But beyond this climax we were not permitted to pass. The ship was searched, and no fire was discovered; the water in the hold was found to have flowed only from the hatch-way; the sulphurous smell and smoke gradually vanished; the storm, after raging for about an hour, rapidly subsided; the sky became clear; the moon regained her ascendancy; our poor stricken sailor began to recover; and we were left in quiet possession of ourselves-body and mind unhurt. The next morning we soon detected the effects of the lightning. The sails were pierced with holes, some boxes were demolished, a considerable piece of timber was forced out of the deck, the main-mast was cracked, and the maintop-gallant and royal yards, shivered. Surely we had cause for humble thankfulness to the God of nature and of grace-the Controller of storms and thunderbolts, and the Preserver of men. To us it was an agreeable circumstance, that the day after the storm was the First of the week. At the appointed hour, the ship's company, including the sailors, assembled on deck under no common feelings of seriousness. The fortieth chapter of Isaiah was read to us. Thou wilt perhaps recollect that it begins with the exhortation, "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people;" and ends with the cheering declaration, that "they who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint." Afterwards the whole company fell into silence; and during the solemn hour which ensued, we were reminded of the words of the poet Unfathomable wonder, And mystery divine; The voice that speaks in thunder, We were now on soundings, near the coast of Georgia, and on the morrow, Fourth month (April) 20th, arrived in peace and safety at the city of Savannah. So ended, just five months after its commencement, our instructive and interesting West Indian voyage. In concluding this series of letters, I feel disposed to remind thee of the declaration of scripture, that the "heavens and the earth" shall "wax old as a garment," and that "as a vesture" God shall fold them up, and "they shall be changed." "All the host of heaven," says the prophet Isaiah, "shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll; and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as the falling fig from the figtree." "But the day of the Lord," says the apostle Peter, "will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, and the earth also, and the works that are therein, shall be burned up." Again, "the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat." Then, my dear friend, we shall all stand “before the judgment-seat of Christ." The steward shall render up the account of his stewardship; and every one of us must receive, at the holy hands of the Judge of all flesh," according to the deeds done in his body, whether they be good, or whether they be bad." Earnest and affectionate are my desires that the dis tinguished individual to whom these letters are addressed, may then be found to have cleared himself from all stain of slavery. Fervently do I crave that in that awful day, he may be known to have acted faithfully during his declining years, in promoting its total extinction, in all his several relations-first, as the head of a private family; secondly, as the most influential individual in the state of Kentucky; thirdly, as the enlightened statesman and patriot of the North American Federal Union; and lastly, as the friend of all mankind, the citizen of the world at large. Justly applicable to our whole race-to men of every country, clime, and color-is the fundamental principle of your noble constitution, “All men are created equal, and are endowed by their Creator with certain inalien able rights-among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." With much respect and deference, I now bid thee my last farewell. I am, &c. &c. APPENDIX A. Letter from Samuel and Mary Nottingham, of Bristol, to George Nottingham, one of the negroes belonging to the East End Plantation, at Long Look, in Tortola. Bristol, 30th of 9th month, 1782. DEAR GEORGE, Thy letter of the 8th of last 6th month we received, which was well pleasing to us to hear of the present good disposition of thyself, and the rest of our late servants, whose welfare and happiness, both here and hereafter we have much at heart. But we are sorry to hear of the removal of poor John Venture and Harry, though not without hopes of their partaking of that mercy which is extended to all, without respect of persons, whether white or black; so, George, remember what we write to thee, we write to all of you who once called us Master and Mistress. But now you are all free, as far as it is in our power to make you so, because none are free indeed, except they are free in Christ; therefore we admonish you, not as your master and mistress, but as your friends and benefactors, beseeching you to be conscious of your conduct, and circumspect in your behaviour to all, that none may accuse you of abusing that freedom which we, in the course of Divine Providence, have been permitted to give you; remembering also, that as free men and women you are accountable for every part of your conduct, and must answer for the same on your own persons if you do amiss, in which case, the laws where you are have provided a punishment, according to the nature of the offence; but do well and ye shall have praise of the |