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The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, The African

Olaudah Equiano (also known as Gustavus Vassa) · 1789 (written/compiled for publication; edition-letter dated March 24, 1789) primary

passage 30 of 165 · CHAPTER I. (19/110)

in brief
Equiano’s small comfort from speaking with fellow countrymen ends when his women caregivers are sent away to different places, and he then transitions to a chapter about later events in Virginia and England.

this is a new refinement in cruelty, which, while it has no advantage to atone for it, thus aggravates distress, and adds fresh horrors even to the wretchedness of slavery.

CHAP. 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 England--His wonder at a fall of snow--Is sent to Guernsey, and in some 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 1758.

I now totally lost the small remains of comfort I had enjoyed in conversing with my countrymen; the women too, who used to wash and take care of me, were all gone different ways, and I never saw one of them afterwards.

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topics: conquest, plunder, and captives · kinship, lineage, and clan

The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus V… · Olaudah Equiano (also known as Gustavus Vassa) · 1789