Benjamin Banneker, the son of former slaves, writes to Thomas Jefferson to condemn

the institution of slavery in the United States. Banneker attempts to persuade Jefferson to
reconsider his tolerance of such an inhuman system. By manipulating diction and alluding to
history and the Bible, Banneker adopts a respectful yet critical tone in order to move Jeffersons
conscience.
In his opening statement, Banneker humbly retells the powerful story of Americas
struggle for independence. He expresses his deference by referring to Jefferson as sir and
carefully selects words with negative connotations in order to convey the outrage as well as the
hopelessness that plagued the United States during its conflict with Britain. Banneker speaks
about the tyranny of the British Crown in its efforts to reduce [the colonists] to a state of
servitude, reminding Jefferson of the similarities between slavery and British imperialism.
Immediately after this historical allusion, Banneker follows up with a passionate description of
the newfound freedom that was the peculiar blessing of Heaven. His sudden positive shift in
diction reveals his implication that freedom is a God-given miracle not only to the American
colonists, but also to those enslaved by them.
Once again, Banneker lapses into a very negative narrative of slavery, masking his anger
with another sir. However, he does not choose to balance his accusations about the injustice
of a state of slavery a second time; instead, he builds up his momentum by quoting Jefferson
from the Declaration of Independence to exhibit the obvious contrast between Jeffersons
speeches exulting equality and his status as a slave owner. When Banneker finally launches into
his accusations, his tone becomes increasingly scathing as he mocks the unalienable rights
Jefferson believed people were entitled by nature whilst others suffered groaning captivity


and cruel oppression. In contrast to his recounting of history earlier in the text, Banneker
emphasizes the juxtaposition by directly accusing Jefferson of hypocrisy, evidenced by the
frequency of you.
After delivering his criticisms, Banneker reverts to the acquiescent tone he opened with
to wind down from the climax. He downplays the influence of his personal opinion, quoting
Jobs proposal to put your souls in their souls stead in order to reinforce his advice on
empathizing with the slaves because Gods word carries more weight than his own. This
approach connects both himself and Jefferson as followers of the same God, and though
Jefferson need neither the direction of myself or others, ignoring Bannekers arguments
would be tantamount to questioning Gods authority. After the religious appeal, Banneker ends
the letter on a neutral tone, leaving the final decision up to Jefferson. In doing so, he implies
that Jefferson is aware of the correct choice, but the responsibility to make it is solely
Jeffersons, placing a moral obligation upon him whilst absolving Banneker of any effect he had
on the final outcome.
Banneker applied many rhetorical strategies persuading Jefferson to rethink his stance
on slavery. His combination of pathos and logos, in the form of contrasting diction, allusions,
and other devices, was structured to play on Jeffersons pride and sense of guilt. Through his
obeisant tone, he eloquently obscures his indignation at the social order. Though Bannekers
call for a radical change was ultimately unsuccessful, his cogent argument remains a record to
posterity.