BIB_ID
131783
Accession number
MA 417.10
Creator
Sancho, Ignatius, 1729-1780.
Display Date
1766 July 21.
Credit line
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1897.
Description
1 item (4 pages), bound ; 19.6 cm
Notes
A biographical note in the hand of Belle da Costa Greene beneath p. 1 of this letter reads: "Ignatius Sancho (1729-1780) -- a negro who was brought to England at an early age. He was butler to the 2nd Duke of Montagu, 1749-51 and subsequently served George Montagu, 4th Duke of Manchester. Formed an acquaintance with Sterne (through this letter). In 1778 he became a grocer in Charles Street where he spent his time writing letters in the style of Sterne. These 'Letters' were published in 1782. Published Altenburgh, Richter, 1776. v.3 but quite changed. (Some writers consider that Sterne himself wrote the above letter.)"
Part of a collection of letters from Laurence Sterne. Letters in this collection have been described individually in separate catalog records; see collection-level record for more information.
Part of a collection of letters from Laurence Sterne. Letters in this collection have been described individually in separate catalog records; see collection-level record for more information.
Provenance
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan from the London dealer J. Pearson & Co., 1897.
Summary
Introducing himself to Sterne; describing his background and current circumstances; praising The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy; quoting a passage from The Sermons of Mr. Yorick on slavery; saying that none of his favorite authors have written on the suffering of Black people, with the exception of Sterne and "the truely humane author of Sr. George Ellison [Sarah Scott]"; asking Sterne if he would write on the topic of slavery in the West Indies; adding "that subject handled in your own manner, would ease the Yoke of many, perhaps occasion a reformation throughout our Islands"; concluding "think in me, you behold the uplifted hands of Millions of my moorish brethen -- Grief (you pathetically observe) is eloquent -- figure to yourselves their attitudes -- hear their supplicatory address -- humanity must comply[.]"
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