Equiano's World

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Vassa's Documents Database

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William Langworthy to William Hughes, Esq. 10 October 1793

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Category: Letters of Introduction
Source Type:Published Source
Author: William Langworthy
Recipient: William Hughes
Date of Document: 1793-10-10
Source Details: The Interesting Narrative, 9th ed., p. 11-12
Date of Source: 1794
Source Details: The Interesting Narrative, 9th ed., p. 11-12
Transcript: Click here

Transcript

William Langworthy to William Hughes, Esq. Devizes, 10 October 1793

DEAR SIR,

WHETHER you will consider my introducing to your acquaintance the bearer of this letter, OLAUDAH EQUIANO, the enlightened African, (or GUSTAVUS VASSA) as a liberty or favour, I shall not anticipate.

He came recommended to me by men of distinguished talents and exemplary virtue, as an honest and benevolent man; and his conversation and manners as well as his book do more than justice to the recommendation.

The active part he took in bringing about the motion for a repeal of the Slave Act, has given him much celebrity as a public man; and, in all the varied scenes of chequered life, through which he has passed, his private character and conduct have been irreproachable.

His business in your part of the world is to promote the sale of his book, and [it] is a part of my business, as a friend to the cause of humanity, to do all the little service that is in my poor power to a man who is engaged in so noble a cause as the freedom and salvation of his enslaved and unenlightened countrymen.

The simplicity that runs through his Narrative is singularly beautiful, and that beauty is heightened by the idea that it is true; this is all I shall say about this book, save only that I am sure those who buy it will not regret that they have laid out the price of it in the purchase.

Your notice, civility, and personal introduction of this fair minded black man, to your friends in Devizes, will be gratifying to your own feelings, and laying a considerable weight of obligation on.

DEAR SIR,

Your most obedient and obliged servant,

WILLIAM LANGWORTHY.

Bath, October 10, 1793.

The Interesting Narrative, 9th ed., p. 11-12

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