368 
unless he gaye a proper and satis- 
factory account from whence he 
came, and the circumstances which 
had reduced him to his present si- 
tuation. Finding every fallacious 
pretext fruitless, he made a candid 
and explicit discovery, and was, in 
consequence, with all possible expe- 
dition, conducted to the presence 
of a master, whose tenderness he had 
basely returned with such unpardon- 
able ingratitude. 
The most compassionate nature 
is seldom proof against repeated in- 
stances of an incorrigible disposition. 
It was therefore thought necessary 
that he should experience the con~ 
sequences cf his behaviour; but he 
was previously reminded of the re- 
peated acts of kindness that. had 
been shewn him, and the ungrateful 
return he had made. From such 
considerations it was observed, that 
it was a debt strictly due to justice 
to compel him to serve the residue 
of his time in the most laborious em- 
ployment allotted to worthless ser- 
vants. He was accordingly senten- 
ced to the iron mines; there to reap 
the bitter effects of his conduct. 
Overwhelmed with the consci- 
ousness of guilt, and terrified at the 
prospect of the punishment that 
awaited him, the unfortunate cul- 
prit, in the most ingenuous terms, 
confessed the equity of the sentence 
passed upon him, but not without 
an intimation, that there were cir- 
cumstances in his case which, were 
they known, he was_ persuaded, 
would plead powerfully in his be- 
half. An irvesistible inclination to 
return to his native country, and the 
obstacles which appeared to bar his 
delusive hopes, had possessed his 
mind with that gloom and discon- 
tent, which had almost obliterated 
ANNUAL REGISTER, 
1792. 
the impressions of gratitude, and 
occasioned that conduct which had 
brought him into his present situa- 
tion. He concluded by declaring, 
that he had not the most distant 
claim to compassion; yet relying on 
that goodness and lenity which he 
had so frequently abused, he was 
encouraged to admit a ray of hope, 
and to supplicate forgiveness, how- 
ever undeserved. 
His humane master heard hic 
with the most candid attention. He 
pitied a deviation from rectitude, 
which originated in motives natural 
to the human mind; and determin= 
ed not only to exempt him from the 
situation to which he had been just- 
ly doomed, but to send him, by an 
early opportunity, to his much loved 
native country, there to pursue such 
eligible methods as Providence might 
suggest for his future comfortable 
provision.—I shall not attempt to 
delineate the transports which on 
this intimation took possession of 
his mind. 
About this time, the captain of a 
ship preparing to sail for England, 
signified his want of a steward to 
attend on those passengers who had 
engaged his cabin for the voyage, 
The emancipated servant was recom- 
mended for this employment; his 
services were accepted; and with 
solemn assurances of the most last- 
ing and grateful attachment, he bade 
farewell to a master, by whose ge-: 
nerous, disinterested conduct, he 
was so providentially restored to 
happiness and liberty. 
Two years elapsed without the 
least intelligence respecting his si- 
tuation, when at length a letter ar- 
rived, filled with every sentiment 
of gratitude. —-His sense of re- 
peated obligations was acknow- 
ledged 
