The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano

Permit me, with the greatest deference and respect, to lay at your feet the following genuine Narrative; the chief design of which is to excite in your august assemblies a sense of compassion for the miseries which the Slave-Trade has entailed on my unfortunate countrymen. By the horrors of that trade was I first torn away from all the tender connexions that were naturally dear to my heart; but these, through the mysterious ways of Providence, I ought to regard as infinitely more than compensated by the introduction I have thence obtained to the knowledge of the Christian religion, and of a nation which, by its liberal sentiments, its humanity, the glorious freedom of its government, and its proficiency in arts and sciences, has exalted the dignity of human nature.

I am sensible I ought to entreat your pardon for addressing to you a work so wholly devoid of literary merit; but, as the production of an unlettered African, who is actuated by the hope of becoming an instrument towards the relief of his suffering countrymen, I trust that such a man, pleading in such a cause, will be acquitted of boldness and presumption.

May the God of heaven inspire your hearts with peculiar benevolence on that important day when the question of Abolition is to be discussed, when thousands, in consequence of your Determination, are to look for Happiness or Misery!

I am, My Lords and Gentlemen, Your most obedient, And devoted humble Servant, Olaudah Equiano, or Gustavus Vassa.

Union-Street, Mary-le-bone, March 24, 1789.

LIST of SUBSCRIBERS.

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. His Royal Highness the Duke of York.

A

The Right Hon. the Earl of Ailesbury Admiral Affleck Mr. William Abington, 2 copies Mr. John Abraham James Adair, Esq. Reverend Mr. Aldridge Mr. John Almon Mrs. Arnot Mr. Joseph Armitage Mr. Joseph Ashpinshaw Mr. Samuel Atkins Mr. John Atwood Mr. Thomas Atwood Mr. Ashwell J.C. Ashworth, Esq.

B

His Grace the Duke of Bedford Her Grace the Duchess of Buccleugh The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Bangor The Right Hon. Lord Belgrave The Rev. Doctor Baker Mrs. Baker Matthew Baillie, M.D. Mrs. Baillie Miss Baillie Miss J. Baillie David Barclay, Esq. Mr. Robert Barrett Mr. William Barrett Mr. John Barnes Mr. John Basnett Mr. Bateman Mrs. Baynes, 2 copies Mr. Thomas Bellamy Mr. J. Benjafield Mr. William Bennett Mr. Bensley Mr. Samuel Benson Mrs. Benton Reverend Mr. Bentley Mr. Thomas Bently Sir John Berney, Bart. Alexander Blair, Esq. James Bocock, Esq. Mrs. Bond Miss Bond Mrs. Borckhardt Mrs. E. Bouverie ---- Brand, Esq. Mr. Martin Brander F.J. Brown, Esq. M.P. 2 copies W. Buttall, Esq. Mr. Buxton Mr. R.L.B. Mr. Thomas Burton, 6 copies Mr. W. Button

C

The Right Hon. Lord Cathcart The Right Hon. H.S. Conway Lady Almiria Carpenter James Carr, Esq. Charles Carter, Esq. Mr. James Chalmers Captain John Clarkson, of the Royal Navy The Rev. Mr. Thomas Clarkson, 2 copies Mr. R. Clay Mr. William Clout Mr. George Club Mr. John Cobb Miss Calwell Mr. Thomas Cooper Richard Cosway, Esq. Mr. James Coxe Mr. J.C. Mr. Croucher Mr. Cruickshanks Ottobah Cugoano, or John Stewart

D

The Right Hon. the Earl of Dartmouth The Right Hon. the Earl of Derby Sir William Dolben, Bart. The Reverend C.E. De Coetlogon John Delamain, Esq. Mrs. Delamain Mr. Davis Mr. William Denton Mr. T. Dickie Mr. William Dickson Mr. Charles Duly, 2 copies Andrew Drummond, Esq. Mr. George Durant

E

The Right Hon. the Earl of Essex The Right Hon. the Countess of Essex Sir Gilbert Elliot, Bart. 2 copies Lady Ann Erskine G. Noel Edwards, Esq. M.P. 2 copies Mr. Durs Egg Mr. Ebenezer Evans The Reverend Mr. John Eyre Mr. William Eyre

F

Mr. George Fallowdown Mr. John Fell F.W. Foster, Esq. The Reverend Mr. Foster Mr. J. Frith W. Fuller, Esq.

G