Little Sado's story
Robert Sutcliff, in his book of travels in America, relates the incident
which has suggested the following lines. Little Sado was an African
boy, who was rescued from a slave-ship by a United States’ frigate, and
provided by the Pennsylvania Abolition Society with a home, in a
respectable family, near Philadelphia.
“Although tended with the greatest tenderness,” says Sutcliff, “yet he
was often seen weeping at the recollection of his near connexions. He
said that himself and sister were on a visit, at a relation's, and that
after the family had retired to rest, they were suddenly alarmed at the
dead of night, by a company of man-stealers breaking into their
habitation. They were all carried off towards the sea, where they arrived
at the end of three days, and were confined until the vessel sailed.
“Not long after this negro boy had been brought into S. P.'s family, he
was taken ill of a bad fever; and for a time there appeared but little
hopes of his recovery, although the best medical help was obtained, and
every kindness and attention shown him.
“There being now scarcely any prospect of his recovery, his mistress
was desirous of administering some religious consolation, and observed
to him, as he had always been a very good boy, she had no doubt that if
he died at this time, his spirit would be admitted into a state of eternal
rest and peace. On hearing this he quickly replied, ‘I know that if I die,
I shall be happy; for as soon as my body is dead, my spirit shall fly
away to my father and mother and sisters and brothers in Africa.’ The
boy recovered. His good conduct had gained the favour and respect of
the whole family, and I have no doubt that the care bestowed upon his
education, will in due time afford him a brighter prospect of a future
state than that of returning to Africa.”
“Why weep'st thou, gentle boy? Is not thy lot
Amidst a home of tenderness and friends
Who have been ever kind to thee? Thy heart
Should be too young for the world's bitterness,
And the deep grief, that even amidst thy smiles,
Seems scarce to be forgotten. Thou art good,
A very innocent and gentle boy,
And I would have thee happy. Is there aught
Thou lackest with us, Sado? Did I not,
In thy sore sickness, with a mother's care,
Watch by thy couch and nurse thee? Day by day
Have I not taught thee patiently? and more
Than earthly learning, show'd thee of the way
To win eternal happiness. A better hope
Than that which only look'd to Afric's shore,
To find thy future Heaven!”—
“Yes, thou hast done all this,
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poem by Elizabeth Margaret Chandler from Poetical Works (1836)
Added by Veronica Serbanoiu
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