Chapter XIV: Letter XIII: To Mr. B

London, July 18, 1772.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

NOTHING could possibly be more welcome than the favor of your truly obliging letter, which I received the day before yesterday.--Know, my worthy young man--that it’s the pride of my heart when I reflect that, through the favor of Providence, I was the humble means of good to so worthy an object.--May you live to be a credit to your great and good friends, and a blessing and comfort to your honest parents!--May you, my child, pursue, through God’s mercy, the right paths of humility, candour, temperance, benevolence--with an early piety, gratitude, and praise to the Almighty Giver of all your good?--gratitude--and love for the noble and generous benefactiors his providence has so kindly moved in your behalf! Ever let your actions be such as your own heart can approve--always think before you speak, and pause before you act--always suppose yourself before the eyes of Sir William--and Mr. Garrick.--To think justly, is the way to do rightly--and by that means you will ever be at peace within.--I am happy to hear Sir W---- cares so much about your welfare--his character is great, because it is good;--as to your noble friend Mr. Garrick--his virtues are above all praise--he has not only the best head in the world, but the best heart also;--he delights in doing good.--Your father and mother called on me last week, to shew me a letter which Mr. Garrick has wrote to you--keep it, my dear boy, as a treasure beyond all price--it would do honor to the pen of a divine--it breathes the spirit of father--friend--and christian!--indeed I know no earthly being that I can reverence so much as your exalted and noble friend and patron Mr. Garrick.--Your father and mother, I told you, I saw lately--they were both well, and their eyes overflowed at the goodness of your noble patrons--and with the honest hope that you would prove yourself not unworthy of their kindness.

I thank you for your kindness to my poor black brethren--I flatter myself you will find them not ungrateful--they act commonly from their feelings: I have observed a dog will love those who use him kindly--and surely, if so, negroes in their state of ignorance and bondage will not act less generously, if I may judge them by myself--I should suppose kindness would do any thing with them;--my soul melts at kindness--but the contrary--I own with shame--makes me almost a savage.--If you can with conveniency--when you write again--send me half a dozen cocoa-nuts, I shall esteem them for your sake--but do not think of it if there is the least difficulty.--In regard to wages, I think you acted quite right--don’t seek too hastily to be independent--it is quite time enough yet for one of your age to be your own master.--Read Mr. Garrick’s letter night and morning--put it next your heart--impress it on your memory--and may the God of all Mercy give you grace to follow his friendly dictates!--I shall ever truly rejoice to hear from you--and your well-doing will be a comfort to me ever; it is not in your own power and option to command riches--wisdom and health are immediately the gift of God--but it is in your own breast to be good--therefore, my dear child, make the only right election--be good, and trust the rest to God; and remember he is about your bed, and about your paths, and spieth out all your ways. I am, with pride and delight,

Your true friend,
IGN. SANCHO.