The following Circumstance is related by Mr.de la Blancherie, from anExtract of the Journal of his Voyages, published at Paris, in 2 vols. 1775.[13]
An inhabitant of St. Domingo had a negro, who for a long time had solicited for his liberty, and which he had fully merited by his services; but that which ought to have procured it for him, was precisely whatprevented his master from granting it, namely, his being essentially useful to him. The more the negro pressed to obtain his freedom, which had been promised him, the more pretences were found for eluding and deferring the execution of the promise; the master himself no longer hid from his slave his great attachment to him. Yet flattering as this kind of refusal was, far from diminishing his desire of liberty, it served to encrease it. He resolved then to employ another means, which was to buy his freedom; appreciating himself according to the reasons his master had given him, for not fulfilling his promise. In some parts of St. Domingo, the inhabitants do not enter into the detail of the food and clothing of their negroes. They give them two hours in a day for cultivating a certain portion of land, granted to them for their subsistence; those who are industrious, not only obtain what is necessary, but even that which enables them to carry on a commerce, more or less considerable, according to their ability. Our black, at the end of some years, gained more money than was requisite to redeem himself, and presentingthe gold to his master, told him that he was resolved to gain his liberty, and offered to pay the price of another negro. The planter surprized, says to him, “Go, I have sufficiently trafficked in my fellow-creatures, enjoy what is your own: you have restored me to myself.” He immediately sold his plantation, and only remained long enough at St. Domingo to collect his property. He returned to France, and in the way to his province, was obliged to pass through Paris. Remaining in that seductive town, he spared nothing that could give an idea of that opulence which is attached to the name of anAmerican. Women, high living, gaming, parties of pleasure of all kinds, he gave himself up to, without restraint, embracing every opportunity of expence. His fortune was soon dissipated. In that wretched situation, it was necessary to determine on something, but on what was the question. To remain in France a ruined man was impossible; to return to the islands, what an embarrassing humiliation. Nevertheless, on reflection, he flattered himself he should find more resources there thanelsewhere, depending rather on the attachment of those whose fortunes he had made in St. Domingo, than on the friendship of those who had been the promoters of his ruin in France, he determined to embark. His arrival at the Cape surprized every body acquainted with his misfortune. They pitied him, but no one gave him the least assistance. His ancient friends only permitted him to be a witness of the pleasures he had procured them, without making him a partaker in their enjoyments. Many who had personal obligations to him, were never at home when he visited them; a dreadful example this, joined to many others which present themselves daily, and are yet insufficient to prevent men from desiring to form such connexions. Thus reduced to live in the wretched inns on the port, which are only suited to the poorest, he had not yet been to see his negro; whether he had been prevented from not knowing where he was, or from being ashamed of presenting himself in the condition to which he was reduced, I know not; but the black, who had a house, having learnt his misfortune, and discoveredhis retreat, soon threw himself at the feet of his dear master and benefactor (for these were the terms he made use of) accompanied with tears at considering his situation. His zeal was not confined to words, he made him master in his house; but on reflection, putting himself in his place, he saw his self-love mortified by the contempt inseparable from indigence, and the pain which is induced by the consciousness of being in a state of dependance; he felt all the weight his benefits must have on a generous and liberal mind. “My dear master,” said he, embracing his knees, “I owe to you all I am; dispose of every thing I have, quit this country, where your past misfortunes will give birth to new ones; abandon those ungrateful people whom you did not oblige with a view to their future services.” How shall I be able to live in France? “Ah, my dear master, shall your slave be happy enough to induce you to accept of a tribute of his gratitude? will you do him that kindness?” The master quite affected, knew not how to answer. The negro continued, “fifteenhundred livres, will that be sufficient?” Ah, it will certainly be too much answered the master, dissolved in tears. Immediately the black quitted him, and returning, put into his possession a deed, which insured him for life fifteen hundred livres. The planter is now in France, and actually receives every year his pension, six months in advance. The negro’s name is Lewis Desrouleaux, and I saw him at the Cape, where he continued to keep house.
FINIS.
ADVERTISEMENT.
The Author has lately publishedTWOVIEWS of the COAST of GUINEA, with separate Descriptions, embellished with four small Prints.—In these Views are introduced some historical facts related in this pamphlet, pages 9, 11, & 12. The size 22 inches by 17, and the price 15s.—His view, in undertaking to publish them, was more essentially to serve the cause of humanity, and he has therefore offered them at the same price which they cost him, not wishing to have any emolument from this sale.—They are to be had of the Author, No. 6, in the Poultry; at Mr. J. Phillips’s, George-Yard, Lombard-Street; Mr. B. Evans, Printseller, in the Poultry; Mr. S. Walter, Homer’s Head, Charing-Cross; Mr. W. Dickinson, Printseller, No. 158, New-Bond-Street; Mess. Robson and Clarke, New-Bond-Street; and Mr. B. Chastanier, No. 62, Tottenham-Court-Road.
The Author has lately publishedTWOVIEWS of the COAST of GUINEA, with separate Descriptions, embellished with four small Prints.—In these Views are introduced some historical facts related in this pamphlet, pages 9, 11, & 12. The size 22 inches by 17, and the price 15s.—His view, in undertaking to publish them, was more essentially to serve the cause of humanity, and he has therefore offered them at the same price which they cost him, not wishing to have any emolument from this sale.—They are to be had of the Author, No. 6, in the Poultry; at Mr. J. Phillips’s, George-Yard, Lombard-Street; Mr. B. Evans, Printseller, in the Poultry; Mr. S. Walter, Homer’s Head, Charing-Cross; Mr. W. Dickinson, Printseller, No. 158, New-Bond-Street; Mess. Robson and Clarke, New-Bond-Street; and Mr. B. Chastanier, No. 62, Tottenham-Court-Road.