in 1791 strongly criticizing the then Secretary of State:
[for] detaining by fraud and violence so numerous a part
of my brethren���you should at the same time be found
guilty of that most criminal act, which you professedly
detested in others���
Earlier in his letter to Jefferson, Banneker reminded
Jefferson of the latter���s immortal words:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are
created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator
with certain inalienable rights, and that among these, are
life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Jefferson���s contained reply is noteworthy, having written:
I can add with truth that nobody wishes more ardently to
see a good system commenced, for raising the condition,
both of their body and mind for what it ought to be, as
far as the imbecillity of their present existence, and other
circumstances, which cannot be neglected, will admit.
It is regrettable that of Banneker���s moving appeal, which
serves as a tribute in large part to Jefferson���s own writings,
Jefferson later wrote, in 1809, to Joel Barlow, ���I have a
long letter from Banneker which shows him to have had
a mind of very common stature indeed.���
Regardless of Jefferson���s commentary in his letter to
Barlow, the fact that both men were freely interacting
HYLAND
