politician or warrior, but of an untutored African slave, brought into
this Christian country at eight years of age, wholly destitute of all
education but what he received in common with other domesticated
animals, enjoying no advantages that could lead him to suppose himself
superior to the beasts, his fellow servants. And if he shall enjoy no
other advantage from perusing this narrative, he may experience those
sensations of shame and indignation, that will prove him to be not
wholly destitute of every noble and generous feeling.

The subject of the following pages, had he received only a common
education, might have been a man of high respectability and
usefulness; and had his education been suited to his genius, he might
have been an ornament and an honor to human nature. It may perhaps,
not be unpleasing to see the efforts of a great mind wholly
uncultivated, enfeebled and depressed by slavery, and struggling under
every disadvantage. The reader may here see a Franklin and a
Washington, in a state of nature, or rather, in a state of slavery.
Destitute as he is of all education, he still exhibits striking traces
of native ingenuity and good sense.

This narrative exhibits a pattern of honesty, prudence, and industry,
to people of his own colour; and perhaps some white people would not
find themselves degraded by imitating such an example.

The following account is published in compliance with the earnest
desire of the subject of it, and likewise a number of respectable
persons who are acquainted with him.


CHAPTER I.