Vassa to Ottobah Cugoano (John Stewart) 4 April 1787

We are sorry to find that his Majesty’s Commissary for the African Settlement [Vassa] has sent the following letter to Mr. John Stewart [Ottobah Cugoano], Pall Mall:

 At Plymouth, March 24, 1787.

 Sir,

         These with my respects to you. I am sorry you and some more are not with us. I am sure [Joseph] Irwin, and [Patrick] Fraser the Parson, are great villains and Dr. Currie. I am exceeding much aggrieved at the conduct of those who call themselves gentlemen. They now mean to serve (or use) the blacks the same as they do in the West Indies. For the good of the settlement I have borne every affront that could be given, believe me, without giving the least occasion, or even yet resenting any.

         By Sir Charles Middleton’s letter to me, I now find Irwin and Fraser have wrote to the Committe and the Treasury, that I use the white people with arrogance, and the blacks with civility, and stir them up to mutiny: which is not true, for I am the greatest peace–maker that goes out. The reason for this lie is, that in the presence of these two acquainted Captains [Thomas Boulden] Thompson of the Nautilus sloop, our convoy, that I would go to London and tell of their roguery; and further insisted on Captain Thompson to come on board of the ships, and see the wrongs done to me and the people; so Captain Thompson came and saw it, and ordered the things to be given according to contract–which is not yet done in many things–and many of the black people have died for want of their due. I am grieved in every respect. Irwin never meant well to the people, but self–interest has ever been his end: twice this week [the Black Poor] have taken him, bodily to the Captain, to complain of him, and I have done it four times.

         I do not know how this undertaking will end; I wish I had never been involved in it, but at times I think the Lord will make me very useful at last.

 I am, dear Friend,

With respect, yours,

“G. VASA.”

The Commissary for the Black Poor.

We find his Majesty’s servants have taken away the Commissary’s commission from Vasa. He came up from Plymouth to complain, and is now gone back again to take his effects on shore. The memorials [written petitions and/or statements of facts] of all the Black people, which they have sent up from Plymouth, represent that they are much wronged, injured, and oppressed natives of Africa, and under various pretences and different manners, have been dragged away from London, and carried captives to Plymouth, where they have nothing but slavery before their eyes, should they proceed to Africa or the West–Indies under the command of the persons who have the charge of them–That many of them served under Lord Dunmore, and other officers in America, in the British army–Also on board the British Fleet in the West–Indies–That the contract on Mr. Smeathman’s plan to settle them in Africa, has not been fulfilled in their favour, but a Mr. Irwin has contrived to monopolize the benefit to himself–That they fear a right plan has not been formed to settle them in Africa with any prospect of happiness to themselves, or any hope of future advantage to Great–Britain.–They cannot conceive, say they, that Government would establish a free colony for them, whilst it supports its forts and factories to wrong and ensnare, and to carry others of their colour and country into slavery and bondage–They are afraid that their doom would be to drink the bitter water, and observe that it would be their prudence and safety to take warning from the cautions in Scripture:–“Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?”–That they say the design of some in sending them away, is only to get rid of them at all events, come of them afterwards what will.–In that perilous situation they see themselves surrounded with difficulties and danger; and what gives them the most dreadful presage of their fate is that the white men set over them have shewn them no humanity or good–will, but have conspired to use them unjustly before they quitted the English coast–And that they had better swim to shore, if they can, to preserve their lives and liberties in Britain, than to hazard themselves at Sea with such enemies to their welfare, and the peril of settling at Sierra Leona under their government.

The Public Advertiser, 4 April 1787, Burney Newspaper Collection.