Banneker's Sneaky Letter (1791)
Banneker tries to convince Jefferson of slavery's moral corruption
This Day (An America 250 History Show)
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Show Notes
It’s August 19th. This day in 1791, Benjamin Banneker sent an advance copy of his almanac to Thomas Jefferson. Along with the almanac, he included a letter pleading with Jefferson to recognize slavery as a moral wrong.
Jody, Niki, and Kellie discuss Banneker’s enlightenment-era appeal, Jefferson’s reaction, and how the correspondence between the two helped galvanize the abolitionist movement.
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