# Chapter XII: Different Transactions of the Author's Life Till the Present Time explained — The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano

> Chapter companion for The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano by Olaudah Equiano.

## What happens

Equiano reflects on the economic and moral arguments for abolishing the slave trade, describes his involvement with the Sierra Leone expedition as a commissary for the Black Poor, recounts his service under Governor Macnamara, and details his application to the Bishop of London to become a missionary to Africa.

## Themes in this chapter

### Abolition and Advocacy

Equiano presents a detailed economic case for ending the slave trade and describes his role in the Sierra Leone resettlement project.

### Economic Enterprise and Self-Reliance

Equiano argues that free trade with Africa would open immense markets for British manufactures, benefiting both parties.

### Christianity and Providence

Equiano seeks ordination as a missionary to convert his countrymen, and reflects on seeing God's hand in all events.

### Hypocrisy of Civilization

Equiano exposes corruption and neglect by the agent in the Sierra Leone expedition, highlighting the mistreatment of the Black Poor.

## Character check-ins

### Olaudah Equiano

Narrates his life after 1777, serves as commissary for the Sierra Leone expedition, applies to the Bishop of London for missionary work.

### Mat Macnamara

Governor whom Equiano served in 1779; proposed sending Equiano as a missionary to Africa.

### Captain Thomas Farmer

Capt. Thompson of the Nautilus, who convoyed the Sierra Leone expedition and witnessed abuses.

### Dr. Charles Irving

Mentioned as Mr. Irving, from whom surplus provisions were to be received for the Sierra Leone voyage.

## Key lines

> The abolition of slavery would be in reality an universal good.

Ending slavery would benefit everyone.

_Equiano's core abolitionist argument._

> I early accustomed myself to look for the hand of God in the minutest occurrence, and to learn from it a lesson of morality and religion.

From a young age, I trained myself to see God's influence in every small event and to draw moral and religious lessons from it.

_Equiano explains his providential worldview._

> I was struck with the flagrant abuses committed by the agent, and endeavoured to remedy them, but without effect.

I was shocked by the agent's blatant misconduct and tried to fix it, but failed.

_Equiano's frustration with corruption in the Sierra Leone expedition._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/chapters/xii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_interesting_narrative_of_the_life_of_olaudah_se/chapters