“Thy lips have shed instruction as the dew, Taught me what path to shun, and what pursue. Farewell my former joys! I sigh no more For Africa’s once-lov’d, benighted shore: Serving a benefactor, I am free, At my best home, if not exil’d from thee.” Samboe, placed with the respectable Mr. Llwellin, made rapid progress in reading and writing, and in the elements of general knowledge. His quickness gained the entire attention of his preceptor; while these was a charm and freshness in all he said, which could only be derived from quick perceptions and a warm heart—a buoyancy of fancy and a fervid feeling, which won the affections of all those who had to instruct him. With the deepest attention he would listen to Mr. Llwellin, as in a simple and impressive manner he explained to him the general principles of religion, the nature and It was the invariable custom of Mr. Llwellin to assemble his family in the evening. He then read a portion of the Holy Scriptures, and explained them with admirable simplicity and pathos to his little auditory. So anxious was this interesting youth to attain all useful knowledge, that he was always the first at his scholastic duties; and when dismissed from them, after a little recreation, enjoyed with all the zest of health and youth, he would occupy his time in religious reading and study, drawing, and little mechanical works; equally proving his strength of intellect and his active ingenuity. Though his temper was frequently severely tried by the taunts and ridicule of the boys, he never betrayed anger or resentment: he disarmed them by his humility, patience, and With all these qualities of mind and heart, it is not surprising that Samboe was a universal favourite; and unfeigned, indeed, was his joy, when he was permitted to write to his dear massa Charles, whom he never named without his eyes filling with tears of grateful affection. “Oh!” he would say, “my dear massa, I shall never forget his goodness.” Years passed on in this progressive improvement, during which a regular correspondence was kept up between Charles Roslyn and his protegÉ, when an incident occurred which opened a field for the exercise of those attainments it had been the laudable and unremitted study of Samboe to acquire. Colonel Roslyn was entertaining a party “I entirely agree with you, colonel,” observed the admiral; “and therefore be so good as to pledge me in a glass of that excellent claret, when I offer my sentiment: ‘Let the empire of Britain be the empire of mercy; and let no shore re-echo with the thunder of her power, but which shall also smile under the blessing of her beneficence.’” This sentiment of the admiral’s was warmly received. During this conversation, a young man at the lower end of the table appeared deeply interested in it. His animated and penetrating countenance drew the attention of Colonel Roslyn, and he expressed his pleasure, in observing to the admiral, that an interest for the enslaved Africans seemed to animate his young relative; for it was Fitzhugh, whose whole soul seemed engaged in the subject. “Yes, indeed,” observed the admiral, “Fitzhugh is a very enthusiast in the cause, and I love him the better for it: it is honourable to his feelings, and to those generous sentiments “I thank you, admiral, for this account,” replied Colonel Roslyn, “and pray, with all my heart, that the benevolent exertions of the Company may be crowned with final success; and I believe I may assure you, that such is also the prayer of every individual of the present company.” “Fitzhugh,” said the admiral, “I have been telling Colonel Roslyn that you are an enthusiast for the abolition of the slave-trade “If, my dear Sir, an ardent desire to use my individual influence and exertions to remove from my country such a stain upon its humanity; if as ardently to desire an amelioration of the wretched state of the African; if to cherish and to bring into action all those charities which distinguish reasoning man from instinctive brutes: if to be all this constitutes an enthusiast, then do I, indeed, plead guilty to the charge of enthusiasm. Nor am I likely to become less so: on the contrary, the intelligence I have just received from my young friends here, (directing his eyes to Alfred, and Charles Roslyn, who sat near him,) has confirmed me in the assurance, that we have every thing to hope from the judicious and liberal plan, of the Company to which I have now the honour to be attached; and which has so highly flattered me, by appointing me, in conjunction with others, to carry into effect their beneficent purposes. But you know, my dear Sir, my deep abhorrence of slavery “A myriad of instances might be adduced, to bear me out in my assertions. The labour, of whatever nature it may be, or however laborious, is performed by slaves, and seldom more than six negroes appointed to remove the heaviest burdens. I have, for “After a little time, however, I observed him to be gloomy and melancholy. I asked him the reason for the change, and was informed that he had been unsuccessful, and could not render to his master the sum required; and that he had little hopes of being able to raise it, consequently was liable to punishment, I gave him something towards it, but, being obliged to be absent a few weeks, knew not the result until I returned; when I was informed, that, as the time approached when he was to render his account, he became greatly distressed, and despaired of accomplishing his engagement. He went, however, in great distress, and tendered what he had gained; assuring his master he had used every exertion to obtain the specific sum, and imploring from him a remission of punishment, or a suspension, at least, for a few days. This was at length granted him, but with horrid threats of many additional stripes in case of failure. The time fast approached when he must return, “It is a usual practice,” continued Fitzhugh, “when slaves become desperately ill, for their masters to disown them, and turn them into the streets, to evade the expences of their funeral; and, thus abandoned and exposed, their miserable existence is soon terminated. I have to apologize for trespassing upon your attention so long, gentlemen,” observed this intelligent young man; “but I have only recounted one of a thousand instances which have come under The party expressed their obligation to Fitzhugh, for the relation he had given them, and their united hope, that every effort made use of, to ameliorate the situation of the already enslaved, and to check the inhuman traffic for the future, might be crowned with success; all agreeing, that every exertion that England makes to stop the bleeding wounds of Africa, will cause her to rise in her national character more resplendent, and must meet the approbation of every good, and what may be justly called great men, at home and abroad, and, above all, the approbation that of God who holds in his hands the destiny of nations “Have I not heard you, Fitzhugh,” enquired the admiral, “express a wish that you could meet in England with two or three intelligent negroes, who would be willing “You have, dear Sir,” replied Fitzhugh; “and from what I have learned of the mental and moral qualities of my young friend’s protegÉ, I am anxious for their permission to visit Aberystwith, in order to enquire if he has any objection to accompany me to Africa. A few such young men as he is described to be, would do more to effect our plans, than any other mode I can think of; and as he has not yet made any choice of a profession, I should feel myself most grateful to Colonel Roslyn and his friends, if they will second and sanction my application to the youth, who owes so much to their benevolent kindness.” Colonel Roslyn said, “Call upon us tomorrow morning, my dear Sir, and myself and sons will be happy to co-operate, as far as in our power, in your philanthropic exertions.” This being cheerfully accepted, the conversation took a general turn, until the party broke up. |