Foner's Readings from Voices of Freedom a Documentary History

In some of Foner's readings from Voices of Freedom A Documentary History, he explains

different stories and lifestyles of the indentured servants and African slaves. Indentured servants and African slaves of these times had both similar and different experiences.

Indentured servants, like Gottieb Mittelberger, were set on ships to Philadelphia from different areas. These ships encountered people with anxiety, sickness, and horrifying living conditions. The servants, whom survived upon landing and paid their dues for travel, were then bought-with the exception that they weren't too ill. "The sick always fare the worst, for the healthy are naturally preferred and purchased first; and so the sick and wretched must often remain on board in front of the city for two or three weeks, and frequently die, whereas many a one, if he could pay his debt and were permitted to leave the ship immediately, might recover and remain alive. . . ." (Mittelberger 55-56) The servants after being bought then had to sign a contract of their work which was usually three to six years. Once their contract was up they were then given clothes etc for their long work. Indentured servants had a chance of attaining freedom. Slaves on the other hand, like Olaudah Equiano, experienced a different type of capture. Children had to take caution to play in their free time when their parents were out of the house. For when they were alone, many were kidnapped and taken away into slavery. In Equiano's story he and his sister were taken away and traveled across through many different countries. Once they reach the slave ship they were then taken in and were brainwashed that they would not live. The servants had that they would die by being eaten to weigh on their minds and left them thinking they were not even going to have a chance for freedom. After then they arrived in Barbados where they were approached with a more desirable news for their duties, they were to work and were not be eaten. After they worked for merchants they were then sold to buyers. Unlike servants, the slaves were separated from their families and friends forever. Servants could be reunited with their family and friends when their work is done. Slaves didn't have a contract to sign so instead of being released after their work is done, they would work until death. With this powerful news for slaves to have to undergo they no doubt were in denial when they were taken away. "O, ye nominal Christians! might not an African ask you, learned you this from your God? we says unto you, Do unto all men as you would men should do unto you? Is it not enough that we are torn from our country and friends to toil for your luxury and lust of gain? Must every tender feeling be likewise sacrificed to your avarice? Are the dearest