Benjamin Banneker (1731-1806) was and astronomer, mathematician and almanac author as well as the first African American to challenge Thomas Jefferson on what he thought a black man could accomplish.

Banneker sent a copy of his almanac to Jefferson who replied “proofs as you exhibit.” He was so impressed he sent a copy of the almanac to the Secretary of the Academy of Sciences in Paris. Jefferson also appointed Banneker to be part of the surveying team that was tasked with establishing the original boundaries of the District of Columbia and laying out the streets of Washington DC. Banneker’s intelligence and ingenuity showed Jefferson that a black man’s knowledge far surpassed his expectations.

On August 19, 1791, after departing the federal capital area, Banneker wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson. Quoting language in the Declaration, the letter expressed a plea for justice for African Americans. In his letter, Banneker accused Jefferson of criminally using fraud and violence to oppress his slaves by stating:

…. Sir, how pitiable is it to reflect, that altho you were so fully convinced of the benevolence of the Father of mankind, and of his equal and impartial distribution of those rights and privileges which he had conferred upon them, that you should at the same time counteract his mercies, in detaining by fraud and violence so numerous a part of my brethren under groaning captivity and cruel oppression, that you should at the Same time be found guilty of that most criminal act, which you professedly detested in others, with respect to your Selves. And now Sir, I Shall conclude and Subscribe my Self with the most profound respect,

Your most Obedient humble Servant
Benjamin Banneker

Jefferson’s reply did not directly respond to Banneker’s accusations, but instead expressed his support for the advancement of his “black brethren.”

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

- Michael Aubrecht