06 November 2013

Poetry of 1786

The following humourous poetical note, was sent to Peter Bounetbeau, Esq. by a citizen, as a return of his negro property, &c., for the year 1786, agreeable to an ordinance of the [word not legible], the Corporation.

I W.L. ... do on you wait,
To give my name within the date,
A wife I have, and to be free —
I have a Negro called Money;
And if you further want to know
I have a paroquet also;
One cat I've got — and kittens three,
Which make up all my family.
August 25, 1786. Charleston Evening Gazette 2(342): 3.