If you look back at the time, and remember how impossible your situation seemed, then you cannot be anything but grateful in the miracle of your deliverance from that situation. Looking back on this situation, you will also be able to reflect on your attitude to such unjust servitude at the time; this was a time when you and your brethren understood its injustices and publicly declared that "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, and that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." In saying this, you made it clear how much you loved and appreciated freedom, and it is a shame to see you now part of a system that denies this freedom to others in a way that your own words considers criminal and unjust.

I will not bore you with the details of our situation, with which I am sure you are well acquainted, and likewise I will not recommend a course of action to correcting these injustices. I will encourage you, however, to put yourself in our place, and determine if you would deem this life fair, just, and reasonable from our...

In fact, it was not my intention to out this case to you so extensively, but merely to present you with the enclosed Almanac which I have compiled.
This Almanac was the result of much effort and study, which was not made easier by my color and which I almost did not complete, except that I was beholden to several printers to whom I had mentioned this project. I trust you will find it accurate and useful and remain, ever yours,

Benjamin Banneker

Jefferson's Reply:

Mr. Banneker-

Thank you very much both for the letter and the Almanac I received at your hands. I am very glad to see evidence that the Lord has indeed given your people equal gifts of cognition, and any apparent lack is simply due to the way your people are used to living. I also ardently hope for a way to improve your people's situation in this country, certain political barriers notwithstanding.

I have sent your Almanac along to some other persons who might be interested in it as a testament to the capabilities of your race. You should be very proud.

T.J.