With all their Imperfections, the
Poems are now humbly submitted to
the Perusal of the Public.
The following is a Copy of a LETTER sent
by the Author's Master to the Publisher.
PHILLIS was brought from Africa to Ame-
rica, in the Year 1761, between seven
and eight Years of Age. Without any Assist-
ance from School Education, and by only
what she was taught in the Family, she, in
sixteen Months Time from her Arrival, at-
tained the English language, to which she
was an utter Stranger before, to such a de-
gree, as to read any, the most difficult Parts
of the Sacred Writings, to the great Asto-
nishment of all who heard her.
As to her WRITING, her own Curiosity
led her to it; and this she learnt in so short a
Time, that in the Year 1765, she wrote a
Letter to the Rev. Mr. OCCOM, the Indian
Minister, while in England.
She has a great Inclination to learn the
Latin Tongue, and has made some Progress
in it. This Relation is given by her Master
who bought her, and with whom she now lives.
JOHN WHEATLEY.
Boston, Nov. 14, 1772.
To the PUBLIC.
AS it has been repeatedly suggested to the Publisher, by
Persons, who have seen the Manuscript, that Num-
bers would be ready to suspect they were not really the
Writings of PHILLIS, he has procured the following
Attestation, from the most respectable Characters in Boston,
that none might have the least Ground for disputing their
Original.
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