The negro as there are few white men
Contributions
- Joseph Trapp
- author
Related resources
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- The negro as there are few white men translation has paratext
Summary (extracted citations)
From the translator's prefatory address: "… I venture to lay before the eyes of Englishmen, a production, which in my humble opinion, claims superiority over those numberless and fashionable writings of the day, denominated novels and romances. Neither literary ambition, nor sordid interest, could induce me to hurry in (sic) the enlightened world this uncouth translation… Blest with some feelings for my fellow creatures, proud to call myself a citizen of the world, I only aim to concur with the liberality of the times, and to join the general ferment, which agitates the bosoms of the humane, who scorn at the disnatured wretch that deals in human flesh. God forbid! humanity and the interference of a wise legislature should not prevail in the present crisis; nevertheless I flatter myself that the perusal of these sheets will rankle with remorses (sic) the guilty breast, and steal a sigh – perhaps a tear – from the sensibility of honest souls: for my own part, I covet no other reward, but that, 'TO KNOW MYSELF A MAN'".
Notes
Dedication to the abolitionist MP William Wilberforce. According to Trapp's letter to the [Royal] Literary Fund from 2 Jan 1792, explaining his financial troubles, he wrote to the MP in April 1790 as he had a reputation for subsidizing antislavery literature, since the translation and publication were self-paid and his first printer, Louis-Claude du Mitand went bankrupt, absconding with £52 intended to cover the printing costs. However, Wilberforce returned the translation unread, claiming he was too busy with parliamentary affairs. See RLF Loan 96/Vol.1/11.
Epigraph from Anna Kommene, 'The Alexiad' (Alexis Comnenius to Sinesius): “Do Scythians for being Scythians cease to be men”.
Trapp's Preface explains his reasons for presenting Lavallée's novel to the public as far more worthy than most “fashionable writings of the day” being neither motivated by “literary ambition nor sordid interest”. As “a citizen of the world”, he is motivated by feelings towards his fellow creatures and hopes that it might help to sway the consciences of those who still believe in slavery.