Discovery that Ayuba Suleiman Diallo, a Runaway Slave Known as Job, Was a Literate Muslim, 1731 He was brought into the Tavern to us, but could not speak one Word of English. Upon our Talking and making Signs to him, he wrote a Line or two before us, and when he read it, pronounced the Words Allah and Mohammed; by which, and his refusing a Glass of Wine we offered him, we perceived he was a Mohammedan [Muslim], but could not imagine of what Country he was, or how he got thither; for by his affable Carriage, and the easy Composure of his Countenance, we could perceive he was no common Slave. When Job had been some time confined, an old Negro Man, who lived in that Neighborhood, and could speak the Jolloff Language, which Job also understood, went to him, and conversed with him. By this Negro the Keeper was informed to whom Job belonged, and what was the Cause of his leaving his Master. The Keeper thereupon wrote to his Master, who soon after
fetched him home, and was much kinder to him than before; allowing him a Place to pray in, and some other Conveniences, in order to make his Slavery as easy as possible. Yet Slavery and Confinement was by no means agreeable to Job, who had never been used to it; he therefore wrote a Letter in Arabic to his Father, acquainting him with his Misfortunes, hoping he might yet find Means to redeem him. ... Mr. Denton ... purchased him again of his Master for the same Money which Mr. Denton had formerly received for him; his Master being very willing to part with him, as finding him no ways fit for his Business.

1. With the broader context of the transatlantic trade in enslaved peoples in
mind, do you think it was odd for a man such as Diallo to end up enslaved in
the American colonies? Why or why not?

2. What evidence in the text points to the fact that Diallo was, in fact, different from other enslaved people whom the writer had encountered?

3. What maybe not-so-obvious problem faced by enslaved people in the colonies does this excerpt point out?