Chapter 12 Summary and Analysis

Back in England, Equiano is urged to become ordained by the Bishop in order to conduct missionary work in Africa, but the Bishop denies his written request. Equiano next spends some unremarkable years in England, touring Wales and serving a Dorsetshire nobleman, "but the operations there were too minute and uninteresting to make a detail of," (p. 223). In the Spring of 1784, Equiano takes to sea again, traveling to New York, a city he greatly admires. Next he goes to Philadelphia, and rejoices at the fact that an all-black school has been set up there by the Quakers.

Back in London, the government spearheads an expedition to Sierra Leone, in order to return former slaves back to their homeland. Equiano is appointed a "commissary" for the government, a position charged with ensuring adequate provisions are provided and the government's budget is followed...