INDEPENDENCE
On August 19, 1791, Benjamin Banneker wrote a letter to Thomas Jefferson with a plea for justice for African Americans, quoting language of the Declaration of Independence. "Sir, how pitiable is it to reflect, that altho you were so fully convinced of the benevolence of the Father of mankind, and of his equal and impartial distribution of those rights and privileges which he had conferred upon them, that you should at the same time counteract his mercies, in detaining by fraud and violence so numerous a part of my brethren under groaning captivity and cruel oppression, that you should at the Same time be found guilty of that most criminal act, which you professedly detested in others, with respect to your Selves.... And now Sir, I Shall conclude and Subscribe my Self with the most profound respect, Your most Obedient humble Servant, Benjamin Banneker"