boldly out to fight along with the men.— Our whole district is a kind of militia: on a certain signal given, such as the firing of a gun at night, they all rise in arms and rush upon their enemy. It

*See Benezet’s * Account of Africa’ throughout.

TIIE LIFE OF is perhaps something remarkable, that when our peo¬ ple march to the held a red flag or banner is borne before them. I was once a witness to a battle in our common. We had been all at work in it one day as usual, when our people were suddenly attacked. I climbed a tree at some distance, from which I be¬ held the fight. There were many women as well as men on both Bides; among others my mother was there, and armed with a broad sword. After fight¬ ing for a considerable time with great fury, and ma¬ ny had been killed, our people obtained the victory, and took their enemy’s Chief a prisoner. He was car¬ ried off in great t.iumph, and, though he offered a large ransom for his life, he was put to death. A virgin of note among our enemies, had been slain in the battle, and her arm was exposed in our market¬ place, where our trophies were always exhibited.-— The spoils were divided according to the merit of the warriors. Those prisoners which were not sold or redeemed, we kept as slaves: but how different was their condition from that of the slaves in the West Indies ! With us, they do no more work than other members of the community, even their master; 'their food, clothing and lodging were nearly the same as theirs, (except that they were not permitted to eat with those who were free-born ;) and there was scarce any other difference between them, than a superior degree of importance which the head of a family possesses in our state, and that authority which, as such, he exercises over every part of his household. Some of these slaves have even slaves

GU8TAVUS VABfIA.

under them as their own property, and for their own^ use.