Read the passage.

excerpt from benjamin banneker' s letter to thomas jefferson

benjamin banneker was a free man descended from african slaves. in his letter to thomas jefferson, the secretary of state, banneker condemned slavery and attempted to persuade jefferson to end the practice of slavery in the united states.

sir i hope i may safely admit, in consequence of that report which hath reached me, that you are a man far less inflexible in sentiments of this nature, than many others, that you are measurably friendly and well disposed toward us, and that you are willing and ready to lend your aid and assistance to our relief from those many distresses and numerous calamities to which we are reduced.

now sir if this is founded in truth, i apprehend you will readily embrace every opportunity to eradicate that train of absurd and false ideas and oppinions which so generally prevails with respect to us, and that your sentiments are concurrent with mine, which are that one universal father hath given being to us all, and that he hath not only made us all of one flesh, but that he hath also without partiality afforded us all the same sensations, and endued us all with the same faculties, and that however variable we may be in society or religion, however diversifyed in situation or colour, we are all of the same family, and stand in the same relation to him.

sir, suffer me to recall to your mind that time in which the arms and tyranny of the british crown were exerted with every powerful effort in order to reduce you to a state of servitude, look back i intreat you on the variety of dangers to which you were exposed, reflect on that time in which every human aid appeared unavailable, and in which even hope and fortitude wore the aspect of inability to the conflict, and you cannot but be led to a serious and grateful sense of your miraculous and providential preservation; you cannot but acknowledge, that the present freedom and tranquility which you enjoy you have mercifully received, and that it is the peculiar blessing of heaven…

sir, i suppose that your knowledge of the situation of my brethren is too extensive to need a recital here; neither shall i presume to prescribe methods by which they may be relieved; otherwise than by recommending to you and all others, to wean yourselves from these narrow prejudices which you have imbibed with respect to them, and as job proposed to his friends “put your souls in their souls stead,” thus shall your hearts be enlarged with kindness and benevolence toward them, and thus shall you need neither the direction of myself or others in what manner to proceed herein….

what is a central claim of benjamin banneker's letter to thomas jefferson? the more people learn about slavery, the more they should oppose it. all people are the same flesh but are different because of their abilities and religions. because of british oppression, americans should understand the plight of slaves. those who have been slaves understand how important freedom is. i'm so confused. !