Date: 1770

While emulation in each bosom glow'd; / Thou didst, in strains of eloquence refin'd, / Inflame the soul, and captivate the mind.

— Wheatley, Phillis (c.1753–1784)

Date: 1782

"I read it carefully a second time--pondered--weighed--and submitted--whenever a spark of vanity seems to be glowing at my heart--I will read your letter--and what then?"

— Sancho, Charles Ignatius (1729-1780)

Date: 1782

"Earth re-possesses part of what she gave--and the freed spirit mounts on wings of fire;--her disorder was a stoppage--she fell ill the evening of the Friday that I last saw her continued in her full senses to the last."

— Sancho, Charles Ignatius (1729-1780)

Date: 1789

"Does not slavery itself depress the mind, and extinguish all its fire and every noble sentiment?"

— Equiano, Olaudah [Gustavus Vasa] (c. 1745-1797)

Date: 1789

"Situated as we were, who could think that men should be so careless of the danger they were in? for, if the wind had but raised the swell as it was when the vessel struck, we must have bid a final farewel to all hopes of deliverance; and though, I warned the people who were drinking, and entreat...

— Equiano, Olaudah [Gustavus Vasa] (c. 1745-1797)