African Princes Between the Companies
In 1717 two African princes were sold into slavery. Navigating London society and the machinations of the East India and Royal African Companies, they negotiated a path home.
Among the papers of James Brydges, the duke of Chandos, is a manuscript called ‘The Book of Strangers’. It records visitors to his country estate, Cannons in Middlesex, between July 1721 and November 1722. Chandos had gained his wealth and title through government service and he invested in many projects and schemes; during the period the book was kept he had bought up enough stock in the Royal African Company (RAC) to control it. Dinner guests recorded in the Book included the elite of the land, such as the duke of Newcastle who dined on 16 July 1721 and the duke of Manchester who came two months later on 17 September. Both men, like Chandos, were supporters of George Frideric Handel, who had been house composer at Cannons until February 1719. Other guests often included RAC officials (who were also usually close friends and relatives). But the first guests listed for 24 September 1721 were unique. They were recorded as ‘2 African Princes’. That day, these men, known to the English as Prince James and Prince John, dined alongside RAC captains and investors as the Company was looking to send them home.
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