EXPEDITION TO SURINAM. 83 



"man from llavery ;" and concluded with obferving, 

 « that I could not now touch a fliilling of tbe money, but ^.^ — 

 " fliould have the honour to call upon her the next day ; 

 " and immediately retired." 



I was no fooner returned home, than I acquainted 

 Joanna with all that had happened ; who, burfting 

 into tears, called out, " Gado fa brefe da woma !''— 

 " God will blefs this woman ! " and infixed that 

 file herfelf fliould be mortgaged to Mrs. Godefroy till 

 every farthing fliould be paid : flie indeed was very 

 anxious to fee the emancipation of her boy, but till 

 that was done, flie abfolutely refufed to accept of her 

 own freedom. I fliall not here endeavour to paint the 

 conteft which I fuftained between affection and duty, but 

 bluntly fay that I yielded to the wifli of this fo charm- 

 ing creature, and whofe fentiments endeared her to m^ 

 ftill more. Thus I inftantly drew up a paper, declaring 

 my Joanna, according to her defire, from this day to be 

 the property of Mrs. Godefroy, till the laft farthing of the 

 money flie lent me fliould be repaid ; and, on the follow- 

 ing day, with the confent of her relations *, I conducted 

 her to Mrs. Godefroy's houfe, where, throwing herfelf at 

 the feet of that incomparable woman, Joanna herfelf put 

 the paper into her hands; but this lady having raifed 

 her up, no fooner had read the contents, than flie ex- 

 claimed, " Muft it be fo ? Then come here, my Joanna, 



* Without the confent of parents, brothers, and fifters, no refpeitable flaves are 

 intjividually fold in Surinam. 



•M 1 " I have 



