|
The part of the diary that has really intrigued and
excited Richard concerns the visit of a privateer
ship to the island in 1762. As he sits at his desk Richard
recreates in his mind the scene that his ancestor recounts from over two centuries
earlier. The captain of the privateer is a black man, which is such an unusual occurrence that it has got tongues wagging all over the island. So Sir Richard is intrigue when his manservant interrupts him one afternoon to say the privateer captain is wanting to see him and he is accompanied by a young mulatto woman (the term "mulatto" is used at this time to describe somebody of mixed race). (*The Privateer is a private naval vessel in this case working for the British navy. It's role is to attack and rob the vessels of other countries which are competing for trade with Britain. So it acts and behaves like an authorised pirate.) |
 |