I am one of those people whom the vulgar and illiberal call "Negurs."- The first part of my life was rather unlucky, as I was placed in a family who judged ignorance the best and only security for obedience.

(from vol. 1, letter 35: Jul 1776, to Mr Sterne [i.e. Laurence Sterne who died in 1768- date should be 1766]).