When I left my dear mother I had a large quantity of gold about me, as is the custom of our country, it was made into rings, and they were linked into one another, and formed into a kind of chain, and so put round my neck, and arms and legs, and a large piece hanging at one ear almost in the shape of a pear.  I found all this troublesome, and was glad when my new Master took it from me—­I was now washed, and clothed in the Dutch or English manner.—­My master grew very fond of me, and I loved him exceedingly.  I watched every look, was always ready when he wanted me, and endeavoured to convince him, by every action, that my only pleasure was to serve him well.—­I have since thought that he must have been a serious man.  His actions corresponded very well with such a character.—­He used to read prayers in public to the ship’s crew every Sabbath day; and when first I saw him read, I was never so surprised in my whole life as when I saw the book talk to my master; for I thought it did, as I observed him to look upon it, and move his lips.—­I wished it would do so to me.—­As soon as my master had done reading I follow’d him to the place where he put the book, being mightily delighted with it, and when nobody saw me, I open’d it and put my ear down close upon it, in great hope that it wou’d say something to me; but was very sorry and greatly disappointed when I found it would not speak, this thought immediately presented itself to me, that every body and every thing despis’d me because I was black.

I was exceedingly sea-sick at first; but when I became more accustom’d to the sea, it wore off.—­My master’s ship was bound for Barbadoes.  When we came there, he thought fit to speak of me to several gentlemen of his acquaintance, and one of them exprest a particular desire to see me.—­He had a great mind to buy me; but the Captain could not immediately be prevail’d on to part with me; but however, as the gentleman seem’d very solicitous, he at length let me go, and I was sold for fifty dollars (four and sixpenny-pieces in English).  My new master’s name was Vanhorn, a young Gentleman; his home was in New-England in the City of New-York; to which place he took me with him.  He dress’d me in his livery, and was very good to me.  My chief business was to wait at table, and tea, and clean knives, and I had a very easy place; but the servants us’d to curse and swear surprizingly; which I learnt faster than any thing, ’twas almost the first English I could speak.  If any of them affronted me, I was sure to call upon God to damn them immediately; but I was broke of it all at once, occasioned by the correction of an old black servant that liv’d in the family—­One day I had just clean’d the knives for dinner, when one of the maids took one to cut bread and butter with; I was very angry with her, and called upon God to damn her; when this old black man told me I must not say so.  I ask’d him why?  He replied there was a wicked man call’d the Devil, that