Reflexions sur la traite et l'esclavage des negres

This French edition of 'Reflexions sur la traite et l'esclavage des "negres"' by Ottobah Cugoano was published by Royez in Paris in 1788 and translated by A. Diannyere. It was published in English the year before in London as 'Thoughts and sentiments on the evil and wicked traffic of the slavery and commerce of the human species humbly submitted to the inhabitants of Great Britain'.

Ottobah Cugoano was the most radical opponent of slavery in 18th century London. He was the first African to criticize European imperialism in the Americas. He was born in around 1757 on the coast of present-day Ghana. In 1770 he was kidnapped by fellow Africans, sold into slavery to Europeans and transported to the West Indies.

At the end of 1772 he was brought to England where he was baptised as John Stuart on 20 August 1773 at St. James Piccadilly. By 1784, he was in the employment of the artists, Richard and Maria Cosway. Cugoano soon became prominent in the fight against slavery, publishing letters in London newspapers jointly signed by him, Equiano and others. In 1787, he published his book and identified himself by his African name Ottobah Cugoano, 'a native of Africa'. The French translation of the work of the following year includes an introduction that contains information about Cugoano's life and character. Scipione Piattoli, an abbot, who had sent the translator a note in Italian about Cugoano, must have met him in London in 1788 or earlier. He was a friend of Maria Cosway and in 1789 a member of the 'Société des amis des Noirs' (Society of Friends of Blacks) in Paris that had been set up by Jacques Brissot. Piattoli may have suggested that Cugoano's work was translated.

The introduction reads:
'L'Afriquain, auteur des Réflexions sur la traite et l'esclavage des
"Nègres", est doux de caractère et simple dans ses manières; ses moeurs sont excellentes; son âge est entre trente-six et quarante ans, il est très-religieux; la Bible est sa principale étude; - il est depuis quelques années au service de M Richard Cosway, premier peintre du prince de Galles. Sa fidélité, son exactitude et son intelligence lui ont mérité l'estime et l'amitié des ses maîtres. - Il est marié a une anglaise et vit très-bien avec elle. - Il parle et écrit l'anglais; il entend le français qu'il étudie avec plaisir - Je le connais particulièrement; il ma donné son ouvrage qui a fait à Londres la plus grande sensation.'

'The African, author of Reflections on trafficking and slavery of
"Negroes", has a kind person with simple manners; his morals are excellent; his age is between thirty-six and forty years; he is very religious; the Bible is his main study. He has been for some years in service Mr Richard Cosway, the first painter to the Prince of Wales. His fidelity, accuracy and intelligence earned him the esteem and friendship of his employers. - He is married to an Englishwoman and lives happily with her. He speaks and writes English; he understands French which he studies with pleasure - I know him well; he gave me his book which in London has made a great impact.'

Nothing is known of Cugoano's life after 1791.