Hello,
So I just had a quick question in regards to the implications of a statement made by Jefferson. For some background, this was in response to Benjamin Banneker stating how slavery -- and Jefferson's own personal ownership of slaves -- contradict the ideas brought forth in the declaration of independence.
This is the passage I had a question about, which is Jefferson's reponse to Banneker:
"No body wishes more than I do, to see such proofs as you exhibit, that nature has given to our black brethren talents equal to those of the other colors of men ; and that the appearance of the want of them, is owing merely to the degraded condition of their existence, both in Africa and America." Here's the full letter; http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part2/2h72t.html
Every place I read that tries to summarize this passage says how he's saying here that he does not think that white people are naturally more intelligent than black people. However, in reading it, I feel as though he's just saying he's actually hoping to see proof of that idea -- as his statements in the Virginia Notes seem to indicate that he does think black people genetically lack the level of creativity and imagination of whites. Am I just reading improperly? I don't understand how this letter is Jefferson saying that he does think that black people can be intellectually and creatively be on the same level as white people.
I think the key phrase is to see such proofs as you exhibit - i.e. that Banneker himself is the living example of what Jefferson believed, that black people and white people were equal in their talents and abilities. It's a bit of a flowery (and complimentary) way of getting that idea across, however.
You're right, it's a little unclear how to read that. I think the sentence you quoted does seem to suggest what you said, but the following sentence suggests the opposite. He writes: "I can add with truth, that no body wishes more ardently to see a good system commenced, for raising the condition, both of their body and mind, to what it ought to be, as far as the imbecility of their present existence, and other circumstances, which cannot be neglected, will admit." So what seems like he thinks that black people would have a good condition of body and mind if not for "their present existence" and some "good system" can bring it about.