Thomas Jefferson, Jefferson on Slavery

1.Differences

Color fixed in nature

Stature seem to be made for labor secrete less by kidneys, more by glands strong disagreeable odor less hair of face & body more tolerant of heat and less of cold require less sleep

Bravery Were they really brave or did they have no forethought, which kept them from seeing danger.

Love More ardent after their females Have more eagerness of desire than love

Memory Equal to whites

Reason Much inferior

Imagination Dull, tasteless and anomalous

Education Liberal Arts No trace of art, painting or sculpture, only narratives, even though they had been exposed.

Music More gifted than whites in regards to tune & time, but no evidence of composition of melody or harmony.

Poetry Regarding Phyllis Whately, her compositions were below dignity of criticism. Ignatius Sancho, approached nearer merit, but his letters do him more honor.

2.Blacks, whether originally a distinct race, or made distinct by time and circumstances, are inferior to the whites in the endowments both of body and mind.

Proof, according to Jefferson

When compared to Roman slaves, who were white.

Roman slavery was much more appalling, but the slaves were often the rarest artists.

They excelled in science and were tutors for master’s children.

3.By owning slaves, we are teaching our children to own slaves.

Man is an imitator

From cradle to grave, he learns by doing what he sees others do

Parents should restrain from violence to their slaves.

Slave ownership destroys not only morals, but industry as well.

4.If a man owns a slave and has him to do his work, why should he dirty his hands?

5.God is just, and his justice cannot sleep forever.