Property.--Gen. Washington's Letter to Brig-Gen Rufus Putnam
in regard to a Negro in his Regiment claimed by Mr.
Hobby.--Enlistment in the Army did not always work a
Practical Emancipation. 370


CHAPTER XXIX.

THE NEGRO INTELLECT.--BANNEKER THE ASTRONOMER.--FULLER THE
MATHEMATICIAN.--DERHAM THE PHYSICIAN.

Statutory Prohibition against the Education of
Negroes.--Benjamin Banneker, the Negro Astronomer and
Philosopher.--His Antecedents--Young Banneker as a Farmer
and Inventor--The Mills of Ellicott & Co.--Banneker
cultivates his Mechanical Genius and Mathematical
Tastes.--Banneker's first Calculation of an Eclipse
submitted for Inspection in 1789.--His Letter to Mr
Ellicott.--The Testimony of a Personal Acquaintance of
Banneker as to his Upright Character.--His Home becomes a
Place of Interest to Visitors.--Record of his Business
Transactions.--Mrs. Mason's Visit to him.--She addresses him
in Verse.--Banneker replies by Letter to her.--Prepares his
First Almanac for Publication in 1792.--Title of his
Almanac--Banneker's Letter to Thomas Jefferson.--Thomas
Jefferson's Reply.--Banneker invited to accompany the
Commissioners to run the Lines of the District of
Columbia.--Banneker's Habits of studying the Heavenly
Bodies.--Minute Description given to his Sisters in
Reference to the Disposition of his Personal Property after