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  • New Equiana
  • Vincent Carretta (bio)

The twenty-one eighteenth- and nineteenth-century writings by, and references to, Olaudah Equiano (Gustavus Vassa) listed as follows have been discovered since the publication of Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative and Other Writings (New York: Penguin USA, 1995; revised and expanded edition, 2003), and Equiano, the African: Biography of a Self-Made Man (University of Georgia Press, 2005; paperback edition published by Penguin Putnam, 2007). Items 3, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, and 13 are advertisements for the sale of Equiano’s Interesting Narrative that demonstrate how often and widely he distributed his autobiography throughout Britain. They, along with items 14 and 15, are also significantly evidentiary for prosopographers and book historians. Numbers 1, 4, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, and 20 show that Equiano was a celebrity not only during his lifetime but even before the publication of his book, and long after his death. Numbers 14–16 prove that Equiano continued to associate himself, and be linked by others, with radical political circles even after the government prosecuted members of the London Corresponding Society in the early 1790s. Number 2, in which Equiano forgives the debt owed him by Ann Berry, offers us rare evidence of Equiano as a businessman, and of his interaction with women.

1.
5 July 1788
Morning Post and Daily Advertiser

For the Morning Post.
To the Author of Sable Soup and Black Bouille, who belied GUSTAVUS VASA in yesterday’s paper—thus sayeth the Almighty—“No Lyars, nor Devourers of human Rights, shall have any Inheritance in the Kingdom of Heaven.” GUTAVUS [sic] VASA, the African. [End Page 147]

2.
London Metropolitan Archive
MJ/SP/1789/04/064

6 March 1789
Mr. Gustavus Vassa to Ann Berry} Release
Middlesex April Session 1789

Know all Men by these presents That I Gustavus Vassa of Union Street in the Parish of St. James’s in the County of Middlesex Gentleman have Remised Released and for ever quit claymed and by these presents do Remise Release and for Ever quit clayme unto Ann Wife of Arthur Berry late of the Parish of St. James’s within the Liberty of Westminster in the County of Middlesex Victualler her Heirs Executors and Administrators all and all manner of Action and Actions Cause and Causes of Action Suits Bills Bonds Writings Obligatory Debts Dues Duties Accompts Sum and Sums of Money Judgements Executions Extents Quarrells Controversies Trespasses Damages and Demands whatsoever both in Law and Equity or otherwise howsoever which against the said Ann Berry I ever had and which my Heirs Executors or Administrators shall or may hereafter claim challenge or demand for or by reason or means of any Matter Cause or Thing whatsoever from the beginning of the World until the day of the date of these presents In Witness whereof I have hereunto sett my Hand and Seal the Sixth Day of March in the Twenty Ninth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Third by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland____King Defender of the Faith and in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Nine

Sealed and Delivered being first duly Stamped In the presence of Jas Hunt}
[signed] Gustavus Vassa

[over]
James Hunt of Liquor Pond Street in the Parish of Saint Andrews Holborn in the County of Middlesex Gentleman maketh Oath and Faith that he this [End Page 148] Deponent was present on the sixth day of March last and did see the within Named Gustavus Vassa Sign Seal and duly execute in due form of Law the within Release unto the within Named Ann the Wife of Arthur Berry in the presence of this Deponent.

Sworn in Court the 22d day of April 1789} Confession Jas Hunt Hall

3.
24 March 1789, The World

On Thursday, March 26, will be published,
In 2 Vols. 12mo. Price 7s.
The Interesting NARRATIVE of the LIFE of OLAUDAH EQUIANO, or USTAVUS VASA, the African. Written by Himself.

London: Printed for and sold by the Author, No. 10, Union-street, Middlesex Hospital; sold also by Mr. Johnson, St. Paul’s Church Yard; Mr. Murray...

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