| Citation |
VGR(HA.782.018
1 Jun 1782:21 (1/27)
Portsmouth, (New-Hampshire) April 27. Extract of a letter
from a gentleman of character to his friend in this town,
dated at General Greene's head-quarters, near Charlestown,
Feb 20.
Not long since, they had a ball in Charlestown; this they
called an Ethiopian Ball, at which were present the officers
of the army (and our female slaves only!) who these
shameless tyrants had drest up in taste, with richest silks
and false rolls on their heads, powdered up in the most
pompous manner; these chaps who call themselves gentlemen,
waited on those wretches in carriages to carry them to the
ball, which they drove through the streets in pomp along
side of them. Many of those wretches were taken out of
houses before their mistresses faces, and escorted to the
ball by these British tyrants. Inclosed I send you a copy
of a card wrote to one of those shameless brutes, by the
managers of the ball, which were three Negro wenches; it was
held at a very capital private house in Charlestown, and the
supper cost not less than 80 L. sterling; and these tyrants
danced with the slaves 'till four o'clock in the morning.
Thus you see to what a state of shame and perfidy the
officers of that once great nation (Britain) has arrived to.
My Lord, You are invited to a ball on Thursday evening,
at No. 99, Meeting-street; the ball to be opened at eight
o'clock. [signed] Hagar Roupell, Isabella Pinkney, Mary
Fraser, managers.
Charlestown, Jan. 1, 1782.
To Lord Fitzgerald.
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