In the year 1773 he published a poem, which he wrote expressly in behalf of the oppressed Africans.

He gave it the name of The Dying Negro.

The preface to it was written in an able manner by his friend counsellor Bicknell, who is therefore to be ranked among the coadjutors in this great cause.

The poem was founded on a simple fact, which had taken place a year or two before.

A poor Negro had been seized in London, and forcibly put on board a ship, where he destroyed himself, rather than return to the land of slavery.