When was it published?

November 17, 1781 in The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

Story November 17, 1781

The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

Q: What entities or persons were involved?

Cuffe, Lord Cornwallis, Massa Marquis, Broder Arnold

Q: What keywords are associated?

Slave Speech, Lord Cornwallis, Revolutionary War, Virginia, West Indies, Benedict Arnold, Marquis De Lafayette

Portsmouth, Exeter, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

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What is this article about?

During the Revolutionary War in Virginia, enslaved man Cuffe is examined by Lord Cornwallis for intelligence, then ordered sent to the West Indies. He delivers a bold, broken-English speech protesting his fate, criticizing the English, and mentioning Marquis de Lafayette and Benedict Arnold, before being ordered removed from sight.

Clipping

OCR Quality

95% Excellent

Full Text

A Negro man in Virginia being brought before Lord Cornwallis, to be examined for Intelligence, having discovered what he knew, was ordered on board a transport, to be sent to the West Indies. Cuffe being whiggishly disposed, and having a kind master, was much affected at the order, and upon leaving the room addressed his Lordship in the following broken language:

"Hah! massa Lord, what poor negro done?--why you go kill massa Marquis, and all he bacchoras? In my country we fight mans wid gun we no fight poor slave wid noting but hoe: Dam you English-- manyou bring me to dis country, and now God give me good massa, you send me to de devil in West Indies.-- Where you broder Arnold? He take my wife--I wish he no sleep wid her.-O! poor negro."

-His Lordship affected to laugh at this speech, and ordered him immediately cut off his sight.

What sub-type of article is it?

Historical Event Biography

What themes does it cover?

Bravery Heroism Misfortune

What keywords are associated?

Slave Speech Lord Cornwallis Revolutionary War Virginia West Indies Benedict Arnold Marquis De Lafayette

What entities or persons were involved?

Cuffe Lord Cornwallis Massa Marquis Broder Arnold

Where did it happen?

Virginia

Story Details

Key Persons

Cuffe Lord Cornwallis Massa Marquis Broder Arnold

Location

Virginia

Story Details

Enslaved man Cuffe, examined by Lord Cornwallis for intelligence in Virginia, is ordered sent to the West Indies. Upset, he speaks boldly in broken English protesting his treatment, criticizing the English for fighting the Marquis and his forces, and lamenting Benedict Arnold taking his wife, before Cornwallis laughs and orders him cut off from sight.