Benjamin Banneker's Letter To Thomas Jefferson

Words: 982
Pages: 4

During the year 1971, America, especially the north, was going through a lot of discriminations (racism, inequality). It is the sense that Benjamin Banneker was inspired to write and issue letter to Thomas Jefferson. This letter was the first formal document showing protest in the History of America. At this point, we have question which pop out of our mind. Who was Thomas Jefferson? Who was Benjamin Banneker? What was the letter about? Why was the letter significant?
Benjamin Banneker was a free black African American born on November 9, 1731 and passed away on October 9, 1806 at Baltimore County, Maryland. His mother was former slave. Nevertheless, He had the chance to have some education, and he was mostly self-taught. He was an intelligent child, He attended the Quaker school. He was the other of the almanac. He was also a farmer and a surveyor of the land. On the other hand, Thomas Jefferson was born on April 1743 at Shadwell, Virginia, and he died on July 4, 1824 at Charlottesville, Virginia. He spent his childhood at Virginia and studied at William & Mary College where he graduated in law.

At the moment where Benjamin Banneker write to Jefferson, he was secretary of state (first
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He mention the fact that black slave have been labored white for a long time under abuse, bad condition and abuse with no benefit.; that they have always been consider less human (as brutish) than others.
Secondly, he mention the religion. He based his opinion on the fact that Jefferson believe in god just like him. He affirmed; “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”. Indeed, he want to make Jefferson understand that the freedom and the liberty that he enjoy is giving from God and everyone should deserve it. In other term, He meant that if he truly believe in Lord. He should not limited others people