“Comparing them (Negroes) by their faculties of memory, reason, and imagination, it appears to me that in memory they are equal to the whites; in reason much inferior, as I think one (negro) could scarcely be found capable of tracing and comprehending the investigations of Euclid; and that in imagination they are dull, tasteless, and anomalous. It would be unfair to follow them to Africa for this investigation… They astonish you with strokes of the most sublime oratory; such as prove their reason and sentiment strong, their imagination glowing and elevated. But never yet could I find that a black had tittered a thought above the level of plain narration; never saw ever an elementary trait of painting or sculpture… Misery is often the parent of the most affecting touches in poetry. Among the blacks is misery enough? God knows, but no poetry.”
- From “The Writings of Thomas Jefferson”
On August 19, 1791, Benjamin Banneker: Mathematician, surveyor, astronomer, publisher, inventor, and patriot replied to this very ignorant statement with a brilliant letter ridiculing the hypocrisy of the institution of slavery. Here’s a quote from Banneker’s letter.
Banneker’s reply:
“(S)uffer me to recall to your mind that time in which the arms and tyranny of the British crown were exerted with every powerful effort in order to reduce you to a state of servitude. Look back. I entreat you, on the variety of dangers to which you were exposed; reflect on that time in which every human aid appeared unavailable, and in which even hope and fortitude wore the aspect of inability to the conflict; and you cannot but be led to a serious and grateful sense of your miraculous and providential preservation; you cannot but acknowledge that the present freedom and tranquility which you enjoy you have mercifully received, and that it is the peculiar blessing of Heaven.
"This, sir, was a time in which you clearly saw into the injustice of a state of slavery, and in which you had just apprehension of the horrors of its condition.
"…It was now, sir, that your abhorrence thereof was so excited that you publicly held forth this true and invaluable doctrine, which is worthy to be recorded and remembered in all succeeding ages: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, and that they are endowed with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness'.”
http://afroamhistory.about.com/library/blbanneker_letter.htm
Banneker also included a copy of his first almanac.
Here’s then-Secretary-of-State Jefferson’s reply to Banneker. (He obviously felt very foolish by this time).
I thank you sincerely for your letter of the 19th instance and for the Almanac it contained. No body wishes more than I do to see such proofs as you exhibit, that nature has given our black brethren, talents equal to those of the other colors of men, and 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 imbecility of their present existence, and other circumstances which cannot be neglected, will admit. I have taken the liberty of sending your Almanac to Monsieur de Condorcet, Secretary of the Academy of Science at Paris, and a 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
Follow the link below for more information on this amazing Black man.
http://www.blackinventor.com/pages/benjaminbanneker.html
