Vassa to Robert Lowth Lord Bishop of London March 1779

To the Right Reverend Father in God, ROBERT, Lord Bishop of London : 

The MEMORIAL OF GUSTAVUS VASSA

SHEWETH,

        THAT your memorialist is a native of Africa, and has a knowledge of the manners
and customs of the inhabitants of that country.
        That your memorialist has resided in different parts of Europe for twenty–two years
last past, and embraced the Christian faith in the year 1759.
        That your memorialist is desirous of returning to Africa as a missionary, if
encouraged by your Lordship, in hopes of being able to prevail upon his countrymen to
become Christians; and your memorialist is the more induced to undertake the same, from the
success that has attended the like undertakings when encouraged by the Portuguese through
their different settlements on the coast of Africa, and also by the Dutch: both governments
encouraging the blacks, who, by their education are qualified to undertake the same, and are
found more proper than European clergymen, unacquainted with the language and customs of
the country.
        Your memorialist’s only motive for soliciting the office of a missionary is, that he
may be a means, under God, of reforming his countrymen and persuading them to embrace
the Christian religion. Therefore your memorialist humbly prays your Lordship’s
encouragement and support in the undertaking.

GUSTAVUS VASSA.

The Interesting Narrative, 1st ed., p. 218