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| | Letter from Thomas
Jefferson to Benjamin Banneker
08/30/1791
Courtesy of Library of
Congress, Manuscript Division, "Creating a Virginia Republic" Exhibit
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Thomas Jefferson's papers and correspondence reveal major
inconsistencies regarding his beliefs in the intellectual capacity of
blacks. In this letter, Jefferson exalts the learned Benjamin Banneker
and proclaims that he is proof that members of his race are equal to
whites in their potential for learning and achievement.
Philadelphia Aug. 30. 1791.
Sir,
I thank you sincerely
for your letter of the 19th. instant and for the Almanac it contained.
no body wishes more than I do to see such proofs as you exhibit, that
nature has given to our black brethren, talents equal to those of the
other colours of men, & that the appearance of a want of them is owing
merely to the degraded condition of their existence both in Africa &
America. I can add with truth that no body wishes more ardently to see a
good system commenced for raising the condition both of their body &
mind to what it ought to be, as fast as the imbecillity of their present
existence, and other circumstance which cannot be neglected, will admit.
I have taken the liberty of sending your almanac to Monsieur de
Condorcet, Secretary of the Academy of sciences at Paris, and member of
the Philanthropic society because I considered it as a document to which
your whole colour had a right for their justification against the doubts
which have been entertained of them. I am with great esteem, Sir, Your
most obedt. humble servt.
Th. Jefferson
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