Who Is Benjamin Banneker Letter To Jefferson

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In 1791, Benjamin Banneker wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson addressing the practice of his slavery. Through his letter, Banneker recalls the time when the British had oppressed them, suggests to Jefferson that he empathizes with slaves who were being oppressed by institution of slavery, and uses elaborate tone to challenge Jefferson. Banneker starts off his letter by recalling the time when “the arms and tyranny of the British crown were exerted with every powerful effort in order to reduce [Jefferson] to a state of Servitude.” He wants Jefferson to recall the pain and suffering of the time when Great Britain oppressed them by violating their rights. He asks Jefferson to reflect on the American Revolution, and thinks about the slaves. Banneker

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