Wheatley, Phillis.
Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral.
London: Printed for A. Bell…, 1773.

Eighteenth century readers of Phillis Wheatley’s (c. 1753-1784) Poems were impressed not only by the quality of the verse, but also by the fact that the author was an African-American slave living in Boston. The book includes a copy of a letter sent by John Wheatley—Phillis’ master—to the publisher, testifying to her talents, as well as a copy of a public notice signed by John Hancock, Charles Chauncy, and others confirming that Phillis Wheatley was indeed the author of the poems.