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Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Banneker
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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