Thomas Atwood Digges to Mr. O’Brien 25 December 1791
Letter to Mr. O’Brien, Carrickfergus, Per Favour of Mr. Gustavus Vassa, from Thomas Atwood Digges, 25 December 1791
Belfast, December 25, 1791
Dear Sir,
The bearer of this, Mr. GUSTAVUS VASSA, an enlightened African, of good sense, agreeable manners, and of an excellent character, and who comes well recommended to this place, and noticed by the first people here, goes to–morrow for your town, for the purpose of vending some books, written by himself, which is a Narrative of his own Life and Sufferings, with some account of his native country and its inhabitants. He was torn from his relatives and country (by the more savage white men of England) at an early period in life; and during his residence in England, at which time I have seen him, during my agency for the American prisoners, with Sir William Dolben, Mr. Granville Sharp, Mr. Wilkes, and many other distinguished characters; he supported an irreproachable character, and was a principal instrument in bringing about the motion of the repeal of the Slave–Act. I beg leave to introduce him to your notice and civility; and if you can spare the time, your introduction of him personally to your neighbours may be of essential benefit to him.
I am,
SIR,
Your obedient servant,
THOS. DIGGES
The Interesting Narrative, 6th ed., p. xii