Question

Can someone help me understand what jefferson is saying?

Answer 1

this was the reply to banneker's letter

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, and that the appearance of a want of them is owing merely to the degraded condition of their existence both in Africa and 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 and 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 obedt. humble servt. Th. Jefferson.

Answer 2

my question is , in the few last sentences, it says " 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."

what does this mean?

Answer 3

@kaylak12345 @confluxepic

Answer 4

does it mean that he acknowledges that blacks have the intelligence capability?

Answer 5

in the original letter,, banneker persuades thomas jefferson that blacks or no matter what color, anyone is capable of scientific reasoning. and so jefferson replies saying this... (along with the letter, he sends him the almanac)

Answer 6

He means that blacks are equal to whites in their ability to learn and understand!

Answer 7

lol yesvery good

Answer 8

ty