A document as justification against the doubts

[This is my letter in full to the black mathematician, Benjamin Banneker, August 30, 1791. I was so happy that I replied promptly to his letter dated August 19 where he supplied me his astronomical calculations for his Almanac from his arduous study. He presented me with evidence that counters my Notes on the State of Virginia where I wrote, “I advance it therefore as a suspicion only, that the blacks, whether originally a distinct race, or made distinct by time and circumstances, are inferior to the whites in the endowments both of body and mind.” My sample population was apparently too small. However, the Federalists, my political opponents, later cited this same letter to Mr. Banneker against me, accusing me of being “a crypto-abolitionist” and that I favored “a speedy emancipation of the slaves.”]

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 imbecility 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 obedient and humble servant, Th. Jefferson